Politics & Diplomacy

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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Experts react: The US and Iran just announced an interim peace deal. Here’s what we know so far.

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
Experts react: The US and Iran just announced an interim peace deal. Here’s what we know so far.

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
Experts react: The US and Iran just announced an interim peace deal. Here’s what we know so far.

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

Dispatches

Jun 14, 2026

Experts react: The US and Iran just announced an interim peace deal. Here’s what we know so far.

By Atlantic Council experts

As details emerge, our experts are sharing their insights on what we know—and still don’t know—about the deal, and what to expect next.

Conflict Iran

Issue Brief

Jun 12, 2026

A renewed security and cooperation agenda for Colombia’s next government

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

As Colombia heads to its presidential runoff election June 21, the next government will inherit a security crisis that requires a renewed US-Colombia agenda for dismantling criminal governance structures and the financial networks that sustain them.

Americas Colombia

Dispatches

Jun 12, 2026

It’s not a ‘deal.’ But Trump’s memorandum with Iran can be the start of something bigger.

By Jonathan Panikoff

What appears to be emerging now is a rough outline and high-level explanation of the concepts that an eventual deal could include.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jun 12, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on BBC on Iran negotiations

By Atlantic Council

On June 11, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on BBC about ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Jun 12, 2026

Seven charts that will define France’s G7 summit

By GeoEconomics Center experts

As world leaders gather in Évian-les-Bains for the Group of Seven summit, issues from energy to artificial intelligence will be on the agenda.

Artificial Intelligence Economy & Business

Balkans Debrief

Jun 12, 2026

Unpacking the new US Western Balkans strategy | A Debrief with Fleck, Piscevic, Zeneli & Thorpe

Resident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare sits down with four Atlantic Council experts to discuss the new US report to Congress on policy toward the Western Balkans.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Jun 11, 2026

The Iran war is a game of liar’s poker

By Khalid Azim

The central question has not simply been who possesses power, but who is willing to absorb pain, tolerate risk, and continue escalating when conventional logic suggests restraint.

Conflict Iran

Fast Thinking

Jun 11, 2026

Is this the end of the Iran war? 

By Atlantic Council

Our experts break down the latest strikes and Trump's announcement of a pending deal to end the conflict.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Jun 10, 2026

From a gap to a chasm: Diverging US and Israeli interests in the war with Iran

By Daniel B. Shapiro

The once-modest gap between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump has widened in recent weeks.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Jun 10, 2026

How energy could redefine the US role in the Western Balkans

By Agon Maliqi

A new report from the Trump administration redefines the US goal as effectively being “stability … as a means of pursuing economic cooperation.”

Economy & Business Energy & Environment
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Experts

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

James E. Baker

Distinguished Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Nitansha Bansal

Associate Director

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Advisory Council member

Martha Bárcena

Former Ambassador of Mexico to the United States

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business
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Events

Public Event Tue, July 14, 2026 • 3:00 pm ET

Colombia’s government transition and the priorities ahead
Colombia Economy & Business Latin America Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Wed, July 15, 2026 • 1:30 pm ET

2026 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes launch
Corruption Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth Rule of Law