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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Belgium’s 9/11

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

Belgium’s 9/11

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

Belgium’s 9/11

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 22, 2016

Belgium’s 9/11

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Brussels attacks a failure of Western intelligence, says Howard Gutman, former US Ambassador to Belgium The terrorist attacks in Brussels that left at least thirty-six people dead on March 22 represent a failure of US and European intelligence, according to Howard Gutman, a former US Ambassador to Belgium. “Most people have been focusing on Molenbeek […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2016

Paris Suspect’s Arrest Likely Hastened Attack in Brussels, says former CIA Director Michael Hayden

By David Ensor and Ashish Kumar Sen

Salah Abdeslam’s arrest last week in connection with the Paris attacks likely sped up terrorists’ plans to strike Brussels, according to Michael Hayden, former Director of the  Central Intelligence Agency and an Atlantic Council board member. With Abdeslam’s arrest following a four-month manhunt, the terrorists likely felt that they were “in a position of either […]

European Union International Organizations

Event Recap

Mar 22, 2016

REPORT LAUNCH: Securing Ukraine’s Energy Sector

By Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center

On April 4, 2016, the Atlantic Council’s Eurasian Energy Futures Initiative launched a report, Securing Ukraine’s Energy Sector, authored by Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center’s Resident Senior Fellow, Anders Åslund.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
From left: Christian Caryl, Editor at Foreign Policy Magazine, moderated a discussion on “Confronting Far-Right Extremism in Europe” with Alina Polyakova, Deputy Director of the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Center; Marlene Laruelle, Professor at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs; and Susan Corke, Director of Countering Antisemitism and Extremism at Human Rights First, at the Atlantic Council on March 22. (Atlantic Council)

Event Recap

Mar 22, 2016

Confronting Far-Right Extremism in Europe

By Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center

The Atlantic Council hosted a discussion on the rise and threat of far-right populism in Europe, featuring the release of a new policy brief on the topic, What’s Left of Europe If the Far Right Has Its Way? by Alina Polyakova and Anton Shekhovtsov.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

In the News

Mar 22, 2016

Vajdich in National Review: What Putin’s Embrace of Trump Tells Us About Trump

By Daniel P. Vajdich

Read the full article here.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 22, 2016

Burwell Quoted in Handelsblatt on Brussels Terrorist Attacks and the Future of Security in the European Union

By Frances G. Burwell

Read the full article here.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2016

Brussels Bombings Reflect ISIS’ Growing ‘Attack Capability’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

‘When you are dealing with terrorists, absolutely the best defense is a strong offense,’ says Michael Morell, a former Deputy Director of the CIA The bombings in Brussels on March 22 are a reflection of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham’s growing “attack capability” in Europe, according to Michael Morell, a former Deputy Director […]

European Union International Organizations

Issue Brief

Mar 22, 2016

What’s left of Europe if the far right has its way?

By Alina Polyakova and Anton Shekhovtsov

Far-right parties are on the rise in Europe, particularly in the post-soviet space. The 2008 financial crisis provided these parties with an electoral boost, and the refugee crisis threatening the continent has inflamed nationalist and xenophobic populism. In this new issue brief, “What’s Left of Europe if the Far Right Has Its Way?”, Dr. Alina […]

Central Europe Civil Society

In the News

Mar 22, 2016

Pavel Quoted by National Public Radio on Terrorist Attacks in Brussels

By Barry Pavel

Read the full article here.

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Mar 22, 2016

Slavin in Al-Monitor: Trump No Longer ‘Neutral’ on Israel

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Elections Israel
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Experts

Fellow

Rza Aliyev

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Azerbaijani Central Asia

Fellow

Léonie Allard

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Africa Chinese

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Eric Alter

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic French

Fellow

Khaled H. Alyemany

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Wa’el Alzayat

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business
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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