Security & Defense

One of the most fundamental responsibilities of governments is to protect their citizens from all threats, internal or foreign. Policy makers must prepare for potential conventional warfare, terrorism and other asymmetrical attacks, and the repercussions of natural disasters and climate change to ensure the safety of their citizens. The motivation to protect against future threats must also be partnered with regular dialogue and partnership with allies and neighbors to prevent the triggering of violent conflict or destabilizing arms races.

Content

UkraineAlert

Mar 5, 2026

Iran war could save Vladimir Putin’s failing Ukraine invasion

By Peter Dickinson

While Russia’s inability to assist Iran is undoubtedly embarrassing for the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin could still emerge as a key beneficiary of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Drones

Dispatches

Mar 5, 2026

What a Middle East oil and LNG crisis means for China and East Asia

By Joseph Webster, Reid I’Anson, and Kevin Li

China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan would each be affected by a collapse in energy through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed.

China Conflict

Dispatches

Mar 5, 2026

Enforce sanctions to prevent Russia from benefitting in a prolonged Iran crisis

By Kimberly Donovan

Russia has millions of barrels of sanctioned oil it is ready to sell—unless the United States and its allies step up sanctions enforcement.

Conflict Energy & Environment

Dispatches

Mar 5, 2026

While the Iran conflict continues, the Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis is only getting worse

By Michael Kugelman

The war in Iran threatens to exacerbate the escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Conflict

UkraineAlert

Mar 5, 2026

Russian army faces comms crisis amid Starlink cut and Kremlin crackdown

By Katherine Spencer, Marc Goedemans

The Russian army in Ukraine is facing a growing communication crisis amid recent disruptions to Telegram and Starlink, leaving troops increasingly in the dark and exposing mounting strains inside Russia, write Katherine Spencer and Marc Goedemans.

Conflict Defense Technologies

In the News

Mar 4, 2026

Temnycky in Real Clear Defense on the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion on US and European security

By Mark Temnycky

On February 25, Mark Temnycky, nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, was published in Real Clear Defense on how Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has altered US and European security and ended the post-Cold War era in European security.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 4, 2026

Wechsler joins KNX News to discuss the fallout from the US and Israel’s strikes on Iran

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

Dispatches

Mar 4, 2026

What Macron’s changes to French nuclear policy mean for European security

By Jonathan Rosenstein and Emily Cheesman

The president’s plan, announced on March 2, expands France’s nuclear arsenal and deepens its cooperation on deterrence with European allies.

France Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Mar 4, 2026

Kroenig on Reagan Institute podcast on US policy toward Iran

By Atlantic Council

On March 3, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on the Reagan Institute podcast on US policy toward Iran, focusing on the balance between preemption and diplomacy.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 4, 2026

Kroenig quoted in The New York Times on US policy in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On March 3, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in The New York Times on US strategy in Iran, arguing that President Trump will seek to avoid a drawn-out engagement.

Iran Security & Defense

Experts

Events