Content

MENASource

Oct 7, 2025

The SpaceBelt KSA-iRocket deal marks Saudi Arabia’s next leap into space

By Manal Fatima

The SpaceBelt KSA case offers insights for other foreign aerospace and tech firms considering partnerships in the Gulf.

Security & Defense Space

UkraineAlert

Oct 6, 2025

Putin rejected Trump’s generous deal. Time to try peace through strength.

By Sergiy Solodkyy

President Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine by offering Putin Kremlin-friendly peace terms have failed to convince the Russian dictator. It is now time to speak to Putin in the language of strength, the only language he truly understands, writes Sergiy Solodkyy.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

MENASource

Oct 6, 2025

To preserve ‘Rising Lion’s’ achievements, Israel must support an Iran nuclear deal

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Despite Israel's desire to solve its problems "by force of the sword", an agreement, not a renewed war, serves Israel's interests better.

Conflict Nuclear Deterrence

MENASource

Oct 6, 2025

Can Iraq and Kuwait transform the Khor Abdullah waterway dispute into a regional diplomacy model?

By Rami Alkhafaji and Safwan Al-Amin

The dispute underscores the complexities of post-conflict border demarcation— and how legal disputes may multiply into geopolitical ones.

Iraq Maritime Security

UkraineAlert

Oct 4, 2025

Putin’s Moldova election failure highlights Russia’s declining influence

By Kateryna Odarchenko

Russia's failed bid to sway recent elections in Moldova underscores the challenges Putin faces as he seeks to reassert Russian dominance over countries once ruled from the Kremlin at a time when Moscow’s ability to project power is increasingly in question, writes Kateryna Odarchenko.

Conflict Corruption

Fast Thinking

Oct 3, 2025

Hamas just agreed to release all remaining hostages. What does that mean for the Trump peace plan?

By Atlantic Council

On Friday, Hamas agreed to release all of the remaining hostages that the militant group captured during its October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel. Our experts share their perspectives on what this means for a potential cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Oct 3, 2025

What Kissinger would do about Putin and Ukraine

By Robert Hormats

Supporting a free and democratic Ukraine and ending the war there are decidedly in US interests, the late US secretary of state would have emphasized.

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Oct 2, 2025

Drone superpower Ukraine is teaching NATO how to defend against Russia

By David Kirichenko

Ukraine's unrivaled experience of drone warfare makes it a key partner for NATO and an indispensable ally in the defense of Europe as the continent faces up to the mounting threat posed by an expansionist Russia, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Technologies

MENASource

Oct 2, 2025

Why Israel’s push for West Bank annexation is going mainstream—and what it means for the Abraham Accords

By Itai Melchior

In the past, West Bank annexation was only endorsed by smaller right-wing parties. But today—the demands are far more mainstream in Israel.

International Norms Israel

In the News

Oct 2, 2025

Ackerman discusses service member culture in The Free Press

By Atlantic Council

On September 30, Forward Defense non-resident senior fellow Elliot Ackerman authored an article in The Free Press entitled "Pete Hegseth Wants a ‘Warrior Culture.’ Does He Know What That Means?," in which he discusses Secretary Hegseth's changes to service member culture.

Defense Policy National Security

Experts

Events