Political Reform

As societies around the world look to transition toward more democratic systems of governance, political reforms are often needed to improve decision-making processes, ensure fair representation of social groups, and increase transparency and accountability of government functions. Effective reforms can help make governments more effective, foster stability within societies, and unlock economic potential. Whether initiated by electorates or through the process of accession to multilateral political or economic pacts, political reform measures can be important stepping stones on the road to healthy democratic rule.

Content

UkraineAlert

May 12, 2020

Can Saakashvili rescue Ukraine’s reform agenda?

By Peter Dickinson

President Zelenskyy has appointed former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili to lead Ukraine's National Reform Council. What might this appointment mean for the country's stuttering reform agenda?

Democratic Transitions Political Reform

In the News

May 12, 2020

Borghard in Lawfare: Cyber Command needs new acquisition authorities

By Atlantic Council

Erica writes about the benefits of creating an MFP funding category (MFP-13) for U.S. Cyber Command. More about our expert

Cybersecurity Political Reform

UkraineAlert

May 11, 2020

Enough already

By Melinda Haring

There are other troubling signs on the horizon. Reformers in Kyiv worry that a revanche is underway and civil service, medical, anti-corruption, and fiscal reforms are all under attack.

Political Reform Rule of Law

Inflection Points

May 10, 2020

Here’s why the EU project, age 70, must win the pandemic test

By Frederick Kempe

On this week’s 70th anniversary of the European Union’s beginnings with the Schuman Declaration, the project that was launched to end centuries of war is in an existential struggle with a pathogen that knows no borders. It’s however not too late for the EU to demonstrate its resilience and relevance at this time of crisis. On this 70th anniversary, it’s also worth remembering the common global and transatlantic interest in European stability and success.

Coronavirus European Union

In the News

May 7, 2020

Ghori-Ahmad joins the podcast All Encompassing to discuss Harvard University Professor Joseph Nye’s book, “Do morals matter? Presidents and foreign policy from FDR to Trump.”

By Atlantic Council

International Norms Political Reform

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2020

Nicaragua’s response to COVID-19 endangers not only its own people, but also its neighbors

By Maria Fernanda Bozmoski and Isabel Kennon

Nicaragua’s reckless response to COVID-19 puts an already fragile Central America at risk and should worry the international community. In the fight against this global pandemic, Nicaragua and Costa Rica provide a clear example of how one country’s flawed response to the virus can drastically impact its neighboring countries

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2020

After months of gridlock, Iraq gets a new government

By Atlantic Council

Iraq’s months-long quest to form a national government reached a major milestone on May 6 when a partial government under new prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was approved by lawmakers. Al-Kadhimi—who previously served as Iraq’s national intelligence chief—was nominated by Iraqi President Barham Salih on April 9 after two previous nominees failed to form a government. Although fifteen of the major cabinet posts were approved by the parliament, several others have not yet been confirmed—including foreign affairs, justice, oil, agriculture, and trade—due to failure to reach an agreement between major parties on their allocation.

Democratic Transitions Iraq

In the News

May 1, 2020

Nawaz joins the University of Lahore’s School of Integrated Social Sciences to discuss Pakistan-U.S. Relations

By Atlantic Council

ORIGINAL SOURCE

International Norms Pakistan

In the News

Apr 29, 2020

Jamil in The National Interest: Kim Jong-un Likely Isn’t Dead—but His Successor Would Struggle to Consolidate Power

By Atlantic Council

East Asia Indo-Pacific

In the News

Apr 29, 2020

Borghard in the Council on Foreign Relations: The Department of Defense should not wage cyber war against criminal hackers during the coronavirus crisis

By Atlantic Council

Erica argues that employing DoD cyber forces to solve any challenge or threat that may emerge in cyberspace risks democratic values and threatens to erode the ability of military cyber forces to achieve the crucial missions they were meant to accomplish in the first place. More about our expert

Cybersecurity Political Reform

Experts

Events