Akhtar as a webinar moderator at the University of Lahore Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research: COVID-19 | Kashmir in the Age of Detention: What Changes for the Kashmiris pre and post-Pandemic?

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
Akhtar as a webinar moderator at the University of Lahore Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research: COVID-19 | Kashmir in the Age of Detention: What Changes for the Kashmiris pre and post-Pandemic?

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
Akhtar as a webinar moderator at the University of Lahore Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research: COVID-19 | Kashmir in the Age of Detention: What Changes for the Kashmiris pre and post-Pandemic?

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

May 7, 2020

Akhtar as a webinar moderator at the University of Lahore Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research: COVID-19 | Kashmir in the Age of Detention: What Changes for the Kashmiris pre and post-Pandemic?

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Human Rights

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2020

After months of gridlock, Iraq gets a new government

By Atlantic Council

Iraq’s months-long quest to form a national government reached a major milestone on May 6 when a partial government under new prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was approved by lawmakers. Al-Kadhimi—who previously served as Iraq’s national intelligence chief—was nominated by Iraqi President Barham Salih on April 9 after two previous nominees failed to form a government. Although fifteen of the major cabinet posts were approved by the parliament, several others have not yet been confirmed—including foreign affairs, justice, oil, agriculture, and trade—due to failure to reach an agreement between major parties on their allocation.

Democratic Transitions Iraq

MENASource

May 7, 2020

New Iraqi government must face a pandemic and oil price drop

By Abbas Kadhim

The formation of a fully authorized government provides a chance for Iraq to address its most pressing twin crises.

Coronavirus Iraq

UkraineAlert

May 7, 2020

Putin woos Trump with WWII nostalgia but Russia’s hybrid war continues

By Eugene Czolij

Presidents Trump and Putin recently issued a joint statement praising the WWII meeting of US and Soviet troops as “an example of how our countries can build trust.” However, with Russia waging a hybrid war against the West, trust is in short supply.

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

May 7, 2020

How the coronavirus is cementing Iran’s tilt towards China

By Ali Dadpay

Tehran cannot do without China, but Beijing can do without Iran.

China Coronavirus

In the News

May 6, 2020

Robert Manning in Valdai on how COVID-19 aggravates great power competition

By Atlantic Council

Americas China

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2020

The US can do more to compensate for Pakistan’s sacrifices during the War on Terror: The plight of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui

By Dawood Ghazanavi

Proper attention to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's case can be a step in the right direction in recovering the relationship Pakistan's public has with its own government and the United States.

Pakistan Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

May 5, 2020

Beating coronavirus requires curbing United States’ political virus

By John Raidt

Without superb teamwork and cooperation across society, including our elected leadership, the country can’t possibly meet national challenges.

Coronavirus Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 5, 2020

Aid groups desperately look for other options to combat coronavirus

By Borzou Daragahi

The pandemic has prompted organizations to reconfigure the way they provide aid.

Coronavirus Middle East

New Atlanticist

May 5, 2020

Democratic solidarity and the road ahead

By Ana Palacio and Daniel Fried

The United States needs to lead in devising both immediate and systemic responses to the coronavirus challenge, but not alone. Leadership means neither diktat nor incantation of old formulas. It means using American convening power to adapt tested principles to new challenges, crystalizing friends and allies—transatlantic, transpacific and not forgetting hemispheric—around a common agenda.

Coronavirus G20
Load More

Experts

Staff

Ellie Sennett 

Editor

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Ivo Walinga

China Programme Officer, International Energy Agency

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Energy & Environment

Fellow

David H. Young

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Conflict

Staff

Tatevik Khachatryan

Assistant Director, Events

Armenian Digital Policy

Staff

Victoria J. Taylor 

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Millennium fellow

Chloe Demrovsky

Executive in Residence in Global Economy and Adjunct Assistant Professor, New York University

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Education
Load More

Events

Online Event Tue, August 26, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Accountability now: Liability for spyware harms
Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law
Public Event Thu, August 28, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Understanding IMEC: A pathway to connectivity amid global uncertainty
Economy & Business India International Markets Middle East