Politics & Diplomacy

Why Putin won’t invade Ukraine

By Harlan Ullman

By conflating three vital Russian national-security interests into four demands, the Russian leader created internal contradictions and conflicts that would make a military intervention in Ukraine disastrous.

Experts react: Biden administration decision to split frozen Afghan funds

By Atlantic Council Experts

On February 11, 2022, US President Joe Biden issued an executive order paving the way for the splitting of $7 billion in frozen funds controlled by the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This move has caused significant controversy.

Putin has seriously wounded Ukraine’s economy without firing a single shot

By Anders Åslund

Even without physically invading Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is already causing the country great economic losses. The West cannot stand by and watch this happen, explains Anders Åslund.

On Afghanistan’s $7B question, Biden gets it right

By Brian O’Toole

The administration has been playing kabuki to ensure at least some cash makes it to the Afghan people.

AC Selects: China’s digital currency development and relations with Russia

Week of February 11, 2022 This week, the Global China Hub hosted an #ACFrontPage conversation with Former Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd and Former National Security Advisor to the President of the United States to discuss the strategic implications of a new era of China-Russia relations. Meanwhile, the GeoEconomics Center hosted an event to […]

The Afghan refugee crisis: How to resurrect the global refugee resettlement coalition

By Rory Stewart

Six months after the fall of Kabul, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated at an alarming rate. The threat of famine and economic collapse looms over the entire country. Consequently, many Afghans are fleeing both these appalling conditions and the oppressive Taliban that now control the country.

Sino-Iranian relations

By Atlantic Council

Professor Anoushrivan Ehteshami joins the China-MENA podcast to discuss China-Iran relations and the state of the bilateral relationship.

Iran’s troubling execution rates show no sign of slowing down in 2022

By Skylar Thompson

The Islamic Republic has long been, and remains, a leading executioner. Despite sustained international pressure, in 2021, the rate of executions increased 26 percent from the previous year.