Security & Defense

The lessons Washington needs to learn from the strike on the Houthis

By William F. Wechsler

The United States can no longer afford to underestimate the threat posed by the Houthis, much less the threat posed by the wider network that supports Iranian malign behavior.

Experts react: What to know about US and UK strikes on the Houthis in Yemen

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts share their insights about the strikes and about what to expect next—including how Iran might respond.

Will US-UK strikes against the Houthis halt their Red Sea aggression?

By Atlantic Council

Our experts break down the US-UK strikes in Yemen and the prospects for a wider regional war.

Arsenal of Autocracy: North Korea and Iran are arming Russia in Ukraine

By Olivia Yanchik

Together with Iran and North Korea, Russia has succeeded in establishing an Arsenal of Autocrats that now threatens to plunge the world into a new era of war and insecurity, writes Olivia Yanchik.

Russia’s growing dark fleet: Risks for the global maritime order

By Elisabeth Braw

Russia's dark fleet poses a significant threat to maritime security, forming the basis of Moscow's grayzone aggression against Western institutions.

EU aspirations and Russian realities: Georgia at the geopolitical crossroads

By Zviad Adzinbaia

2024 is shaping up to be a crucial year for Georgia’s EU aspirations. This could have implications for the wider region, while also challenging Russia’s own imperial ambitions in Georgia and beyond, writes Zviad Adzinbaia.

China’s bid for a new Middle East meets reality

By Tuvia Gering

The October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel has put China’s story about it setting off a “wave of reconciliation” in the Middle East to the test.

Mercenaries and Gaza

By Alia Brahimi

Host and Nonresident Senior Fellow Alia Brahimi speaks with Iraq expert Renad Mansour about what motivates the non-state actors who are leading the bid to avenge Gazans.

Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption tracker

Implementing reforms to increase the speed of defense innovation and capability development has been an increasing priority for policymakers in Congress and the Department of Defense (DoD) in the past year.  Following the publication of the Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption’s interim report and final report, Congress and the DoD took actions to ensure defense […]