Politics & Diplomacy

How Kazakhstan could shift Putin’s calculus on Ukraine

By John E. Herbst

The unrest poses a question for Putin: Should he continue his intimidation campaign on his western flank or address the dangers to his south? 

The American torch of democracy is flickering

By Daniel Fried

It won't be easy to fix what led to this radicalization—but nor will it be easy to overthrow American democracy.

Appeasing Putin in Ukraine would be disastrous for European security

By Stephen Blank

Any attempt to appease Moscow and Beijing over Ukraine and Taiwan would be a dangerous betrayal of Western values that would invite bolder acts of aggression against a much more enfeebled West.

Kazakhstan is in chaos. Here’s why the West should be watching.

By Dan Peleschuk

Atlantic Council experts break down what's at stake for Russia, energy supplies, and the future of the strategically located Central Asian nation.

Infographic: What’s ahead for Venezuela after January 5, 2022

Three years since the interim government came to be, Venezuela’s political crisis remains unresolved. Opposition forces continue to face deep challenges – both internal and external – to restore democratic institutions. The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council created an infographic that looks back at the interim government’s trajectory since 2019 and […]

AC Selects: Highlights from 360/StratCom 2021

Week of December 12, 2021 The Digital Forensic Research Lab hosts its annual government-to-government forum, 360/StratCom, on the margins of the Biden Administration’s Summit for Democracy. The three-day forum convened government officials from allied countries with civil society leaders and industry representatives. Watch a series of private and public conversations on everything from digital policy […]

Putin’s pick for Belarus ambassador reveals Russia’s imperial agenda

By Brian Whitmore

This year marks the centenary of the USSR. The appointment of heavyweight figure Gryzlov as Moscow's envoy to Belarus suggests Putin intends to mark this anniversary by putting the old empire back together again.