Atlantic Council blogs

With pastor’s release, Erdoğan pulls Turkey back from the brink

By Ross Wilson

What comes next is unclear, though press reports suggest that Brunson’s release reflects a deal with Washington that presumably includes further expectations on both sides.

Turkey frees US pastor, but bumps in relationship remain

By Aaron Stein

The US government has, over the past year, been in talks with its Turkish counterparts about the terms of Brunson’s release. His release will close a strange chapter in US-Turkish diplomatic history. It will not, however, resolve tensions.

United States, intelligence allies expand effort to contain Chinese influence

By David A. Wemer

Amidst the backdrop of growing trade tensions between the United States and China, Washington has begun drawing attention to growing Chinese influence and economic campaigns within Western countries and in regions across the world.

Iranian Crackdown on Corruption May Only Be Superficial

By Holly Dagres

Since the 1979 revolution, Azadi Square has been the beating heart for major demonstrations in Iran’s capital. So when the Iranian judiciary announced on September 24 that “financial corruptors” would be hung in the square—a first—it was seen as a dire warning to corrupt traders and government officials that they would be made an example of for […]

US pastor’s release signals a new chapter in US-Turkey ties

By Ashish Kumar Sen

"There are still pending issues between Turkey and the United States, however—I believe—this news will facilitate the tone on the remaining issues.  It is time to start rebuilding the strategic relationship," said Defne Arslan, director of the Atlantic Council in Turkey Program.

TRADE IN ACTION October 12, 2018

By Global Business & Economics Program

Quiz: Brazil’s Opening Round

By Atlantic Council

Brazil is down to its final two. Think you know everything about the race to the Palácio do Planalto? Test your knowledge with seven questions on the presidential election and the other hundreds of contests in Latin America’s biggest country. Pull up your vote count spreadsheets and prove that no one follows an election like […]

Deciphering the Afghan riddle

By Omar Samad

Despite the gains and sacrifices made by Afghans and their allies, mounting human losses, growing ethnic rifts, economic woes, and weakened political consensus have disrupted part of the “self-reliance” agenda.

Three more reasons why I’m optimistic about Ukraine

By Melinda Haring

There are plenty of principled, young and not-so-young people, in the pipeline.

Europe’s liberal dream team looks more like a marriage of convenience

By Nick Ottens

Macron and Rutte are both relatively young (forty and fifty-one, respectively), ambitious (Rutte is believed to covet the European Council presidency, currently held by Donald Tusk), and in favor of reform of the European Union (EU).