Reality Check #7: Red-teaming the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance

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
Reality Check #7: Red-teaming the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance

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
Reality Check #7: Red-teaming the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance

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

Reality Check

Jun 14, 2021

Reality Check #7: Red-teaming the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance

By Emma Ashford

The Biden administration has released an Interim National Security Strategic Guidance (INSSG), a stepping-stone to a full National Security Strategy (NSS). Although this document presents a more realistic vision of the world than the Trump administration’s NSS did, the INSSG still contains some questionable assumptions.

China Middle East

In the News

Jun 14, 2021

Dagres quoted in CNN World on Iran’s presidential election

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Elections

In the News

Jun 14, 2021

Kadhim joins Dearborn Blog to discuss the Great Iraqi Revolt of 1920 and the formation of the state of Iraq hereafter

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Iraq

IranElections2021

Jun 14, 2021

Hemmati: The dark horse of the Iranian presidential election?

By Ali Dadpay

One wonders if the former Central Bank of Iran governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, a moderate, stands a chance. His performance in the debates and his wife’s appearance in an interview have certainly garnered attention.

Elections Iran

Issue Brief

Jun 14, 2021

What choices remain for the United States in Syria?

By Nate Rosenblatt and Jomana Qaddour

In a new issue brief Nate Rosenblatt and Jomana Qaddour describe the challenges the United States faces in Syria, including Russia's attempt to expand the UN Strategic Framework as well the struggle to keep the UN humanitarian border crossings open in northern Syria.

Human Rights International Organizations

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
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Experts

Fellow

David H. Young

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Conflict

Staff

Bailey Galicia

Project Assistant

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Extremism

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Jacobo Ramos Folch

Policy Manager, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Jeffrey Hovenier

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Croatian Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Fabio Petito

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Leon Leskovec

Head of Cabinet for Karlo Ressler, Member of the European Parliament

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Politics & Diplomacy
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Events

Online Event Tue, May 13, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Rethinking US policy options in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Economy & Business Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Fri, May 16, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Critical minerals and the pathways to prosperity, peace, and security in the DRC
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy & Business 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