SECURITY, UNREST & WAR
PERSONNEL
Key Transitions and Defense and Intelligence Appointments - 02/2026
STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
Taking the Magic out of Strategic Analysis
Why were so few states prepared for the major strategic breakpoints over the past 50 years, when Defense & Foreign Affairs had consistently laid out just why change was occurring?
DIPLOMACY, ALLIANCES & TREATIES
Creating a New Sunni Axis?
The Turkish-inspired Sunni axis against Israel, Greece, and Cyprus is being attempted by Türkiye. But can it succeed?
STRATEGIC PHILOSOPHY
CURRENT ESTIMATE | 2026: The Consequential Years Gather Momentum
It is not as though 2025 was an inconsequential year. Many strategic trends came into focus, particularly around the (finally) visible collapse of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). But 2026 will see the clarification of even more events of global consequence.
GOVERNANCE & ELECTIONS
How Will Iran Adapt Now?
Where does Iran go from here? How is the global balance changed — and it is being changed — by the emerging collapse of the Iranian theocratic, revolutionary Government?
HISTORY
ESSENTIAL READING | Revisiting the Fall of the Shah of Iran
Scott Anderson honed his skills as a war correspondent, but his new book, King of Kings, has a cinematic quality as it re-examines how the Shah of Iran, Mohamad Reza Pahlavi, fell from power in 1979.
STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
Türkiye's “Neutrality” Soon Ends
Ankara’s strategic balancing act is coming to an end, but can it achieve regional dominance before the cash and support runs out? Will the President risk conflict to forestall collapse?
STRATEGIC PHILOSOPHY
Universal Unrest and its Meaning
The crowds are in the streets, everywhere, and in different forms, showing signs of fatigue, anger, despair, and more. How does this impact policymaking, economics, and defense decision-making? And how can we think about, and cope, with this phenomenon?
STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
STRATEGIC TRAJECTORIES | A Storm at the World’s Trade Hub: the Bab el-Mandeb
Some regional states can claim Washington’s attention, which makes the US’s possible moves over Somaliland recognition more delicate. Control over this East-West sea route hub is so critical to trade and strategic dominance that Trump may seize what leverage he wants and leave the details for later.
SOVEREIGNTY
Sovereignty, Borders, If You Can Keep Them
One of the founders of the post-British United States of America, Benjamin Franklin, was asked what would be the nature of the new nation. He answered: “A republic; if you can keep it.”
STRATEGIC PHILOSOPHY
Searching for “Democracy 2.0”, or Something Better?
The world is divided into those who think nothing can change the fundamental shape and trajectory of society, and those who think radical dislocation is already emerging. But now, more than at any time in the past 3 centuries, change is occurring, whether we wish to have a hand in shaping it, or not