Content

Dispatches

May 15, 2026

Where’s the beef? Trump’s underwhelming meeting with Xi.

By Melanie Hart

Trump appears to have sidestepped the biggest trap—Beijing’s attempt to box Washington in on Taiwan—but underperformed on everything else.

China Economy & Business

MENASource

May 15, 2026

The problem with the US power-sharing plan for Libya

By Karim Mezran, Dario Cristiani

The nascent US initiative may succeed in reducing tensions and creating a slightly more predictable environment for foreign businesses, but a structural transformation remains out of reach.

Corruption Libya

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 15, 2026

Braw in Sky News on Iran threatening tariffs on undersea cables

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 15, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was interviewed by Sky News on Iran threatening to place tariffs on vital undersea cables that support global connectivity.

Maritime Security Middle East

Dispatches

May 15, 2026

Don’t fall for the middle-power mirage

By Imran Bayoumi

The kind of multilateralism that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke about in Davos remains an aspiration rather than an achievable reality.

China Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

May 15, 2026

The UK faces a dilemma over potential troop deployments to Ukraine. France can help.

By Julia Salabert, Jason C. Moyer

France is currently punching below its weight in the Baltic area and could shoulder more of the burden.

France NATO

Fast Thinking

May 15, 2026

What did Trump and Xi accomplish?

By Atlantic Council

On Friday, the US president concluded talks with his counterpart from China, soaring away in Air Force One after two days of meetings and ceremonies. Our experts shed light on the outcomes.

China Security & Defense

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 14, 2026

Braw in Sky News on Iran seizing ship in Strait of Hormuz

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 14, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was interviewed by Sky News on Iran seizing a shipping vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

Maritime Security Middle East

UkraineAlert

May 14, 2026

Putin’s parade projected weakness but he is now more dangerous than ever

By Maksym Beznosiuk, William Dixon

While the Kremlin dictator is clearly in a weakened position, a diminished Vladimir Putin could be more dangerous than ever, write Maksym Beznosiuk and William Dixon.

Conflict Drones

UkraineAlert

May 14, 2026

Zelenskyy raises alarm over Russia’s escalating ‘human safari’ in Ukraine

By Oleksandr Tolokonnikov

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised the alarm over Russia’s escalating “human safari” tactics targeting the civilian population in southern Ukraine’s Kherson region, writes Oleksandr Tolokonnikov.

Conflict Drones

MENASource

May 14, 2026

Five ways the Iran war will forever alter the Middle East

By Amir Asmar

Expect the war to weaken the Iranian regime, keep the US in the Middle East, harm Israel's standing in the region, and more.

Conflict Iran

Experts

Events