Narcos: Syria edition—and what the US can do about it

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
Narcos: Syria edition—and what the US can do about it

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 Economic Sanctions
Narcos: Syria edition—and what the US can do about it

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

MENASource

Jun 14, 2021

Narcos: Syria edition—and what the US can do about it

By Ian Larson

Little-consumed outside the Middle East, captagon—also known as the “poor man’s cocaine”—has proliferated, owing to an industrial boom centered predominantly in war-torn Syria, where the embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad now relies on narcotics as a financial lifeline.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jun 13, 2021

Deni in the The Hill: Biden’s agenda in Geneva – remind Putin of consequences for Russian malign behavior

By John R. Deni

Deni writes in The Hill that there are two reasons why a US-Russia summit makes for good policy and good politics at this moment

Arms Control Europe & Eurasia

Inflection Points

Jun 13, 2021

History’s warning for the Biden-Putin meeting

By Frederick Kempe

The dangers rest in the Biden administration’s understandable focus on China as the contest of our times and insufficient realization of the increased challenges Russia poses.

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

New Atlanticist

Jun 12, 2021

A hidden key to the G7’s infrastructure ambitions: Blue Dot Network

By Kaush Arha

Blue Dot Network represents another chapter for US leadership to address global needs and safeguard the international system from predatory behavior. With the Biden administration’s mission to build back better for the world, it is well poised to make BDN one of its landmark legacies for global good.

Africa Americas

In the News

Jun 12, 2021

Vershbow in POLITICO: Biden revels in Trump’s absence from the world stage

By Alexander Vershbow

Amb. Vershbow was quoted in POLITICO on European concerns over the tendencies that led to President Trump's election, and the unique approaches different European leaders are taking to President Biden.

Arms Control Eastern Europe

In the News

Jun 11, 2021

Katz in The National: “What U.S.-Soviet Strategic Arms Talks Reveal About the Iran Nuclear Deal”

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jun 11, 2021

Vershbow in The New York Times: Biden aims to bolster US alliances in Europe, but challenges loom

By Alexander Vershbow

Ambassador Alexander Vershbow was quoted in the New York Times on the Biden-Putin Summit and how despite arguing over many things, the two leaders will continue the dialogue going forward.

Arms Control Eastern Europe

In the News

Jun 11, 2021

Fulton quoted in Bloomberg on the UAE’s relationship with China

By Atlantic Council

China Defense Technologies

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jun 11, 2021

The case for a Comprehensive Approach 2.0: How NATO can combat Chinese and Russian political warfare

By Kathleen J. McInnis, Clementine G. Starling-Daniels

Kathleen J. McInnis and Clementine G. Starling outline how NATO’s Comprehensive Approach program can serve as a model to counter political warfare at the strategic level.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Jun 11, 2021

That was then but this is now: Assessing the new Atlantic Charter

By Andrew R. Marshall

This moment—between these two iconic figures, engaged in an epic struggle against the ultimate evil—is magical. But that allure shouldn’t distract from the fact that the charter was not merely a vague wish list. It had a concrete function in the very tough relationship between two wartime allies.

Politics & Diplomacy United Kingdom
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Experts

Fellow

Achilles Tsirgis

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business European Union

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Antti Rauhala

Programme Officer, International Energy Agency (IEA)

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Staff

Kate Springs

Program Assistant, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms

Fellow

Samantha Sutton

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Israel

Fellow

Helena Fee Rasch

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Daniel Di Giusto

Co-founder & Social Impact Strategist, Tech To The Rescue Foundation

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Civil Society
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Events

Public Event Wed, May 7, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Taking stock: Bilateral ties after 100 days of the Trump administration
Economy & Business International Markets Latin America Mexico
Online Event Tue, May 13, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Rethinking US policy options in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Economy & Business Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy
Online Event Fri, May 16, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Lucian Kim on “Putin’s Revenge” and Russia’s war on Ukraine
Europe & Eurasia Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy Ukraine