Reality Check #1: Build cooperation cycles, not security spirals

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
Reality Check #1: Build cooperation cycles, not security spirals

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 Economic Sanctions
Reality Check #1: Build cooperation cycles, not security spirals

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

Reality Check

Feb 18, 2021

Reality Check #1: Build cooperation cycles, not security spirals

By Emma Ashford

Confidence building measures could help to prevent escalation and create a virtuous cycle of cooperation and reciprocity.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

UkraineAlert

Feb 18, 2021

Ukraine adopts new and improved referendum law

By Alisa Shushkovska and Harald Jepsen

Ukraine's recently adopted National Referendum Law fulfills an election promise made by President Zelenskyy to give the people of Ukraine greater and more direct influence over national policies.

Democratic Transitions Elections

SouthAsiaSource

Feb 18, 2021

The republican system is our only clear pathway to long-term peace in Afghanistan

By Omar Sadr

The prospect of a political settlement with the Taliban is testing Afghanistan’s nascent democracy more than ever before in the last eighteen years. Indeed, the country’s hard-won republican system, which the Taliban opposes in favor of a narrow Islamic Emirate, is currently facing an existential threat. It must be protected and strengthened at all costs.

Afghanistan Democratic Transitions

In the News

Feb 18, 2021

Christopher Preble on War on the Rocks: Should Europe defend itself?

By Atlantic Council

On February 18, Christopher Preble and co-hosts Melanie Marlowe (CSIS) and Zack Cooper (AEI) waded into the long-running debate on European defense in the War on the Rocks Net Assessment podcast, entitled “Should Europe Defend Itself?”. Some doubt that Europe will ever be able to stand on its own without substantial support from the United […]

English NATO

In the News

Feb 17, 2021

Nawaz to join American Muslim Institution to discuss the future of democracy in South Asia

By Atlantic Council

India Internet

In the News

Feb 17, 2021

Blanford quoted in Gulf News on religion in the Lebanese government
Lebanon Middle East

In the News

Feb 17, 2021

Al-Masri in Open Canada: A lesson not learned
Middle East Political Reform

BelarusAlert

Feb 17, 2021

Soviet-style Belarus dictator goes back to the future

By Vladislav Davidzon

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka's recent People's Assembly was a Soviet-style affair designed to help him reclaim leadership of the country following six months of nationwide pro-democracy protests.

Belarus Civil Society

MENASource

Feb 17, 2021

Responding to Iranian proxies in Iraq: Lowering the cost of accountability

By C. Anthony Pfaff

Rather than being faced with doing nothing, leaving, or being kicked out, such a joint approach can make the US the more attractive partner, undermine Iran’s ability to control the narrative, and improve prospects for future security cooperation.

Iran Iraq

In the News

Feb 17, 2021

Lipner quoted in Norra Skane on the recent Biden-Netanyahu meeting
Israel Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Fabio Petito

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Lukasz Lisicki

Policy Assistant to the Director-General for Energy, European Commission

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Energy & Environment

Fellow

Rza Aliyev

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Azerbaijani Central Asia

Fellow

Henrique Arevalo Poincot

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Elections Latin America

Fellow

Rend Al-Rahim

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

Millennium fellow

Hasan Nabulsi

Communications and Media Manager, Office of the Crown Prince of Jordan

Millennium Leadership Program

Media Middle East
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Events

Online Event Fri, August 15, 2025 • 8:00 am ET

US-Japan global partnership in Central Asia
Central Asia China Energy & Environment Japan
Online Event Fri, August 15, 2025 • 4:30 pm ET

Senators Bernie Moreno and Rubén Gallego on US-Colombia ties
Economy & Business Latin America Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense