Content

Podcast

Jun 18, 2026

“Shoot everybody”: US contractors in San Diego court

By Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 16 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi is joined by Daniel McLaughlin, an international lawyer and Legal Director of the Centre for Justice and Accountability (CJA), a California-based legal nonprofit working on behalf of victims of torture and other atrocity crimes. Daniel and CJA are leading a civil suit in San Diego against a Delaware-registered PMC, Spear Operations Group, for war crimes in Yemen. They represent the Yemeni parliamentarian Anssaf Ali Mayo, who was one of the targets of an alleged hit-squad in Yemen. Daniel talks us through the facts of the case, how it ended up in a California courtroom ten years later, and which US and international laws were ostensibly broken by the PMC. He also argues forcefully that the US government has a duty to regulate how former members of its military use their training and know-how.

Middle East Rule of Law

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jun 18, 2026

Braw in DW News on the disappearance of Anatol Kotau

By Elisabeth Braw

On June 18, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was interviewed by DW News to discuss the disappearance of Lukashenko critic, Anatol Kotau, in Russian territorial waters.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

UkraineAlert

Jun 18, 2026

Ukrainian drones are cutting Russian logistics and reshaping the battlefield

By David Kirichenko

In recent months, Ukraine has dramatically expanded the use of mid-range drones to disrupt Russian logistics behind the front lines and shape the battlefield for future offensive operations, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Jun 18, 2026

Ukraine begins EU membership talks amid skepticism over associate option

By Andreas Umland

Ukraine officially opened membership talks with the ‌European Union this week in a move hailed by Ukrainian officials as “a Rubicon” moment for the war-torn country. While this is welcome news for Kyiv, it remains unclear how long it could still take to actually join the EU, writes Andreas Umland.

Conflict Drones

Dispatches

Jun 17, 2026

The recent US-Venezuelan strike on Tren de Aragua’s leader will reverberate across Latin America

By Henry Shuldiner

The June 12 operation that killed the leader of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua sets a new precedent for cooperation with the United States.

Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade Latin America

Dispatches

Jun 17, 2026

What the US-Iran deal means for the rest of the Middle East (and beyond)

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts look at the ways the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran will affect other countries.

Conflict Economy & Business

Dispatches

Jun 17, 2026

NATO’s southern flank is exposed. Portugal can help fortify it.

By Randi Charno Levine

The Alliance was not designed to focus only on its easter flank. Vulnerabilities to NATO’s south are accumulating faster than strategy is adapting.

Maritime Security NATO

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jun 17, 2026

Braw in Financial Times on the threat of private subsea cables

By Elisabeth Braw

On June 17, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw published an article in Financial Times on how American hyperscalers are creating a national security risk for other countries be building their own subsea cables.

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jun 17, 2026

Braw in Foreign Policy on the effects of the uncertainty of the Iran ceasefire on shipping

By Elisabeth Braw

On June 17, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw published an article in Foreign Policy on how the uncertainty of the Trump administration’s ceasefire in Iran has not alleviated the constraints on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Maritime Security Middle East

UkraineAlert

Jun 16, 2026

Russia escalates war on Ukrainian heritage and national identity

By Mercedes Sapuppo

Russia this week bombed one of the most sacred religious sites in Ukraine, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, marking the latest escalation in a Kremlin campaign to target the symbols of Ukrainian heritage and national identity, writes Mercedes Sapuppo.

Civil Society Conflict

Experts