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="People-to-people exchanges matter. They’re integral to nurturing the Abraham Accords.” 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="People-to-people exchanges matter. They’re integral to nurturing the Abraham Accords.” 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="People-to-people exchanges matter. They’re integral to nurturing the Abraham Accords.” 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

MENASource

Jan 26, 2023

<strong>People-to-people exchanges matter. They’re integral to nurturing the Abraham Accords.</strong>

By Richard LeBaron

This piece identifies some of the issues involved in creating a strong framework for a vital “Abraham Exchanges” program and proposes a few ideas on how to get it off the ground.

Israel Middle East

SouthAsiaSource

Jan 26, 2023

How a health attache can elevate global health diplomacy

By South Asia Center

In his recently published issue brief "Health attaches are the missing link in global diplomacy," non-resident senior fellow Dr. Edmond Fernandes argues that health attaches are the missing piece in diplomacy. To launch the brief, the South Asia Center convened a panel of experts.

Coronavirus International Organizations

Experts react

Jan 25, 2023

Experts react: The US opens up Caribbean energy supplies with a sanctions exception for Venezuela. What does it mean for the region?

By Atlantic Council experts

The agreement would boost Caribbean energy supplies while creating an exception for some US sanctions on Caracas—without allowing cash payments to go to President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

Caribbean Energy & Environment

UkraineAlert

Jan 25, 2023

Scholz tank drama casts unflattering light on Germany’s Russia problem

By Diane Francis

After months of debates and delays, Germany finally succumbed to international pressure on January 25 and announced that it would be delivering German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine and allowing others to do so.

Conflict Defense Industry

Experts react

Jan 25, 2023

Experts react: The West finally sends in the tanks. What will they mean for Ukraine’s fight?

By Atlantic Council experts

Is this a turning point for Germany’s participation in arming Ukraine? Our experts lay out what’s next.

Conflict Defense Policy

China-MENA Podcast

Jan 24, 2023

China’s Vision for a New World Order

By Atlantic Council

Nadege Rolland joins us to discuss China's support and dissatisfaction with the existing global order and whether the country will continue to support or try to change it via Chinese-led initiatives.

China East Asia

In the News

Jan 24, 2023

Auerswald for Foreign Policy Analysis: Explaining Variations in Legislative Oversight over the Armed Forces

On January 4, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow David Auerswald published a report in Foreign Policy Analysis that analyzes the role of legislative oversight of civil-military relations in 15 nations around the world.

Europe & Eurasia Poland

UkraineAlert

Jan 24, 2023

Putin is facing defeat in the information war

By Peter Dickinson

Russia's entire invasion of Ukraine has been built on a web of deceit but Putin is now facing defeat in the information war as the gap between the Kremlin's alternative reality and the real world becomes too big to bridge.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Jan 24, 2023

Wartime Ukraine must maintain course from Russian past to European future

By Andrew D’Anieri

As Russia continues its genocidal war against Ukraine, it is more important than ever for Kyiv to maintain its commitment to the European future that so many Ukrainians are currently fighting for, writes Andrew D’Anieri.

Civil Society Conflict

In the News

Jan 24, 2023

Grigas in Foreign Affairs: Will Ukraine Wind Up Making Territorial Concessions to Russia?

By Atlantic Council

Politics & Diplomacy Ukraine
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Experts

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Patrick Slovik

Director, Financial System Surveillance and Policy, Central Bank of the UAE

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Advisory Council member

Clifford Sobel

Former United States Ambassador to Brazil

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Brazil Economy & Business

Fellow

Katerina Sokou

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

English European Union

Fellow

Jake Sotiriadis

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Millennium fellow

Olena Sotnyk

Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine

Millennium Leadership Program

Human Rights Political Reform

Fellow

Bartholomew Sparrow

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
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Events

Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Thu, May 14, 2026 • 4:00 pm ET

Trade over aid: Prosperity for the US and the developing world
Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society United States and Canada
Online Event Mon, May 18, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Warsaw Week 2026
Defense Industry Defense Policy Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense