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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Time to Unblock Macedonia’s Accession to NATO

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

Time to Unblock Macedonia’s Accession to NATO

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

Time to Unblock Macedonia’s Accession to NATO

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

Apr 10, 2013

Time to Unblock Macedonia’s Accession to NATO

By Sally Painter

The first visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Afghanistan last month underscored the changing nature of Western involvement in the country. Kerry, among other important discussions, finalised the transfer of the Parwan detention centre over to Afghan authorities. The centre has long been a symbol of the Afghan government’s demands for national […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2013

Kurdish Opening: Opportunities and the Challenges Ahead

By Selin Bolme and Mujge Kucukkeles

On March 21, 2013 Turkey entered a new period with the reading of a letter from Öcalan to the crowds gathered in Diyarbakir on Newruz day, the traditional Kurdish Spring festival, calling for a cease-fire and the withdrawal of PKK fighters from Turkish territory. The letter did not contain the technical details of the withdrawal; […]

Politics & Diplomacy Turkey

NATOSource

Apr 8, 2013

Cyprus plans to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace program

By AFP

From AFP:  Cyprus said on Monday it aims to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace rather than remain the only EU country which does not have a cooperation programme with the Western military alliance.

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Apr 8, 2013

NATO under pressure as allies cut defense costs

By Deutsche Welle

From Deutsche Welle:  As defense budgets are slashed in dire financial times, governments increasingly rely on alliances and cooperation with their partners.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2013

The Military Isn’t Going to Change Anytime Soon

By James Joyner

In his first major policy address as Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel called for a radical overhaul of our armed forces — “not just tweaking or chipping away at existing structures and practices.” While the goal is bold and laudable, history tells us that achieving it is unlikely.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2013

India’s Tough Road to the Security Council

By Rajan Menon

Something President Obama said in his speech to India’s parliament in 2010 gladdened lots of Indian hearts.

China Economy & Business

NATOSource

Apr 1, 2013

Tough EU mission to overhaul Mali army kicks off tomorrow

By AFP

From AFP:  The EU begins an ambitious top-to-toe overhaul Tuesday of Mali‘s ragtag army, far from ready to take the place of foreign troops to defend the West African nation against fresh attacks by Islamist insurgents.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Apr 1, 2013

Trans-Adriatic Pipeline Project Surging Ahead of Rival Nabucco-West: Part II

By Vladimir Socor

The gas producers’ consortium at Shah Deniz in Azerbaijan is holding parallel negotiations with the pipeline project companies, Nabucco and Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), to select one of these routes to Europe. March 31 is the deadline for submission of Nabucco-West’s and TAP’s competing offers to the Shah Deniz consortium. The producer consortium’s decision on pipeline […]

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Mar 28, 2013

A Visionary Reinvention of the Two-State Solution

By Anne-Marie Slaughter

Imagine a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine in which Palestinians would have the right of return; Israelis could settle wherever they could purchase land in the West Bank; and Jerusalem need not be divided. This is not a fanciful vision, but a creative and eminently sensible reinvention of 21st-century statehood. And President Barack Obama’s […]

European Union International Organizations

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
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Experts

Fellow

C. Anthony Pfaff

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

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Bart Piasecki

Assistant Director

GeoEconomics Center

Fiscal and Structural Reform International Financial Institutions

Staff

Emilia Pierce

Deputy Director, Operations and Finance

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Conflict

Fellow

Maisie Pigeon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade

Fellow

Priya Pillai

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Conflict

Fellow

Alan Pino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Iran
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