Content

Dispatches

May 26, 2026

Tehran wants to end the war—but not at any price

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Iran’s leadership is not prepared to make dramatic concessions that, in its view, would undermine the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

May 22, 2026

Golden Dome needs a price tag and a clear objective to succeed

By Dan Hart

Congress, the Pentagon and the broader Trump administration have different ideas and cost estimates for this new missile defense effort.

Missile Defense Security & Defense

Issue Brief

May 21, 2026

For homeland missile defense, think Golden Zones, not a Golden Dome 

By Ankit Panda

While the second Trump administration correctly diagnoses a more dangerous nuclear environment facing the country, a comprehensive defensive system is the wrong prescription. The risks of prompting adversary proliferation and stretching US resources thin are too high.

Defense Technologies Missile Defense

Issue Brief

May 21, 2026

Golden Dome is the missile defense the US needs

By Henry "Trey" Obering

The United States should pursue a comprehensive missile defense system to protect the homeland from advanced threats posed by China, Russia, and North Korea. Political will from the Trump administration and advances in technology make the idea of the long-discussed "dome" over the United States more feasible now than ever.

Missile Defense Security & Defense

Inflection Points Dialogues

May 20, 2026

UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash on the Iran war, the Abraham Accords, and Europe-Gulf cooperation

By Frederick Kempe

On the sidelines of the Europe Gulf Forum, Gargash shares his thoughts on the Iran war and its far-reaching consequences.

Conflict Energy & Environment

Dispatches

May 20, 2026

After the Castro indictment, what is Trump’s endgame in Cuba? 

By Atlantic Council experts

The pressure campaign raises a number of urgent questions. We turned to experts in the Atlantic Council’s network for answers. 

Cuba Democratic Transitions

EnergySource

May 19, 2026

The US needs a comprehensive batteries strategy to ensure its battlefield edge

By Joseph Webster and Kyle Chan

Batteries are becoming increasingly important in defense technologies. To keep an operational edge, the US needs to focus on new supply chains and developing technological advantages.

China Energy & Environment

MENASource

May 18, 2026

How Gulf investments are responding to the US-China critical minerals competition

By Chenjie Song and Jonathan Fulton

Gulf sovereign wealth funds are seeking to maximize return on investment while maintaining strategic optionality.

China Critical Minerals

Dispatches

May 15, 2026

Where’s the beef? Trump’s underwhelming meeting with Xi.

By Melanie Hart

Trump appears to have sidestepped the biggest trap—Beijing’s attempt to box Washington in on Taiwan—but underperformed on everything else.

China Economy & Business

Dispatches

May 15, 2026

Don’t fall for the middle-power mirage

By Imran Bayoumi

The kind of multilateralism that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke about in Davos remains an aspiration rather than an achievable reality.

China Politics & Diplomacy

Experts

Events