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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Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

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
Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

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
Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

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

MENASource

May 4, 2026

Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

By Nadia Farra

Robust digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and cybersecurity are no longer luxuries for high-income nations but fundamental requirements for national stability and economic resilience.

Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth

In the News

May 4, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Breaking the Architecture of Iran’s Regime Power

By Atlantic Council

Iran Maritime Security

Dispatches

May 1, 2026

Everything, everywhere, all at once: Japan’s geoeconomic reckoning

By Charles Lichfield

The Japanese government has some experience with market interventions, but the current cocktail of issues is taking its toll on borrowing conditions.

Economy & Business Japan

Dispatches

May 1, 2026

Jerome Powell’s legacy of achievements, turbulence, and independence under fire

By Hung Tran

Both Powell’s major achievements and his shortcomings can serve as lessons for future Federal Reserve chairs.

Dollar Dominance Economy & Business

Strategic Insights Memo

May 1, 2026

Developing an Africa-focused tech agenda for the United States to outcompete China

By Conrad Tucker, Ginger Matchett, Samantha Wong, Peter Engelke

The competition between the US and China is playing out in the tech sector and one of the world's fastest-growing markets—the African continent. What can US companies and the US government do to foster mutually beneficial partnerships that are attractive to African consumers and leaders? Takeaways from recent workshops shed some light. 

Africa Artificial Intelligence

Dispatches

Apr 30, 2026

Can Iraq’s new prime minister fix his country’s broken politics?

By Victoria J. Taylor , Safwan Al-Amin

Ali al-Zaidi must contend with a growing crisis of legitimacy in the very system that brought him to power and the backing of a coalition that is increasingly unstable.

Elections Iraq

Dispatches

Apr 30, 2026

How the Trump administration can get even more out of its diplomacy with Lukashenka

By Daniel Fried

The White House should combine outreach to the Belarusian dictator with greater engagement with Belarusian civil society.

Belarus Politics & Diplomacy

Inflection Points

Apr 30, 2026

Mythos, not the Iran war, is the most significant geopolitical warning of our time

By Frederick Kempe

Artificial intelligence is already accelerating life-changing breakthroughs, but it also poses generational risks.

Artificial Intelligence Politics & Diplomacy

Issue Brief

Apr 30, 2026

How Colombia can reduce security threats ahead of its presidential election

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Though Colombia's recent legislative elections were largely peaceful, the security environment has worsened in recent weeks amid death threats against candidates and escalating violence by armed groups. The upcoming weeks present a narrow, but critical, window to reduce risks ahead of the May 31 presidential election.

Americas Civil Society

Issue Brief

Apr 29, 2026

Does liberal democracy drive inequalities?

By Yi Zhou

There has been much debate about the relationship between liberal democracy and social and economic inequality, but data shows that free societies remain more equal than their less free counterparts.

Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth
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Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Lukasz Lisicki

Policy Assistant to the Director-General for Energy, European Commission

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Energy & Environment

Fellow

Deng Liu

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

China East Asia

Fellow

Hanna Liubakova

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Belarus Civil Society

Advisory Council member

Sergio Londoño

Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at Coca-Cola Latin America

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Caribbean Climate Change & Climate Action

Millennium fellow

Cynthia López Castro

Elected Member, Mexican Senate

Millennium Leadership Program

Americas Education

Fellow

Rob Macaire

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East
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Events

Public Event Fri, May 8, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Is Russia’s war machine running out of steam?
Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Russia Security & Defense
Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Thu, May 14, 2026 • 4:00 pm ET

Trade over aid: Prosperity for the US and the developing world
Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society United States and Canada