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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Russia’s escalating bombardment of Ukraine is not ‘retaliation’

New Atlanticist Mar 18, 2025

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

By Atlantic Council experts

In the early hours of March 18, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending the two-month cease-fire. Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the resumed conflict.
Conflict Israel
Russia’s escalating bombardment of Ukraine is not ‘retaliation’

New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
Russia’s escalating bombardment of Ukraine is not ‘retaliation’

Issue Brief Mar 13, 2025

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

By Jonathan Fulton

Despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political, Jonathan Fulton argues.
China Economy & Business

Content

UkraineAlert

Aug 13, 2026

Russia’s escalating bombardment of Ukraine is not ‘retaliation’

By Zahar Hryniv

Russia is attempting to portray the bombardment of Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure as "retaliation" for Ukraine's own efforts to defend itself against Putin's invasion. This "retaliation" narrative is dangerously misleading, writes Zahar Hryniv.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Dispatches

Aug 13, 2026

The Danube is running dry, and taking Central Europe’s power supply with it

By Alex Șerban, Silvian Trandafir

From nuclear power in Romania and Hungary to hydropower in Serbia, the region depends on the major European river to meet its energy needs.

Central Europe Energy & Environment

Dispatches

Aug 12, 2026

A deadly earthquake gives Colombia’s new president his first test

By Jason Marczak

CALI, Colombia—Most elected officials enter office with an agenda for a better future, and most want to get to work implementing it immediately. Sooner or later, however, that agenda must compete with the urgent, unexpected demands of the present. For newly minted Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, the time between being sworn in and […]

Colombia Elections

Dispatches

Aug 12, 2026

Ukraine is also fighting for its future in the EU. With the right help and reforms, it can win.

By James Mazzarella, Tomás Gómez Revelo, Charlotte Bertrand

KYIV—Travel to Dnipro or Kharkiv, cities close to Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, and the first impression might be one of improbable normalcy. Families stroll through manicured parks. Restaurants and hotels are packed with foreigners and locals. Commerce spills onto buzzing streets. Look closer, however, and the architecture of war is everywhere. Children study in a growing […]

Corruption Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Aug 11, 2026

Western weakness is encouraging Putin to test NATO

By Peter Dickinson

As Moscow's hybrid war against NATO continues to escalate, the alliance's reluctance to impose any additional costs on the Kremlin will only only embolden Putin and fuel Russian perceptions of Western weakness, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Drones

AfricaSource

Aug 10, 2026

How to push back against Mali’s propagandists? Help factual creators go viral.

By Tom Bonsundy-O’Bryan

Mali’s information space is now dominated by livestreaming “videomen” pushing misinformation. The West needs to respond by funding fact-based creators.

Africa Disinformation

Dispatches

Aug 10, 2026

Smart glasses are the blind spot in US privacy law

By Trisha Ray

Artificial intelligence and other new technologies are changing what eyeware can do, but they are also raising concerns about privacy.

Artificial Intelligence Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Aug 7, 2026

Why Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey just signed a defense pact

By Atlantic Council experts

Each country pledged to defend the others, but each country also has its own motivations for joining the pact.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Aug 7, 2026

Abelardo de la Espriella takes office in Colombia with a head start in Washington

By Jason Marczak

The new Colombian president and his US counterpart should seize the opportunity to reset the long-term bilateral relationship.

Colombia Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Aug 6, 2026

We should not fear a post-Putin Russia

By Brian Mefford

Some believe a post-Putin Russia could become even more aggressive toward the West. However, past experience and current practicalities suggest that the next Russian ruler may be forced to seek a less hostile path, writes Brian Mefford.

Conflict European Union
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Fatima Abbas

Director of Tribal and Native Affairs, Department of Treasury

Millennium Leadership Program

Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law

Fellow

Alhussain Abdalla

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Arabic

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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