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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Bolton’s risky bet in the Sahel

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
Bolton’s risky bet in the Sahel

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
Bolton’s risky bet in the Sahel

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

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

Event Recap

Jan 30, 2019

Guaidó takes the helm: Supporting the new Venezuelan interim government

By Chloe Zoeller & Paula Garcia Tufro

On January 30, 2019, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center gathered distinguished experts and governmental leaders to discuss the new interim government of Venezuela—led by Juan Guaidó, the head of the National Assembly—and the future of democratic transition in the country. The event served as the first public forum for newly appointed ambassadors […]

Democratic Transitions Latin America

New Atlanticist

Jan 22, 2019

Transitional justice in Tunisia—a transition to what?

By Eric Goldstein

Transitional justice, in a country that once seemed a propitious setting for it, is at risk of petering out amid indifference or worse from leading politicians.

Democratic Transitions Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Jan 18, 2019

Congress should explain how dark Russian money infiltrates Western democracies

By Josh Rudolph

Open hearings in Congress can help focus public attention on those important matters of national security policy with a particular focus on the vulnerabilities that are not yet well understood.

Corruption Financial Regulation
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Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Raphaela Schweiger

Director, Global Issues, Robert Bosch Foundation

Millennium Leadership Program

Europe & Eurasia Human Rights

Fellow

Jeannine B. Scott

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Civil Society

Fellow

Mark Scott

Senior Resident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Disinformation

Fellow

Stewart Scott

Former Deputy Director

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Cybersecurity Disinformation

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Thomas Scott

Emerging Technology General Counsel

Millennium Leadership Program

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Fellow

Joumana Seif

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English
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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
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