Africa

Somalia is the dark horse in US defense and economic strategy

By Maureen Farrell, Rose Keravuori

US policymakers have long viewed Somalia primarily through a counterterrorism lens. But as major maritime supply routes come under strain, its position along key sea lanes is reshaping its geopolitical relevance—and external actors like Turkey are already moving to capitalize.

2026 Global Energy Agenda full survey results

The Global Energy Agenda takes the pulse of the energy community, revealing expert views on global energy security, access, and sustainability.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was an economic success. Here’s how other tournaments can replicate it.

By Collin Creveling

Africa needs a united committee focused on opportunities for sponsorship and investment across multiple sporting events and tournaments.

The race for Madagascar has already started

By Maureen Farrell, Rose Keravuori

Often overlooked by Western policymakers, Madagascar holds major critical mineral reserves and sits astride key maritime routes. As Russia deepens ties, the United States can’t afford to cede strategic ground.

Ethiopia and Eritrea are on the brink of war again

By François Christophe

There is a real risk that the current war of words spirals out of control.

The future of US counterterrorism: An expert assessment of the 2026 White House strategy

By Atlantic Council experts

Members of the Atlantic Council Counterterrorism Project dig into the Trump administration’s new US Counterterrorism Strategy.

As Russian losses mount in Ukraine, Putin seeks more foreign fighters

By Marc Goedemans, Katherine Spencer

With no end in sight to the invasion of Ukraine, Putin is looking to recruit more foreign fighters to counter heavy Russian losses while avoiding a politically risky mobilization, write Marc Goedemans and Katherine Spencer.

For a sustained ceasefire or truce in Sudan, remember: Trust, but verify

By Ernst Jan Hogendoorn

Negotiators should insist any ceasefire or truce agreement allows for a dedicated, on-the-ground monitoring mechanism.

Energy Sanctions Dashboard: October 2025

The October 2025 edition of the Energy Sanctions Dashboard analyzed China’s central role in the market for sanctioned oil and the techniques Russia, Iran, and Venezuela use to evade sanctions on oil.

Egypt’s bet on land monetization

By Amir Asmar

There’s little doubt that Egypt's land development efforts will have measurable economic benefits, but they are unlikely, by themselves, to put the country’s economy on a solid footing.