Content

Dispatches

May 22, 2026

Golden Dome needs a price tag and a clear objective to succeed

By Dan Hart

Congress, the Pentagon and the broader Trump administration have different ideas and cost estimates for this new missile defense effort.

Missile Defense Security & Defense

AfricaSource

May 22, 2026

Ethiopia and Eritrea are on the brink of war again

By François Christophe

There is a real risk that the current war of words spirals out of control.

Africa East Africa

UkraineAlert

May 22, 2026

Vyshyvanka Day celebrates Ukrainian identity amid Russia’s genocidal war

By Peter Dickinson

Ukraine's annual Vyshyvanka Day holiday has emerged as a simple yet profound grassroots celebration of Ukrainian national identity at a time when Russia is attempting to destroy Ukraine as a state and as a nation, writes Peter Dickinson.

Civil Society Conflict

Dispatches

May 22, 2026

The future of US counterterrorism: An expert assessment of the 2026 White House strategy

By Atlantic Council experts

Members of the Atlantic Council Counterterrorism Project dig into the Trump administration’s new US Counterterrorism Strategy.

Africa Middle East

UkraineAlert

May 21, 2026

As Russian losses mount in Ukraine, Putin seeks more foreign fighters

By Marc Goedemans, Katherine Spencer

With no end in sight to the invasion of Ukraine, Putin is looking to recruit more foreign fighters to counter heavy Russian losses while avoiding a politically risky mobilization, write Marc Goedemans and Katherine Spencer.

Africa Central Asia

AfricaSource

May 21, 2026

For a sustained ceasefire or truce in Sudan, remember: Trust, but verify

By Ernst Jan Hogendoorn

Negotiators should insist any ceasefire or truce agreement allows for a dedicated, on-the-ground monitoring mechanism.

Conflict Human Rights

Dispatches

May 21, 2026

Dispatch from Greece: Geopolitical crises are accelerating collaboration between Europe and the Gulf

By Jonathan Panikoff, Jörn Fleck, and John Cookson

A look behind the scenes at the recent Europe Gulf Forum, hosted by the Antenna Group in partnership with the Atlantic Council.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

May 21, 2026

For homeland missile defense, think Golden Zones, not a Golden Dome 

By Ankit Panda

While the second Trump administration correctly diagnoses a more dangerous nuclear environment facing the country, a comprehensive defensive system is the wrong prescription. The risks of prompting adversary proliferation and stretching US resources thin are too high.

Defense Technologies Missile Defense

Issue Brief

May 21, 2026

Golden Dome is the missile defense the US needs

By Henry "Trey" Obering

The United States should pursue a comprehensive missile defense system to protect the homeland from advanced threats posed by China, Russia, and North Korea. Political will from the Trump administration and advances in technology make the idea of the long-discussed "dome" over the United States more feasible now than ever.

Missile Defense Security & Defense

Russia Tomorrow

May 21, 2026

The Kadyrov question: Who rules Chechnya next?

By Marat Iliyasov

The latest report in the Atlantic Council's Russia Tomorrow series assesses the four pathways that may await Chechnya after Kadyrov is no longer in power.

Corruption Crisis Management

Experts

Events