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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Factbox: Iraq’s 2018 parliamentary elections

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
Factbox: Iraq’s 2018 parliamentary elections

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
Factbox: Iraq’s 2018 parliamentary elections

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

MENASource

May 8, 2018

Factbox: Iraq’s 2018 parliamentary elections

By Audrey Bolus and Savannah Carter

Iraqi citizens will vote in their fourth parliamentary election on May 12th, 2018, since the 2003 US invasion to remove Saddam Hussein from power. There is an increase of cross-sectarian and pro-reform parties this election. Experts predict this will prevent a single coalition from winning an outright majority in parliament, and that alliances will likely be formed after […]

Democratic Transitions Elections

Event Recap

May 8, 2018

Bekele Gerba and Eskinder Nega discuss political situation in Ethiopia

By Africa Center

On Tuesday, May 8, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a roundtable with Mr. Bekele Gerba, deputy chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), and Mr. Eskinder Nega, prominent Ethiopian journalist and blogger. In February, both men were released from prison, having been jailed for years under the country’s anti-terrorism laws. Ms. Bronwyn Bruton, Africa […]

Africa East Africa

Report

May 8, 2018

Making America first in the digital economy: The case for engaging Europe

By Frances Burwell

In an age of transatlantic tensions over the Iran deal, trade balances, and steel tariffs, digital policy is uniquely poised to offer opportunities for greater US-EU cooperation. At the same time, the digital arena also has the potential to be a policy minefield, with issues such as privacy, digital taxation, and competition policy still unresolved. […]

Digital Policy Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2018

Where Does the P5+1 Stand on the Iran Nuclear Deal?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump is expected to reveal his decision on May 8 as to whether he will extend key sanctions waivers on Iran. A failure to do so would effectively take the United States out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—the Iran nuclear deal—which it signed with the United Kingdom, France, […]

China European Union

In the News

May 7, 2018

Biberman in The Washington Post: Pakistani militants have created their own political party. Can it actually win votes?

By Atlantic Council

Elections Pakistan

MENASource

May 7, 2018

A national conference for Libya’s future

By Karim Mezran & Erin A. Neale

In the ongoing effort by international and domestic actors to solve the political deadlock in Libya, the spotlight is on UN Special Envoy Ghassan Salame. Since the second anniversary of the signing of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) in the Moroccan city of Skhirat in December 2015, Salame’s well-thought and defined Action Plan for Libya […]

International Organizations Libya

Event Recap

May 4, 2018

Changing international order and shifting geopolitics: focus on Turkey

By Grady Wilson

On April 19, the Atlantic Council IN TURKEY, in partnership with the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD), hosted a panel titled “Changing international order and shifting geopolitics: focus on Turkey” in Istanbul. Moderated by Atlantic Council Turkey Representative Defne Sadıklar – Arslan, the panel, featuring Council of State of Spain member, former Minister of […]

Europe & Eurasia International Organizations

In the News

May 3, 2018

Charai in La Razón: Trump, a New Vision for the Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 2, 2018

Hopes and challenges as Tunisia goes to the polls

By Elissa Miller

Tunisians will go to the polls to vote in the country’s first municipal elections on May 6. The vote is an important milestone in the country’s democratic transition and decentralization process; which aims to bridge the gap between the central government in Tunis and the Tunisian people. Since Tunisia’s constitution was passed in 2014, municipal […]

Democratic Transitions Elections

MENASource

May 1, 2018

The problem with humanitarian assistance in Yemen

By Afrah Nasser

An international fundraising conference for Yemen took place at the United Nations (UN) offices Geneva in early April. Co-chaired by Sweden, Switzerland, and the UN, the conference succeeded in securing humanitarian funding worth over $2 billion, doubling the previous year’s pledges of $1.1 billion. Despite optimism that the donations represent a “success of international solidarity […]

International Organizations
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Experts

Fellow

Henrique Arevalo Poincot

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Elections Latin America
Ana Arriagada

Staff

Ana Arriagada

Assistant Director, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Civil Society

Staff

Rayhan Asat

Senior Legal & Policy Advisor, China Lead

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Central Asia China

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Anna Ascani

Vice President of the Chamber, Italy Chamber of Deputies

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Education

Fellow

Sareta Ashraph

Senior Legal Advisor

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Amir Asmar

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Intelligence Israel
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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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