Content

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2020

COVID-19 in the Western Balkans

By Dimitar Bechev

COVID-19 overshadowed two major developments in the region: the EU decision to open membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania, as well as North Macedonia’s formal accession to NATO on March 27. In normal circumstances, this would have been huge news. Yet now the pandemic leaves little bandwidth for other matters, even in the Western Balkans.

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions

Borscht Belt

Apr 3, 2020

Ukraine’s slippery slope to progress

By Atlantic Council Eurasia Center

Zelenskyy shocked observers by firing his government. Is Kyiv now stacked with obedient loyalists, or is there still hope to put Ukraine on the right path?

Democratic Transitions Political Reform

UkraineAlert

Apr 2, 2020

Ukrainian local authorities move online to beat coronavirus lockdown

By Michael Druckman

With Ukraine under coronavirus lockdown, legislation has been rushed through allowing local authorities to operate online. The move is being greeted as another step in the right direction for Ukraine's fledgling democracy.

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Mar 31, 2020

Zelenskyy resurrects his reformist credentials as coronavirus crisis looms

By Anders Åslund

March 30 was a big day for Ukraine with major changes in parliament that reversed the anti-reform backlash underway in the country since March 4 and provided President Zelenskyy with fresh political momentum as the coronavirus crisis escalates.

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Mar 31, 2020

Q&A: Where is President Zelenskyy leading Ukraine?

By Adair Appleton and Adrian Hoefer

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's surprise decision to dismiss his reformist government in early March raised fundamental questions over the future direction of the country. Atlantic Council experts explore what it could mean for Ukraine.

Democratic Transitions Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Mar 30, 2020

Two historic votes for Ukraine

By Iuliia Mendel

In an emergency session as the country grapples with the coronavirus crisis, Ukraine's parliament has voted for two bills that will open the way to new financing from the IMF and other international partners.

Democratic Transitions International Financial Institutions

AfricaSource

Mar 30, 2020

Coronavirus comes to Sudan

By Cameron Hudson

Not yet one year into a historic political transition and in the midst of an economic collapse, Sudan’s future was already hanging in the balance. The addition of a national and global public health crisis now has the potential for a ‘make or break’ impact on the country.

Africa Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2020

US cuts Afghan aid: Will it bring peace closer?

By South Asia Center

Recent weeks have seen Afghanistan politically paralyzed with both Ghani and Abdullah setting up parallel governments in Kabul, after both claimed victory in the September 2019 presidential elections. Secretary Pompeo attempted to push the Afghan government(s) towards talks with the Taliban and failed.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2020

EU greenlights North Macedonia and Albania membership talks: Breakthrough or symbolic gesture?

By Jörn Fleck

"The decision by the EU foreign ministers to open accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania comes at a time when Europe is battling a major public health crisis and is bracing for its economic aftershocks," Dimitar Bechev says. "Keeping enlargement alive speaks volumes about the union’s ability to muddle through."

Democratic Transitions European Union

AfricaSource

Mar 24, 2020

African elections in the time of coronavirus

By Luke Tyburski

African elections slated for 2020 are already being affected by COVID-19, with the potential for delays and disruptions to have significant impact on election credibility, political trust, and adherence to term limits across the continent.

Africa Coronavirus
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Experts

Fellow

David H. Young

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Conflict

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Resident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Expert

Yi Zhou

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Democratic Transitions East Asia

Staff

Uliana Certan

Program Assistant, European Engagement

Global Energy Center

Democratic Transitions Energy & Environment

Staff

Will Mortenson

Program Assistant

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Democratic Transitions Latin America

Staff

Aalaa Abuzaakouk

Deputy Director, Millennium Leadership Program

Millennium Leadership Program

Arabic Civil Society
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Events

Online Event Tue, July 29, 2025 • 10:30 am ET

One year later: Venezuela’s presidential election and the road ahead
Americas Civil Society Corruption Democratic Transitions