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 Ukraine, Putin Tries to Cash in Before Luck Runs Out

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 Ukraine, Putin Tries to Cash in Before Luck Runs Out

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 Ukraine, Putin Tries to Cash in Before Luck Runs Out

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

UkraineAlert

Jan 27, 2016

In Ukraine, Putin Tries to Cash in Before Luck Runs Out

By Stephen Blank

Ukraine has become the object of high-stakes diplomacy. This does not mean that fighting has stopped—quite the opposite. Russian forces continue to launch probes and violate the cease-fire agreement; they have substantially reinforced themselves, as have the Ukrainian forces arrayed against them. Nevertheless, a major diplomatic campaign is occurring. Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken […]

European Union International Organizations

UkraineAlert

Jan 25, 2016

Ukraine’s Economic Revival Starting in the West

By James Brooke

What do coastal China, northern Mexico, and western Ukraine have in common? After Beijing dropped Maoist economics in the 1970s, low-wage China began to thrive. The economic boom started with the coast, the area closest to the Pacific coast ports of Canada and the United States, with its access to a huge market. Low-wage northern […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 22, 2016

A Roadmap for Europe

By Ashish Kumar Sen

White paper examines challenges facing Europe Union and the consequences of success and failure in dealing with them The European Union’s unity is being tested in some significant ways. Chief among these challenges are the United Kingdom’s potential exit—a “Brexit”—from the EU, mediocre long-term economic prospects, an influx of migrants that is the largest movement […]

Economy & Business European Union

MENASource

Jan 21, 2016

How Might the FED’s Policy Affect the Middle East?

By M. Hande Akmehmet

The US Federal Reserve (FED) announced its most anticipated policy change in December 2015: the long-awaited modest increase in short-term interest rates, which formally marked the beginning of a “Strong Dollar” period in the global economy. Coupled with the upcoming rate hikes in 2016, this policy will not only impact the US economy, but will […]

Economy & Business International Organizations

In the News

Jan 20, 2016

Gedmin in Politico Europe: Lord Weidenfeld’s European Century

By Jeffrey Gedmin

Read the full article here.

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Jan 20, 2016

Vajdich In The Hill: EU Must Halt Spread of Illiberal Democracy

By Daniel Vajdich

Read the full article here.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 20, 2016

Keeping Georgia’s NATO Dream Alive

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili says progress in European and Euro-Atlantic integration will be a ‘good incentive’ for Georgian support for continuing reforms Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili was catapulted to office in December of 2015 after the abrupt resignation of his predecessor, Irakli Garibashvili. In his previous role as Foreign Minister, Kvirikashvili led significant […]

European Union International Organizations

Event Recap

Jan 11, 2016

Issue Brief Launch: Nigeria’s Oil Revenue Crunch

By Africa Center

On Monday, January 11, the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and Africa Center launched a new issue brief, “Nigeria’s Oil Revenue Crunch,” authored by Aaron Sayne and Arica Center Senior Fellow Aubrey Hruby, in a roundtable discussion at the Atlantic Council.

Economy & Business Nigeria

MENASource

Jan 11, 2016

What Happened During Egypt’s Inaugural Parliamentary Session?

By Elissa Miller

Egypt’s first legislature in more than three years held its inaugural session on Sunday, where it elected a constitutional expert as its speaker. The parliament is made up of 596 members of parliament (MP), divided into 448 independents, 120 party-based MPs, and 28 presidential appointees. During the chaotic session, which was broadcast live on national […]

Elections North Africa

Issue Brief

Jan 11, 2016

Nigeria’s oil revenue crunch

By Aaron Sayne and Aubrey Hruby

As oil prices fall to their lowest in decades, Nigeria's oil revenue has plummeted nearly $2 billion since the start of 2014. What is the impact of falling oil prices and increased competition on the economy and stability in Nigeria?

Africa Corruption
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Experts

Fellow

Miroslav M. Zafirov

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

English International Organizations

Fellow

Valbona Zeneli

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Albanian Corruption

Millennium fellow

Helen Zhang

Associate Principle, Google

Millennium Leadership Program

Digital Policy Media

Expert

Yi Zhou

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Democratic Transitions East Asia

Fellow

Mikhail Zygar

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Political Reform Politics & Diplomacy

Millennium fellow

Olga Zykova

Deputy Minister, Ministry of Finance, Ukraine

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Eastern Europe
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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