Content

In the News

Jan 17, 2025

Charai in National Interest: Donald Trump and the New Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Economy & Business

MENASource

Jan 15, 2025

As a new Syria takes shape, Iraq will need to recalibrate its role in the Middle East

By Abbas Kadhim

The Iraqi government must navigate several challenges, recalibrate its role in the region, and balance its foreign relations—including with the United States

Crisis Management Democratic Transitions

Fast Thinking

Jan 10, 2025

What the world can do about Maduro

By Atlantic Council experts

As the Venezuelan autocrat is inaugurated for a third term as president, our experts analyze what the United States, the region, and the opposition can do.

Democratic Transitions Economic Sanctions

MENASource

Jan 10, 2025

To help build the new Syria, the US needs to better understand the Kurds and Arabs of the northeast

By Ömer Özkizilcik

Washington should take note of the complexities in the region and not be bound by the past. The security of the entire region is at stake.

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Jan 8, 2025

Venezuela’s 2024 stolen election compounds challenges to stability and democratic renewal

By Sary Levy-Carciente

The 2024 Venezuela elections mark a pivotal choice for the country's future. The nation faces two distinct paths: continued instability and restricted freedoms or democratic reforms that restore political rights, drive economic recovery, and reintegrate Venezuela into the global community. A comprehensive recovery plan focused on dignity, accountability, and economic transformation offers a clear path toward renewal and prosperity.

Democratic Transitions Elections

Issue Brief

Jan 8, 2025

Recalibrating the use of individual sanctions in Venezuela 

By Geoff Ramsey, Lucie Kneip

As Maduro consolidates power in Venezuela, who has the United States sanctioned—and are those sanctions working?

Democratic Transitions Economic Sanctions

In the News

Jan 6, 2025

Charai in the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Look to Middle Eastern Diasporas for Figures to Inspire Change

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

MENASource

Jan 3, 2025

Dispatch from Damascus: The challenges of rebuilding are becoming clearer in Syria

By Diana Rayes 

Syrians know they will not get what they need to rebuild as a society with one hand tied behind their backs, Diana Rayes writes from Damascus.

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Dec 29, 2024

How Jimmy Carter’s support for human rights helped win the Cold War

By Daniel Fried

By elevating human rights in US relations with the Soviet Bloc, Carter put the United States on offense in the Cold War.

Central Europe Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Dec 24, 2024

Postwar Syria could go wrong in many ways. Here’s how the US can help it go right.

By Thomas S. Warrick

The United States must engage in Syria to head off the potential for chaos, terrorism, and another major Middle East war.

Conflict Democratic Transitions
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Experts

Fellow

Emadeddin Badi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

James B. Cunningham

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Democratic Transitions Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Peter Dickinson

Editor, UkraineAlert

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Civil Society

Fellow

Michel Duclos

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Crisis Management

Fellow

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Democratic Transitions

Staff

Uri Friedman

Senior Editorial Director

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions
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Events

Online Event Tue, January 21, 2025 • 12:00 pm ET

President Salome Zourabichvili on Georgian democracy and Russian influence

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—President Salome Zourabichvili joins to discuss the political landscape in Georgia and the threat of malign Russian influence.

Civil Society Democratic Transitions Elections Europe & Eurasia
Flagship Event Wed, March 19, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Global Prosperity Forum

The Global Prosperity Forum brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and scholars to explore actionable solutions for global development, freedom, democracy, and shared prosperity.
Democratic Transitions Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights Inclusive Growth