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The NSS That Could Destroy the NATO Alliance

The latest U.S. National Security Strategy doesn’t just sideline Europe—it seeks to reshape its politics, backing nationalist parties and challenging the European Union in ways that could push the transatlantic alliance to the brink.

Commentary by Max Bergmann — December 5, 2025

Strategic Ambiguity: Erdoğan’s Turkey in a Multipolar World

Turkey’s push for strategic autonomy sees it balancing NATO ties, courting Russia and China, and asserting regional influence, showing how Erdoğan’s Turkey both shapes and is shaped by a rising multipolar world.

Brief by Jeffrey Mankoff and Max Bergmann — December 2, 2025

How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America

A potential U.S. force posture reduction in Europe will leave the continent vulnerable to further Russian aggression. Europe needs a bold action plan to mitigate capability gaps and ensure deterrence of Russia with limited U.S. involvement.

Report by Max Bergmann and Otto Svendsen — October 8, 2025

Transatlantic Relations Under Trump: An Uneasy Peace

President Trump’s transactional stance and skepticism toward Europe has shocked transatlantic ties linking trade, security, and Ukraine. Europe has been cautious, but looming fights over defense, tech, and trade could rupture the relationship.

Commentary by Max Bergmann — October 6, 2025

Russia’s War in Ukraine: The Next Chapter

Russia’s war in Ukraine has persisted for over three years. Despite U.S. mediation attempts, from Saudi talks to a Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage, and European debates on peacekeepers, Russia continues to pummel Ukraine’s cities and engage in a brutal ground offensive.

Brief by Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya — September 30, 2025

A Long-Term Russia Strategy for Europe

No matter the outcome in Ukraine, Russia will remain a strategic threat to Europe and European interests. A European containment strategy reworked for the particularities of the present can help Europe unify around a common approach to Russia.

Report by Max Bergmann, Maria Snegovaya, Michael Kimmage, Hanna Notte, and Jeffrey Mankoff — July 24, 2025

Making the U.S.-UK Special Relationship Fit for Purpose

A refreshed understanding of the special relationship is critical to developing a strategy to maximize U.S.-UK defense cooperation and equip both partners to face the challenges ahead.

Report by Max Bergmann and Lexi Linafelter — July 15, 2025

NATO’s “Brain Death” in The Hague

At the 2025 NATO Summit, allies pledged to raise defense spending to 5 percent of GDP. But spending targets alone ignore deeper issues. Europe must shift its focus to building capable, integrated militaries that can operate independently of U.S. support.

Commentary by Max Bergmann — June 25, 2025

The Russian Wartime Economy: From Sugar High to Hangover

Russia is muddling through the sanctions, with its economy impacted but not ruined and its defense industry able to maintain the current levels of attrition. Moscow hence sees no need to end the war, unless it leads to Kyiv’s capitulation on key political issues.

Report by Maria Snegovaya, Nicholas Fenton, Tina Dolbaia, and Max Bergmann — June 5, 2025