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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A New Syria Must Have US Support

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

A New Syria Must Have US Support

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

A New Syria Must Have US Support

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

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2013

A New Syria Must Have US Support

By Frederic C. Hof

To most Americans, Syria looks like a mess best left to Syrians and their neighbors to sort out. Yet the conflict that President Bashar al-Assad unleashed against his people threatens to produce a large, ungovernable space, with refugees racing for the borders; terrorists setting up shop; chemical and biological weapons unguarded and available for seizure; […]

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2013

Obama Visit to Israel Key Link in Redesign of US Foreign Policy

By Sarwar Kashmeri

It would be a mistake to view President Obama’s visit to Israel as just a fence-mending exercise. It is in fact part of a planned redesign of U.S. foreign policy that will change the face of American leadership around the world.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

NATOSource

Mar 22, 2013

NATO and EU welcome Israel-Turkey rapprochement

By Anatolia News Agency

From Anatolia News Agency:  The United States welcomes the steps undertaken for the normalization of ties between Turkey and Israel following the latter’s apology for the Mavi Marmara raid of 2010

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2013

Kurdish Leader: End Armed Struggle

By Ross Wilson

Turkey’s long-time nemesis Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the so-called Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), delivered an historic message on the March 21 Nowruz holiday that marks the beginning of spring calling for a new beginning between Kurds and Turks.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 20, 2013

Cyprus Still Has Options, But Damage Already Done

By Megan Greene

Everyone knew that Cyprus would be a tough nut to crack, but few expected this tiny island to be the one country to stand up to the so-called troika of international lenders (the EBC, IMF, and European Commission) and reject a bailout offer. To be clear, the potential consequences for Cyprus of its bravado are […]

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Mar 19, 2013

Who Will Pay for Cyprus?

By Julian Lindley-French

In 1984 George Orwell wrote, “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind, simultaneously, and accepting both of them.”  I was reminded of doublethink (to that add double-speak) watching Europe’s politicians and Eurocrats dance on the head of a political pin to distance themselves from the so-called ‘one-off’ Deposit Tax Levy […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 19, 2013

Europe’s Work Is Far From Over

By Lawrence Summers

Europe’s economic situation is viewed with far less concern than was the case six, 12 or 18 months ago. Policymakers in Europe far prefer engaging the United States on a possible trade and investment agreement to more discussion on financial stability and growth. However, misplaced confidence can be dangerous if it reduces pressure for necessary […]

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Mar 19, 2013

Does Beijing Have a Strategy? China’s Alternative Futures

By Robert A. Manning and Banning Garrett

This Atlantic Council brief, authored by Robert A. Manning and Banning Garrett, assesses the challenges China faces–worsening pollution, corruption, and a growth model that needs sweeping reforms and examines the difficulties Beijing faces in addressing them.

China Politics & Diplomacy

NATOSource

Mar 14, 2013

Viktor Orbán’s Hungarian power grab

By Editorial Board of the Washington Post

From Editorial Board of the Washington Post:  Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán triggered alarm bells around Europe in 2011 when he used a two-thirds majority in parliament to push through a series of measures that concentrated political power, weakened checks and balances and restricted the freedom of the media, religious groups and minorities.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 14, 2013

A Roadmap for Negotiating with Iran

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

It is still early in the second term of the Obama administration, and as with the beginning of all presidential terms, hope springs eternal in political circles that longstanding obstacles to policy progress will be swept away. In that spirit, a host of commentators are calling for the United States and Iran to make a […]

Elections Iran
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Experts

Staff

Aalaa Abuzaakouk

Deputy Director, Millennium Leadership Program

Millennium Leadership Program

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Paul Adamson

Senior Advisor

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Akeel Abbas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Human Rights

Millennium fellow

Saeed Al Nazari

Secretary General, Great Arab Minds

Millennium Leadership Program

Education Middle East

Fellow

Osamah Al Rawhani

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
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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