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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False dichotomy: Stability versus reform in the Arab world

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
False dichotomy: Stability versus reform in the Arab world

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
False dichotomy: Stability versus reform in the Arab world

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

Issue Brief

Feb 17, 2015

False dichotomy: Stability versus reform in the Arab world

By Danya Greenfield and Faysal Itani

To cling to current short-sighted policies and to help sustain dysfunctional states in the Middle East for the sake of short-term security would condemn the region to poverty and further instability, which threaten to have negative consequences for US interests. A new Atlantic Council report rejects the notion that the United States must choose between […]

Democratic Transitions Middle East

In the News

Feb 14, 2015

Pham on American Consultants in Nigeria

By J. Peter Pham

Politico quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on the American political strategists working for candidates in the Nigerian elections:

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 13, 2015

Pham on the Nigerian Government’s Decision to Postpone Elections

By J. Peter Pham

Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham joins VOA News to discuss the decision to postpone Nigeria’s upcoming elections:

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

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
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Experts

Fellow

Geoffrey Pyatt

Distinguished Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Amany Qaddour 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Millennium fellow

Jeanette Quick

Deputy Assistant Secretary, United States Department of Treasury

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Patrick Quirk

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center GeoStrategy Initiative

Civil Society Conflict

Fellow

Omer Rafiq

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Hindi

Fellow

Roya Rahmani

Senior Advisor

South Asia Center

Afghanistan Dari
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Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
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Trade over aid: Prosperity for the US and the developing world
Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society United States and Canada
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