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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Burkina Faso: The consequences of burning down the house

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
Burkina Faso: The consequences of burning down the house

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
Burkina Faso: The consequences of burning down the house

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

Oct 31, 2014

Burkina Faso: The consequences of burning down the house

By J. Peter Pham

The events that have followed each other in rapid succession this week in the West African country of Burkina Faso are, at one level, relatively straightforward. What is not so readily apparent—certainly not to the tens of thousands of protesters-turned-rioters, much less to those far-off outsiders who, wittingly or unwittingly, egged them on—are the consequences […]

North & West Africa Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Oct 30, 2014

Deconstructing Democracy: Elections in India

By Atlantic Council

With the world’s largest democracy and a population of 1.3 billion, elections in India are among the most complex democratic exercises in the world. Navin Chawla, former election commissioner of India, spoke to the Atlantic Council about how a country of 814 million registered voters maintains an efficient and universally respected election process and peaceful […]

Elections India

Event Recap

Oct 29, 2014

Conference Call: Ukraine Votes

By Atlantic Council

On October 28, the Atlantic Council hosted an on-the-record conference call on Ukraine’s recent parliamentary elections. The call featured John Herbst, director of the Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center, and Adrian Karatnycky, senior fellow in the Council’s Transatlantic Relations Program and former CEO of Freedom House. It was moderated by Damon Wilson, executive vice president […]

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Oct 28, 2014

Saab on Challenges Facing the Gulf Cooperation Council

By Bilal Y. Saab

The National quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on challenges facing the Gulf Cooperation Council ahead of its annual meeting in December: 

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Oct 27, 2014

Today’s Corruption Video: Which Ukrainian Officials Own These Palaces?

By New Atlanticist

The former director and deputy director of Ukraine’s state-owned gas company, Naftogaz, will have been waiting today to hear if they are elected to Ukraine’s parliament, not least because winning seats would offer them immunity from prosecution. Prosecution for what?

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Oct 27, 2014

Ukraine Counts Its Votes: Here Is What They Mean

By New Atlanticist

Official Tallies Are Tracking With Polls Predicting a Strong, Pro-Europe and Reformist Coalition With 71 percent of Ukraine’s ballots counted today, the official results are broadly tracking the recent days’ polls, suggesting that Ukraine’s next government will be a pro-European coalition built across several political parties, with President Petro Poroshenko likely to rely on his […]

Eastern Europe Elections

UkraineAlert

Oct 27, 2014

Ukrainians Vote for a European Future and for Reform

By John E. Herbst

Parliament Election is a Defeat for Russia’s Putin: How Will He Respond? If Sunday’s exit poll accurately depicts Ukraine’s parliamentary vote, the outcome is a stunning victory for reform and a pro-European orientation—and a big defeat for Russian President Vladimir Putin. It immediately raises the question whether Putin will respond with a new aggressive move […]

Eastern Europe Elections

New Atlanticist

Oct 25, 2014

Brazilians Vote Sunday on a President—and an Economic Path

By New Atlanticist

As Brazilians vote Sunday in a presidential runoff election, the Atlantic Council’s Peter Schecter and Jason Marczak discuss the significance and ramifications of this vote.  Schechter is the director, and Marczak the deputy director, of the Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center.

Brazil Elections

UkraineAlert

Oct 24, 2014

George Soros on Ukraine: Europe Is Sleeping Through Its Decisive Fight

By New Atlanticist

Billionaire investment magnate and pro-democracy philanthropist George Soros has sounded what he says is a wake-up call to Europe (and to the United States) over a failure to see that it is “facing a challenge from Russia to its very existence.” You can read here his full 3,200-word essay for the New York Review of […]

European Union International Organizations

Event Recap

Oct 23, 2014

Parliamentary Elections 2014: Tunisia’s Political Landscape

By Atlantic Council

On October 26, Tunisians head to the polls to elect a parliament amid frustration and uncertainty in the transitioning country’s stability. Fear and distrust of political elites, a sluggish economy, high unemployment, and deteriorating security have tempered electoral enthusiasm, raising prospects for low voter turnout. Parliamentary elections, the first since the adoption of the new […]

Elections North Africa
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Experts

Staff

Lisandra Novo

Senior Law & Tech Advisor, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Corruption

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Lejla Nuhanović

Political Officer, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Millennium Leadership Program

Eastern Europe Politics & Diplomacy
Nanjala Nyabola

Fellow

Nanjala Nyabola

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Africa Digital Policy

Fellow

Nicholas O’Connell

Nonresident Fellow

Europe Center

Civil Society Elections

Expert bio

Dorian Obreajan

Program Assistant

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Fellow

Godfrey Odongo

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa East Africa
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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
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