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="Slovakia risks becoming another Hungary-style EU spoiler. How should the West respond?” 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="Slovakia risks becoming another Hungary-style EU spoiler. How should the West respond?” 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="Slovakia risks becoming another Hungary-style EU spoiler. How should the West respond?” 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

Dec 23, 2022

<strong>Slovakia risks becoming another Hungary-style EU spoiler. How should the West respond?</strong>

By Petr Tůma

The transatlantic community should motivate the opponents of nationalist Robert Fico to get together to prevent a Slovak shift toward Hungary and Russia.

Central Europe Corruption

MENASource

Dec 23, 2022

2022: A year in the Middle East

By Nour Alhajjeh and Madeline Hart 

2022 was a year full of unprecedented protests, groundbreaking state visits, historical elections, and new challenges for the Middle East and North Africa.

Iran Iraq

In the News

Dec 23, 2022

Lipner quoted in Financial Times: Netanyahu forges most rightwing government in Israeli history
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Atlantic Debrief

Dec 23, 2022

#AtlanticDebrief – What happened this year? | A Debrief from the Debrief hosts

The hosts of Atlantic, Balkans, and Britain Debrief all sit down together for a to debrief their Debriefs of 2022 and a look ahead to 2023.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2022

Congress just passed a big change to war crimes law. Here’s what it means for Ukraine and beyond.

By Gissou Nia

Now, the US can prosecute war crimes whenever the alleged perpetrator is on US soil, regardless of the perpetrator's nationality or where the crime was committed.

Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2022

The Atlantic Council’s 22 greatest hits of 2022

By Frederick Kempe

Our work to help inform policymakers and the public as we craft solutions to the world’s most difficult challenges has never felt more urgent. Here's the best of our efforts from a tumultuous 2022.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

UkraineAlert

Dec 22, 2022

Will Putin force Belarus to join the Russian invasion of Ukraine?

By Alesia Rudnik

Vladimir Putin traveled to Minsk this week for the first time in three-and-a-half years, fueling speculation that he is seeking to pressure Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka into joining the failing invasion of Ukraine.

Belarus Conflict

SouthAsiaSource

Dec 22, 2022

<strong>Afghanistan and regional realignments since August 2021</strong>

By South Asia Center

When looking towards future solutions, there is no easy fix for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Central Asia

IranSource

Dec 22, 2022

<strong>I’m a former Syrian civil society activist. Syrians can’t tell Iranians how to win, but we can share lessons we learned the hard way.</strong>

By Ibrahim Al-Assil

Be the Iran you want to see.

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Dec 22, 2022

<strong>Rishi Sunak needs to do away with caution to deliver on his promise of evolutionary foreign policy</strong>

By James Batchik

With Russia’s upending of Europe’s security and the geopolitical shift toward the Indo-Pacific, the UK prime minister needs to offer more if Britain is to be a partner of first resort.

Europe & Eurasia International Organizations
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Experts

Staff

Nibras Basitkey

Associate Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Abdelhak Bassou

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Disinformation

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy

Fellow

Ridhika Batra

Nonresident Senior Fellow, India

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Emilie Bel

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Arvid Bell

CEO and Co-Founder, Anadyr Horizon

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business
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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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