Americas

The countries of the Western Hemisphere have been closely connected economically, politically, and socially for most of their modern existence. Growing trade links, increased migrant and refugee flows, internal challenges of corruption and crime, and spillover from failed states are making these connections more important and require closer cooperation between governments and societies to maintain stability, address common challenges, and maximize prosperity across all of the Americas

Content

Issue Brief

Feb 20, 2026

Four options for arms control after New START

By Amy Woolf

With the last quantitative limit on the world's largest nuclear arsenals now expired, Washington finds itself in a new and uncertain era, with less clarity about Russia’s nuclear forces, plans to upgrade its own, and growing concern about China's. The best option may be trilateral talks—but not about a new arms control treaty.

Arms Control China

Dispatches

Feb 20, 2026

What I heard in Munich: ‘We Europeans need a plan’

By Anna Wieslander

Hopes of a bold, unified initiative led by Germany, France, and the United Kingdom did not materialize at the recent Munich Security Conference.

Europe & Eurasia France
ACFP-Trade-feature

Podcast

Feb 19, 2026

Inside the Trump trade strategy with USTR’s Jamieson Greer

By the Atlantic Council

An AC Front Page conversation with Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Feb 18, 2026

National preparedness starts at the state level with governors and the National Guard

By Jeanne Thorpe and Sarah Wallace

US state governors must retain meaningful access to the National Guard as a critical, time-sensitive resource for their own populations.

Resilience Resilience & Society

In the News

Feb 18, 2026

Kroenig quoted in The Guardian on Secretary Rubio’s speech at the Munich Security Conference

By Atlantic Council

On February 17, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in The Guardian on Secretary of State Marco Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

UkraineAlert

Feb 17, 2026

A bad Ukraine peace could ignite new wars in Russia’s former empire

By Joseph Epstein

If a settlement in Ukraine frees up Russian military resources without establishing credible deterrents against further Kremlin aggression, Moscow will have the means and the motive to reassert dominance elsewhere in its former empire, writes Joseph Epstein.

Central Asia European Union

Dispatches

Feb 17, 2026

Weaponizing the odds: Prediction markets as a new vector for foreign influence

By Matthew Wein

As these markets proliferate, policymakers should treat them as dual-use infrastructures that require deliberate guardrails.

Disinformation Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 17, 2026

Klein quoted in Forbes article on Russian escalation in space

By Atlantic Council

On February 14, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow John Klein was quoted in a Forbes article on the threat posed by a Russian nuclear-armed ASAT and the need to develop adequate countermeasures. Dr. Klein discussed his recent Atlantic Council report, co-authored with Clementine Starling-Daniels, on Countering Russian escalation in space, and urged US defense planners […]

Russia Space Security

EnergySource

Feb 17, 2026

Key questions on how Project Vault can secure minerals supplies

By Evan Musolino

The US plan to stockpile critical minerals is moving forward, but the details of its purpose, design, and usage have yet to be shared. Here are key areas to watch.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Inflection Points

Feb 17, 2026

Dispatch from Munich: Europe is growing stronger, but will it be fast enough to save Ukraine?

By Frederick Kempe

The recent Munich Security Conference underscored the urgency with which European nations must act to address their vulnerabilities.

European Union NATO

Experts

Events