Transatlantic Security Initiative Commentary & Analysis

All timely commentary & analysis

U.S. President Joe Biden addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

New Atlanticist

Sep 19, 2023

With the UN General Assembly underway, keep freedom at the forefront

By Nina Dannaoui-Johnson, James Storen

Data from the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Indexes show that freedom is both present and actively pursued all over the world.

Africa Americas

New Atlanticist

Sep 15, 2023

The pathway to NATO’s ‘2/20’ goal is through real growth of defense spending

By Wayne Schroeder

Next year’s NATO Summit in Washington is a golden opportunity for the Alliance to endorse a defense real growth pathway to its “2/20” guideline.

Defense Policy National Security

New Atlanticist

Aug 29, 2023

The Dutch are leading the way on military aid to Ukraine. Here’s why.

By Timo S. Koster

The Netherlands is punching above its weight in terms of military aid to Ukraine, in part because the Dutch have felt firsthand the threat Putin poses.

Conflict Defense Policy
Moscow, Russia.- In the photos taken on May 9, 2022, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, attended a military parade as part of the 77th anniversary of the Victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

New Atlanticist

Aug 21, 2023

What the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact tells us about today’s war in Ukraine

By Ann Marie Dailey

Putin's rehabilitation of the Nazi-Soviet pact shows that only credible security guarantees will protect Ukraine from Russian aggression.

Conflict Defense Policy
Protesters take part in a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul by the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, July 24, 2023.

Fast Thinking

Jul 24, 2023

What’s next for Israel’s judicial clash

By Atlantic Council

As the Knesset passes controversial judicial reforms, our experts from Jerusalem to Washington weigh in on the state of Israeli democracy.

Israel Middle East

Fast Thinking

Jul 11, 2023

The NATO Summit’s underwhelming support for Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn't get his biggest wish: a timeline for Ukrainian membership in NATO. Our experts are here to decode the communiqué and its ramifications.

Conflict Crisis Management

Fast Thinking

Jul 10, 2023

What’s behind Erdogan’s backing of Sweden’s NATO bid?

By Atlantic Council

Our experts on the ground in Vilnius and beyond share their insights on what changed Erdoğan’s mind and what’s next for the Alliance.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2023

The view from Vilnius: NATO needs speed and scale to ensure deterrence 

By Giedrimas Jeglinskas

The real test of the July 11-12 NATO Summit will be whether leaders take the opportunity to increase the Alliance's deterrence.

Conflict Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Jul 5, 2023

Here’s the ‘concrete’ path for Ukraine to join NATO

By Franklin D. Kramer, Hans Binnendijk, Christopher Skaluba

The upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius should establish a High Level Group to design a roadmap for Ukraine’s fast-track membership.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jun 27, 2023

Finland and Sweden’s NATO entries are a mixed blessing for the old Nordic allies

By Ann-Sofie Dahl

Denmark, Norway, and Iceland are delighted to see their two neighbors in NATO. But Finland and Sweden’s size and strategic importance could cause the old Nordics to be overshadowed in the Alliance.

Defense Policy Maritime Security