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
Burkina Faso update: Missed opportunity?

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 update: Missed opportunity?

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 update: Missed opportunity?

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 update: Missed opportunity?

By J. Peter Pham

The “soft landing” that so many, both in Burkina Faso and abroad, had worked so hard to achieve is not to be. Following violent protests against an effort to lift the constitutional bar on his seeking another term in office, mob actions which brought the landlocked West African country to the edge of the abyss, […]

North & West Africa Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Oct 31, 2014

Ukraine Gas Deal May Show That the West’s Sanctions on Russia Are Working

By James Rupert

The gas supply deal signed in Brussels yesterday among Russia, Ukraine and the European Union “is perhaps the clearest indication yet that sanctions imposed on Russia are working in terms of changing Russia’s behavior,” writes Timothy Ash, an economist who directs emerging markets strategy at Standard Bank in London.

Eastern Europe Energy & Environment

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
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Experts

Fellow

Beth Van Schaack

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms

Fellow

Henri Vanhanen

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Artificial Intelligence English

Advisory Council member

Omar Vargas

Vice President, Head of Global Public Policy, General Motors; Chair, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Advisory Council

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Economy & Business English

Fellow

Ashutosh Varshney

Nonresident Senior Fellow, India

Nationalism Elections

Expert bio

Satu Vasamo-Koskinen

Visiting Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Digital Policy

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Shqipe Vela

Program Manager, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

Millennium Leadership Program

Corruption Energy & Environment
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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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