Amid US uncertainty in Syria, Kurdish YPG eyes bolstering ties with Russia

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
Amid US uncertainty in Syria, Kurdish YPG eyes bolstering ties with Russia

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
Amid US uncertainty in Syria, Kurdish YPG eyes bolstering ties with Russia

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

MENASource

Mar 23, 2020

Amid US uncertainty in Syria, Kurdish YPG eyes bolstering ties with Russia

By Matthew Ayton

The YPG leadership is said to be reassessing the strategic importance of its ties with what is an increasingly unreliable Washington, and is looking to further diversify its portfolio of international partners, with an eye toward strengthening ties with Russia.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 22, 2020

Haring and Klain in The National Interest: Why Autocrats Love Coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

Authoritarian leaders are constantly searching for scapegoats, working to rile up the fears of their populace, and trying to tighten their grips. To them, the coronavirus pandemic is a bonanza—the liberal democracies that would typically call them out for their violence and repression are distracted with the necessities of stopping the virus in their home […]

Central Asia Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2020

What the G20 needs to do to combat the global coronavirus economic crisis

By Hung Tran

The stakes for the upcoming G20 virtual summit are quite high. Either it succeeds in presenting a plausible global approach to deal with the pandemic and its impact, thus stabilizing public confidence and financial markets, or it can leave the world rudderless in the storm.

Coronavirus G20

Inflection Points

Mar 21, 2020

How the U.S. can avoid COVID-19’s geopolitical perils

By Frederick Kempe

We’re only in the opening scenes of this epic COVID-19 drama, which will continue without intermission. The Chinese rebound could prove to be a welcome twist in the plot. Imagine the far-happier ending, however, if the United States and its global allies manage to join forces globally even as they isolate socially.

China Coronavirus

In the News

Mar 21, 2020

Kadhim quoted in Saudi Gazette on Iraq’s measures to restrict public gatherings amid coronavirus outbreak

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Iraq

In the News

Mar 20, 2020

Dagres joins The Monocle to discuss the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 20, 2020

Dagres quoted in The Cairo Review of Global Affairs on Iran’s elections and coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Elections

In the News

Mar 20, 2020

Dagres quoted in The Monocle on US policy vis-à-vis Iran in light of COVID-19

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Economic Sanctions

In the News

Mar 20, 2020

Kadhim quoted in Al-Monitor on US presence in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Mar 20, 2020

Iranian new year begins with a growing coronavirus crisis

By Mehrnaz Samimi

According to a Persian expression, “Springtime reveals what kind of a year we’d have,” meaning that should a year start well, it would continue and end well. If spring is unpleasant, however, one cannot hope for a good year.

Coronavirus Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Amir Asmar

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Intelligence Israel

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Anna Ascani

Vice President of the Chamber, Italy Chamber of Deputies

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Education

Fellow

Elizabeth Shortino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

Fellow

Tatiana Gfoeller

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Arabic Central Asia

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

Millennium fellow

Alexandra Hubbard-Gourlay

Senior Director, Laurel Strategies

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Media
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Understanding IMEC: A pathway to connectivity amid global uncertainty
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