Content

Dispatches

Mar 2, 2026

The Gulf that emerges from the Iran war will be very different

By Allison Minor

Iran’s decision to target the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and other countries in the Gulf will have far-reaching consequences.

Conflict Iran

UkraineAlert

Mar 2, 2026

Missiles made in Ukraine are bringing Putin’s invasion home to Russia

By David Kirichenko

Ukraine is investing in a domestic missile program to create the kind of long-range strike potential that could force Putin to the negotiating table and serve as a deterrent against future Russian aggression, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Mar 2, 2026

Europe must not seek Putin’s approval before sending troops to Ukraine

By Stephen Blank

European leaders representing Coalition of the Willing countries reportedly reject the idea of sending troops to Ukraine without first securing Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval, writes Stephen Blank.

Conflict European Union

Dispatches

Mar 2, 2026

Decapitation strikes are not enough to take on Mexico’s cartels. Here’s what else the US should do.

By Charlotte Bertrand

Strikes on cartels should be combined with greater efforts to disrupt supply and reduce substance use disorder in the United States.

Latin America Mexico

Dispatches

Mar 1, 2026

Experts react: How the US war with Iran is playing out around the Middle East

By Atlantic Council experts

What happens in Iran doesn’t stay in Iran. The consequences of the US-Israeli military campaign launched on Saturday will radiate across the region and the world.

Conflict Israel

Dispatches

Mar 1, 2026

Don’t worry about the Iran conflict’s impact on oil prices—yet

By Landon Derentz

Markets can tolerate a spike. What they cannot tolerate is prolonged uncertainty over trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Conflict Energy & Environment

In the News

Mar 1, 2026

Charai in The National Interest: How the US Can Sustain Deterrence After Khamenei

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Mar 1, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Post: After the strikes: Planning for Iran’s ‘day after’

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Iran

Fast Thinking

Feb 28, 2026

Iran’s supreme leader is dead. Here’s what it means.

By Atlantic Council

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, was killed in a US-Israeli bombing campaign on Feb. 28.

Iran Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 28, 2026

Daniels featured on NewsNation panel on the Pentagon’s use of AI

By Atlantic Council

On February 28, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Owen Daniels appeared on a NewsNation panel discussing the Pentagon’s feud with Anthropic. Daniels points out that Anthropic’s action could set a precedent for future AI companies behavior, and that the Pentagon was concerned by this possibility.  

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

Experts

Events