Content

AfricaSource

Feb 20, 2026

Five forces that may reshape the African continent in 2026

By Rama Yade

African countries have new opportunities to launch partnerships that serve the continent’s interests and to more permanently carve out Africa’s role in geopolitics

Africa
Economy & Business

MENASource

Feb 20, 2026

Iran’s regime is suffering from strategic vertigo. Its next misstep may be its last.

By Michael Rozenblat

Iranian leaders continue to see their major decisions backfire. Will they choose obstinance again in ongoing talks with the US?

Conflict
Iran

Dispatches

Feb 20, 2026

NATO needs to define the substance of its 1.5 percent pledge

By Franklin D. Kramer, Hans Binnendijk

The Alliance must decide on the details for its new category of defense-related spending that allies agreed to at The Hague summit in 2025.

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

In the News

Feb 20, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on CBS News on US strategy in Iran and the Board of Peace

By Atlantic Council

On February 19, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on CBS News about potential US strikes in Iran and the Board of Peace.

Iran
Middle East

Dispatches

Feb 20, 2026

What I heard in Munich: ‘We Europeans need a plan’

By Anna Wieslander

Hopes of a bold, unified initiative led by Germany, France, and the United Kingdom did not materialize at the recent Munich Security Conference.

Europe & Eurasia
France

UkraineAlert

Feb 20, 2026

After four years of Russia’s invasion, time to stop underestimating Ukraine

By Mykola Bielieskov

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters a fifth year, it is time to stop underestimating the Ukrainian military and recognize that Kyiv is now a major military power with plenty of trump cards in its possession, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

Conflict
Defense Technologies

MENASource

Feb 20, 2026

Syria is not Libya, but it could become one if the world looks away

By Kurt Davis Jr.

There are lessons from Libya's fragmentation and collapse that can be applied now as Syria sits at a similar inflection point.

Conflict
Libya

Dispatches

Feb 19, 2026

Before striking Iran, Trump should answer these six questions

By Nate Swanson

As negotiations falter, a new conflict looks increasingly likely. Asking the right questions now can prevent problems later on.

Conflict
Iran

UkraineAlert

Feb 19, 2026

Ukraine hopes escalating Russian losses will push Putin toward peace

By David Kirichenko

As the Russian invasion enters a fifth year, Ukraine is hoping escalating Russian losses can finally force Putin to seek a meaningful settlement, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict
Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Feb 19, 2026

As Russian battlefield losses mount, Putin is turning to Africa for soldiers

By Katherine Spencer

Russia’s growing reliance on African recruits to continue the war in Ukraine is a powerful symbol of an invasion that has gone horribly wrong for Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, writes Katherine Spencer.

Africa
Conflict

Experts