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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What Orbán’s defeat in Hungary means for the Western Balkans

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
What Orbán’s defeat in Hungary means for the Western Balkans

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
What Orbán’s defeat in Hungary means for the Western Balkans

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

Dispatches

Apr 22, 2026

What Orbán’s defeat in Hungary means for the Western Balkans

By Agon Maliqi

During his sixteen years in power, Orbán built an infrastructure of influence in the Western Balkans to support his political allies.

Elections European Union

In the News

Apr 22, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Judge Jared Kushner by What He Changed

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 22, 2026

Kroenig published in Foreign Policy on What Happens if China Succeeds

By Atlantic Council

On April 22, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was published in Foreign Policy on how China winning great power competition would foment a more dangerous, impoverished, and tyrannical world for everyone else.

China Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 22, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on PBS on negotations in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On April 17, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on PBS about US negotiations in Iran.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Apr 21, 2026

The Strait of Hormuz closure forces a choice: Ration oil now or pay a steep price later

By Joseph Webster and Reid I’Anson

Instead of subsidizing demand or releasing scarce reserves too quickly, policymakers should emphasize the rationing of scarce supplies.

Conflict Economy & Business

Dispatches

Apr 21, 2026

Magyar’s victory in Hungary should be studied by other opposition movements

By Bailey Galicia

Hungary’s recent election holds lessons for countries such as Georgia and Serbia, where divided oppositions have so far failed to turn protests into electoral wins.

Europe & Eurasia Hungary

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Apr 20, 2026

Institutional architecture and prosperity: What lies beneath the aggregate score

By Ignacio Campomanes, Nina Dannaoui-Johnson, Annie (Yu-Lin) Lee, James Mazzarella

Institutional strength drives prosperity, but aggregate scores can hide key differences—what ultimately shapes development outcomes is how political, legal, and economic systems interact.

Freedom and Prosperity Political Reform

Dispatches

Apr 20, 2026

Five ideas to make the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara a success

By Atlantic Council experts

While the upcoming summit is unlikely to produce anything as singularly significant as 2025’s “5 percent” pledge, there are important steps the Alliance should take.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Strategic Insights Memo

Apr 20, 2026

A US tech agenda focused on Latin America to outcompete the People’s Republic of China

By Samantha Wong, Ginger Matchett, Peter Engelke

Insights from on the ground in Colombia, where the United States and China's competition for influence is playing out in the tech sector, among other places. 

Artificial Intelligence China

UkraineAlert

Apr 18, 2026

Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 long before the full-scale war of 2022

By Paul Niland

International efforts to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine must reflect the fact that the Kremlin's attack on Ukraine began in 2014 and not with the full-scale war of 2022, writes Paul Niland.

Conflict Disinformation
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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

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

Staff

Aalaa Abuzaakouk

Deputy Director, Millennium Leadership Program

Millennium Leadership Program

Arabic Civil Society
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