The most significant question for Trump’s America in 2026: What sticks?

New Atlanticist Mar 18, 2025

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

By Atlantic Council experts

In the early hours of March 18, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending the two-month cease-fire. Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the resumed conflict.
Conflict Israel
The most significant question for Trump’s America in 2026: What sticks?

New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
The most significant question for Trump’s America in 2026: What sticks?

Issue Brief Mar 13, 2025

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

By Jonathan Fulton

Despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political, Jonathan Fulton argues.
China Economy & Business

Content

Inflection Points

Jan 5, 2026

The most significant question for Trump’s America in 2026: What sticks?

By Frederick Kempe

Not every shock becomes a structure, and not every provocation determines an enduring policy change.

Politics & Diplomacy
Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 4, 2026

Gray interviewed on Bloomberg about Trump’s Venezuela policy

By Atlantic Council

On January 4, Alexander B. Gray, a GeoStrategy Initiative nonresident senior fellow, was interviewed on Bloomberg's "The China Show" about the decision to capture Nicolas Maduro. He explains that the Trump administration has redefined US core interests as inextricably linked to the Western hemisphere, and argues ousting Maduro eliminated a hostile regime and narrowed the strategic space for US adversaries.

Americas
Latin America

Dispatches

Jan 4, 2026

Venezuelan oil was the enabler, not the prize

By Landon Derentz

It will likely take years to rehabilitate the country’s energy sector and achieve a sizable increase in oil exports.

Energy & Environment
Oil and Gas

Fast Thinking

Jan 3, 2026

What to watch in a post-Maduro Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

President Donald Trump said the United States will now “run” Venezuela—but what will that mean in practice?

Democratic Transitions
Latin America

Dispatches

Jan 3, 2026

Experts react: The US just captured Maduro. What’s next for Venezuela and the region?

By Atlantic Council experts

What does the future hold for Venezuela following the US raid that removed Nicolás Maduro from power? Atlantic Council experts share their insights.

Democratic Transitions
Latin America

In the News

Jan 3, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Peace Through Strength in Venezuela—and the World

By Atlantic Council

Americas
Democratic Transitions

In the News

Dec 31, 2025

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: The Middle East at a Moment of Strategic Choice

By Atlantic Council

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

Balkans Debrief

Dec 30, 2025

Will Kurti’s 4th victory reshape Kosovo’s foreign relations? | A Debrief with Yll Sadiku

Ilva Tare and Yll Sadiku break down the results of Kosovo's election and the foreign policy implications of Albin Kurti's victory on December 28, 2025.

Elections
Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Dec 23, 2025

One year of Trump 2.0 for the Western Balkans | A Debrief with Europe Center experts

In this special #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare sits down with five Europe Center experts to discuss the major US policy developments toward the Balkans in 2025 and what to expect in 2026.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Dec 23, 2025

Serbia’s future depends on rebuilding rule of law and EU credibility

By Richard Grieveson

After a full year of antigovernment protests, Belgrade faces a sustained challenge to the status quo. The corruption that drew protestors to the streets also stifle growth and imperil political freedom in the country. Restoring a credible path to EU accession would be the single most powerful external incentive for change.

Europe & Eurasia
Freedom and Prosperity
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Peter Mandaville

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Osman Haneef

Head of LBS Startup Incubator & Senior Manager of Ventures, London Business School

Millennium Leadership Program

Entrepreneurship Rule of Law

Fellow

Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Daniel P. Erikson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Economy & Business International Organizations

Fellow

Alina L. Romanowski

Distinguished Fellow

Iraq Initiative Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

Millennium fellow

Linas Kojala

CEO, Geopolitics and Security Studies Center

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
Load More

Events

Online Event Thu, January 15, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

How to lose friends and alienate allies: Russia’s foreign policy losing streak
Africa Democratic Transitions Disinformation Europe & Eurasia
Online Event Fri, January 16, 2026 • 8:00 am ET

How might Russia’s war on Ukraine change in 2026?
Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Russia Security & Defense