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.
![Manning in Voice of America Korea: “US experts warn North Korea of criticism of Afghanistan, ‘Do not test United States-South Korea alliance'” [translated from Korean]](https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-07-23T101723Z_350852597_RC2S1MA17IC7_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-2026-PHOTOS-500x350.jpg)


