Security & Defense

Strengthening state presence in Colombia’s conflict-affected territories

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Colombia's new president has made restoring state authority in the country's conflict-affected territories a central priority as armed groups compete to control communities and economies. In the wake of the August 10 earthquake, the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition outlines how Colombia, with US support, can build lasting state presence.

For Putin, the ‘root cause’ of the war is the existence of independent Ukraine

By Kateryna Odarchenko

Moscow claims to be ready for peace once the "root causes" of the Russia-Ukraine War are addressed, but Putin's demands confirm that he believes the "root cause" of the war is the existence of an independent Ukraine, writes Kateryna Odarchenko.

So what’s the strategy for US Nuclear Posture ?

By the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

In the season finale of So What’s the Strategy, host Matthew Kroenig is joined by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, to discuss what the US strategy should be for ensuring nuclear preeminence.

Where and how Putin could expand his war in Europe beyond Ukraine

By Atlantic Council experts

The CIA director’s recent unannounced visit to Moscow has raised speculation about Russian plans to escalate attacks.

Europe should already start planning for a post-Lukashenka Belarus

By Viktar Baranau

There is nothing about today’s Belarus that suggests a country on the verge of change. Nevertheless, European policymakers would be well-advised to begin preparing for a post-Lukashenka Belarus now, in order to have a plan in place when the moment of transition arrives, writes Viktar Baranau.

Jordan’s military deterrence has collapsed 

By Aaron Magid

Jordan continues to absorb attacks from Iran without firing back.

A revolutionary coffee: The impact of Syria’s removal from the terrorism sponsor list

The US removal of the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism is big step for Syria toward its post-Assad future.

Satan’s Chariot: Mercenary Trouble in Mali

By Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 17 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi chats to Wassim Nasr, the veteran French journalist for France24 and Senior Fellow at the Soufan Center. Wassim talks us through the spectacular April 25th offensive across Mali by JNIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate that looks set to soon make a play to take over the whole country.