Atlantic Council blogs

Atlantic Council blogs provide short-form analyses from Council experts and a wider community of global voices on the world’s most important news stories.
View all
of our blogs
Subscribe to our
newsletters

Latest from across our blogs

Iraqi prime minister's resignation, Adil Abdul-Mahdi

MENASource

Dec 2, 2019

The Iraqi prime minister’s resignation: A way ahead for the United States

By C. Anthony Pfaff

Iraq’s Prime Minister, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, should be feeling a great sense of relief. Since mid-October, media outlets have reported his intent to resign amid violent protests that have engulfed much of Iraq. His resignation should be no surprise. Since the fall of Saddam, Iraq has a history of picking leaders who do not pose a […]

Corruption Democratic Transitions

IranSource

Dec 2, 2019

Protests challenge Iran’s future position in Iraq

By Robert Czulda

Ongoing violent protests in Iraq have shaken the fragile stability of the country, as well as Iran’s carefully constructed geopolitical strategy for its neighbor and historic rival.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

MENASource

Nov 30, 2019

The challenges Iraq faces after prime minister’s resignation

By Abbas Kadhim

The news on November 29 that Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi will resign is unprecedented in post-2003 Iraq. Many questions must be answered before his successor is appointed, and in the meantime, we can expect unrest to continue.

Democratic Transitions Iraq

EnergySource

Nov 27, 2019

Is Rosneft undermining “maximum pressure” on Venezuela and Iran as Trump looks away?

By Matthew Bryza

US President Donald Trump is conducting policies of “maximum pressure” on two countries, Venezuela and Iran. In Venezuela, Russia’s state-owned oil company, Rosneft, actively undercuts this US policy by helping them circumvent Washington’s tough economic sanctions. Why doesn't Washington apply broad sanctions against the giant Russian company?

Energy Markets & Governance Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

UkraineAlert

Nov 26, 2019

How to make Ukraine ten times better

By Diane Francis

“Ukraine is a wonderful country and could be ten times better. But to achieve this depends not on Russia, or anyone, but on Ukrainian leadership and on stopping corruption,” said Adnan Kivan.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Nov 26, 2019

Ukraine is finally ready to embrace land reform

By Ilona Sologoub

The sale of private agricultural land has been banned since 2001. Ukraine is one of six countries in the world to maintain this restriction.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Nov 26, 2019

Time for change

By Melinda Haring

UkraineAlert welcomes Peter Dickinson and says thank you to Melinda Haring.

Democratic Transitions Political Reform

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Nov 26, 2019

How the exclusion of women has cost Libya

By Emily Burchfield

Libya experts frequently call for greater inclusion of civil society and local governance leaders in peace-building efforts in order for the peace process to be more representative of ordinary Libyans. And yet, Libyan women’s powerful role in civil society and the fact that they make up half of the population of “ordinary Libyans” is often overlooked.

Libya Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

MENASource

Nov 25, 2019

Stranded on the island of Lesbos, refugees remain in limbo

By Sarah El-Rashidi

The Greek island of Lesbos is a unique island with a symbolic statue of liberty standing tall since 1922. Lesbos became a place for refuge following the Greco-Turkish war of 1919 and today is home to thousands of refugees. Located in the Aegean Sea near the shores of Turkey, the island first became a place […]

Conflict Europe & Eurasia
20191125_IranInternet

IranSource

Nov 25, 2019

Iranians endure internet shutdown with despair and disarray

By Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

On November 16, 2019, the Iranian government shut down the Internet throughout the country following a decision to triple the price of fuel overnight.

Digital Policy Economy & Business