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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Egypt’s Referendum: Calculated Choices Betting on a Better Future

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

Egypt’s Referendum: Calculated Choices Betting on a Better Future

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

Egypt’s Referendum: Calculated Choices Betting on a Better Future

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

MENASource

Jan 16, 2014

Egypt’s Referendum: Calculated Choices Betting on a Better Future

By Hafsa Halawa

Over the past two days Egyptians have gone back to the polls to vote on their third constitutional referendum in as many years.  There has much written about the flaws of the document itself, similar in context and content to the criticism of the December 2012 constitution and the earlier March 2011 constitutional declaration, yet […]

North Africa Political Reform
REUTERS/Albert Gea

New Atlanticist

Jan 16, 2014

How the Voters of Catalonia May Change Europe

By Paul R. Williams and Roushani Mansoor

Today’s vote by the legislature of the Spanish region of Catalonia to formally petition Spain’s government to authorize a referendum on Catalonian independence is a reminder that Europe will face a challenge this year for which it seems unready. Even though Spain has firmly opposed the referendum, the Catalonians are sure to press ahead. This […]

Europe & Eurasia European Union
Canadian soldiers participating in NATO Exercise Cold Response 2012

NATOSource

Jan 15, 2014

Between A Rock and a Cold Place? NATO and the Arctic

By Page Wilson

At a press conference marking the visit of the North Atlantic Council to Norway in May, Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced that “at this present time, NATO has no intention of raising its presence and activities in the High North.”

Europe & Eurasia European Union

MENASource

Jan 15, 2014

Egypt’s Constitutional Referendum [Liveblog January 15]

By EgyptSource

With polling stations opening across Egypt and voting underway for the second day in the constitutional referendum, keep up with live updates on EgyptSource here

North Africa Political Reform

MENASource

Jan 14, 2014

Dispatch from Cairo: Day One of the Constitutional Referendum

By Tom Dale

In the first day of voting in a constitutional referendum, Egyptians queuing outside polling stations seemed to endorse, as much as the constitutional document itself, the leadership of army chief General Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, who is now widely expected to stand for the presidency in the coming months.

North Africa Political Reform
Swedish Defense Minister Karin Enstrom and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

NATOSource

Jan 14, 2014

Sweden Considers Broader Alliances with NATO, EU

By Gerard O’Dwyer, Defense News

Recognizing that its self-defense capabilities are becoming inadequate, Sweden is shifting its strategic policy to embrace partnerships beyond its Nordic neighborhood, including NATO and the European Union.

European Union International Organizations

External

Jan 14, 2014

IntelBrief: Unmanned Peacekeeping: Are Drones The New Blue Helmets?

By Amy Calfas

Bottom Line Up Front • On December 2, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) announced it will deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), popularly known as “drones,” to monitor rebel groups along the Congolese-Rwandan border.

Drones International Organizations

MENASource

Jan 14, 2014

The War of Attrition for a Yes Vote

By Mohamed El Dahshan

In the middle of a relentless state campaign pushing for a ‘Yes’ vote on the new constitution put forward in a national referendum today and tomorrow, it is clear that the state has all but given up any pretenses of a democratic process.

North Africa Political Reform

MENASource

Jan 14, 2014

The New Draft Constitution Part IV: Social and Economic Rights

By Yussef Auf

Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of the new draft constitution trumpeted by its supporters is its stipulation that the state is required to increase government spending on education, healthcare, higher education and scientific research. Article 18 of the draft stipulates that, “the state is required to allocate a rate for government spending on […]

North Africa Political Reform

MENASource

Jan 14, 2014

Egypt’s Constitutional Referendum [Liveblog January 14]

By EgyptSource

With polling stations opening across Egypt and voting underway in the constitutional referendum, keep up with live updates on EgyptSource here.

North Africa Political Reform
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Experts

Fellow

Nicole Bibbins Sedaca

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Pavlo Bilodid

International Communications Lead, DTEK Group

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

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Arjun Bisen

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Australia Digital Policy

Fellow

Michael Bociurkiw

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Ukraine International Organizations

Fellow

Tom Bonsundy-O’Bryan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Europe & Eurasia

Millennium fellow

Zeina Boustani

Director, Strategy & Operations, Mastercard

Millennium Leadership Program

Human Rights Middle East
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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