Content

MENASource

Sep 9, 2026

Ten questions (and expert answers) on the final withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts unpack what the US withdrawal from Iraq means for the Middle East and beyond.

Iraq Security & Defense

Dispatches

Sep 9, 2026

The most valuable legacy that the 9/11 generation can leave behind

By Tom Ridge

The former Pennsylvania governor and Department of Homeland Security secretary reflects on the twenty-fifth anniversary of September 11, 2001.

Civil Society Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Sep 9, 2026

Woolf in Orbis on the role of nuclear norms in an era of renewed competition

By Atlantic Council

On July 20, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Amy Woolf published an article in Orbis titled “Nuclear Norms in an Era of Renewed Nuclear Competition.” She highlights that the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in February 2026 has left nuclear weapons states without formal systems that reduce the risk of […]

Arms Control Nuclear Deterrence

Issue Brief

Sep 8, 2026

Turning early alignment into a durable US-Colombia partnership

By Carolina Barco and Kevin Whitaker

One month into President Abelardo de la Espriella’s administration, early alignment with the Trump administration creates an opening to strengthen US-Colombia cooperation on security, trade and investment, regional stability, and Venezuela’s recovery.

Americas Colombia

UkraineAlert

Sep 8, 2026

Ukrainian drone strikes are disarming Russia’s energy weapon

By Ana Lejava

For years, Russia wielded its energy capacity as a weapon against its neighbors to manipulate, coerce, and control. Ukraine’s strategic bombing campaign is now turning this energy weapon against Moscow itself, writes Ana Lejava.

Central Asia Conflict

UkraineAlert

Sep 8, 2026

Putin welcomes Trump’s peace envoys but has no intention of ending the war

By Peter Dickinson

Trump’s envoys continue to discuss win-win scenarios, but Putin is playing a zero sum game. His invasion of Ukraine is not a land grab or a geopolitical real estate deal. It is an attempt to reverse the Soviet collapse and revive the Russian Empire, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

Report

Sep 8, 2026

Preparing for and countering limited nuclear attacks in East Asia: Guardian Tiger III

By Markus Garlauskas with John Park and Kyoko Imai. Contributors: Andrew Brown and Jonathan Corrado

The risk of North Korea launching a limited nuclear attack will likely increase over the coming decade. The United States and its allies are not preparing adequately to deter and prevail in the face of such nuclear strikes.

Indo-Pacific Korea

Dispatches

Sep 4, 2026

How the US can support Colombia’s post-earthquake recovery—for the long term

By Enrique Millán-Mejía and Raúl González-Pietrogiovanna

The United States has a chance to support Colombia’s path to recovery in a way that strengthens resilience and reinforces one of its most important partnerships in the region.

Colombia Crisis Management

Dispatches

Sep 4, 2026

Without allies and partners, the US risks being alienated from the global intelligence networks it built

By Tressa Guenov, Charlotte Bertrand

US allies and partners are reassessing their intelligence needs and vulnerabilities—and the trend is toward greater autonomy.

Intelligence North America

UkraineAlert

Sep 3, 2026

Putin cannot defeat NATO but he could divide and discredit the alliance

By Peter Dickinson

If Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to attack NATO, his goal will be to divide and discredit the alliance rather than actually defeating it, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Policy

Experts

Events