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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Pham on the Events Leading Up to the Boko Haram-ISIS Alliance

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

Pham on the Events Leading Up to the Boko Haram-ISIS Alliance

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

Pham on the Events Leading Up to the Boko Haram-ISIS Alliance

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

In the News

Mar 14, 2015

Pham on the Events Leading Up to the Boko Haram-ISIS Alliance

By J. Peter Pham

Leadership Nigeria covers at Atlantic Council event on the security situation in Nigeria and quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on the events leading up to the Boko Haram-ISIS alliance:

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy
Italian helicopter participating in NATO exercise, June 24, 2009

NATOSource

Mar 13, 2015

Defending Italy from the Islamic State

By James Stavridis, Washington Post

Following the decapitation of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians by radical Islamists professing an allegiance to the Islamic State, the Italian government has begun ramping up efforts to defend its territory from attack. How realistic is this threat? And what should Italy do?

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Mar 13, 2015

Pham on Boko Haram, ISIS, and the Upcoming Nigerian Elections

By J. Peter Pham

The Christian Science Monitor quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on how ISIS accepting Boko Haram’s pledge of allegiance could affect Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection prospects in the upcoming elections:

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

Article

Mar 13, 2015

A Weakened Caliphate Expands

By J. Peter Pham

Bottom Line Up Front: • The Islamic State accepted Boko Haram’s allegiance, or bay’at, pledged to the Iraq and Syria-based extremist group over the weekend • Given the recent military setbacks for Boko Haram and the Islamic State, and their increasing convergence, this development is unsurprising and a propaganda victory for both groups

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Jan. 22, 2014

NATOSource

Mar 12, 2015

Germany’s Foreign Minister: The Transatlantic Order is Under Challenge

By Frank-Walter Steinmeier, New York Times

Today, the trans-Atlantic bond is being tested again. Crises are erupting ever closer to the European Union’s borders:

European Union Germany

In the News

Mar 12, 2015

Leadership Covers Atlantic Council Event on Nigeria

By Atlantic Council

Leadership covers an Atlantic Council event on Nigeria and highlights the discussion on the postponed Nigerian elections:

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 11, 2015

Rights and Wrongs: US Law Hurting Ties, Says Nigerian Official

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Leahy amendment curbs US military aid to foreign troops accused of atrocities A US law that bans the sale of weapons to foreign forces accused of human rights violations is “hindering” cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, even as Abuja wages war against Boko Haram militants, a top Nigerian intelligence official said March 11. […]

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Mar 11, 2015

Update on Security in Nigeria and the Campaign against Boko Haram

By Africa Center

Amid the most hotly-contested elections since Nigeria’s 1999 transition back to civilian rule, the West African country’s military has gone on the offensive against Boko Haram, an Islamist terror group that until very recently controlled a chunk of territory across three northeastern states equivalent to the size of Belgium. A regional military force, catalyzed in […]

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2015

How will a €1.1 trillion bid to energize the eurozone economy work?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

QE benefits will depend on ‘many factors exogenous to monetary policy,’ says Atlantic Council’s Roscini The European Central Bank (ECB)’s €1.1 trillion attempt to energize the eurozone economy will have several positive effects, but these will depend on “many factors exogenous to monetary policy,” says the Atlantic Council’s Dante Roscini. The ECB this week began […]

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Mar 6, 2015

Schechter on the United States and the European Union Normalizing Relations with Cuba

By Peter Schechter

Agence France-Presse quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Director Peter Schechter on the competition between the United States and the European Union in normalizing relations with Cuba:

Cuba European Union
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Mor Yahalom

Senior Advisor, Ministry of Defense, Israel

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Middle East

Staff

Alyssa T. Yamamoto

Senior Legal & Policy Advisor, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Human Rights

Millennium fellow

Tricia Yeoh

CEO, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS)

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Indo-Pacific

Fellow

David H. Young

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Conflict

Fellow

Sarah Zaaimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Crisis Management

Active affiliation

Joseph Zacks

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Middle East National Security
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Events

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
Public Event Wed, May 20, 2026 • 12:15 pm ET

Senator Bernie Moreno on Colombia’s 2026 elections
Americas Colombia Elections Latin America
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