What a Secretary of State Rubio means for the Middle East: Getting tougher on Iran and tighter with allies 

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
What a Secretary of State Rubio means for the Middle East: Getting tougher on Iran and tighter with allies 

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 Economic Sanctions
What a Secretary of State Rubio means for the Middle East: Getting tougher on Iran and tighter with allies 

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 21, 2025

What a Secretary of State Rubio means for the Middle East: Getting tougher on Iran and tighter with allies 

By Joze Pelayo

By straddling the Ronald Reagan-era and Trump-era Republican foreign policy worldviews, Rubio is now well-positioned to counterbalance isolationist voices within the president’s circle.  

Conflict Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Jan 21, 2025

Donald Trump’s promise of strong US leadership should begin with Ukraine

By Arseniy Yatsenyuk

By resolutely backing Ukraine, President Trump can prevent the slide toward World War III and reestablish US leadership in a world threatened by Putin's Axis of Autocrats, writes former Ukrainian PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

Conflict European Union

MENASource

Jan 21, 2025

The quest ahead for Lebanon’s new president: Secure a modern statehood

By Frederic C. Hof

Aoun knows what must be done to stabilize the Lebanon-Israel frontier. But the long game he wishes to contest and win centers on Lebanese statehood.

Democratic Transitions Elections

New Atlanticist

Jan 20, 2025

What to know about Trump’s day-one promise to take back the Panama Canal

By Jason Marczak

Trump's presidency can be an opportunity to further use the tools of the US government to advance the US business presence in Panama.

Americas Economy & Business

Fast Thinking

Jan 20, 2025

What Trump’s inaugural address means for the world

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council experts offer their insights on what the new US president announced on his first day back—and what to expect next.

Economy & Business Elections

Inflection Points Today

Jan 18, 2025

A Russian-Iranian inaugural gift for Trump

By Frederick Kempe

The new “comprehensive partnership agreement” between Moscow and Tehran is the latest example of greater coordination among the “axis of aggressors.”

China Conflict

In the News

Jan 17, 2025

Charai in National Interest: Donald Trump and the New Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2025

Eight big ideas for the second Trump administration

By Atlantic Council experts

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to shake up US policies early in his second term. Atlantic Council experts share eight ideas on where to start.

Economy & Business Elections

New Atlanticist

Jan 16, 2025

Trump has an advantage in upcoming USMCA trade talks. Here’s how his team can use it.

By Sophia Busch

The Trump administration should take stock of the economic leverage—and dependencies—the United States has with Mexico and Canada ahead of 2026.

Economy & Business Mexico

New Atlanticist

Jan 16, 2025

How Sheinbaum can strengthen US-Mexico ties in Trump’s first 100 days

By Rene Dominguez Castro

Decisions taken in the next few months about the US-Mexico relationship could shape the two nations’ bilateral ties for years to come.

Economy & Business Mexico
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Experts

Fellow

Alexandria J. Maloney

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Defense Policy

Fellow

Richard K. Bell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Heidi Hardt

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Transatlantic Security Initiative

Climate Change & Climate Action International Organizations

Advisory Council member

Vicky Kuperman

Global Advisor, Women for Prosperity

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Media Russia

Advisory Council member

Gordon Humphrey

Member, Freedom and Prosperity Center Advisory Council

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Disinformation Freedom and Prosperity

Fellow

Julie Recinos

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Human Rights
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Events

Online Event Tue, May 13, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Rethinking US policy options in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Economy & Business Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Fri, May 16, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Critical minerals and the pathways to prosperity, peace, and security in the DRC
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy
Online Event Fri, May 16, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Lucian Kim on “Putin’s Revenge” and Russia’s war on Ukraine
Europe & Eurasia Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy Ukraine