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

Nigeria, Boko Haram, and Election Delays

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

Nigeria, Boko Haram, and Election Delays

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

Nigeria, Boko Haram, and Election Delays

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

Article

Feb 13, 2015

Nigeria, Boko Haram, and Election Delays

By J. Peter Pham

Bottom Line Up Front: • On February 7, Nigeria’s election commission announced a six-week postponement of the country’s tightly-contested presidential election (along with other federal and state polls); the decision came after the Nigerian military warned that it could not guarantee voter security in the four northeastern states hit hardest by the Boko Haram insurgency

Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 10, 2015

Pham on the Nigerian Government’s Claim to Crush Boko Haram in Six Weeks

By J. Peter Pham

Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham joins CNN to discuss the postponement of the Nigerian elections and the Nigerian government’s claim to crush Boko Haram in six weeks:

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 10, 2015

Pham on the Postponement of the Nigerian Elections

By J. Peter Pham

International Business Times quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on the postponement of Nigeria’s elections and the challenges other than Boko Haram plaguing the country:

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

EconoGraphics

Feb 10, 2015

Is Austerity to Blame for the Collapse of the Political center in the European Union?

By Global Business & Economics Program

Radical political parties in the Eurozone—including Syriza in Greece, Podemos in Spain, and Sinn Féin in Ireland—are riding a wave of popularity. The continent’s debt crisis has pitted the creditor countries, most importantly Germany, against debtor countries like Greece. On an international level, the northern European creditors have managed to implement policies that are forcing […]

Economy & Business European Union

AfricaSource

Feb 8, 2015

Nigeria’s Election Postponement Can Be An Opportunity

By J. Peter Pham

Late Saturday evening local time in Abuja, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for February 14, would be postponed until March 28, while the gubernatorial and state legislative elections scheduled for February 28 would be held April 11. The decision was taken at the urging […]

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

AfricaSource

Feb 6, 2015

What You Need to Know About Nigeria’s Upcoming Election

By Robert Lloyd

The February 14th presidential elections in Nigeria signal an important milestone in the political trajectory of Africa’s most populous country. Nigeria has held three successive presidential elections since its return to democracy in 1999 after years of authoritarian rule. The presidential elections, which occur on a four year cycle, have varied in terms of accepted […]

North & West Africa Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 6, 2015

Pham and Newman: Nigeria’s Big Decision

By J. Peter Pham and Constance Berry Newman

Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham and Africa Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Constance Berry Newman write for US News on the “perfect storm” of circumstances surrounding the upcoming Nigerian presidential election:

Economy & Business Nigeria

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2015

Europe Taking Steps to Wean Itself off Russian Gas

By Ashish Kumar Sen

European Commission official says supply security one of five goals of new energy union Europe has seized the opportunity provided by the Ukraine crisis to improve its energy security, according to Miguel Arias Cañete, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy in the European Commission. The annexation of Crimea by Russia in March of 2014, and […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

AfricaSource

Feb 3, 2015

Niger’s uprising: symptoms of Nigerien challenges

By Abdoul Salam Bello

Violent riots broke out in Niger last month following the depiction of the Prophet Muhammad on the cover of the French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo. Ten people were killed and forty-five churches torched by protesters on January 16 and 17. Niger declared three days of mourning. The depiction shocked the majority of Nigeriens, more […]

North & West Africa Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 2, 2015

Pham on Violence and Voting in Nigeria

By J. Peter Pham

International Business Times quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on what the violence in Nigeria could mean for the upcoming election:

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Naz El-Khatib

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia Indo-Pacific

Staff

Gabrielle Ellicott

Program Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Tobias Ellwood

Distinguished Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Jason Emert

Of Counsel, Blank Rome LLP

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Eastern Europe

Staff

Peter Engelke

Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Global Energy Center

Technology & Innovation

Fellow

Daniel P. Erikson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Economy & Business International Organizations
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