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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In Germany, Social Democrats Give Merkel a Fourth Term

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

In Germany, Social Democrats Give Merkel a Fourth Term

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

In Germany, Social Democrats Give Merkel a Fourth Term

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

Mar 4, 2018

In Germany, Social Democrats Give Merkel a Fourth Term

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The political uncertainty that had gripped Germany for the past five months was lifted on March 4. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) rank-and-file voted in favor of another grand coalition that would keep Angela Merkel chancellor of Germany for a fourth term. Sixty-six percent of the SPD’s members voted in support of a grand coalition; […]

European Union France

Event Recap

Mar 2, 2018

President of Ghana discusses US relations with his country

By Africa Center

On Friday, March 2, 2018, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a luncheon in honor of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana. Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham introduced the president and welcomed participants. In his remarks, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the common bonds […]

Africa English

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2018

Trump May Get His Trade War After All

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump’s surprise decision to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, and a tweeted declaration that “trade wars are good” have set off alarm bells across the globe while causing the stock market to plunge.

China Economy & Business

Article

Mar 1, 2018

#ElectionWatch: A Guide to Italian Elections

By Lauren Speranza and Graham Brookie

Italy’s notoriously complicated electoral system has long made the country’s elections interesting to watch, but several factors add chaos this year.

Disinformation Elections

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2018

Why Italy’s Election Matters

By Louis Golino

On March 4, Italy will hold an important national election that is being closely watched on both sides of the Atlantic for its potential impact within the country and in Europe, and as bellwether of the rise of populism in the democratic world. The election will be in part a key test of the Italian […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2018

Deconstructing PESCO: Washington’s Apparent, Actual, and Misplaced Fears About European Defense Plans

By Brooks Tigner

Washington has recently revived concerns about the ultimate purpose of the European Union (EU)’s nascent defense plans, avowing these could undermine NATO and transatlantic solidarity if US officials don’t keep a “close eye” on them. This is bombast. Officially, such concern may appear to rest on political, strategic, or military imperatives about NATO’s cohesion, but […]

European Union International Organizations

2018 Elections in Latin America

Feb 21, 2018

Neither free nor fair: what to do about Venezuela’s presidential elections?

By Angela Chavez

Last month, the Venezuelan government fast-tracked the presidential election, announcing April 22 as the official date. To explore the declining electoral conditions and the potential for international engagement, on February 21 the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center hosted a public event and released a new Venezuela poll of 800 in-country respondents that showed […]

Democratic Transitions Elections

In the News

Feb 21, 2018

Farkas Quoted in The Washington Post on Transatlantic Alliance and Security

By Evelyn Farkas

Read the full article here

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 20, 2018

Berlusconi is Suddenly Italy’s Best Hope

By Nick Ottens

Six and a half years after he was hounded out of office, Silvio Berlusconi may be Europe’s best hope of avoiding another political crisis in Italy. The 81-year old media tycoon is not eying a return to the premiership. A 2013 conviction for tax fraud bars him from public office. But he could end up […]

European Union International Organizations

AfricaSource

Feb 17, 2018

Ethiopia’s counterproductive state of emergency

By Kelsey Lilley

Following Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn’s sudden resignation on Thursday, Ethiopian authorities announced a six-month country-wide state of emergency (SOE), effective yesterday. This order, the country’s second in two years, imposes draconian restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, while granting extended powers to the country’s already powerful security services. This decision is counterproductive to the […]

East Africa English
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Fatima Abbas

Director of Tribal and Native Affairs, Department of Treasury

Millennium Leadership Program

Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Middle East National Security

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Gbemisola Abudu

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Staff

Aalaa Abuzaakouk

Deputy Director, Millennium Leadership Program

Millennium Leadership Program

Arabic Civil Society
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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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