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Examining the Crime-Terror Convergence in Venezuela
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China and the War In Iran, High Risk for Marginal Opportunities
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Kerry Chavez: Drones, Non-State Actors, and the Changing Nature of Warfare
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What Works in Counterterrorism and What Doesn’t?
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The Iran War and Ankara’s Three Strategic Scenarios
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Promoting Evidence-based Policy and Good Governance

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Crime & Justice, Transnational Crime, Americas, Transnational Crime Project

Apr 9 , 2026

Policy Brief

Examining the Crime-Terror Convergence in Venezuela

Editor’s Note: This policy brief is Part IV of an Orion Policy Institute (OPI) Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP) series and culminating report examining Venezuela’s transnational criminal networks, their regional security implications, and the evolving U.S. policy response. Introduction Venezuela, ranked seventh globally for the highest homicide rate, is characterized by

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china iran war

Defense & Security, Indo – Pacific, Middle East, South Asia

Apr 6 , 2026

Policy Brief

China and the War In Iran, High Risk for Marginal Opportunities

China has worked to build a diplomatic position in the Middle East, cultivating an image as a non-interventionist power that can be everyone’s friend and no one’s enemy. However, when the drums of war began to sound over the Strait of Hormuz, China found itself exposed to a conflict it

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Defense & Security, Americas

Apr 4 , 2026

Podcast

Kerry Chavez: Drones, Non-State Actors, and the Changing Nature of Warfare

In this episode of Orion Talks, hosted by Suat Cubukcu, we are joined by Dr. Kerry Chávez to explore how drones are reshaping modern warfare and homeland security. As commercial drone technology becomes more accessible, the barriers to air power are rapidly eroding, enabling non-state actors and even lone individuals

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Defense & Security, Terrorism & Extremism

Apr 1 , 2026

Op-Ed

What Works in Counterterrorism and What Doesn’t?

Terrorism and counterterrorism have been significant concerns after terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, in the United States. The concerns have valid reasons. Currently, the U.S. State Department lists approximately 70 Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) as of early 2026 [1]. In addition to domestic violent extremist groups, the FTOs pose

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tda

Crime & Justice, Transnational Crime, Americas

Mar 17 , 2026

Policy Brief

Tren de Aragua – Background and Transnational Challenge

Editor’s Note: This policy brief is Part III of an Orion Policy Institute (OPI) Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP) series and culminating report examining Venezuela’s transnational criminal networks, their regional security implications, and the evolving U.S. policy response. Introduction The rapid expansion of Tren de Aragua (TdA) from a Venezuelan prison

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Defense & Security, Middle East

Mar 7 , 2026

Policy Brief

The Iran War and Ankara’s Three Strategic Scenarios

The Iran war puts Turkey in a peculiar position, posing several challenges. Since the beginning of the US and Israel’s military confrontation with Iran, Turkey has adopted cautious neutrality, which aimed to avoid the escalation of tensions with either side of the conflict. However, the question is how sustainable Ankara’s

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iran war

Democracy & Human Rights, Middle East

Mar 4 , 2026

Op-Ed

Regime Change is Only Legitimate If Iranians Take The Lead

President Trump’s decision to undertake military operations against Iran was a bold, albeit risky move that has the potential to reshape the Middle East. As casualties mount on both sides, it’s critical that the U.S. government determines it’s aims. So far, the administration hasn’t been clear on what it hopes

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Recursive Language Models AI architecture diagram for small business applications.

Cyber Security & Info Technologies

Mar 2 , 2026

Op-Ed

An AI Revolution for Small Businesses Lies in Smarter Scaffolding, Not Just Bigger Models

The potential of artificial intelligence for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains paradoxical. While AI promises to level a playing field long dominated by large corporations, its adoption is often stalled before any technical work begins. According to the OECD’s 2025 survey on SME digitalization, cost-related barriers, including maintenance expenses,

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Latest Research

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Crime & Justice, Transnational Crime, Americas, Transnational Crime Project

Apr 9 , 2026

Policy Brief

Examining the Crime-Terror Convergence in Venezuela

Editor’s Note: This policy brief is Part IV of an Orion Policy Institute (OPI) Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP) series and culminating report examining Venezuela’s transnational criminal networks, their regional security implications, and the evolving U.S. policy response. Introduction Venezuela, ranked seventh globally for the highest homicide rate, is characterized by

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

china iran war

Defense & Security, Indo – Pacific, Middle East, South Asia

Apr 6 , 2026

Policy Brief

China and the War In Iran, High Risk for Marginal Opportunities

China has worked to build a diplomatic position in the Middle East, cultivating an image as a non-interventionist power that can be everyone’s friend and no one’s enemy. However, when the drums of war began to sound over the Strait of Hormuz, China found itself exposed to a conflict it

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

tda

Crime & Justice, Transnational Crime, Americas

Mar 17 , 2026

Policy Brief

Tren de Aragua – Background and Transnational Challenge

Editor’s Note: This policy brief is Part III of an Orion Policy Institute (OPI) Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP) series and culminating report examining Venezuela’s transnational criminal networks, their regional security implications, and the evolving U.S. policy response. Introduction The rapid expansion of Tren de Aragua (TdA) from a Venezuelan prison

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2249462143 scaled

Defense & Security, Middle East

Mar 7 , 2026

Policy Brief

The Iran War and Ankara’s Three Strategic Scenarios

The Iran war puts Turkey in a peculiar position, posing several challenges. Since the beginning of the US and Israel’s military confrontation with Iran, Turkey has adopted cautious neutrality, which aimed to avoid the escalation of tensions with either side of the conflict. However, the question is how sustainable Ankara’s

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

venezeula gangs

Crime & Justice, Transnational Crime, Americas

Feb 23 , 2026

Policy Brief

Understanding the Structure and Resilience of Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles

Editor’s Note: This policy brief is Part II of an Orion Policy Institute (OPI) Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP) series and culminating report examining Venezuela’s transnational criminal networks, their regional security implications, and the evolving U.S. policy response. In November 2025, the United States designated the Cartel de los Soles (CDS)

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Defense & Security, Americas

Feb 12 , 2026

Policy Brief

A Moment of Strategic Choice: U.S. Policy in a Post-Maduro Hemisphere

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The capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026 marks a strategic inflection point for the United States and the first real stress test of the 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) in the Western Hemisphere. More than the apprehension of a leader, Maduro’s removal forces Washington to reconcile competing strategic

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