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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Ankara and Washington can build on recent groundwork to improve relations and stability

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
Ankara and Washington can build on recent groundwork to improve relations and stability

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
Ankara and Washington can build on recent groundwork to improve relations and stability

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

Report

Mar 11, 2026

Ankara and Washington can build on recent groundwork to improve relations and stability

By Murat Yeşiltaş

The US-Turkey relationship can progress not only through crisis-producing issues but also through crisis-preventing areas of agreement.

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

Report

Mar 11, 2026

Foe or friend? US-Turkey bilateral relations seem set to improve as interests align

By Rich Outzen

If Turkey and the US pursue compatible goals and interests, room remains to balance internal political benefits with geopolitical cooperation.

Conflict Defense Policy

Report

Mar 11, 2026

Q&A with Rep. James Walkinshaw (VA-11)

By Atlantic Council Turkey Program

A Q&A with Congressman James Walkinshaw on US-Turkey relations, the Caucus on US-Turkish Relations and Turkish Americans, and Congress’s role in foreign policymaking.

NATO NATO Partnerships

Report

Mar 11, 2026

Navigating change: US-Turkish defense relations in 2026

By Atlantic Council Turkey Program

The sixth issue of the Defense Journal by Atlantic Council Turkey Program, takes up several of the regional, military-technical, and policy issues in US-Turkish relations.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Mar 10, 2026

Western leaders must abandon false hopes of negotiated peace with Putin

By Oleksandr Merezhko

If Western leaders seek a sustainable peace in Europe, they must abandon false hopes of a negotiated deal with Putin and instead demonstrate the kind of resolve that will make Russia listen, writes Oleksandr Merezhko.

Conflict European Union

In the News

Mar 10, 2026

Galicia interviewed on News4JAX on the ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran

On March 10, 2026, Scowcroft Center Assistant Director for Strategy and Operations, Bailey Galicia, was interviewed on News4JAX on the ongoing conflict with Iran. He discusses US posture in the Middle East and implications for regional partners.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Mar 10, 2026

When the Iran operation is finished, Trump should prioritize ending the war in Ukraine

By William B. Taylor

US President Donald Trump has the ability to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the killing—if Trump uses the appropriate leverage.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Dispatches

Mar 10, 2026

Has the EU found a ‘magic bullet’ to its enlargement conundrum or a new distraction?

By Agon Maliqi

A proposal for European Union enlargement would offer new member states a kind of second-class status, effectively creating a two-tier EU.

European Union Eurozone

Dispatches

Mar 6, 2026

Washington’s limited levers to shape a post-Khamenei Iran

By Nate Swanson, Ingrid Small

The United States and its allies do have some options to coax change that might result in a more Western-leaning Tehran.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Mar 6, 2026

How the White House’s plan B on tariffs can give it all the trade leverage it needs

By Mark Linscott

The US Supreme Court recently struck down IEEPA tariffs, which the White House had used as leverage in trade talks, but there are other options.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Fellow

Amany Qaddour 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Millennium fellow

Jeanette Quick

Deputy Assistant Secretary, United States Department of Treasury

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Patrick Quirk

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center GeoStrategy Initiative

Civil Society Conflict

Fellow

Omer Rafiq

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Hindi

Fellow

Roya Rahmani

Senior Advisor

South Asia Center

Afghanistan Dari

Fellow

Sue Ramanathan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Democratic Transitions
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Events

Public Event Mon, April 27, 2026 • 2:30 pm ET

The future of Iraq-Syria relations
Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy Syria
Public Event Tue, April 28, 2026 • 10:15 am ET

Belgium’s defense minister on the future of transatlantic security relations
Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia NATO Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy