Last week, the 2026 Aspen Security Forum brought together top national security voices, experts, business leaders, and innovators from across the political spectrum and around the globe. We were proud to host over 600 in-person attendees, including many from our Rising Leaders Program, which fosters the next generation of national security and foreign policy leaders. Additionally, thousands of virtual participants tuned into our programming from across the world. Thank you to all speakers, participants, and attendees!

The 2026 Aspen Security Forum concluded on Friday. We are pleased to share some of the highlights from our final day below.

The 2026 Aspen Security Forum continued yesterday in Aspen! We are pleased to share some of the highlights from our third day below. Tune in to the final sessions today by joining our livestream!

The 2026 Aspen Security Forum continued yesterday in Aspen! We are pleased to share some of the highlights from our second day below. Tune in to today's sessions by joining our livestream!

This week, U.S. launched fresh attacks on Iran following Iran's strike on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, and Trump-backed candidate Abelardo de la Espriella won the Colombian runoff presidential election. Read more below.

The 2026 Aspen Security Forum kicks off in 25 days! In this special edition of the Leaf, we are pleased to announce more speakers and share a selection of readings on topics that will be covered throughout the four days in Aspen. Read more below.

This week, President Donald Trump called off U.S. strikes in Iran and signaled that parties were nearing a deal on peace talks, SpaceX was the largest IPO in history, President Xi Jinping met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang, and the World Cup kicked off in Mexico City.

This week, Hezbollah rejected the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon as both sides continued to exchange strikes, Ukraine launched strikes in St. Petersburg following Russia’s attacks in Kyiv, and Trump-backed candidate Abelardo de la Espriella took the lead in the first round of Colombia’s presidential election.

This week, the U.S. and Iran traded attacks as negotiators from both countries neared an agreement to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Israel carried out strikes in Beirut, foreign ministers from the Quad met in New Delhi, and the Shangri-La Dialogue kicked off in Singapore.

This week, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted former President of Cuba Raúl Castro on murder and conspiracy charges, Iran reviewed the latest U.S. peace proposal after President Trump called off strikes, President Putin met with President Xi in Beijing, and the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC a “global health emergency.”

This week, President Trump traveled to Beijing to meet with President Xi, EU defense ministers met in Brussels, Israeli and Lebanese leaders began a second round of peace talks, and the Department of War canceled the deployment of about 4,000 troops to Poland.