Rule of Law

Democracies function on the understanding that all citizens are equal under and subject to the law. Rule of law can often be one of the most difficult areas for countries transitioning to democracy, as the advantages afforded to elites under autocratic systems can be hard to dislodge.  When societies ensure that political leaders, business leaders, and social elites are not offered special judicial treatment, however, they are better equipped to promote equality, provide real chances of economic and social advancement, and attract foreign investment and economic activity.   

Content

Murky Waters: Maritime Security in the East and South China Seas

Event Recap

Apr 5, 2018

Murky waters: Maritime security in the East and South China Seas

By Shaun Ee

What is the state of play in the East and South China Seas, and what might be the future of maritime rules and norms in the region? To answer these questions, the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security convened several experts for a public panel discussion on March 30, 2018. With panelists representing […]

China International Norms

MENASource

Mar 26, 2018

The president’s scorecard

By Mirette F. Mabrouk

Egyptians are going to the polls to vote in a presidential election for the third time since the uprisings of 2011. The act of voting for a president who could, ostensibly, be voted out was a novelty. Hosni Mubarak served five six-year terms before stepping down in February of 2011, and Egyptians were keen on […]

Democratic Transitions Elections

Report

Mar 19, 2018

Kremlin aggression in Ukraine: the price tag

By Anders Åslund

“Since the annexation, Russia has carried out extensive confiscation of public and private property, which it has referred to as ‘nationalization’ under Russian Federation legislation,” writes Dr. Anders Åslund, in Kremlin Aggression in Ukraine: The Price Tag, a new report by the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. If Kyiv loses the occupied Crimea and Donbas forever, […]

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Mar 19, 2018

Ukraine should remove “stringent” disclosure law on civil society

By Gina S. Lentine

There has been an ominous change in the state of freedom of association in Ukraine over the last year. One of Ukraine’s leading activists, Vitaliy Shabunin of the Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC), is facing trial on criminal charges and could receive up to five years in prison. The charges are at best exaggerated and at […]

Corruption Rule of Law

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Mar 8, 2018

How legal reform can drive social change for women in Tunisia

By Andrea Taylor and Elissa Miller

Many anticipate that a proposed new bill that would enable Tunisian women to receive equal inheritance with men will cement Tunisia’s place as a leader on women’s rights in the Arab world. Yet broad support within Tunisia for the inheritance bill remains lacking.

North Africa Political Reform

MENASource

Nov 8, 2017

Factbox: Saudi’s Night of Long Knives

By Caroline Lord

Over the weekend, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) made headlines again as Saudi announced the arrest of eleven high ranking princes and ministers. The announcement, made via the Saudi-owned Arabic-language broadcaster Al Arabiya, sent shock waves throughout Saudi and the financial world. The removal of princes and ministers is part of an […]

Corruption Political Reform

Event Recap

Oct 19, 2017

A strategy for the Trans-Pacific century: Final report of the Atlantic Council’s Asia-Pacific Strategy Task Force

By Shaun Ee

The culmination of a full year of analysis by the Atlantic Council’s Asia-Pacific Strategy Task Force, A Strategy for the Trans-Pacific Century argues for deeper engagement between the United States’ Atlantic and Pacific partners to uphold the liberal rules-based order in Asia and beyond. As the rise of China creates reverberations felt not only within […]

Defense Policy Indo-Pacific

Event Recap

Sep 18, 2017

Roundtable with H.E. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré

By Africa Center

On Monday, September 18, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center, in partnership with the US Chamber of Commerce, hosted a roundtable discussion with H.E. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, President of Burkina Faso. Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham and Mr. Scott Eisner, President of the US-Africa Business Center at the […]

Africa Economy & Business

Report

Sep 1, 2017

Agent of Influence: Should Russia’s RT Register as a Foreign Agent?

By Elena Postnikova

The US Congress enacted the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA) to ensure that the American people were aware when foreign governments funded media sources; at the time, their concerns focused on the Nazi regime in Germany. Today, this issue has resurfaced with concerns about the Russian propaganda outlet RT (formerly Russia Today). RT […]

Disinformation Elections

UkraineAlert

Aug 9, 2017

Stanford program turns theory into practice in Ukraine and beyond

By Melinda Haring

Both Liakh and Sotnyk return to Kyiv with new ideas and a powerful network of experts and activists they can consult in the long struggle to transform Ukraine.

Civil Society Education

Experts