Content

Dispatches

Jan 23, 2026

What Trump could do next in Iran

By Nate Swanson

As a US carrier strike group nears the Persian Gulf, what options does US President Donald Trump have to strike against the Iranian regime?

Iran
Middle East

Dispatches

Jan 22, 2026

Trump may move on from Greenland. Europe won’t.

By Jörn Fleck, James Batchik

Trump’s willingness to engage in brinkmanship with Europe over Greenland will have a lasting impact on how the continent’s leaders approach relations with Washington.

Conflict
Europe & Eurasia

Dispatches

Jan 22, 2026

To get the Greenland issue right, focus on alignment

By András Simonyi

The task now is not rhetorical escalation, but strategic certainty that secures Greenland and anchors it in the West.

Europe & Eurasia
Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Jan 22, 2026

The US is taking action against Russia’s shadow fleet. In the Baltic Sea, Europe should follow suit.

By Justina Budginaite-Froehly

European nations should force Russia’s shadow fleet out of the Baltic Sea and help to reshape the maritime legal order.

Maritime Security
Northern Europe

In the News

Jan 22, 2026

Grundman in CNN reporting on defense contracting

On January 7, Forward Defense Senior Fellow Steven Grundman was featured in an article on CNN entitled “Trump threatens defense contractors with restrictions while promising sharp increase in spending,” arguing that Trump’s proposed limits on defense contractors’ buybacks, dividends, and executive pay would amount to an unprecedented form of state intervention. In his view, even if the intent is justified, the […]

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

MENASource

Jan 22, 2026

Wang Yi’s MENA tour was long on messaging, short on outcomes

By Jonathan Fulton

Wang worked to position China as a defender of free trade and a reliable partner for the Middle East region.

China
Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fast Thinking

Jan 21, 2026

The future of Greenland and NATO after Trump’s Davos deal

By Atlantic Council

Our experts shed light on Trump’s speech at Davos and what the “framework of a future deal” on Greenland means for transatlantic relations.

Conflict
Europe & Eurasia

Dispatches

Jan 21, 2026

By taking a win on Greenland, Trump set US and allied security in the Arctic on a better path

By Daniel Fried

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the US president pledged not to use force to take Greenland and rescinded planned tariffs against several European allies.

Europe & Eurasia
Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Jan 21, 2026

To adapt to today’s security threats, NATO should prioritize the basics of defense innovation

Transatlantic allies must focus on accelerating defense innovation while strengthening their defense industrial bases.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

In the News

Jan 21, 2026

Wieslander on Swedish radio

On Wednesday, January 21, Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander, was interviewed on Swedish national radio to comment on Donald Trump’s speech in Davos. Following a week marked by a “war of words,” during which the U.S. President issued a series of escalatory statements, the announcement to refrain from the use of force against Greenland […]

Northern Europe
Security & Defense

Experts

Events