Surrounded by superpowers, Kazakhstan walks a geopolitical tightrope

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
Surrounded by superpowers, Kazakhstan walks a geopolitical tightrope

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
Surrounded by superpowers, Kazakhstan walks a geopolitical tightrope

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 5, 2025

Surrounded by superpowers, Kazakhstan walks a geopolitical tightrope

By Nargis Kassenova

Still a relatively young nation, Kazakhstan finds itself at critical juncture amid a series of domestic and geopolitical shocks. Its future depends on the success of economic liberalization efforts—and a delicate balancing act: The country must strengthen ties with the West and simultaneously manage its relations with powerful neighbors like Russia and China.

Central Asia Elections

UkraineAlert

Feb 4, 2025

Russia’s war against the West will continue until Putin tastes defeat

By Andriy Zagorodnyuk

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is part of a far larger war against the West. If he succeeds in Ukraine, Putin aims to destroy the existing rules-based world order and usher in a new era dominated by a handful of great powers, writes Andriy Zagorodnyuk.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

Balkans Debrief

Feb 4, 2025

How is the media covering Serbia’s protests? A Debrief with Igor Božić and Marko Prelević

Serbia is at a crossroads. What started as grief over the Novi Sad tragedy has become a full-scale protest movement, forcing Prime Minister’s Vučević’s resignation and even earning students a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. But with no clear leader, how is pro-government media responding? Is this the start of real change, or will […]

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Feb 4, 2025

The next German chancellor must lead from the front, not the middle, on European security

By Rachel Rizzo, James Batchik

From support for Ukraine to defense spending, German leaders would be wise to take the phrase Führung aus der Mitte permanently out of their vocabulary.

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist

Feb 4, 2025

On Greenland, Trump’s choice is warmed-over McKinley or a landmark security deal

By Daniel Fried

A new deal with Denmark could give the United States the military access it needs and provide a basis for shared costs.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 4, 2025

Demographic shifts in Spain call for reinvigorated reforms

By Toni Roldán Monés

While Spain continues to perform well in the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes, sustaining this performance will involve overhauling the education system, pursuing political reforms to enhance institutional strength, and preserving fiscal sustainability amidst changing demographics.

Economy & Business Education

New Atlanticist

Feb 4, 2025

Fearmongering from Western Balkan leaders is no longer working on their citizens—or the EU

By Agon Maliqi

The European Union has ample leverage to press its concerns on reforms, Russia policy, and regional stability to Western Balkan countries.

European Union Eurozone

MENASource

Feb 3, 2025

If the MENA region wants to unlock its youth potential, it should look to sports

By Hezha Barzani

As a golden era of sports takes shape in the Middle East and North Africa, the region has a unique opportunity to seize on this positive momentum to set up the young generation for success through sports.

Economy & Business Middle East

In the News

Feb 2, 2025

Grundman featured in Newsweek on Hegseth

By Atlantic Council

On February 2, Steve Grundman, a senior fellow at Forward Defense, was featured in a Newsweek article discussing the likelihood that Hegseth will serve Trump's full term as defense secretary.

Defense Policy National Security

New Atlanticist

Feb 2, 2025

Israeli-Saudi normalization is within reach. Here’s what Trump and Netanyahu need to do next.

By Daniel B. Shapiro

A carefully sequenced series of steps, beginning but extending beyond the two leaders’ meeting this week, has the best likelihood of success.

Israel Middle East
Load More

Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Antti Rauhala

Programme Officer, International Energy Agency (IEA)

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Staff

Kate Springs

Program Assistant, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms

Fellow

Helena Fee Rasch

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Daniel Di Giusto

Co-founder & Social Impact Strategist, Tech To The Rescue Foundation

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Civil Society

Fellow

Len Khodorkovsky

Nonresident senior fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Deng Liu

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

China East Asia
Load More

Events

Online Event Tue, May 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

What to expect from Germany’s next government
Elections Europe & Eurasia European Union Germany
Public Event Wed, May 7, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Taking stock: Bilateral ties after 100 days of the Trump administration
Economy & Business International Markets Latin America Mexico
Online Event Tue, May 13, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Rethinking US policy options in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Economy & Business Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy
Load More