Security & Defense

Russia’s growing dark fleet: Risks for the global maritime order

By Elisabeth Braw

Russia's dark fleet poses a significant threat to maritime security, forming the basis of Moscow's grayzone aggression against Western institutions.

EU aspirations and Russian realities: Georgia at the geopolitical crossroads

By Zviad Adzinbaia

2024 is shaping up to be a crucial year for Georgia’s EU aspirations. This could have implications for the wider region, while also challenging Russia’s own imperial ambitions in Georgia and beyond, writes Zviad Adzinbaia.

China’s bid for a new Middle East meets reality

By Tuvia Gering

The October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel has put China’s story about it setting off a “wave of reconciliation” in the Middle East to the test.

Mercenaries and Gaza

By Alia Brahimi

Host and Nonresident Senior Fellow Alia Brahimi speaks with Iraq expert Renad Mansour about what motivates the non-state actors who are leading the bid to avenge Gazans.

Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption tracker

Implementing reforms to increase the speed of defense innovation and capability development has been an increasing priority for policymakers in Congress and the Department of Defense (DoD) in the past year.  Following the publication of the Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption’s interim report and final report, Congress and the DoD took actions to ensure defense […]

To fend off Russia in the Black Sea, the US and NATO need to help boost Allies’ naval power

By Gavin Clough

The absence of a credible and sustained allied naval presence across the Black Sea opens the door for Russia to disrupt commercial shipping in international waters.

Egypt was mediating a deal to end the Gaza war. Then Saleh Al-Arouri was assassinated. 

By Shahira Amin

Keen on regaining its traditional leadership role as chief mediator between Israel and the Palestinians, Cairo had put forward a three-stage plan to end the conflict. 

Ecuador has declared ‘internal armed conflict’ against criminal gangs. What’s next?

By Isabel Chiriboga

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has mobilized the military to fight criminal groups in his country, following two notorious criminal leaders’ escape from prison.

China’s Role and Impact on MENA’s Air Domain

By Atlantic Council

Assaf Heller and Sarah-Masha Fainberg explore Chinese technological transfers and arm exports and its implications on the air domain and military capabilities in MENA, Chinese weapon systems, China's military-civil fusion concerns, and Beijing's growing technological influence on the region.