China’s authoritarian trend meets resistance in East Asia and the Pacific

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
China’s authoritarian trend meets resistance in East Asia and the Pacific

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 Economic Sanctions
China’s authoritarian trend meets resistance in East Asia and the Pacific

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

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 26, 2024

China’s authoritarian trend meets resistance in East Asia and the Pacific

By Kelley E. Currie

China's influence shapes political and economic dynamics in East Asia and the Pacific. Despite resistance, its practices hinder freedom across the region. Youth movements demand responsive systems. Weak institutions and challenges like inequality persist, requiring diversified economic strategies and strengthened democracies to navigate regional complexities.

China Democratic Transitions

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 26, 2024

Egypt grapples with political uncertainty under El-Sisi

By Rabah Arezki

Egypt faces economic challenges with heavy debt and political unrest. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's reelection may not prompt reforms, exacerbating inflation and currency devaluation. Gulf aid hinges on reforms, while militarization impedes change. Regional tensions heighten instability risks.

Conflict Elections

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 26, 2024

China must spread its wealth to reach equality

By Johanna Kao

Despite phenomenal growth in GDP, Chinese people have seen only modest gains (if any) across a range of freedom and prosperity indices. The Chinese Communist Party has failed to share the benefits of the country’s upward economic trajectory equally among its citizens.

China Civil Society

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 26, 2024

Sub-Saharan Africa grapples with development imperatives

By William Easterly

Sub-Saharan Africa confronts urgent development challenges, including the imperative for democratization and institution building, amid critical security concerns. With declining foreign support and China's Belt and Road Initiative rising, worries arise over debt and politicized financing. Despite potential through regional integration, diverse political interests and institutional weaknesses remain obstacles.

Africa Democratic Transitions

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 26, 2024

South Africa needs political change to meet economic demands

By Greg Mills

South Africa's future hinges on political changes, especially the potential shift to a coalition government in the 2024 election. Economic challenges, including rising debt, demand urgent reforms. Global alliances, notably with BRICS and China, affect trade dynamics, emphasizing the need for diversification.

Africa Elections

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 26, 2024

Economic challenges are a barrier to Argentina’s prosperity

By Guido Sandleris

In Argentina's recent election, libertarian economist Javier Milei won by 11 percent, tapping into economic discontent. His platform stressed freedom and spending cuts, but facing challenges like hyperinflation and fiscal deficits, he may need to moderate his approach for success.

Argentina Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 25, 2024

Marc Polymeropoulos cited in the New York Post on Russian election interference

Marc Polymeropoulos comments on the Smirnov indictment, Russian interference, and 2020 US presidential election.

Elections United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2024

Inside the United States’ plan to compete with China in the Global South

By Katherine Golden

China "is advancing an alternative vision for global governance," Daniel J. Kritenbrink, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs warned.

China Freedom and Prosperity

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2024

Russia’s blocked assets: A ‘non-collateral collateral’ plan could be the way forward

By Charles Lichfield

Instead of seizing Russia’s immobilized sovereign assets outright, G7 members seem instead to be aligning around “unlocking their value.”

Conflict Economy & Business

Atlantic Debrief

Feb 23, 2024

#AtlanticDebrief – What are the key trends in the European elections? | A Debrief from Fabian Zuleeg

Jörn Fleck sits down with Chief Executive of the European Policy Centre Fabian Zuleeg to discuss the upcoming European elections and implications for Europe and transatlantic relations.

European Union Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Staff

Victoria J. Taylor 

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Millennium fellow

Chloe Demrovsky

Executive in Residence in Global Economy and Adjunct Assistant Professor, New York University

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Education

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Kristina Kempkey

Former Senior Advisor, USAID

Millennium Leadership Program

International Organizations National Security

Staff

Torrey Taussig

Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Jacobo Ramos Folch

Policy Manager, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Jeffrey Hovenier

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Croatian Europe & Eurasia
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Events

Public Event Wed, September 17, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

How the Russian Orthodox Church supports the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights
Public Event Tue, September 23, 2025 • 3:30 pm ET

Spain’s foreign minister on Madrid’s approach to European and global security

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno shares Spain's strategy for Europe, NATO's southern flank, and the transatlantic alliance.

Europe & Eurasia NATO Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
Public Event Mon, September 29, 2025 • 12:00 pm ET

Former Senegalese President Macky Sall on Africa’s rising global role

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Former President of Senegal and Chairperson of the African Union Macky Sall will discuss Africa’s economic and security outlook.
Africa Economy & Business General Africa North & West Africa