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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The defining issues Lindsey Graham leaves behind

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
The defining issues Lindsey Graham leaves behind

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
The defining issues Lindsey Graham leaves behind

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

Inflection Points

Jul 15, 2026

The defining issues Lindsey Graham leaves behind

By Frederick Kempe

The late senator spent his final days pushing hard for Ukrainian sovereignty and Saudi-Israeli diplomatic normalization.

Israel Middle East

Report

Jul 15, 2026

2026 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes: The legal foundations that enable prosperity are rapidly eroding

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

Adherence to the rule of law has declined sharply since 2020. Drawing on thirty years of data across 171 countries, the 2026 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes show why that matters: without strong legal foundations, economic reforms stall, democracies erode, and prosperity stays out of reach for millions.

Freedom and Prosperity Rule of Law

In the News

Jul 14, 2026

Wechsler joins CNN to discuss the latest US strikes against Iran

By Atlantic Council

Iran Maritime Security

Dispatches

Jul 13, 2026

على رئيس وزراء العراق أن يقنع واشنطن المتشككة بجدوى الشراكة مع بغداد

By Victoria J. Taylor 

Ali al-Zaidi faces an administration that is prepared to walk away from the relationship if it is not satisfied that it delivers for the US.

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Jul 13, 2026

Kroenig quoted in The Washington Post on Senator Lindsey Graham’s legacy

By Atlantic Council

On July 12, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in The Washington Post on Senator Lindsey Graham's legacy, arguing Graham's approach paid dividends in Trump's second term, with the president maintaining support for Ukraine while authorizing interventions in Iran and Venezuela that Graham championed.

Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Jul 13, 2026

Dispatch from Ankara: Turkey is establishing its own role in ‘NATO 3.0’

By Riccardo Gasco and Alissa Pavia

Turkey is becoming more important to NATO because the current security environment has made its disagreements with the West easier to compartmentalize

Europe & Eurasia NATO

MENASource

Jul 13, 2026

Israel’s next government must prioritize the Abraham Accords

By Amit Yarom and Itai Melchior

The fall election could open a narrow window for Israel to reset its regional strategy and create momentum to expand normalization.

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Jul 12, 2026

Remembering Lindsey Graham

By Atlantic Council experts

After the longtime US senator's sudden passing, Atlantic Council experts offer their thoughts on Graham's legacy.

NATO Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Jul 11, 2026

Iraq’s new prime minister must sell Iraq to a skeptical Washington

By Victoria J. Taylor 

Ali al-Zaidi faces an administration that is prepared to walk away from the relationship if it is not satisfied that it delivers for the US.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Dispatches

Jul 10, 2026

The Ankara summit previewed the Gulf’s new security equation

By Joze Pelayo

The war with Iran and the continued stalemate in the Strait of Hormuz have accelerated a trend that was already underway.

Conflict Defense Industry
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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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