Content

In the News

Feb 6, 2025

Elliot Ackerman outlines the strategic case for taking Afghan refugees after 2021 Taliban takeover in a New York Times article

On February 1, Elliot Ackerman, a nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, published a piece in the New York Times that discussed the hundreds of remaining Afghan refugees, especially those who assisted US and allied forces, still struggling to find a new home abroad. In the opinion piece, Ackerman argued that accepting the “stranded” Afghans […]

Afghanistan English

MENASource

Feb 3, 2025

Waiting on a friend: Will Netanyahu get a sweet deal—or a raw deal—from Trump?

By Shalom Lipner

With Netanyahu visiting the White House on February 4, the world will be watching to see whether Trump offers him a deal that he can't refuse.

Conflict Crisis Management

Podcast

Jan 30, 2025

“No, really”: American PMCs in Gaza

By Alia Brahimi

Host Alia Brahimi chats with modern warfare expert Andreas Krieg about the sudden deployment of three private military companies to the Netzarim corridor in the Gaza Strip.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Jan 28, 2025

Marc Polymeropoulos on MSNBC discusses the influence of foreign terrorist groups on the New Orleans attack

On January 2, Marc Polymeropoulos, a nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, was invited to give his expert analysis on MSNBC about the role of foreign terror groups in the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans. In his words, the attack was “very concerning” due to the ‘lone wolf’ nature, and was “straight out […]

Extremism Security & Defense

MENASource

Jan 21, 2025

The quest ahead for Lebanon’s new president: Secure a modern statehood

By Frederic C. Hof

Aoun knows what must be done to stabilize the Lebanon-Israel frontier. But the long game he wishes to contest and win centers on Lebanese statehood.

Democratic Transitions Elections

New Atlanticist

Jan 15, 2025

Experts react: Everything you need to know about the Israel-Hamas cease-fire and hostage deal

By Atlantic Council experts

Does this deal really mark the end of the war? What’s next for Gaza’s reconstruction, for Israel’s security, and for wider regional efforts, such as Israeli-Saudi normalization? Atlantic Council experts share their answers to these and other pressing questions.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Jan 15, 2025

As a new Syria takes shape, Iraq will need to recalibrate its role in the Middle East

By Abbas Kadhim

The Iraqi government must navigate several challenges, recalibrate its role in the region, and balance its foreign relations—including with the United States

Crisis Management Democratic Transitions

Report

Jan 14, 2025

The next decade of strategic competition: How the Pentagon can use special operations forces to better compete

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Theresa Luetkefend

Clementine G. Starling and Theresa Luetkefend discuss how the Department of Defense and Joint force should more effectively leverage Special Operations forces in strategic competition.

Africa China

MENASource

Jan 13, 2025

Turkey’s Syria and Libya strategies add up to a Mediterranean power play

By Emadeddin Badi and Abdullah al-Jabassini 

By aligning its strategies in Libya and Syria, Turkey seeks to consolidate influence and amplify its leverage across both theaters.

Defense Policy Drones

In the News

Jan 7, 2025

Wechsler joins Times Radio to discuss the New Orleans terrorist attack

Americas Middle East

Experts