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.

Veterans can shape the future of Ukrainian democracy

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

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

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

UkraineAlert

Jan 15, 2026

Veterans can shape the future of Ukrainian democracy

By Vasyl Sehin

The participation of military veterans in Ukraine's political life has the potential to dramatically strengthen Ukrainian democracy and safeguard the country's historic transition from centuries of Russian autocracy, writes Vasyl Sehin.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

MENASource

Jan 15, 2026

After Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, what comes next?

By Amit Yarom

Recognition reshapes the scope of bilateral engagement but does not eliminate the constraints tied to Somaliland’s contested status.

Africa East Africa

In the News

Jan 14, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: A Father’s Cry, a Nation’s Future

By Atlantic Council

Freedom and Prosperity Iran

MENASource

Jan 14, 2026

Voices from Iran: As rejection of government reaches all-time high, Iranians also wary of foreign intervention

By Tara Kangarlou

If Trump is serious about peace, stability, and a lasting legacy, the path forward does not run through air strikes or transactional deals with a failing theocracy.

Civil Society Crisis Management

Dispatches

Jan 14, 2026

How the IMF can help Venezuela stabilize its economy

By Martin Mühleisen

The institution can bring financing and technical assistance to a Venezuelan debt restructuring—and in a way the prevents preferential treatment to Chinese creditors.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

Report

Jan 14, 2026

Digital sovereignty: Europe’s declaration of independence?

By Frances Burwell, Kenneth Propp

In Brussels, "digital sovereignty" may be the new "strategic autonomy": a push for Europe to go its own way and depend less on the United States. As US tech companies and EU regulators clash, catch up on a policy debate with consequences playing out online and in the halls of power.

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Jan 14, 2026

Transatlantic cooperation on protecting minors online

By Michèle Ledger

There is widespread agreement among US and EU officials on the need to protect children online. US-EU dialogue on areas of commonality could facilitate a more efficient rollout of services and technologies to protect users.

Digital Policy European Union

UkraineAlert

Jan 13, 2026

Putin cannot accept any peace deal that secures Ukrainian statehood

By William Dixon, Maksym Beznosiuk

Putin has no obvious route to victory in 2026 but cannot accept a compromise peace as any settlement that safeguarded Ukrainian independence would be seen in Moscow as an historic Russian defeat, write William Dixon and Maksym Beznosiuk.

Conflict Nationalism

Dispatches

Jan 13, 2026

Greenland’s critical minerals require patient statecraft

By Reed Blakemore, Alexis Harmon

The island’s mineral wealth will take a decade or more to translate into meaningful supply.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

MENASource

Jan 13, 2026

Eight questions (and expert answers) on the SDF’s withdrawal from Syria’s Aleppo

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts unpack why violence erupted, what it means for Kurdish safety and integration in Syria, and how Washington is engaging.

Civil Society Conflict

Experts

Millennium fellow

Fatima Abbas

Director of Tribal and Native Affairs, Department of Treasury

Millennium Leadership Program

Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Middle East National Security

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Gbemisola Abudu

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Staff

Aalaa Abuzaakouk

Deputy Director, Millennium Leadership Program

Millennium Leadership Program

Arabic Civil Society

Events

Public Event Fri, March 20, 2026 • 2:00 pm ET

Share

Issue briefs and reports

Fast Thinking

Dispatches

Inflection Points

UkraineAlert

MENASource

Econographics

Politics & Diplomacy

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

Content

Veterans can shape the future of Ukrainian democracy

After Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, what comes next?

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: A Father’s Cry, a Nation’s Future

Voices from Iran: As rejection of government reaches all-time high, Iranians also wary of foreign intervention

How the IMF can help Venezuela stabilize its economy

Digital sovereignty: Europe’s declaration of independence?

Transatlantic cooperation on protecting minors online

Putin cannot accept any peace deal that secures Ukrainian statehood

Greenland’s critical minerals require patient statecraft

Eight questions (and expert answers) on the SDF’s withdrawal from Syria’s Aleppo

Experts

Fatima Abbas

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Ahmed Aboudouh

Gbemisola Abudu

Aalaa Abuzaakouk

Events

The fight for influence in Venezuela against Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba

Kurt Campbell on what to expect from Trump’s Beijing visit

Gina McCarthy and the European Commission’s Teresa Ribera on climate cooperation

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