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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Feng in Foreign Policy: We can’t tell if Chinese firms work for the party

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
Feng in Foreign Policy: We can’t tell if Chinese firms work for the party

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
Feng in Foreign Policy: We can’t tell if Chinese firms work for the party

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

In the News

Feb 7, 2019

Feng in Foreign Policy: We can’t tell if Chinese firms work for the party

By Atlantic Council

On February 7, 2019, Ashley Feng published a piece in Foreign Policy on the difficulties created by the “dangerously blurred” lines between private and state-owned firms in China.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2019

Trump’s State of the Union and what we have to say about it

By Ashish Kumar Sen and David A. Wemer

Atlantic Council analysts take a look at some of the foreign policy notes struck by the president and offer their analysis.

Democratic Transitions Migration

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2019

Exit interview: EU’s envoy to Washington on navigating challenges in the transatlantic relationship

By Ashish Kumar Sen and David A. Wemer

David O’Sullivan, the European Union’s ambassador to the United States, wraps up his time in Washington at the end of February. The last two years of his tenure have been challenging ones for the transatlantic relationship. That challenge mainly comes from US President Donald J. Trump who once described the EU as a “foe.” In […]

European Union International Organizations

AfricaSource

Feb 5, 2019

Bolton’s risky bet in the Sahel

By Matthieu Fernandez

In December, when US National Security Advisor John Bolton previewed the Trump Administration’s security strategy for Africa, he focused more on the rising financial and political influence of China and Russia than on US plans to fight the “proliferation of Radical Islamic Terrorism” across Africa.

Africa National Security

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2019

Venezuela update: More recognition for Juan Guaidó

By Ashish Kumar Sen

What you have right now is a dangerous cocktail of a domestic situation in Venezuela that has the potential to move in the right direction with the growing role of the Guaidó government, but could also lead to a great power conflict that will have implications across the hemisphere.

Democratic Transitions Political Reform

New Atlanticist

Feb 4, 2019

Trump’s Africa surprise

By Jonathan Gass

When Trump was elected, many predicted that US-Africa policy would suffer, assuming that the continent would recede even further from the attention of US policymakers. The Trump administration has surely surprised these critics by articulating a strategy for Africa so very early on.

Africa Defense Policy

Inflection Points

Feb 2, 2019

Venezuela and great power competition

By Frederick Kempe

The contest for the future of Venezuela will have outsized consequences on what forces and values – democratic or autocratic – will determine not only the country’s future but also influence the regional and global future.

Democratic Transitions International Organizations

In the News

Feb 2, 2019

Durakoglu in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Don’t let late-night tweets distract you
Disinformation Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Feb 1, 2019

Our allies are our comparative advantage

By Damon Wilson

Even if we periodically differ with our allies, our defense strategy should inevitably drive Washington to bolster and expand its alliances.

International Organizations NATO

IranSource

Jan 31, 2019

Facing Reality: Europe’s Special Purpose Vehicle Will Not Challenge US Sanctions

By Brian O'Toole

The European Union on January 31 formally announced its long-awaited special purpose vehicle (SPV) for trade with Iran, called the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX).  Predictably, the SPV won’t seek to challenge US sanctions by attempting to conduct sanctionable trade with Iran as had been originally floated, and will instead focus on non-sanctionable trade, including […]

European Union International Organizations
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Experts

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

Fellow

Osamah Al Rawhani

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Fellow

Safwan Al-Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English
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Events

Online Event Mon, May 4, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

How are Ukraine’s new partnerships and drone innovations changing the war?
Defense Technologies Drones Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
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
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