Content

MENASource

Dec 7, 2025

One year after Assad’s fall, here’s what’s needed to advance justice for Syrians

By Elise Baker and Ahmad Helmi

The second year of a post-Assad Syria requires structural reform, victim-centered leadership, and international reinforcement.

Democratic Transitions
International Norms

New Atlanticist

Dec 5, 2025

After Maduro

By Jason Marczak

Opposition leaders have a plan for a democratic transition when Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro leaves power.

Corruption
Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Dec 4, 2025

Ukraine’s warning to the West: A bad peace will lead to a bigger war

By Myroslava Gongadze

It is delusional to think that sacrificing Ukraine will satisfy Russia. Instead, a bad peace will only lead to a bigger war, while the price of today's hesitation will ultimately be far higher than the cost of action, writes Myroslava Gongadze.

Conflict
Corruption

Issue Brief

Dec 4, 2025

A stronger, safer, and more prosperous hemisphere: The case for investing in democracy in the Americas

By Antonio Garrastazu and Henrique Arevalo Poincot

This issue brief is the fourth in the Freedom and Prosperity Center's "Future of democracy assistance" series, which analyzes the many complex challenges to democracy around the world—and highlights actionable policies that promote democratic governance.

Civil Society
Democratic Transitions

MENASource

Nov 21, 2025

Syria joining the anti-ISIS coalition is a westward pivot—with opportunities and risks

By Merissa Khurma and Giorgio Cafiero

The decision is a shift in the country’s alignment—from Russian and Iranian spheres of influence to one in NATO and GCC regional orbits.

Democratic Transitions
Middle East

UkraineAlert

Nov 18, 2025

Vladimir Putin fears entering Russian history as the man who lost Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

Throughout his reign, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin has become increasingly obsessed with the idea of erasing Ukrainian independence, but his decision to invade has backfired disastrously, eroding centuries of Russian influence and accelerating Ukraine’s European integration, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict
Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Nov 17, 2025

Experts react: Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in absentia. What does this mean for Bangladesh’s future?

By Atlantic Council experts

A tribunal in Dhaka has sentenced the former Bangladeshi prime minister for her role in the government’s deadly crackdown in July 2024.

Bangladesh
Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Nov 14, 2025

Experts react: How will Iraq’s parliamentary election shape the country’s politics?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts examine what the results of Tuesday’s elections mean for the future of Iraqi politics and Baghdad’s regional role.

Civil Society
Democratic Transitions

Russia Tomorrow

Nov 13, 2025

Minsk in Moscow’s grip: How Russia subjugated Belarus without annexation

By Hanna Liubakova

The latest report in the Atlantic Council's Russia Tomorrow series examines how Belarus moved from close relations with Russia to full-scale integration under the Kremlin.

Belarus
Conflict

Dispatches

Nov 10, 2025

Dispatch from Baghdad: Don’t confuse the calm around Iraq’s election with stability

By Yerevan Saeed

Iraqi society faces several slow-burning stressors, from water and climate problems to over-centralization and narcotics trafficking.

Democratic Transitions
Elections

Experts