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="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.” 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="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.” 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="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.” 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

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

New Atlanticist

Dec 22, 2022

Why Ecuador’s president announced his re-election plans in Washington

By Isabel Chiriboga

At an event co-hosted by the Atlantic Council at the Inter-American Dialogue, Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso announce his plans to run for re-election in 2025—and hinted that Washington could be a useful campaign ally.

Americas Economy & Business
Diplomatic men sitting around a table in discussion

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 22, 2022

Turkey learns that hard power is a global common currency: Defense diplomacy elevates Ankara’s status on the international stage

By Ken Moriyasu

Turkey's growing assertiveness and military capabilities are providing new angles for cooperation with existing partners and unlocking new partnership opportunities.

Central Asia Conflict

In the News

Dec 22, 2022

Wechsler and Shapiro mentioned by 2M on the work of the N7 Conference on Education and Coexistence
French Middle East

In the News

Dec 22, 2022

N7 Conference on Education and Coexistence featured in DW Arabic as potential key to normalization
Arabic Middle East

In the News

Dec 22, 2022

Wechsler and Shapiro quoted in Al Quds Al-Arabi promoting collaboration through education and coexistence
Arabic Middle East

In the News

Dec 22, 2022

Shapiro joins Morocco World News to discuss education and coexistence at N7 Conference
English Middle East

In the News

Dec 22, 2022

Garlauskas, Gilbert, and Imai Featured in Air & Space Forces Magazine

On December 21, IPSI Nonresident Senior Fellow Markus Garlauskas, Associate Director Lauren Gilbert, and Program Assistant Kyoko Imai were quoted in the Air & Space Forces Magazine for their work, “A next-generation agenda for US-ROK-Japan cooperation.”

Democratic Transitions Indo-Pacific

In the News

Dec 22, 2022

Wechsler and Shapiro Interviewed by Al Hurra on N7 Conference on Education and Coexistence
Arabic Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Constance Berry Newman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Nicole Bibbins Sedaca

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Pavlo Bilodid

International Communications Lead, DTEK Group

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Arjun Bisen

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Australia Digital Policy

Fellow

Michael Bociurkiw

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Ukraine International Organizations

Fellow

Tom Bonsundy-O’Bryan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center Millennium Leadership Program

Africa 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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