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 von der Leyen and Carney are up to with Canada’s ‘associate’ EU membership

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
What von der Leyen and Carney are up to with Canada’s ‘associate’ EU membership

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

Dispatches

Sep 16, 2026

What von der Leyen and Carney are up to with Canada’s ‘associate’ EU membership

By Jörn Fleck and Imran Bayoumi

In her state of the union address, the European Commission president proposed Ottawa join the European Union, but not as a full member.

European Union Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Sep 16, 2026

Could the GCC and Iran collaborate to solve the Strait of Hormuz crisis?

By Alia Brahimi

A Gulf-led maritime cooperation could break the Hormuz stalemate by offering Iran an off-ramp while preventing unilateral control.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East

UkraineAlert

Sep 15, 2026

With Putin overextended in Ukraine, Armenia is turning away from Russia

By Joseph Epstein

Every day Ukraine keeps fighting, Russian influence grows weaker in the countries of the ex-USSR that Moscow refers to as the “near abroad.” Nowhere is this Russian retreat clearer than in Armenia, writes Joseph Epstein.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

Dispatches

Sep 15, 2026

Dispatch from Seoul: How Asian allies can help the US with Iran

By William F. Wechsler

Allies in the Asia-Pacific should recognize that they cannot continue to be perceived as unwilling to assist the US in its conflict with Iran.

Conflict Indo-Pacific

MENASource

Sep 15, 2026

Can oil deals reset US-Iraqi relations? 

By Yesar Al-Maleki

Iraq has a short window of time to rein in its militias and create favorable commercial conditions to improve ties with the US.

Energy & Environment Iraq

Dispatches

Sep 15, 2026

Democracy is losing ground. The economic case for it is not.

By Will Mortenson

While overall democracy has deteriorated globally in recent years, countries that democratize still see greater economic growth and prosperity over time.

Democratic Transitions Resilience & Society

Blog Post

Sep 15, 2026

Digital sovereignty and Europe’s democracy stack: Delivering on the European Union’s priorities for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework

By Mark Scott, Richard Woods

The EU's digital sovereignty agenda is missing a funded, independent institutional capability to hold its own technology investments democratically accountable."

Democracy Digital Policy

Dispatches

Sep 14, 2026

Don’t count on Trump and Xi to slow down AI. Don’t count them out either.

By Kenton Thibaut

Concerns about catastrophic risks to humanity have put artificial intelligence at the top of the agenda for the leaders’ upcoming meeting.

Artificial Intelligence China

Inflection Points

Sep 14, 2026

Trump and Xi should rethink how to run the AI race

By Frederick Kempe

The threat of frontier artificial intelligence must be at the top of the agenda for the upcoming meeting between the leaders.

Artificial Intelligence China

In-Depth Research & Reports

Sep 11, 2026

Submission to the UN: Advancing the just repatriation of illicit funds 

By Britt Gronemeyer, Celeste Kmiotek

How can the UN and the international community ensure that when illicit funds are seized, victims of the illicit activity benefit? The Atlantic Council's Strategic Litigation Program contributed a brief to the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights with six key recommendations on the subject.

Corruption Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade
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Experts

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

Fellow

Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Paul Adamson

Senior Advisor

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Akeel Abbas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Human Rights

Millennium fellow

Saeed Al Nazari

Secretary General, Great Arab Minds

Millennium Leadership Program

Education Middle East
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Events

Online Event Thu, September 17, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Report launch: How Russia targets its messaging in the Global South
Disinformation Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Russia
Public Event Thu, September 17, 2026 • 10:30 am ET

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on North Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic trajectory
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union Politics & Diplomacy
Online Event Tue, September 22, 2026 • 4:15 pm ET

Spain’s foreign minister on European security and the transatlantic alliance
Europe NATO Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
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