Content

UkraineAlert

Feb 6, 2025

Russian foreign minister compares Trump’s ‘America First’ to Nazi propaganda

By Peter Dickinson

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has compared US President Donald Trump's "America First" concept to Nazi propaganda as the Kremlin continues its long tradition of exploiting the trauma of World War II to demonize opponents, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict
Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2025

Trump is serious about shaking up the Middle East, even if his Gaza plan isn’t

By Jonathan Panikoff

It’s almost impossible to imagine Trump’s plan for Gaza coming to fruition. But it would be a mistake to think that he was anything but serious with the proposal he laid out Tuesday night.

Human Rights
International Norms

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2025

Experts react: Is the US really going to ‘take over’ the Gaza Strip?

By Atlantic Council experts

With his comments this week, the US president appears to be taking US policy toward Gaza in the direction of direct involvement—or is he?

Conflict
Human Rights

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 5, 2025

Poland’s democracy stands firm, but its economy faces headwinds

By Leszek Balcerowicz

Despite recent political turmoil, Poland has shown resilience in defending democracy and the rule of law. However, its economic outlook is less certain, as challenges such as incomplete post-Soviet privatization, high fiscal spending, and demographic shifts are threatening long-term growth.

Civil Society
Eastern Europe

Balkans Debrief

Feb 4, 2025

How is the media covering Serbia’s protests? A Debrief with Igor Božić and Marko Prelević

Serbia is at a crossroads. What started as grief over the Novi Sad tragedy has become a full-scale protest movement, forcing Prime Minister’s Vučević’s resignation and even earning students a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. But with no clear leader, how is pro-government media responding? Is this the start of real change, or will […]

Europe & Eurasia
Politics & Diplomacy

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 4, 2025

Demographic shifts in Spain call for reinvigorated reforms

By Toni Roldán Monés

While Spain continues to perform well in the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes, sustaining this performance will involve overhauling the education system, pursuing political reforms to enhance institutional strength, and preserving fiscal sustainability amidst changing demographics.

Economy & Business
Education

MENASource

Feb 3, 2025

If the MENA region wants to unlock its youth potential, it should look to sports

By Hezha Barzani

As a golden era of sports takes shape in the Middle East and North Africa, the region has a unique opportunity to seize on this positive momentum to set up the young generation for success through sports.

Economy & Business
Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jan 31, 2025

What to expect from Rubio’s trip to Central America and the Caribbean

By Jason Marczak, María Fernanda Bozmoski

The US secretary of state lands in Panama on February 1 to kick off his first foreign trip. Here’s what to expect at every stop on migration, security, and more.

Caribbean
Central America

MENASource

Jan 31, 2025

The foreign aid freeze poses risks to US interests in Syria

By Diana Rayes 

Postwar Syria faces a precarious economic and security situation and the United States’ assistance—or lack thereof—will play an outsize role in its outcome.

Democratic Transitions
Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

Jan 31, 2025

Abolishing FEMA would hurt all Americans—particularly Trump voters

By Thomas S. Warrick

Instead of abolishing the agency, US President Donald Trump should support fixing its problems, making it more efficient, and changing its focus to include strategic resilience.

Politics & Diplomacy
Resilience

Experts

Events