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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Samad quoted in BNN Bloomberg: How Afghanistan’s President Went From Hero to Villain-in-Hiding

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
Samad quoted in BNN Bloomberg: How Afghanistan’s President Went From Hero to Villain-in-Hiding

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
Samad quoted in BNN Bloomberg: How Afghanistan’s President Went From Hero to Villain-in-Hiding

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

In the News

Aug 18, 2021

Samad quoted in BNN Bloomberg: How Afghanistan’s President Went From Hero to Villain-in-Hiding

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 18, 2021

Samad quoted in Central Maine: How Afghanistan’s Ghani went from president to villain in hiding

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 18, 2021

Samad quoted in Bloomberg: How Afghanistan’s Ghani Went From President to Villain in Hiding

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 18, 2021

Nooruddin quoted in TV5Monde: On Afghanistan, Biden faces disappointed Americans and bitter allies

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 18, 2021

Nooruddin quoted in Euronews: What will happen next in Afghanistan, which came under the rule of the Taliban?

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 18, 2021

Nooruddin quoted in Global Bursa: What will happen next in Afghanistan under Taliban rule?

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 18, 2021

Nooruddin quoted in Radio Slobodna Evropa: The Taliban should not be trusted until they keep their promises

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 18, 2021

Samad quoted in Hot News Romania: From the providential hero to the “traitor” who fled the Taliban: How Ashraf Ghani went from a star in the West to a president without a country

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 18, 2021

Manning in The Hill: After hubris and humiliation in Afghanistan, will humility follow?

By Atlantic Council

On August 18, Robert Manning published an op-ed in The Hill entitled “After hubris and humiliation in Afghanistan, will humility follow?” Manning highlighted that, for the United States, there are “a surfeit of lessons to be learned — lessons about misjudging basic requirements of counter-insurgency; about the perils of mission creep and imposing US notions […]

Afghanistan English

In the News

Aug 18, 2021

Samad quoted in Fortune: How Ashraf Ghani went from Afghanistan’s President to pariah in hiding

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict
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Experts

Fellow

Marino Auffant

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Active affiliation

Olena Babakova

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Jieun Baek

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Democratic Transitions Human Rights

Staff

Kiran Baez

Program Assistant

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Central Asia Geopolitics & Energy Security

Staff

Elise Baker

Senior Staff Lawyer, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Dana L. Banks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business
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Events

Online Event Tue, March 24, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

The future of Iran’s axis of resistance
Iran Iraq Israel Lebanon
Online Event Thu, March 26, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Still watching: How Venezuela deploys surveillance to maintain political control
Democratic Transitions Intelligence Latin America National Security
Public Event Thu, March 26, 2026 • 2:30 pm ET

Gina McCarthy and the European Commission’s Teresa Ribera on climate cooperation
Climate Change & Climate Action Politics & Diplomacy
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