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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<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-03-18T104839Z_243668748_RC2MFDAYGWT2_RTRMADP_3_ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-GAZA-500x350.jpg" alt="Regional cyber powers are banking on a wired future. Expanding the Abraham Accords to cybersecurity will help.” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

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
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-03-14T170847Z_846619851_RC25DDARF2EA_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CRISIS-PUTIN-KURSK-500x350.jpg" alt="Regional cyber powers are banking on a wired future. Expanding the Abraham Accords to cybersecurity will help.” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

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
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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

MENASource

May 19, 2023

Regional cyber powers are banking on a wired future. <strong>Expanding the Abraham Accords to cybersecurity will help</strong>.

By Thomas S. Warrick

The Abraham Accord countries face threats from hostile actors, and defending their technology and their peoples is a challenge.

Cybersecurity Iran

MENASource

May 19, 2023

Experts react: Assad gets warm reception at Arab summit. Where does that leave the US and its allies?

By Qutaiba Idlbi, Gissou Nia, Michel Duclos, Emadeddin Badi

Atlantic Council experts react to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's attendance at the Arab League summit in Jeddah and explain its significance below. 

Human Rights Middle East

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2023

Can Arab League states ‘get something’ for readmitting Assad?

By Qutaiba Idlbi

Pre-summit conversations centered around three issues: the return of refugees, countering narcotics, and the reestablishing the state authority and institutions in Syria.

Conflict Middle East

In the News

May 19, 2023

Quirk in Just Security on adapting the US strategy towards hybrid regimes

On May 17, Scowcroft Strategy Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Patrick Quirk co-authored a piece for Just Security on the importance of developing a US strategy towards hybrid regimes that promotes US interests whilst remaining steadfast in the US' commitments to democratic values.

Africa Americas

UkraineAlert

May 18, 2023

Ukraine’s European integration is the key to a sustainable peace

By Stephen Nix, Zachary Popovich

Ukraine's full integration into the institutions of the Western world is the only way to end the threat of ongoing Russian aggression and secure a sustainable peace in Europe, write Stephen Nix and Zachary Popovich.

Conflict European Union

In the News

May 18, 2023

Cynkin in The Wall Street Journal, Politico, and Nikkei Asia

On May 17, IPSI Nonresident Senior Fellow Tom Cynkin was featured in Nikkei Asia and Politico, both regarding the G-7 summit. In Politico, he discusses the potential for a joint statement denouncing political coercion, explaining, “The question is how far can the Europeans be nudged towards something that’s stronger, that has more teeth as a […]

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

May 18, 2023

New Bernard Henri-Lévy documentary challenges Ukraine fatigue

By Melinda Haring, Jacob Heilbrunn

For anyone seeking to make sense of Russia’s war in Ukraine, viewing French public intellectual Bernard Henri-Lévy’s new feature-length documentary “Slava Ukraini” (“Glory to Ukraine”) isn’t an option. It’s a must.

Civil Society Conflict

MENASource

May 18, 2023

How the international community can help Libya’s political deadlock, according to local civil society actors

By Ali Alaspli, Farah Ali, and Mohamed Salem

In this piece, three Libyan civil society representatives give their take on the international community’s role in Libya.

Human Rights Libya

New Atlanticist

May 17, 2023

Ecuador’s president just invoked ‘mutual death’ to avoid impeachment. Here’s why it matters.

By Atlantic Council experts

President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador has used a rare constitutional mechanism to dissolve the National Assembly. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what it means and what comes next.

Americas Elections

New Atlanticist

May 16, 2023

Chile’s right is in the driver’s seat for creating a new constitution. Can it succeed?

By Ignacia Ulloa Peters

Chileans just elected members to the council meeting soon to deliberate about a new constitution. Two-thirds of the seats went to center-right and far-right candidates, who now need to agree on a constitution Chileans will vote on in December.

Americas Elections
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Experts

Fellow

Kristina Hook

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Fellow

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Millennium fellow

Jasneet Hora

Deputy Director of Speechwriting, Office of the Vice President, The White House

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

Fellow

Ivan Horodyskyy

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Eastern Europe English

Fellow

Tony Housh

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Jeffrey Hovenier

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Croatian Europe & Eurasia
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Events

Online Event Mon, March 16, 2026 • 10:30 am ET

What role should Europe play in the Middle East?
Conflict Europe & Eurasia European Union Middle East
Public Event Fri, March 20, 2026 • 2:00 pm ET

The fight for influence in Venezuela against Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba
Americas Latin America Politics & Diplomacy Venezuela
Public Event Mon, March 23, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Kurt Campbell on what to expect from Trump’s Beijing visit
China Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy Technology & Innovation
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