Content

Dispatches

Aug 12, 2026

Iran is draining its leverage in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump’s best move is to let it happen.

By Landon Derentz

The US goal should be to help construct a global energy system in which Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz matters far less.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security

Dispatches

Aug 12, 2026

Ukraine is also fighting for its future in the EU. With the right help and reforms, it can win.

By James Mazzarella, Tomás Gómez Revelo, Charlotte Bertrand

KYIV—Travel to Dnipro or Kharkiv, cities close to Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, and the first impression might be one of improbable normalcy. Families stroll through manicured parks. Restaurants and hotels are packed with foreigners and locals. Commerce spills onto buzzing streets. Look closer, however, and the architecture of war is everywhere. Children study in a growing […]

Corruption Politics & Diplomacy

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Aug 12, 2026

Braw in Al Jazeera on Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian port infrastructure

By Elisabeth Braw

On August 12, Elisabeth Braw was interviewed by Al Jazeera to discuss Ukrainian naval drone attacks on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk.

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

UkraineAlert

Aug 11, 2026

Western weakness is encouraging Putin to test NATO

By Peter Dickinson

As Moscow's hybrid war against NATO continues to escalate, the alliance's reluctance to impose any additional costs on the Kremlin will only only embolden Putin and fuel Russian perceptions of Western weakness, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Drones

MENASource

Aug 11, 2026

Israel cannot afford to miss the IMEC moment

By Samantha Sutton

For the next Israeli government, the economic gains of investing in the corridor are worth the political costs.

Israel Middle East

TURKEYSource

Aug 11, 2026

Turkey wants a bigger role in NATO. Its defense industry will be key.

By Alp Ozen

With the NATO Summit in Ankara behind it, Turkey’s defense sector now faces the challenge of turning political momentum into action—from defense-industrial cooperation to diplomatic initiatives and NATO capability development.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

AfricaSource

Aug 10, 2026

How to push back against Mali’s propagandists? Help factual creators go viral.

By Tom Bonsundy-O’Bryan

Mali’s information space is now dominated by livestreaming “videomen” pushing misinformation. The West needs to respond by funding fact-based creators.

Africa Disinformation

Dispatches

Aug 7, 2026

Why Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey just signed a defense pact

By Atlantic Council experts

Each country pledged to defend the others, but each country also has its own motivations for joining the pact.

Conflict Iran

Fast Thinking

Aug 7, 2026

The Senate just agreed to hand Trump a tariff weapon against Russia. Will he use it?

By Atlantic Council

Our experts break down what exactly the Russia sanctions bill would accomplish and its prospects of becoming law.

Conflict Russia

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Aug 7, 2026

Braw in New York Times on disrupting Russian sea routes to Crimea

By Elisabeth Braw

On July 15, Elisabeth Braw was quoted in a New York Times article on the small Russian vessels bringing supplies to Crimea and their likely contents.

Europe & Eurasia Russia

Experts

Events