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="What did Blinken accomplish in Israel? More stealth progress on Israeli-Arab normalization.” 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="What did Blinken accomplish in Israel? More stealth progress on Israeli-Arab normalization.” 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
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2022-11-15T064654Z_760103484_RC24MX9ZW9LP_RTRMADP_3_G20-SUMMIT-1-scaled-e1741652706174-500x350.jpg" alt="What did Blinken accomplish in Israel? More stealth progress on Israeli-Arab normalization.” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

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

Feb 2, 2023

<strong>What did Blinken accomplish in Israel? More stealth progress on Israeli-Arab normalization.</strong>

By Daniel B. Shapiro

During his visit, the US secretary of state pressed the need and opportunity for expanding and deepening the process of regional integration represented by the Abraham Accords and the Negev Forum.

Crisis Management Israel

Issue Brief

Feb 1, 2023

Netanyahu’s coalition isn’t built to last: Expect high sparks within and fragile prospects for Israel’s incoming government

By Shalom Lipner

Competing agendas between the members of Israel's incoming government portend another unsustainable partnership.

Elections Israel

MENASource

Feb 1, 2023

<strong>Libya’s political impasse and the $6 billion question</strong>

By Alia Brahimi

On January 5, after months of talks brokered in Egypt, Libya’s rival legislative bodies finally agreed to begin discussions to develop the constitutional basis for elections.

Libya Middle East

In the News

Feb 1, 2023

Lipner interviewed by Formiche on Netanyahu’s dilemma between the US and the government.

By Atlantic Council

Israel Italian

UkraineAlert

Feb 1, 2023

Europe’s last empire: Putin’s Ukraine war exposes Russia’s imperial identity

By Botakoz Kassymbekova

Vladimir Putin's genocidal invasion of Ukraine has exposed modern Russia's unapologetically imperial identity but could yet lead to the collapse of the Kremlin's broader imperial ambitions, writes Botakoz Kassymbekova.

Belarus Central Asia

New Atlanticist

Jan 31, 2023

Escalating violence and right-wing provocations are threatening Netanyahu’s Abraham Accords agenda

By Alissa Pavia

If Israel's prime minister wants to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations, he will have to find a way to end the bloodshed—and keep a lid on his far-right ministers.

Extremism Israel

In the News

Jan 30, 2023

Charai in The Hill: The horrifying shift to lone gunman terrorism in Israel

By Ahmed Charai

Last week on the day of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, as the memory of those lost in the Holocaust was commemorated around the world, a lone gunman shot eight Israelis from his car window. The innocent victims were killed walking peacefully toward their neighborhood synagogue in Jerusalem. Israel plunged into mourning while fresh attacks drew […]

Americas Conflict

AfricaSource

Jan 30, 2023

<strong>How the international community can help restore Sudan’s democracy </strong>

By Sami Abdelhalim Saeed

A number of challenges confront Sudan on its road to democracy. How the country's leaders and the international community address them could either make or break the dreams of the 2019 revolution.

Africa Democratic Transitions

In the News

Jan 30, 2023

Karatnycky in the American Spectator: Tucker Carlson and Ukraine: Undoing the Reagan Legacy

By Atlantic Council

Media Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jan 30, 2023

Experts react: What’s behind the drone strike on an Iranian military facility?

By Atlantic Council experts

We turned to our experts on Iran, Israel, and the region to help explain the dynamics at play—and what’s coming next.

Iran Israel
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Experts

Fellow

R. Clarke Cooper

Distinguished fellow, Middle East Programs

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

Africa Defense Policy

Fellow

Scott Cooper

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Civil Society

Millennium fellow

Kim Córdova

Culture Journalist and Independent Curator

Civil Society Media

Fellow

Jonathan Corrado

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Indo-Pacific Korea

Fellow

Jennifer A. Counter

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Technologies Intelligence

Fellow

Dario Cristiani

Nonresident Senior Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English
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Events

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
Flagship Event Thu, April 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Global Prosperity Forum

The Global Prosperity Forum brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and scholars to explore actionable solutions for global development, freedom, democracy, and shared prosperity.
Entrepreneurship Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth Political Reform
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