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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The US-UK “special relationship” at a critical crossroads

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
The US-UK “special relationship” at a critical crossroads

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
The US-UK “special relationship” at a critical crossroads

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

Issue Brief

Jul 21, 2017

The US-UK “special relationship” at a critical crossroads

In this issue brief, Dr. Foerster and Dr. Raymond outline the key elements of this unique relationship and provide their recommendations for strengthening the partnership that helps anchor the liberal international order.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Issue Brief

Jul 21, 2017

The US-UK “special relationship” at a critical crossroads

By Schuyler Foerster and Ray Raymond

Ever since World War II, the United States and the United Kingdom have enjoyed a truly special relationship grounded in a shared commitment to a world order based on democracy, the rule of law, and free trade, among other commonalities. However, significant changes on both sides of the Atlantic–with Britain’s decision to exit the European […]

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

In the News

Jul 20, 2017

Charai in The Hill: Arabs and Africans Still See Hope in President Trump

By Atlantic Council

Africa International Norms

New Atlanticist

Jul 19, 2017

A Widening Gulf

By Owen Daniels

Qatar crisis creates a headache for the United States Nearly two months in, the diplomatic crisis between the Arab Gulf states is growing ever more complicated. The July 16 Washington Post report that cites unnamed US intelligence officials as claiming that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) precipitated the diplomatic row with Qatar by hacking Qatari […]

International Organizations Iran

New Atlanticist

Jul 19, 2017

First Signs of Second Thoughts on Brexit

By Reginald Dale

British Prime Minister Theresa May’s government began substantive negotiations to leave the European Union (EU) in Brussels this week, although nobody in Britain is yet clear about what outcome the country is actually seeking. With May’s government in disarray, and her Cabinet wracked with infighting and confusion over Brexit, there is even a growing belief […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jul 18, 2017

A Question for Washington: Who in the GCC Finances Terrorism?

By Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner

Journalists in Middle Eastern media outlets have been engaged in harsh mudslinging ever since Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Bahrain (aka the quartet) severed diplomatic and economic relations with Qatar in June over Doha’s alleged support for the Islamic State (ISIS), al Qaeda, and Iranian-backed militias in numerous Arab states. Although […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Jul 14, 2017

Report launch: Sudan: a strategy for re-engagement

By Africa Center

On July 14, 2017, the Atlantic Council’s Sudan Task Force launched its latest report, Sudan: A Strategy for Re-Engagement by Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates with Kelsey Lilley. Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham welcomed attendees and introduced the panel’s work. The panel, which included Task Force members Ambassador Mary […]

Africa East Africa

Report

Jul 14, 2017

Sudan: A strategy for re-engagement

By Mary Carlin Yates with Kelsey Lilley

Despite Sudan’s checkered diplomatic history with the United States, the Trump administration has an opportunity to recalibrate what could be a constructive relationship in a critical part of the world. In determining what a successful US-Sudanese relationship could look like, the administration has an opportunity to both serve US interests in Sudan and beyond and […]

Africa Civil Society

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2017

An American in Paris

By Louis Golino

A friendship blossoms between Trump and Macron Press coverage of the first meeting between US President Donald J. Trump and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, at the NATO summit in Brussels in May focused on the spirited handshake Macron gave Trump.  But too much emphasis on the symbolism of Macron’s machismo overlooked the fact that […]

European Union France

New Atlanticist

Jul 12, 2017

Al Jazeera in the Eye of a Storm

By Giorgio Cafiero

Al Jazeera, the first state-owned pan-Arab news network, means many different things to Middle Eastern governments and citizens. The Doha-headquartered network has provided Arabs with a style of reporting that was unheard of in the region before its launch twenty-two years ago. In 2011, Al Jazeera’s coverage of Arab Spring uprisings shaped history by promoting […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy
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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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