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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A renewed security and cooperation agenda for Colombia’s next government

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
A renewed security and cooperation agenda for Colombia’s next government

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
A renewed security and cooperation agenda for Colombia’s next government

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

Issue Brief

Jun 12, 2026

A renewed security and cooperation agenda for Colombia’s next government

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

As Colombia heads to its presidential runoff election June 21, the next government will inherit a security crisis that requires a renewed US-Colombia agenda for dismantling criminal governance structures and the financial networks that sustain them.

Americas Colombia

Dispatches

Jun 12, 2026

It’s not a ‘deal.’ But Trump’s memorandum with Iran can be the start of something bigger.

By Jonathan Panikoff

What appears to be emerging now is a rough outline and high-level explanation of the concepts that an eventual deal could include.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jun 12, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on BBC on Iran negotiations

By Atlantic Council

On June 11, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on BBC about ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Jun 12, 2026

Seven charts that will define France’s G7 summit

By GeoEconomics Center experts

As world leaders gather in Évian-les-Bains for the Group of Seven summit, issues from energy to artificial intelligence will be on the agenda.

Artificial Intelligence Economy & Business

MENASource

Jun 11, 2026

The Iran war is a game of liar’s poker

By Khalid Azim

The central question has not simply been who possesses power, but who is willing to absorb pain, tolerate risk, and continue escalating when conventional logic suggests restraint.

Conflict Iran

Fast Thinking

Jun 11, 2026

Is this the end of the Iran war? 

By Atlantic Council

Our experts break down the latest strikes and Trump's announcement of a pending deal to end the conflict.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Jun 10, 2026

From a gap to a chasm: Diverging US and Israeli interests in the war with Iran

By Daniel B. Shapiro

The once-modest gap between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump has widened in recent weeks.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Jun 10, 2026

How energy could redefine the US role in the Western Balkans

By Agon Maliqi

A new report from the Trump administration redefines the US goal as effectively being “stability … as a means of pursuing economic cooperation.”

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Jun 9, 2026

How global authoritarians sustain inequality

By Deng Liu

Authoritarian leaders across the world use targeted strategies to sustain inequality. But developing countries should instead pull from a variety of existing development models to create societal prosperity.

East Asia Freedom and Prosperity

Dispatches

Jun 9, 2026

Four questions (and expert answers) about Armenia’s elections and what to expect next

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts look at what Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s victory means for the South Caucasus region and for the US and Russia.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy
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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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