Politics & Diplomacy

Politics & Diplomacy

Healthy democratic societies are governed through the holding of elections, passage of policies through government institutions, and equal application of the law to all citizens. These activities influence not only the internal decisions of these societies, but also inform the ways countries interact with their regional and global neighbors, whether through direct bilateral ties or encompassed in larger international organizations.

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Europe must weigh rising Ukraine costs against higher price of Russian victory

Issue Brief Aug 17, 2026

Sovereignty without borders: Decoding the transatlantic digital relationship at a time of change

An examination of the EU–US trust deficit and its implications for digital policymaking.
Digital Policy Europe & Eurasia
Europe must weigh rising Ukraine costs against higher price of Russian victory

AfricaSource Aug 17, 2026

Africa’s World Cup breakthrough: What ten teams reveal about institutional capacity

By Deneyse A. Kirkpatrick

Strong sports ecosystems create jobs, strengthen institutions, and expand opportunities across education, public health, and economic development.
Africa Politics & Diplomacy

Content

UkraineAlert

Nov 3, 2026

Europe must weigh rising Ukraine costs against higher price of Russian victory

By Peter Dickinson

If Russia succeeds in overrunning an underfunded and exhausted Ukraine, the consequences for Europe will be catastrophic and the price tag of stopping an emboldened Putin will dwarf the current cost of supporting Kyiv, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Policy

Dispatches

Nov 3, 2026

New Palestinian leaders will need more than an electoral mandate to govern

By Eric Alter and Bisher Al-Khasawneh

The 2027 Palestinian elections will only give new leaders the authority to govern if they can control finances and security and rival factions agree to accept the results.

Elections Middle East

Report

Nov 3, 2026

Religion as statecraft: What a decade of research reveals about the geopolitics of religious soft power

By Peter Mandaville

The post-Cold War assumption that international politics was converging toward a secular liberal framework in which religion would play at most a marginal role has not survived contact with the evidence. From China to Turkey to Saudi Arabia and Russia, states are integrating religion into their foreign policy in strategically significant ways.

China India

Inflection Points

Nov 3, 2026

Dispatch from Abu Dhabi: America votes—and the world holds its breath

By Frederick Kempe

The world is showing more interest than ever in the US midterm elections, and with good reason given how the results could affect Trump's foreign policy.

Conflict Elections

Scorecard

Nov 2, 2026

Scowcroft Strategy Scorecard: Grading Canada’s second-ever national security strategy 

By Atlantic Council

For only the second time in its history, Canada has a new national security strategy. Does it match the clarity with which Prime Minister Mark Carney has described the challenges the country faces? Atlantic Council experts weigh in.

National Security Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Oct 30, 2026

Libya’s maritime deal with Turkey may be the key to reunification

By Mohamed Eljarh

The deal, and the rise of Saddam Haftar, represent a new approach to Libya’s divided domestic politics and foreign relations.

Libya Maritime Security

Issue Brief

Oct 29, 2026

The relationship between female leadership, political freedom, and the rule of law

By Helena Fee Rasch

How is female leadership in public service associated with two institutional outcomes: political freedom and rule of law? Understanding the broader implications of women’s representation in leadership roles can inform strategies to preserve and promote freedom, democracy, and prosperity.

Freedom and Prosperity Political Reform

Dispatches

Oct 29, 2026

France’s protests are playing into Le Pen’s hands 

By Lisa Homel, Aurélie Vittot

Protests have shifted France's national debate toward restoring order, a narrative that aligns closely with Marine Le Pen’s and the French right’s messaging.

Civil Society France

UkraineAlert

Oct 29, 2026

Putin’s quest to reclaim ‘historical Russian lands’ is a recipe for endless war

By Peter Dickinson

Russian President Vladimir Putin's insistence that Ukraine is "historically Russian land" reveals the extent of his imperial ambitions and represents a recipe for endless war, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

MENASource

Oct 28, 2026

The Board of Peace for Gaza is not a commercial enterprise. It should stop acting like one.

By Miroslav M. Zafirov

The Board of Peace is missing the infrastructure, funding, and security guarantees it needs to make progress on its mission.

Conflict Israel
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Fatima Abbas

Director of Tribal and Native Affairs, Department of Treasury

Global Leadership Center

Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law

Fellow

Alhussain Abdalla

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Millennium fellow

Danial Abdul Rahman

Chief Executive Officer, Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute

Global Leadership Center

East Asia Education

Fellow

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Middle East National Security

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic China

Fellow

Gbemisola Abudu

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business
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