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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LeBaron on Hagel’s Meeting with Gulf Counterparts

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

LeBaron on Hagel’s Meeting with Gulf Counterparts

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

LeBaron on Hagel’s Meeting with Gulf Counterparts

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

In the News

May 17, 2014

LeBaron on Hagel’s Meeting with Gulf Counterparts

By Richard LeBaron

Defense News quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Richard LeBaron on the meeting between US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and his Gulf Cooperation Council counterparts:

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

SouthAsiaSource

May 16, 2014

Narendra Modi and His Huge Challenges

By Mohan Guruswamy

Reporting from New Delhi, India. The 2014 national election represented a complete rejection of the Indian National Congress’s style of functioning.

Elections India

SouthAsiaSource

May 16, 2014

India’s Destiny Dilemma

By Rajan Menon

As India’s elections draw to a close, one thing is clear: its potential is undeniable—and so are its problems. On August 15, India will mark the sixty-seventh year of its independence. The results of its national parliamentary elections will be official well before then. This country of kaleidoscopic diversity will have again transferred political power […]

Elections India

In the News

May 15, 2014

Greene on Greek Effects on Eurozone Crisis

By Megen Greene

Bloomberg quotes Megan Greene, chief economist of Maverick Intelligence and a senior fellow in the Council’s Global Business and Economics Program, on the impact of Greek bonds on the Eurozone crisis:

European Union Greece

MENASource

May 14, 2014

Hagel’s Meeting with GCC Defense Ministers: How to Measure Results

By Richard LeBaron

In a significant policy speech in Manama in December, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was in full reassurance mode, letting our Gulf allies know that the United States was committed to their security and would maintain a strong military presence in the Gulf for a long time to come.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 13, 2014

Egypt 2014: Debunking the Neo-Nasserist Myth

By Amr Hamzawy

Amid the grating cries of today’s agents of darkness, who propagate the fascist slogan “you are either with us or against us,” who serve our “sultan,” and not surprisingly buy into the deal of “obedience to the government for protection and profits;” amid the voices that justify injustices and violations of human rights and freedoms, […]

Elections North Africa
Russian Presiden Vladimir Putin in Crimea, May 9, 2014

NATOSource

May 12, 2014

The Battle in Ukraine Means Everything

By Timothy Snyder, New Republic

The territory of today’s Ukraine can very easily be placed within every major epoch of the European past.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

MENASource

May 7, 2014

Sisi in the Hot Seat: Reading Between the Lines

By Wael Eskandar

Former Field Marshall and presidential hopeful Abdel Fattah al-Sisi appeared on television for the first time in an extended interview on May 5 and May 6 of 2014. The interview was conducted by two leading presenters in Egyptian media who championed the ouster of former present Mohamed Morsi, Ibrahim Eissa, known to have been an […]

Elections North Africa

MENASource

May 6, 2014

The Road to Presidential Elections [Update 5]

By EgyptSource

With voting in Egypt’s second presidential elections in two years expected to take place on May 26 and 27, EgyptSource will be providing periodic updates on the latest news coming out of the Egyptian elections process.

Elections North Africa

Report

May 5, 2014

Libya’s Faustian bargains: Breaking the appeasement cycle

By Karim Mezran, Jason Pack, and Mohamed Eljarh

A new Atlantic Council report examines the threats to Libya’s stability, provides a detailed mapping of the militia landscape, and details policy options for the Libyan government and its international partners. In Libya’s Faustian Bargains: Breaking the Appeasement Cycle, the authors attribute the cycle of violence, intractable political stalemate, and weakened economy to the Libyan […]

Conflict Democratic Transitions
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Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Slavina Ancheva

MPP Candidate and Belfer Young Leader, Harvard Kennedy School

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Civil Society

Fellow

Mark Boris Andrijanič

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Lukas Andriukaitis

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe

Fellow

Piotr Arak

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Gérard Araud

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Civil Society Extremism
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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