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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What You Need to Know About Nigeria’s Upcoming Election

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

What You Need to Know About Nigeria’s Upcoming Election

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

What You Need to Know About Nigeria’s Upcoming Election

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

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

In the News

Feb 2, 2015

Pham on the Violence in Nigeria’s Northeast and the Upcoming Elections

By J. Peter Pham

The Harvard Crimson quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on how the violence in northeast Nigeria could deter voting in the upcoming election:

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 31, 2015

Pham on the Upcoming Nigerian Elections

By J. Peter Pham

NBC News quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on the upcoming elections and escalating violence in Nigeria:

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jan 31, 2015

EU Sending ‘Wrong Signals’ to Aspiring Members

By Robbie Gramer

Moratorium on enlargement seen changing ‘rules of the game’ The European Neighborhood Policy, intended to create a “ring of friends,” has instead created a “ring of fire,” according to a senior Ukrainian official. The European Union needs to overcome inertia against further enlargement or it risks experiencing “more of the same” conflicts as the one […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 30, 2015

Ukraine Needs Support Now, Latvian Foreign Minister Says

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Rinkēvičs cites urgent need for backing on territorial integrity, economy Ukraine requires strong support for its territorial integrity and economy well before an Eastern Partnership summit in Riga in May, according to Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs. Describing Ukraine as the “biggest challenge,” Rinkēvičs said, “we need to address some issues now, in January, in […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2015

Conditions Ripe for Electoral Violence in Nigeria

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council analysts see threat from Boko Haram, sore losers The fact that the militant group Boko Haram controls vast swaths of territory in northeastern Nigeria will likely disenfranchise voters and has elevated the danger of post-election violence, according to Atlantic Council analysts. “Because of insecurity in the northeast, one party may believe that its […]

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy
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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

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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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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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