Analog Brief: focused daily briefings on political, economic, and strategic developments.

Against the backdrop of the U.S.–Iran war, a fundamental question is quietly resurfacing on both sides of the Atlantic: what exactly is NATO for? The conflict has exposed a widening gap between Washington’s expectations and Europe’s strategic priorities. While the United States reportedly expected stronger political and military backing from its NATO allies, European leaders have shown little enthusiasm for deeper involvement in the conflict.

Eastern Europe's competing energy strategies reveal that in the end, geography—not politics—will shape the region's energy security.

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran has brought an end—at least temporarily—to one of the most dangerous confrontations the Middle East has witnessed in decades.