Democratic Transitions

Democratic Transitions

The number of democracies has increased from around a dozen during the Second World War to nearly 100 today. Societies are presented with unique political, social, and economic challenges as they attempt to transform the institutions, policies, and norms of authoritarian governance into an open and democratic system.

Content

Dispatches

Jul 22, 2026

Upcoming Venezuela negotiations are an opportunity for the US to lock in a victory

By Jason Marczak, Geoff Ramsey

As Venezuela’s interim government and opposition representatives prepare for talks, the Trump administration can help to steer the course.

Democratic Transitions Latin America

UkraineAlert

Jul 21, 2026

Civilian control over the armed forces is crucial for Ukraine’s future

By Olena Tregub

A political crisis erupted in wartime Ukraine last week over the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov following a power struggle with Ukrainian army Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, writes Olena Tregub.

Civil Society Conflict

Issue Brief

Jun 15, 2026

Updating the Democratic Transition Framework to chart a way forward in Venezuela

By Geoff Ramsey

To seize the opportunity for a democratic transition in Venezuela in the wake of Nicolás Maduro's January capture, the United States should update a power-sharing framework proposed in 2020 to serve as a road map for the restoration of Venezuela’s democratic institutions.

Americas Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

May 26, 2026

Kyiv hosts Belarus opposition leader as Moscow drags Minsk closer to war

By Hanna Liubakova

As concern mounts that Moscow is pushing Minsk to join the invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv is strengthening ties with the democratic Belarusian opposition, writes Hanna Liubakova.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

May 22, 2026

Vyshyvanka Day celebrates Ukrainian identity amid Russia’s genocidal war

By Peter Dickinson

Ukraine's annual Vyshyvanka Day holiday has emerged as a simple yet profound grassroots celebration of Ukrainian national identity at a time when Russia is attempting to destroy Ukraine as a state and as a nation, writes Peter Dickinson.

Civil Society Conflict

Russia Tomorrow

May 21, 2026

The Kadyrov question: Who rules Chechnya next?

By Marat Iliyasov

The latest report in the Atlantic Council's Russia Tomorrow series assesses the four pathways that may await Chechnya after Kadyrov is no longer in power.

Corruption Crisis Management

Dispatches

May 20, 2026

After the Castro indictment, what is Trump’s endgame in Cuba? 

By Atlantic Council experts

The pressure campaign raises a number of urgent questions. We turned to experts in the Atlantic Council’s network for answers. 

Cuba Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

May 7, 2026

Putin is dragging Belarus deeper into Russia’s Ukraine invasion

By Hanna Liubakova

Belarus may not currently be poised to join the invasion of Ukraine, but Vladimir Putin is clearly intent on dragging the country deeper into Russia’s war effort, writes Hanna Liubakova.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Apr 28, 2026

Ukraine’s Zelennials have youth on their side in war against Putin’s pensioners

By Peter Dickinson

It is no exaggeration to state that the current war in Ukraine is a clash of generations pitting Russia’s staunchly Soviet leadership against the radically different post-Soviet mindset of the Ukrainian authorities, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

Balkans Debrief

Apr 17, 2026

Is Hungary’s Influence in the Balkans Over With Orban? A Debrief with Peter Kreko

Europe Center Senior Fellow Ilva Tare sits down with Péter Krekó to discuss Hungary's future approach to the Western Balkans after Viktor Orbán's defeat.

Democratic Transitions Elections
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Experts

Advisory Council member

<strong>Erika Mouynes</strong>

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Panama

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Central America Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Cameron Munter

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center South Asia Center

National Security Conflict

Staff

Gissou Nia

Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Corruption

Fellow

Parker Novak

Nonresident Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Australia Democratic Transitions

Staff

Victoria Olari

Research Associate, Moldova

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Democratic Transitions Disinformation

Fellow

Patrick Quirk

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center GeoStrategy Initiative

Civil Society Conflict
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