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empowerME at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East is shaping solutions to empower entrepreneurs, women, and youth and building coalitions of public and private partnerships to drive regional economic integration, prosperity, and job creation.

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UkraineAlert

Nov 10, 2025

Angelina Jolie highlights the horrors of Russia’s ‘human safari’ in Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie paid a surprise visit to Ukraine in early November to help raise international awareness about Russia's 'human safari' campaign of drone killings targeting Ukrainian civilians, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict
Drones

UkraineAlert

Nov 6, 2025

Ukraine’s youth exodus highlights mounting demographic challenges

By Kateryna Odarchenko, Zoryana Golovata

Thousands of young Ukrainian men have left the country since the relaxation of martial law travel restrictions in August. The exodus has highlighted Ukraine's mounting demographic challenges, write Kateryna Odarchenko, Zoryana Golovata.

Conflict
Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 31, 2025

Twenty-five years on, advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda is more urgent than ever

By Melanne Verveer and Ana Lejava

The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security on October 31, 2000, but its implementation remains incomplete.

International Norms
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Oct 24, 2025

In the shadow of gender apartheid: Four years of loss and resistance by women in Afghanistan

By Mursal Sayas

It is important not only to document the grim reality of gender apartheid under the Taliban but also to honor the women of Afghanistan's persistence.

Afghanistan
Education

MENASource

Sep 17, 2025

In landmark Syria elections, women still face electoral hurdles

By Marie Forestier 

As the indirect electoral process begins, Syrian officials could take several steps to increase women’s chances in this process.

Civil Society
Democratic Transitions

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Sep 15, 2025

Education as resistance: How women in Afghanistan fight gender apartheid through solidarity

By Rahela Sidiqi

Even under the Taliban’s gender apartheid, the women and girls of Afghanistan continue to learn, build, and gain leadership skills with the help of community mentors and small stipends.

Afghanistan
Civil Society

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Aug 14, 2025

South African women’s resistance holds lessons for the women of Afghanistan fighting gender apartheid

By Farhat Ariana Azami

Farhat Ariana Azami in conversation with Gertrude Fester, a veteran South African anti-apartheid activist, and Munisa Mubarez, a women’s rights advocate from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan
Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Jul 9, 2025

Five questions (and expert answers) about the ICC arrest warrants against Taliban leaders for crimes against women and girls 

By Atlantic Council experts

Our international law experts unpack the implications of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants against the Taliban’s supreme leader and chief justice.

Afghanistan
Human Rights

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Jul 2, 2025

How centering Afghan women and youth now can help challenge oppressive regimes in the future

By Quhramaana Kakar

Empowered Afghan youth and women embody a future vision for the country rooted in rights, participation, and accountability.

Afghanistan
Civil Society

AfricaSource

Jun 12, 2025

Empower women miners now for a just future in Africa

By Neeraja Kulkarni

African countries must address the challenges women in mining face with policies that are tailored to the needs of local communities.

Africa
Energy & Environment

Experts