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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EU-Friendly Government in Spain Likely After Rajoy’s Ouster

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

EU-Friendly Government in Spain Likely After Rajoy’s Ouster

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

EU-Friendly Government in Spain Likely After Rajoy’s Ouster

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

Jun 1, 2018

EU-Friendly Government in Spain Likely After Rajoy’s Ouster

By Nick Ottens

French President Emmanuel Macron could soon find an ally in Madrid. Just as Italy installs a government that opposes his proposals for closer integration within the European Union (EU), the most pro-European party in Spain could be on the verge of leading the next government.

European Union International Organizations

Event Recap

Jun 1, 2018

Conference call: New steel and aluminum tariffs: What does it mean for US trade with Mexico, Canada and the European Union?

By Patricia Thomas

On Thursday, May 31, 2018 President Trump’s administration imposed new steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and European Union; three of the US’ closest allies. The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, in partnership with the Atlantic Council’s Global Business and Economics Program held a conference call the following day to discuss the […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2018

Turmoil in Euro Area Spreads as Rajoy’s Government is Ousted in Spain

By Alvaro Morales Salto-Weis and Bart Oosterveld

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s conservative government was ousted in a no-confidence vote on June 1, sharpening a crisis within the European Union (EU) which is already dealing with the political uncertainty in Italy. Rajoy’s startling ouster marked the first time Spain’s leader has been toppled in such a way since the country transitioned to […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

May 31, 2018

US Imposes Tariffs on the EU, Mexico, and Canada

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump’s administration announced on May 31 that it will no longer exempt Canada, Mexico, and the European Union from previously announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. This means tariffs—25 percent on imports of steel and 10 percent on imports of aluminum—will go into effect at midnight on June 1. The […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

May 31, 2018

In Defense of Orbán

By Zsigmond Perényi

An emotionally charged debate has resurfaced about the nature of Hungarian democracy in the wake of the ruling Fidesz party’s victory in parliamentary elections in April. While it is legitimate to have a well-reasoned and honest dialogue about Hungary’s current political landscape, a proper understanding of real-life events can only occur by sticking to the […]

European Union Hungary

New Atlanticist

May 30, 2018

‘You Don’t Point Guns at the Heads of Your Allies’

By Teri Schultz

Interview with Anthony Gardner, a former US ambassador to the European Union US President Donald J. Trump’s decision to withdraw from both the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate agreement as well as threats to impose tariffs on imports of European steel and aluminum have put transatlantic relations on the worst footing since the […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

May 30, 2018

Transatlantic Split Over Iran Could Become the Worst Since the Suez Crisis

By Louis Golino

European efforts to preserve the Iran nuclear agreement, coupled with US plans to impose sanctions on Iran and secondary sanctions on companies that fail to comply with those sanctions, have contributed to a dangerous divide in the Atlantic community—one that threatens an economic relationship that remains the linchpin of the world’s economy. This is hardly […]

European Union France

New Atlanticist

May 30, 2018

Italy is Too Big to Fail

By Bart Oosterveld and Andrea Montanino

While the fundamentals of the Italian economy remain sound, the political uncertainty gripping the country has spooked markets. Tools created during the European debt crisis in 2009—such as the European Stability Mechanism (ESM)—are insufficient to support funding needs of the Italian sovereign and corporate sector for a sustained period of time. Interventions such as the […]

European Union International Organizations

AfricaSource

May 30, 2018

Congolese opposition unify ahead of presidential elections

By Pierre Englebert

Democratic Republic of the Congo opposition leaders Moïse Katumbi and Felix Tshisekedi are on a US and European tour to lobby for further sanctions against the regime of President Joseph Kabila and for continued Western pressure towards free and fair elections, scheduled for December. They have formed an alliance which, they hope, can unite the […]

Africa Corruption

MENASource

May 29, 2018

The truth about Iraq’s democracy

By Harith Hasan

Some commentators recently celebrated the Iraqi election as a sign that democracy is taking root in Iraq’s soil. This optimistic view is justified given the bleak situation of democratic transformation in the region. Authoritarianism in the Middle East persists as the common model of governing, even in countries that witnessed popular uprisings and demands for […]

Democratic Transitions Iraq
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Experts

Fellow

Neil Parekh

Senior Advisor

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business Freedom and Prosperity

Millennium fellow

Jason Park

Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State

Millennium Leadership Program

East Asia Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Jacopo Pastorelli

Program Assistant

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Joze Pelayo

Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives and Policy, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Middle East The Gulf

Advisory Council member

Capricia Penavic Marshall

Ambassador-in-Residence; Vice Chair, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Advisory Council

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Latin America Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Fabio Petito

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights
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Events

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
Online Event Mon, May 18, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Warsaw Week 2026
Defense Industry Defense Policy Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense