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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We should not fear a post-Putin Russia

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
We should not fear a post-Putin Russia

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
We should not fear a post-Putin Russia

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 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

Dispatches

Aug 6, 2026

The end of forward guidance can discipline capital flows in emerging markets

By Achilles Tsirgis

In recent years, emerging markets absorbed the increased risk appetite that the Federal Reserve’s volatility-reducing forward guidance had created.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Dispatches

Aug 5, 2026

Russia will sacrifice its civilian economy on the altar of the war effort

By Charles Lichfield and Brendon Chen

As the Central Bank of Russia runs out of options and bad loans accumulate on balance sheets, the Kremlin continues to privilege war-linked sectors.

Conflict Economy & Business

Dispatches

Aug 4, 2026

Despite what Putin says, Russia and Iran are linking the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East

By Katherine Spencer

Capabilities and expertise developed on the Ukrainian battlefield are now flowing back to the Middle East.

Conflict Intelligence

MENASource

Aug 4, 2026

هل يتمكن الزيدي من فصل الدولة عن الطائفة؟

By Munqith Dagher

منقذ داغر ليس خافياً تأثير ما يجري في الجوار العراقي على السياسة والمجتمع والاقتصاد فيه. وعلى الرغم من ان التغيرات التي حصلت في المنطقة بعد أكتوبر 2023 انعكست على العراق بطريقة او بأخرى، الا ان التأثير الأكبر على سياسته سيظهر نتيجة تداعيات ما بعد 28 فبراير(شباط)2026 والتي تتكشف يوماً بعد الآخر. لقد أدى اغتيال السيد […]

Arabic Conflict

Testimony

Aug 4, 2026

Daniel B. Shapiro testifies to House Foreign Affairs Committee on wartime prospects for regional integration

By Daniel B. Shapiro

Shapiro testified to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa at a hearing titled, “Building a New Regional Security Architecture: The Next Phase of the Abraham Accords."

Israel Middle East

Dispatches

Aug 4, 2026

Three charts on how Latin American central banks are diverging on inflation

By Enrique Millán-Mejía and Raúl González-Pietrogiovanna

Governments that cannot raise more revenue and will not trim commitments end up borrowing, and the pressure lands back on their central banks.

Americas Economy & Business

MENASource

Aug 3, 2026

Can al-Zaidi separate the sects from the state in Iraq?

By Munqith Dagher

The biggest challenge facing Iraq's prime minister is how to curb the role of sectarian institutions in shaping Iraq's state decisions.

Conflict Iran

UkraineAlert

Aug 3, 2026

As Ukraine regains the initiative from Russia, Europe must seize the moment

By Lesia Ogryzko

Ukraine’s recent progress offers a rare window of opportunity to increase the pressure on Putin and push the Russian leader toward credible peace talks to end Europe’s largest war since World War II, writes Lesia Ogryzko.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Dispatches

Jul 31, 2026

10 questions (and expert answers) about the deal to disarm Hamas

By Atlantic Council experts

The US-led Board of Peace has announced an agreement that could lead to the disarmament of the Gaza-based terrorist group.

Israel Middle East
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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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