Dispatch from Doha: Assad’s fall, Iran’s weakness, and the impact of unintended consequences

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
Dispatch from Doha: Assad’s fall, Iran’s weakness, and the impact of unintended consequences

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
Dispatch from Doha: Assad’s fall, Iran’s weakness, and the impact of unintended consequences

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 9, 2024

Dispatch from Doha: Assad’s fall, Iran’s weakness, and the impact of unintended consequences

By Jonathan Panikoff

In just six months, Iran has slid from a position of strength to perhaps the weakest it has been since 1979.

Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Dec 8, 2024

Experts react: Rebels have toppled the Assad regime. What’s next for Syria, the Middle East, and the world?

By Atlantic Council experts

Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has been ousted as opposition forces quickly took the Syrian capital. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the developments.

Conflict Corruption

New Atlanticist

Dec 6, 2024

Romania annulled its presidential election results amid alleged Russian interference. What happens next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts answer six burning questions on the Romanian Constitutional Court’s decision to annul first-round presidential election results after allegations of Russian interference.

Central Europe Disinformation

In the News

Dec 6, 2024

Elliot Ackerman in the Atlantic on semantics and the War Department

On December 5, Elliot Ackerman, non-resident senior fellow at Forward Defense, published a piece on the successes and failures of the Department of Defense and advocates for its renaming.

Political Reform Security & Defense

TURKEYSource

Dec 6, 2024

What the US-Turkey relationship will look like during Trump 2.0

By Rich Outzen

The second Trump term presents new opportunities and risks for US-Turkey relations.

Elections Middle East

New Atlanticist

Dec 5, 2024

Could Syria’s rebels take Damascus?

By Qutaiba Idlbi

Controlling Aleppo was a big deal for the Syrian rebels, and taking Hama was an even bigger achievement. But Damascus remains the real prize.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Dec 5, 2024

How Congress can thwart the flow of fentanyl using economic statecraft

By David Mortlock

The United States should use sanctions to target entities involved in the fentanyl trade, and Congress can take action to make that approach more effective.

China Economic Sanctions

MENASource

Dec 5, 2024

What does Turkey gain from the rebel offensive in Syria?

By Ömer Özkizilcik

The rebel offensive took many by surprise, but analysts familiar with the situation in Syria were aware that the rebels were prepared to launch it by mid-October.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Dec 5, 2024

Experts react: France’s government lost a no-confidence vote. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts share their insights on the collapse of the French government after Prime Minister Michel Barnier lost a no-confidence vote.

Economy & Business Elections

UkraineAlert

Dec 5, 2024

Ukraine’s entrepreneurial class can drive the country’s economic recovery

By Anton Waschuk

The Ukrainian SME sector has demonstrated remarkable wartime resilience and is poised to be at the forefront of efforts to create a modern, innovative, postwar economy, writes Anton Waschuk.

Conflict Defense Industry
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Experts

Staff

Emily E. Kim

Project Assistant

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Korea Security & Defense

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Anna Ascani

Vice President of the Chamber, Italy Chamber of Deputies

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Education

Fellow

Elizabeth Shortino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

Fellow

Achilles Tsirgis

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business European Union

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Antti Rauhala

Programme Officer, International Energy Agency (IEA)

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Staff

Kate Springs

Program Assistant, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms
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Events

Online Event Tue, May 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

What to expect from Germany’s next government
Elections Europe & Eurasia European Union Germany
Public Event Wed, May 7, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Taking stock: Bilateral ties after 100 days of the Trump administration
Economy & Business International Markets Latin America Mexico
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