Content

MENASource

Jan 14, 2026

Voices from Iran: As rejection of government reaches all-time high, Iranians also wary of foreign intervention

By Tara Kangarlou

If Trump is serious about peace, stability, and a lasting legacy, the path forward does not run through air strikes or transactional deals with a failing theocracy.

Civil Society
Crisis Management

UkraineAlert

Jan 13, 2026

Putin is weaponizing winter as Russia tries to freeze Ukraine into submission

By Peter Dickinson

Russia is “going all in” to destroy Ukraine’s power system, Ukrainian Deputy Energy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk said on January 13 following the latest in a series of major bombardments targeting civilian energy infrastructure in cities across the country.

Conflict
Crisis Management

UkraineAlert

Jan 13, 2026

Putin cannot accept any peace deal that secures Ukrainian statehood

By William Dixon, Maksym Beznosiuk

Putin has no obvious route to victory in 2026 but cannot accept a compromise peace as any settlement that safeguarded Ukrainian independence would be seen in Moscow as an historic Russian defeat, write William Dixon and Maksym Beznosiuk.

Conflict
Nationalism

MENASource

Jan 13, 2026

Eight questions (and expert answers) on the SDF’s withdrawal from Syria’s Aleppo

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts unpack why violence erupted, what it means for Kurdish safety and integration in Syria, and how Washington is engaging.

Civil Society
Conflict

In the News

Jan 13, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Trump’s threats against Iran

By Atlantic Council

On January 13, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on NPR's "Morning Edition" where he discussed the Trump administration's threats of military action against Iran.

Iran
Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 12, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Saudi Arabia, Strategic Clarity, and the Architecture of Middle East Stability

By Atlantic Council

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 12, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Fox News on Trump Venezuela policy

By Atlantic Council

On January 12, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in a Fox News article titled "Marco Rubio emerges as key Trump power player after Venezuela operation."

Americas
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jan 12, 2026

The Venezuela-Iran connection and what Maduro’s capture means for Tehran, explained 

By Joze Pelayo, Kirsten Fontenrose, Ellie Sennett 

Our experts break down Iran’s ties to Venezuela and the impact Maduro’s capture could have on Tehran’s interests in and outside of its own borders. 

Iran
Oil and Gas

UkraineAlert

Jan 11, 2026

Belarus hosts nuclear-capable Russian missiles despite talk of US thaw

By Mercedes Sapuppo

Russia's recent delivery of nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles to Belarus is a very deliberate act of nuclear saber-rattling that underlines Belarus's continued role in Putin’s war machine as Minsk seeks to improve ties with the US, writes Mercedes Sapuppo.

Belarus
Conflict

In the News

Jan 10, 2026

Bayoumi quoted in AP News on the US lack of Arctic strategy

By Atlantic Council

On January 10, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, was quoted in an Associated Press article titled "How the US could take over Greenland and the potential challenges," arguing that Trump's threats against Greenland reflect broader US failures to prioritize Arctic strategy.

Northern Europe
Politics & Diplomacy

Experts

Events