The Middle East and North Africa in the New Geopolitical Disorder

MENASource Aug 25, 2024

After a failed attack, Hezbollah’s propaganda seeks to prevent a wider war with Israel

By David Daoud

Committed as Hezbollah is to saving its Gaza-based allies, the group does not currently want a full war with Israel.
Conflict Israel
The Middle East and North Africa in the New Geopolitical Disorder

New Atlanticist Aug 21, 2024

How quickly can Taiwan integrate US weapon systems? Speed is essential to help deter China.

By Adam Kozloski

To better prepare Taiwan to defend itself, the United States needs more transparency into Taipei’s weapons integration challenges.
Conflict Defense Policy
The Middle East and North Africa in the New Geopolitical Disorder

UkraineAlert Aug 21, 2024

Invasion? What invasion? Putin is downplaying Ukraine’s Kursk offensive

By Peter Dickinson

Vladimir Putin’s efforts to downplay Ukraine’s invasion of Russia have severely dented his strongman image and make a mockery of the West’s escalation fears, writes Peter Dickinson.
Conflict Defense Policy

Programs

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world.

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Content

Event Recap

Jun 15, 2022

The Middle East and North Africa in the New Geopolitical Disorder

By Otto Lanzavecchia

While the US seems to be disengaging from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), which is rife with lingering tensions and subject to geopolitical turmoil, other external actors fill the void. All while the European Union (EU) mostly ignores the wider Mediterranean until it becomes impossible to ignore. An expert panel held by the Atlantic Council and the Med-Or Foundation in Rome delved into the drivers and strategic reasons behind the region’s newfound centrality on May 31, 2022.

Crisis Management Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Jun 15, 2022

Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine invasion is the world’s first full-scale cyberwar

By Yurii Shchyhol

The current Russo-Ukrainian War is a major milestone in our developing understanding of cyber security. It is now clear that the invasion unleashed by Vladimir Putin on February 24 is the world’s first full-scale cyberwar.

Conflict Cybersecurity

BelarusAlert

Jun 15, 2022

Renewed Belarus military buildup is a sign of Lukashenka’s desperation

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is saber-rattling on the Ukrainian border once again but it is unclear whether he is genuinely preparing to invade Ukraine or merely seeking to demonstrate his loyalty to Putin.

Belarus Conflict

In the News

Jun 15, 2022

Ashford in The New Arab: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

By Atlantic Council

On June 15, Emma Ashford’s new book, Oil, the State and War, was reviewed in The New Arab. The reviewer wrote, “Oil, the State, and War is a book that helps understand the times we live in. It will be a great addition to the library of both the general reader interested in global affairs […]

Corruption Defense Policy

In the News

Jun 15, 2022

Grieco in War on the Rocks: Why Ukraine’s air success should worry the West

By Atlantic Council

On June 15, Kelly Grieco published an article in War on the Rocks with co-author Col. Max Bremer (USAF) on what Western air forces should learn from the Russia-Ukraine air war. They argue Ukraine’s success in contesting the skies turns the West’s airpower paradigm on its head — it offers an alternative vision for pursuing airspace denial over […]

China Defense Policy

In the News

Jun 14, 2022

Charai in The Hill: “Biden’s Middle East trip is an opportunity for a much-needed reset”

By Ahmed Charai

The Middle East is an important geopolitical region. The United States should maintain meaningful military, diplomatic and economic engagement in the region. Read Charai’s latest in The Hill on America’s engagement in the Middle East. Ahmed Charai is a Moroccan publisher and an Atlantic Council Board Director. He is also an international counselor of the Center […]

Conflict Israel

Issue Brief

Jun 14, 2022

Victory reimagined: Toward a more cohesive US cyber strategy

By Emma Schroeder, Stewart Scott, Trey Herr

US policy is on two potentially divergent paths: one that prioritizes the protection of American infrastructure through the pursuit of US cyber superiority, and one that seeks an open, secure cyber ecosystem.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

In the News

Jun 14, 2022

Konaev in Head Topics Indonesia on military technology and Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Margarita Konaev discusses US military assistance to Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Jun 14, 2022

The future of global security will be decided in Ukraine

By Oleksii Reznikov

Western leaders must use the forthcoming NATO Summit in Madrid to regain the initiative from Putin's Russia and define Ukraine's role in the future of European security, writes Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.

Conflict European Union

In the News

Jun 14, 2022

Polymeropoulos in Le Monde on Havana Syndrome

By Atlantic Council

Marc Polymeropoulos discusses mysterious attacks causing his Havana Syndrome while serving in the CIA.

Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia
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Experts

Staff

Zeynep Egeli

Project Assistant

Atlantic Council in Turkey

Digital Policy Energy & Environment

Staff

Alex Elnagdy

Associate Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Energy & Environment

Staff

Peter Engelke

Senior Fellow, GeoStrategy Initiative

GeoStrategy Initiative Global Energy Center

Technology & Innovation

Staff

Jörn Fleck

Senior Director

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Fellow

Craig Faller

Distinguished Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

National Security Security & Defense

Millennium fellow

Karim Farishta

Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense

Millennium Leadership Program

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
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Events

Public Event Tue, August 5, 2025 • 3:00 pm ET

Examining Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s cultural heritage
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Human Rights Russia
Public Event Wed, August 13, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

The US Space Force’s Jonathan Farrow on the US Space Warfighting Framework
Defense Policy National Security Space Security
Public Event Wed, October 8, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

2025 Energy & Defense Summit
Defense Policy Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security