United States and Canada

Three paths for counterterrorism after the Afghanistan withdrawal

By William F. Wechsler

As US forces withdraw from the country twenty years after 9/11, it is yet again terrorism—or a lack thereof—that could determine how President Joe Biden’s Afghanistan policy is remembered.

Cuba’s protests have ebbed. But the forces that fueled them are as powerful as ever.

By Jason Marczak, Wazim Mowla

The street protests have calmed down, at least for now, but this is still a perilous moment for the island—with the Cuban people in need of continued backing.

Event recap: “Indian perspectives on reimagining the US-India trade relationship”

By Ayra Khan

On July 29, 2021, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted the second launch of its report Reimagining the US-India trade relationship, curated by Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center’s non-resident senior fellows Ridhika Batra, Mark Linscott, Harsha Vardhana Singh, and non-resident fellow Anand Raghuraman.

Biden’s empty posts are a national security problem

By Brian O’Toole

The administration’s inaction on filling positions at the State and Treasury departments translates into real-world problems on everything from energy to rogue regimes to the US financial system.

Why is US defense acquisition falling behind? Blame the TINA paradox.

By John F. Wharton and Tate Nurkin

In order to safeguard taxpayer dollars and foster innovation in military technology, it's time to rethink the Truth in Negotiations Act.

State of the Order: Assessing July 2021

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.