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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Washington is reshaping security in North Africa. Congress needs to ask how.

Issue Brief Aug 17, 2026

Sovereignty without borders: Decoding the transatlantic digital relationship at a time of change

An examination of the EU–US trust deficit and its implications for digital policymaking.
Digital Policy Europe & Eurasia
Washington is reshaping security in North Africa. Congress needs to ask how.

AfricaSource Aug 17, 2026

Africa’s World Cup breakthrough: What ten teams reveal about institutional capacity

By Deneyse A. Kirkpatrick

Strong sports ecosystems create jobs, strengthen institutions, and expand opportunities across education, public health, and economic development.
Africa Politics & Diplomacy

Content

SAHARA

MENASource

Nov 13, 2026

Washington is reshaping security in North Africa. Congress needs to ask how.

By Frank Talbot

The next US Congress should demand clearer plans from the White House on its Western Sahara and Libya policies.

Libya North Africa

UkraineAlert

Nov 12, 2026

Putin’s chief negotiator vows to seize ‘every inch of Russian land’ in Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

The Kremlin’s uncompromising approach to negotiations with Ukraine was summed up by Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky's comment that “every inch of Russian land will be returned to Russia, one way or another,” writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

Dispatches

Nov 12, 2026

Beyond the spy scandal: What the Nvidia-Megaspeed case reveals about export controls

By Maia Nikoladze, Lize de Kruijf

Washington must help the private sector protect technology and sensitive information against foreign threats.

Artificial Intelligence China

Dispatches

Nov 9, 2026

Dispatch from Berlin: What Germans most want to know about the post-midterms United States

By Daniel Fried, Jörn Fleck

Germany faces even more pressure to lead European security amid uncertainty over the Trump administration's post-midterm Russia policy.

European Union Germany

Inflection Points

Nov 9, 2026

Dispatch from Dubai: After the midterms, allies see both US resilience and unreliability

By Frederick Kempe

In the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, allies are impressed by US democratic resilience but worried about policy predictability.

China NATO

Issue Brief

Nov 6, 2026

To settle Russia’s Ukraine war, Europe needs to let Kyiv in. Trump can help (really).

By James Batchik, Andrew D’Anieri

Any deal to end the war in Ukraine must fix a date for Kyiv to join the EU, but countless hurdles stand in the way. Washington has the leverage to help Brussels clear them—if it can use that leverage in a new way.

European Union Political Reform

Dispatches

Nov 6, 2026

Not quite mercenaries: How Russia lures thousands of foreigners to fight in its war on Ukraine

By Andrii Latsyba

Many of Russia's foreign recruits were coerced into service due to vulnerable legal or financial statuses. What should become of them?

Europe & Eurasia Human Rights

UkraineAlert

Nov 5, 2026

Putin suffers Balkan setbacks as Russia struggles to retain influence

By Michael Getto

Russia’s recent setbacks in the Balkans are a reminder of the foreign policy challenges facing the Kremlin as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches a sixth year with no end in sight, writes Michael Getto.

Conflict Elections

UkraineAlert

Nov 5, 2026

Last week’s brief Ukraine ceasefire did not stop Russian attacks on civilians

By Kristina Hook

A recent humanitarian ceasefire around the southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky made it possible to evacuate hundreds of residents, but Russian attacks on civilians elsewhere in Ukraine continue, writes Kristina Hook.

Civil Society Conflict

MENASource

Nov 5, 2026

Washington should broaden its Shia outreach in Iraq. Muqtada al-Sadr is a case study.

By Alfadhel Ahmad

Conversations with several Sadrists reveal a movement preparing to fill a leadership vacuum in Iraq—and engage with the US.

Elections Iraq
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Experts

Fellow

Rudolph Atallah

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Terrorism

Millennium fellow

Fatima Abbas

Director of Tribal and Native Affairs, Department of Treasury

Global Leadership Center

Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law

Fellow

Alhussain Abdalla

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Millennium fellow

Danial Abdul Rahman

Chief Executive Officer, Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute

Global Leadership Center

East Asia Education

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
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Events

Online Event Wed, November 18, 2026 • 11:00 am ET

The future of Iraq-Syria relations
Iraq Politics & Diplomacy Syria
Public Event Wed, November 18, 2026 • 11:30 am ET

Pakistan’s place in the emerging world order
Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
Public Event Fri, November 20, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Future pathways for the US-Korea alliance
Korea Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense Security Partnerships
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