Content

Inflection Points Today

May 17, 2025

A remarkable week for a rising Turkey

By Frederick Kempe

Turkey has gained relevance as an indispensable player from the Black Sea to the Levant, and from Central Asia to Europe.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist

May 16, 2025

To achieve his goal of a durable peace, Trump must turn up the pressure on Putin

By John E. Herbst

The Trump administration can only achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine if it makes clear that there will be consequences for Russia’s unwillingness to compromise.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

May 16, 2025

The killing of Abdul Ghani al-Kikli may be a turning point for Libya

By Karim Mezran and Dario Cristiani

The killing is considered to be part of a push to eliminate influential militia leaders and consolidate GNU loyalist control over Tripoli.

Libya Middle East

Inflection Points

May 15, 2025

Trump can cement his Middle East successes by calling Putin’s bluff

By Frederick Kempe

After lifting Syria sanctions and semiconductor restrictions, Trump has a historic opportunity when it comes to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Artificial Intelligence Conflict

UkraineAlert

May 15, 2025

Russia’s aerial attacks on Ukrainian civilians must not go unpunished

By Anastasiya Donets, Susan H. Farbstein 

Holding Russia legally accountable for the ongoing air offensive against Ukraine’s civilian population is particularly important as this form of total war looks set to make a return, write Anastasiya Donets and Susan H. Farbstein. 

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

May 15, 2025

Ukraine’s vibrant civil society wants to be heard during peace talks

By Ana Lejava

While officials in Moscow, Washington, Brussels, and Kyiv discuss technicalities and potential concessions, members of Ukraine’s vibrant civil society are attempting to define the contours of a lasting and meaningful peace, writes Ana Lejava.

Civil Society Conflict

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2025

How South Asia’s ‘swing states’ navigate India-Pakistan tensions

By Rudabeh Shahid and Nazmus Sakib

Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives are quiet strategists in South Asia—but ignoring their roles risks destabilizing the region's fragile geopolitical balance.

Bangladesh Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2025

Can the EU-UK summit lead to a new post-Brexit partnership?

By Ed Owen

With shared challenges at home and abroad, the United Kingdom and European Union have an opportunity to renew their trade and security ties.

Defense Industry Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 14, 2025

Inside Latvia’s race against time to build deterrence against Russia

By Armands Astukevičs and Hans Binnendijk

Latvia must convince its NATO allies to commit the necessary resources for its defense before Russia reconstitutes its forces.

Conflict Defense Industry

MENASource

May 14, 2025

Choppy waters: Egypt’s waning patience with President Trump

By Shahira Amin

The US president's Suez Canal demands signal "a shift in US-Egyptian relations" which experts describe as "at their lowest ebb in decades."

Middle East North Africa

Experts

Events