Dispatch from Baghdad: Don’t confuse the calm around Iraq’s election with stability

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
Dispatch from Baghdad: Don’t confuse the calm around Iraq’s election with stability

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 Economic Sanctions
Dispatch from Baghdad: Don’t confuse the calm around Iraq’s election with stability

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

Dispatches

Nov 10, 2025

Dispatch from Baghdad: Don’t confuse the calm around Iraq’s election with stability

By Yerevan Saeed

Iraqi society faces several slow-burning stressors, from water and climate problems to over-centralization and narcotics trafficking.

Democratic Transitions
Elections

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Is Europe waking up to the China challenge? How geopolitics are reshaping EU and transatlantic strategy

By Zoltán Fehér, Valbona Zeneli

China’s rising global ambitions challenge both US and European interests. By examining the EU’s gradual shift toward “de-risking” and gaps in transatlantic policy, this report offers insights for developing a more coherent and coordinated strategy to address Beijing’s economic and security challenges.

China
Europe & Eurasia

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Navigating the complexity of European policymaking on China

By Zoltán Fehér, Valbona Zeneli

EU policymaking on China is complex not only in structure but also in practice. It unfolds across multiple layers of governance, where EU institutions and member states pursue overlapping—and at times conflicting—priorities, making strategic alignment toward Beijing a persistent challenge.

China
Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Nov 10, 2025

Angelina Jolie highlights the horrors of Russia’s ‘human safari’ in Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie paid a surprise visit to Ukraine in early November to help raise international awareness about Russia's 'human safari' campaign of drone killings targeting Ukrainian civilians, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict
Drones

MENASource

Nov 10, 2025

The Nile at a crossroads: Navigating the GERD dispute as Egypt’s floodwaters rise

By Alessia Melcangi

The latest escalation between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia coincides with a diplomatic shift from the United States.

Africa
Climate Change & Climate Action

Trackers and Data Visualizations

Nov 9, 2025

Tracking Iraq’s 2025 elections and coalition building

By Victoria J. Taylor, Nibras Basitkey, and Daniah Jarrah

Keep up with what our experts want you to know about the Iraqi elections and the coalition building that follows.

Elections
Iraq

In the News

Nov 8, 2025

Sapuppo in Kyiv Post on Hungarian exemption from US sanctions targeting Russian energy

By Mercedes Sapuppo

On November 8, Mercedes Sappuppo, nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, was quoted in Kyiv Post on the one-year exemption for Hungarian imports of Russian gas.

Energy Markets & Governance
English

MENASource

Nov 7, 2025

The important change needed in UNSC’s Gaza resolution: Control over the money

By Thomas S. Warrick

Taking the money away from Hamas is the best nonmilitary way to ensure Hamas is unable to rebuild and rearm.

International Norms
International Organizations

MENASource

Nov 7, 2025

Kazakhstan joins the Abraham Accords—and redefines the geography of peace

By Joseph Epstein

While some have dismissed an expansion to Central Asia as “largely symbolic” this interpretation overlooks deeper implications.

Central Europe
Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Nov 7, 2025

The Supreme Court might slow Trump’s strategy. But he still has other tariff options.

By Sophia Busch

If the administration’s primary objective is to preserve tariff revenue and counter unfair practices, sections 301, 232, or 122 remain viable alternatives.

Economy & Business
Politics & Diplomacy
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Heidi Hardt

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Transatlantic Security Initiative

Climate Change & Climate Action International Organizations

Advisory Council member

Vicky Kuperman

Global Advisor, Women for Prosperity

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Media Russia

Advisory Council member

Gordon Humphrey

Member, Freedom and Prosperity Center Advisory Council

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Disinformation Freedom and Prosperity

Fellow

Julie Recinos

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Human Rights

Fellow

Osamah Al Rawhani

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Fellow

Chinmayi Sharma

Nonresident Fellow

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Cybersecurity Digital Policy
Load More

Events

Online Event Mon, December 15, 2025 • 2:30 pm ET

How the US and Taiwan can deter Chinese coercion by shoring up Taiwan’s partners
China Politics & Diplomacy Taiwan
Online Event Tue, December 16, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

What lies ahead for Chile’s new president
Americas Civil Society Democratic Transitions Elections
Online Event Fri, December 19, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Can Europe meet the geopolitical moment?
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union Politics & Diplomacy