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 Unbearable Lightness of European Defense

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 Unbearable Lightness of European Defense

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 Unbearable Lightness of European Defense

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

French snipers training in Great Britain, Feb. 16, 2012

NATOSource

Nov 25, 2015

The Unbearable Lightness of European Defense

By Daniel Keohane, Carnegie Europe

France may end up feeling—to paraphrase novelist Milan Kundera—the unbearable lightness of European defense. There are at least four reasons for this.

European Union France
Germany's Bundeswehr, July 21, 2011

NATOSource

Nov 24, 2015

Transforming the German Armed Forces for a European Future

By Claudia Major and Christian Mölling

Military power is back as a currency in world politics. A more European Bundeswehr is not a choice but a necessity.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

New Atlanticist

Nov 20, 2015

‘Demagogic’ Anti-Migrant Rhetoric Will Hurt America

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Madeleine Albright and Stephen Hadley criticize efforts to keep out Syrian migrants The terrorist attacks in Paris on Nov. 13 have produced an alarming anti-migrant backlash in the United States. Republican presidential frontrunner Ben Carson has compared migrants fleeing the war in Syria to dogs. Another Republican presidential contender, Donald Trump, said he would support […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Nov 20, 2015

Shutting the Door on Migrants the ‘Worst Solution’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy says Europe, United States must welcome Syrians fleeing war Closing the door to migrants fleeing the war in Syria after attacks in Paris would be the “worst solution,” Bernard-Henri Lévy, a French philosopher and best-selling author, said at the Atlantic Council on Nov. 19. “Even if it is proved that some […]

European Union France

In the News

Nov 19, 2015

Aslund: Russian Market Contracting Rapidly

By Anders Aslund

Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Resident Senior Fellow Anders Aslund writes for Hurriyet Daily News on the crumbling trade engagement between the European Union and Russia:

European Union International Organizations

MENASource

Nov 19, 2015

Tunisia’s Ruling Party Crisis

By Katherine Wolff and Elissa Miller

Nidaa Tounes may have to answer to a jaded constituency in the elections for failing its voters. While the current crisis is unlikely to trigger government collapse, it hampers the party’s ability to serve as a unified countervailing force to Ennahda and underscores the fragile nature of Tunisia’s balance of political power.

Democratic Transitions Middle East
French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, Nov. 17, 2015

NATOSource

Nov 18, 2015

Le Drian Tells EU Defense Ministers: ‘France Cannot Do Everything’

By Reuters, AP, and Wall Street Journal

From Robin Emmott and Sabine Siebold, Reuters:  France invoked the European Union’s mutual assistance clause for the first time on Tuesday, asking its partners for military help and other aid in missions in the Middle East and Africa after the Paris attacks.

European Union France
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Nov. 17, 2015

NATOSource

Nov 17, 2015

EU Defense Ministers Approve Historic Request From France for Military Assistance

By Federica Mogherini, European External Action Service

Nous avons changé aujourd’hui l’agenda du Conseil afin de commencer nos travaux par discuter ensemble, avec mon ami Jean-Yves Le Drian, ministre français, et tous les ministres de la Défense, notre réaction aux attaques qui ont eu lieu à Paris vendredi.

European Union France

Event Recap

Nov 17, 2015

New Leadership, New Policies? Implications of Argentina’s Presidential Election

By Oriana Piña

It is anyone’s game on Argentina’s Election Day. In the first round of voting, pollsters predicted a win for Daniel Scioli from the ruling Frente para la Victoria (FPV) party. To the surprise of many, the results came in at a tight three percentage point difference. Days before the run-off elections, Mauricio Macri from the […]

Elections Latin America

In the News

Nov 17, 2015

Benitez on EU “Mutual-Defense Clause”

By Jorge Benitez

The Associated Press quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow and NATOSource Director Jorge Benitez on France’s decision to invoked a never-before-used EU “mutual-defense clause” as opposed to NATO’s Article 5 in requesting assistance from other countries in the fight against ISIS:

European Union France
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Becky Waite

Head of Global Response, OpenAI

Millennium Leadership Program

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Ivo Walinga

China Programme Officer, International Energy Agency

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Energy & Environment

Advisory Council member

Mary Ann Walker

Managing Partner, WH Legal Group

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Central America English

Expert

Gregory Waters

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Democratic Transitions Middle East

Expert bio

Sarah Way

Program Assistant

Africa Center

Africa Critical Minerals

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East
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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