Content

Dispatches

Jan 9, 2026

Neither free nor fair: What Myanmar’s ‘sham’ elections mean for the country and its neighbors

By Rudabeh Shahid

The ongoing election staged by the ruling junta in Myanmar is structured less as a democratic exercise and more as a managed performance of legitimacy.

Conflict
Elections

UkraineAlert

Jan 8, 2026

Russia’s war on Ukrainian farmers threatens global food security

By Oleksandr Tolokonnikov

By attacking Ukrainian farmers, Russia seeks to undermine Ukraine’s food security, just as it targets the country’s energy infrastructure to deprive the civilian population of access to electricity and heating, writes Oleksandr Tolokonnikov.

Conflict
Drones

UkraineAlert

Jan 8, 2026

Ukraine’s robot army will be crucial in 2026 but drones can’t replace infantry

By David Kirichenko

Ukraine's growing robot army of land drones will play a vital role in the country's defense during 2026, but they are not wonder weapons and cannot serve as a miracle cure for Kyiv’s manpower shortages, writes David Kirichenko.

Artificial Intelligence
Conflict

Dispatches

Jan 8, 2026

Delcy Rodríguez’s untenable balancing act

By Iria Puyosa

Venezuela’s new acting president must choose between accommodating the Trump administration’s demands and preserving unity among the regime’s Chavista base.

Conflict
Democratic Transitions

MENASource

Jan 8, 2026

Iraq’s pathway to stability relies on transfers of power

By Yerevan Saeed

The key question is not whether Sudani is like al-Maliki but whether a second term would reduce competition and weaken institutions.

Elections
Iraq

In the News

Jan 8, 2026

Bayoumi quoted in CBC News on Trump’s approach to Greenland

By Atlantic Council

On January 8, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, was quoted in a CBC News article titled "With Trump's Venezuela move and Greenland threats, are Canadians vulnerable?" discussing Trump's renewed focus on the Western hemisphere. He argues that US threats of military action against Greenland are unproductive, urging for bolstered cooperation without threats.

NATO
Northern Europe

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Kroenig interviewed in the New Yorker on military action in Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed in The New Yorker on the ousting of Nicolás Maduro. He contends that in using military force, President Trump showed that US threats are credible, and draws a distinction between targeted, limited uses of military might and long-term wars.

Americas
Latin America

Dispatches

Jan 7, 2026

Trump’s quest for Greenland could be NATO’s darkest hour

By Anna Wieslander

If the United States intervenes to seize Greenland the future of NATO would be at stake. Such a development would be contrary to US national interests.

International Norms
International Organizations

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Kroenig on DW News on US oil tanker seizures in the Caribbean

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on DW-TV about the US seizure of a Russian flagged oil tanker carrying Venezuelan oil. He contends that the move signaled US resolve in quarantining the Venezuelan regime and adopting a firmer approach toward Russia in the Western hemisphere.

Americas
Latin America

Dispatches

Jan 7, 2026

What to watch as anti-regime protests engulf Iran

By Nate Swanson

Recent protests expose the Iranian government’s inability to meet the economic, social, and political demands of its people.

Civil Society
Iran

Experts