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.

Explore

Everything You Need to Know About the First Phase of Elections: Day Two

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

Everything You Need to Know About the First Phase of Elections: Day Two

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

Everything You Need to Know About the First Phase of Elections: Day Two

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

MENASource

Oct 21, 2015

Everything You Need to Know About the First Phase of Elections: Day Two

By Elissa Miller

Egypt’s parliamentary elections continued on Monday. Turnout remained low, the vote again dominated by women and elderly voters. Reports of electoral violations, in particular vote buying, were widespread.

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Oct 21, 2015

Everything You Need to Know About the First Phase of Elections: Day One

By Elissa Miller

On the eve of Egypt’s first parliamentary elections in three years, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called on Egyptians to vote. “Line up in front of polling stations and plant with your votes the hope for a bright tomorrow for our new Egypt,” Sisi said.

Elections North Africa

New Atlanticist

Oct 20, 2015

In Afghanistan, an Opportunity for the United States to Work with China and Iran

By Ashish Kumar Sen

EU Special Representative says Islamic State’s rise has created common ground for Washington, Tehran, and Beijing Franz-Michael Mellbin is the European Union’s Special Representative in Afghanistan. In a wide-ranging interview with the New Atlanticist’s Ashish Kumar Sen on Oct. 20, Mellbin discussed the need for a sustained US and NATO troop commitment in Afghanistan, the […]

Afghanistan China

MENASource

Oct 20, 2015

Egypt Elections: On Voter Turnout and Boycotting

By Maged Atef

Just outside of Cairo, in the governorate of Giza, Saber Mamdouh, a calligrapher, sits in his workshop, worrying. Saber, who turned sixty a few days ago, says that election season was once a frantic time. He was in his workshop around the clock, working to supply candidates with signs and plaques for campaign rallies. “I […]

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Oct 19, 2015

The 24 Year Old Party Leader who Seeks to Rule Egypt

By Sarah El Sirgany

Sitting in the back of a black Mercedes making its way through Alexandria, Mohamed Badran is tired and losing his voice. Fifteen minutes earlier, the 24-year-old leader of the Mostaqbal Watan (Nation’s Future) Party spoke at an electoral rally for a party candidate. He is now on his way to a second rally in a […]

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Oct 17, 2015

Egypt’s NGOs Lack Funding to Monitor Elections

By Ahmed Ateyya

It is 10 pm, and Saeed Abdelhafez, head of the Dialogue Forum for Development and Human Rights, is on a seven-hour train ride to the Upper Egypt governorate of Sohag, where he is training volunteers to monitor elections. 

Elections North Africa

New Atlanticist

Oct 16, 2015

The European Union Shows Turkey its Hand

By Sarah Bedenbaugh

At the European Union summit on Oct. 15, European leaders announced with much fanfare an EU-Turkey joint action plan designed to help stem the flow of refugees through Turkey to Europe. In exchange for Turkey’s cooperation with the EU on migration, EU leaders agreed to provide Turkey with funds (in an amount still to be […]

European Union International Organizations

MENASource

Oct 15, 2015

Parliamentary Elections Update: The Week in Review

By Elissa Miller

The first round of voting in Egypt’s parliamentary elections, the country’s first parliamentary elections in three years, is fast approaching. Voting is scheduled to take place abroad on October 17, and voting in Egypt will occur on October 18 and 19. The second round of the elections is set to take place on November 22 […]

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Oct 15, 2015

Challenges Facing Egypt’s Upcoming Parliament

By Omar Halawa

Days before Egypt witnesses its long-delayed parliamentary elections, questions loom about the challenges that may face the newly elected parliament. There are three main challenges—two of which are of immediate concern, while the third is a long-term issue. The parliament will be expected to review over 300 laws in the span of two weeks, has […]

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Oct 15, 2015

Egyptians Face Few Options at Parliamentary Polls

By Emily Crane Linn

Starting October 16, Egypt will come to the end of its dragged out transitional period by holding its first parliamentary election since 2012. Heralded as the final step in Egypt’s revolutionary roadmap, this election is anything but revolutionary. Rather, it has been marked by a sense political apathy reminiscent of former president Hosni Mubarak’s reign.

Elections North Africa
Load More

Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Inês Bravo Figueiredo

Co-President, Volt Portugal

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business
Graham Brookie

Staff

Graham Brookie

Vice President - Atlantic Council Technology Programs

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation National Security

Fellow

Colin Brooks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East

Millennium fellow

Nathan Bruschi

Chief Executive Officer, Anchorwork Inc.

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society East Asia

Staff

Eto Buziashvili

Research Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe

Fellow

Alvin Camba

Nonresident Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Chinese
Load More

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