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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Why Italy’s Election Matters

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

Why Italy’s Election Matters

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

Why Italy’s Election Matters

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

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

AfricaSource

Feb 16, 2018

Ethiopia: At the precipice

By Bronwyn Bruton

Ethiopia’s declaration of a state of emergency (SOE) in the wake of widespread protests earlier this week suspends the few democratic rights that Ethiopian citizens enjoy and effectively empowers military decision-making above the civilian leadership of the country. As the ruling party has seesawed between peaceful and authoritarian gestures – first releasing dozens of important […]

Africa East Africa

Event Recap

Feb 15, 2018

Foreign minister discusses situation in Ethiopia

By Africa Center

On Thursday, February 15, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu. Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham welcomed participants and introduced Dr. Workneh, noting that the meeting was happening one day after the Ethiopian government […]

Africa East Africa

AfricaSource

Feb 15, 2018

Ethiopia: In the eye of the storm

By Bronwyn Bruton

After overseeing the release on February 13 and 14 of thousands of political challengers to the regime, Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn has resigned amid continuing protests that potentially threaten the survival of the government. (For detailed analysis of those events, read this: https://buff.ly/2GeB15y ) Though in the midst of crisis, Ethiopia is enjoying a moment […]

Africa East Africa

AfricaSource

Feb 14, 2018

The post Zuma economic bump will be brief

By Aubrey Hruby

Since Jacob Zuma took office in May 2009, South Africa’s economy has been a story of low-to-no growth, flagrant corruption, and extreme inequality. Indeed, his erratic policies have twice spiraled the economy into recession (in 2009 and 2017), resulting in significant slashes to the country’s credit rating and an overall downgrade of the country’s brand. […]

Africa Corruption
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Experts

Fellow

Stéphane Le Bouder

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Frannie Léautier

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Staff

Annie (Yu-Lin) Lee

Assistant Director

Freedom and Prosperity Center

East Asia Rule of Law

Staff

Tyler Lennon

Program Assistant

Millennium Leadership Program

Corruption Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Leon Leskovec

Policy Advisor, Legislative Coordination Unit, EPP Group in the European Parliament

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Shalom Lipner

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Crisis Management 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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