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National Security

Our writers make sense of America’s place in the world, reporting on rising authoritarianism, military technology, and geopolitical conflicts.

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A portrait of Ayatollah Khomeini leaning against a white wall amid rubble and debris — Nanna Heitmann / Magnum Photos

What Are the Chances Trump Attacks Iran?

The Trump administration has targets but no endgame.

Nancy A. Youssef and Vivian Salama

January 30, 2026

President Donald Trump points -- and a finger points back — Chip Somodevilla / Getty

‘We Are Learning to Bully Back’

How Europe got Trump to cave on Greenland

Isaac Stanley-Becker and Jonathan Lemire

January 23, 2026

The coffins of two Danish soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan are draped in Danish flags and carried out of a military transport plane in Denmark by men in military uniforms. — Claus Fisker / AFP / Getty

Trump Casually Denigrates NATO’s War Dead

The president has revised history when it comes to the sacrifices of America’s allies.

Isaac Stanley-Becker

January 22, 2026

Black-and-white illustration of blacked-out social-media posts — Illustration by The Atlantic

The Trump Administration Is Publishing a Stream of Nazi Propaganda

Government social-media managers have transformed official feeds.

January 21, 2026

Black-and-white image of James K. Polk over old maps of the United States in red, white, and blue — Illustration by Anna Ruch / The Atlantic. Sources: Brady-Handy Collection / Library of Congress; J. M. Atwood.

Trump Wants to Be the New Polk

His interest in the 11th president’s legacy has conjured up the specter of manifest destiny.

January 21, 2026

Vladimir Putin, entering through gold doors — Sergey Bobylev / Sputnik / AP

America’s Crimea

Moscow lets it be known how it feels about Trump’s threats against Denmark.

January 21, 2026

In black and white, Trump stands against a background that says "World Economic Forum," his face half-obscured. — Jim Watson / AFP / Getty

Davos Man May Burn the Whole Thing Down

Trump threatens to sever the U.S.-European alliance over Greenland.

Jonathan Lemire

January 20, 2026

a black-ink Rorschach-test style illustration of Donald Trump's face made from the outlines of the continents, set on an orange background — Illustration by Ben Hickey

America vs. the World

President Trump wants to return to the 19th century’s international order. He will leave America less prosperous—and the whole world less secure.

January 18, 2026

A dove carrying a stack of money — Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Getty.

Trump’s Billion-Dollar Board of Peace

The new entity has a global remit and a steep price for a permanent seat.

Paul Beckett and Isabel Ruehl

January 17, 2026

a color photograph of Sophia Bruun sits on a table in a black frame — Taby Cheng for The Atlantic

The Sacrifice of the Danes

After September 11, Denmark fought alongside its ally. The families of fallen soldiers have a message for Trump.

Isaac Stanley-Becker

January 15, 2026