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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Europe cannot save the Iran deal, but it must try

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

Europe cannot save the Iran deal, but it must try

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

Europe cannot save the Iran deal, but it must try

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

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2018

Europe cannot save the Iran deal, but it must try

By Cornelius Adebahr

Europe, in short, does not have the political power to defend the Iran deal with Washington gone rogue on its commitment. It cannot keep up economic ties against US pressure, much as policymakers in Iran demand precisely that.

European Union International Organizations

Inflection Points

Sep 1, 2018

McCain’s ‘Causes greater than ourselves’

By Frederick Kempe

Most of all, Senator McCain understood that the cancer of US political polarization and self-centered myopia was as hazardous in a larger sense as brain cancer had been to him personally.

Politics & Diplomacy United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Aug 29, 2018

Galileo, Galileo: London is Losing the Fight Over a Satellite Navigation System All Over Again

By David Wemer

Campaigners in favor of Brexit made a famous claim in 2016 that leaving the European Union (EU) would allow the United Kingdom to pour its £350-million-a-week contribution to Brussels back into the nation’s National Health Service. Now the “remainers” have their own numbers to throw around: £3 billion may be necessary to keep the United […]

European Union International Organizations

2018 Elections in Latin America

Aug 28, 2018

#ElectionWatch: As Colombia votes again, misinformation flows

By Jose Luis Peñarredonda

On Sunday, August 26, Colombians went to the polls again. A significant share of the campaigning involved spreading misinformation  —  or countering it.

Colombia Disinformation

MENASource

Aug 28, 2018

Egypt leads the pack in internet censorship across the Middle East

By Elissa Miller

Internet censorship around the world, including in the Middle East, is not a new phenomenon. Freedom of expression facilitated by the internet can pose a threat to authoritarian leaders around the world who seek to maintain strict control over both the content their citizens consume and the content they post. A clear pattern of authoritarian […]

Internet Media

Report

Aug 27, 2018

More than a frozen conflict: Russian foreign policy toward Moldova

By William H. Hill

Recent Russian policy documents, such as the Foreign Policy Concepts released in 2016, all identify the post-Soviet space as one of Moscow’s top priorities. Moldova does not top of the list in this region, but it is far more significant for Russian policy makers than most Western interlocutors realize.

Defense Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security

Report

Aug 27, 2018

More than a frozen conflict: Russian foreign policy toward Moldova

By William H. Hill

Recent Russian policy documents, such as the Foreign Policy Concepts released in 2016, all identify the post-Soviet space as one of Moscow’s top priorities. Moldova does not top of the list in this region, but it is far more significant for Russian policy makers than most Western interlocutors realize.

Defense Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security

NATOSource

Aug 25, 2018

US Navy Re-Establishes Atlantic Fleet to Check Russia

By Wesley Morgan, POLITICO

The U.S Navy on Friday formally reactivated the Cold War-era naval command it relied on for decades to confront adversaries in the waters off North America — the latest in a series of efforts to check Moscow’s military expansion.

International Organizations NATO

New Atlanticist

Aug 22, 2018

Follow the money: How the United States can stop helping Putin

By Roshni Majumdar

If Putin’s grip on power was to be threatened, his offshore wealth could be critical to defend his political power. Holding onto this financial reserve is key for Putin.

Corruption Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

MENASource

Aug 21, 2018

Three pressing barriers to forming an Iraqi government

By Andrea Taylor

Protests raging in southern Iraq foretell the potentially dire consequences if political leaders in the country are unable to form a government in the coming months. Unrest has culminated, after subsequent summers with widespread power outages and frustration in a government widely perceived as corrupt, in at least fourteen demonstrator deaths since early July and […]

Democratic Transitions Elections
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Experts

Fellow

Rza Aliyev

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Azerbaijani Central Asia

Fellow

Léonie Allard

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Africa Chinese

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Eric Alter

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic French

Fellow

Khaled H. Alyemany

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Wa’el Alzayat

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business
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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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