Politics & Diplomacy

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="Who is behind the killings of Kashmiri militants in Pakistan?” 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="Who is behind the killings of Kashmiri militants in Pakistan?” 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="Who is behind the killings of Kashmiri militants in Pakistan?” 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

SouthAsiaSource

Mar 20, 2023

<strong>Who is behind the killings of Kashmiri militants in Pakistan?</strong>

By Anonymous

Editor’s note: We have decided to retract this article because it did not go through the Atlantic Council's standard editorial process prior to publication and therefore did not meet our editorial standards. We regret the error.

Extremism India

Report

Mar 20, 2023

Humanitarian aid: Defining new areas of US-LAC collaboration

By Craig Faller and Patrick Paterson

The US humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) system—well practiced and extensively developed—could further serve US and partners’ needs in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and beyond through targeted improvements. Based on our experience as HADR practitioners with operational and academic expertise, we share insights from many years of working with partners in the Americas.

Americas Caribbean

UkraineAlert

Mar 19, 2023

Putin the Pariah: War crimes arrest warrant deepens Russia’s isolation

By Anders Åslund

The ICC decision to indict Putin for war crimes is a highly consequential step that will deepen Russia’s international isolation while weakening Putin’s personal position both at home and abroad, writes Anders Åslund.

Conflict Human Rights

UkraineAlert

Mar 19, 2023

ICC arrest warrant for Putin is a step toward ending Russian impunity

By Danielle Johnson

The International Criminal Court decision to issue an arrest warrant for Putin over his alleged role in the deportation of Ukrainian children has sparked a lively debate. Is the move truly historic or merely symbolic?

Conflict Human Rights

In the News

Mar 19, 2023

Hooker in the National Journal: Dramatic downing of US drone leads Congress to call for a new Black Sea strategy

Richard Hooker discusses that although the Black Sea region has garnered renewed attention since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year, this is not the first time the region has played a significant role in international relations. There is a critical need for a new Black Sea strategy, as the recent downing of an US drone demonstrates.

Conflict NATO

New Atlanticist

Mar 18, 2023

Experts react: Turkey moves to approve Finland’s NATO membership. Where does that leave Sweden?

By Atlantic Council experts

After Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would approve of Finland's membership in NATO, our experts break down what's next.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2023

Experts react: The International Criminal Court just issued an arrest warrant for Putin. Will he wind up behind bars? 

By Atlantic Council experts

The Russian president and the Russian commissioner for children’s rights stand accused of the war crime of abducting Ukrainian children, and more charges may follow.

International Norms Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2023

Montenegro’s presidential election is a litmus test of Russian influence in the Western Balkans

By Luka Ignac and Kevin Morris

Can Montenegro continue the regional trend of pro-Russian candidates and parties performing poorly? The international community should keep a close eye on this race.

Elections European Union

Fast Thinking

Mar 17, 2023

<strong>Is Finland moving into NATO without Sweden?</strong>

By Atlantic Council

After Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would push Finland's NATO accession without Sweden, our world-class experts explore what's next.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Mar 17, 2023

The earthquake in Syria: A crisis of nature and politics

By Samir Aita and Zedoun Alzoubi

Politics is the art of the possible, and the tragic earthquake has put Syria on the priority list again.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Fellow

Daniel P. Erikson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Economy & Business International Organizations

Fellow

Valeska Esch

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

European Union Germany

Fellow

Ali Faqeeh

Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Millennium fellow

Karim Farishta

Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense

Millennium Leadership Program

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Fellow

Andrew G. Farrand

Nonresident Senior Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Staff

Manal Fatima

Assistant Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Middle East North Africa
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Events

Public Event Tue, July 14, 2026 • 3:00 pm ET

Colombia’s government transition and the priorities ahead
Colombia Economy & Business Latin America Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Wed, July 15, 2026 • 1:30 pm ET

2026 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes launch
Corruption Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth Rule of Law