Recent analysis

A Russia without Russians? Putin’s disastrous demographics

MENASource Apr 8, 2025

Legalizing child marriage in Iraq: Stepping back from the brink

By Sareta Ashraph

While there have been some elements of relief that the Iraq parliament has pulled back from legalizing child marriage, the situation remains dynamic.
Iraq Middle East
A Russia without Russians? Putin’s disastrous demographics

AfricaSource Mar 17, 2025

This Women’s History Month, focus on African women’s achievements, not just their challenges

By Rama Yade

African women deserve recognition not just for the indignities they face, but for the heights they achieve.
Africa Resilience & Society
A Russia without Russians? Putin’s disastrous demographics

MENASource Mar 10, 2025

Syria’s women face a new chapter. Here’s how to amplify their voices.

By Diana Rayes , Hind Kabawat

It is critical for women to be involved in transitional justice and constitutional reform processes in Syria.
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Syria

Programs

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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Public Event Mon, April 14, 2025 • 4:00 pm ET

Book launch of “Night Train to Odesa: Covering the Human Cost of Russia’s War”
Human Rights Nationalism Resilience Resilience & Society
Public Event Tue, February 18, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

The role of AI in transforming Saudi Arabia’s economic landscape
Economy & Business Entrepreneurship International Markets Middle East
Online Event Tue, January 28, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Innovating for good: Jordan’s impact-driven startups
Artificial Intelligence Civil Society Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

Content

People walking on a bridge into the distance.

Russia Tomorrow

Aug 7, 2024

A Russia without Russians? Putin’s disastrous demographics

By Harley Balzer

A new Atlantic Council report explores the effect of Putin's politics on domestic Russian demographic change. Is Putin heading towards a Russia without Russians?

Democratic Transitions Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Aug 5, 2024

Imane Khelif is a woman, contrary to what the internet says

By Yaseen Rashed

By denying Khelif’s womanhood and leveraging her win to disseminate miseducated narratives that fuel anti-LGBTQI sentiments, critics are essentializing the definition of gender and perpetuating the stigma surrounding hyperandrogenism

Middle East North Africa

New Atlanticist

Jul 31, 2024

The case for chief gender officers in Caribbean states

By Valentina Sader

Caribbean countries should consider appointing chief gender officers to help address issues such as gender-based violence.

Caribbean Freedom and Prosperity

UkraineAlert

Jul 30, 2024

Paris Olympics: Ukrainian dedicates medal to athletes killed by Russia

By Mark Temnycky

Ukrainian fencing star Olga Kharlan has won the country’s first medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and dedicated her medal to the Ukrainian athletes "who couldn't be here because they were killed by Russia," writes Mark Temnycky .

Conflict France

New Atlanticist

Jul 26, 2024

‘We’re back to square one’ in fighting the hunger crisis, warns Cindy McCain

By Katherine Golden

At an Atlantic Council event on Thursday, the World Food Programme executive director warned that the world has lost the progress it has made over the past fifteen years on lowering global hunger levels.

Brazil Latin America

New Atlanticist

Jul 24, 2024

The Women, Peace, and Security agenda made important strides at NATO’s Washington summit

By Sarah Dawn Petrin

The Washington summit saw important women, peace, and security commitments, but NATO can do more to support female soldiers and civilians.

Defense Policy Human Rights

Event Recap

May 13, 2024

Gender parity in MENA diplomacy and its impact on peace

By Charles Johnson

Event recap of WIn Fellowship Roadshow 2024 public event on Arab women in diplomacy

Conflict Economy & Business

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Apr 30, 2024

Don’t look away: The Taliban’s mistreatment of women has global ramifications

By Samira Abrar

The Taliban’s impunity for its violations of international human rights law poses grave risks to women’s rights worldwide.

Afghanistan Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Apr 29, 2024

Climate change doesn’t have to result in greater gender inequity in the Caribbean

By Wazim Mowla

Caribbean climate policy design and resource allocation must incorporate the voices and interests of the region’s women and girls.

Caribbean Civil Society

In the News

Apr 23, 2024

Polymeropoulos book review of “But You Don’t Look Arab and Other Tales of Unbelonging” in The Cipher Brief

On April 23, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Marc Polymeropoulos wrote a book review for The Cipher Brief of Hala Gorani’s “But You Don’t Look Arab and Other Tales of Unbelonging.” The review covers the story of Emmy Award-winning international journalist Hala Gorani, from her time as a globe-trotting correspondent and anchor with her own […]

Conflict Education
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Experts

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Aminata Niang

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Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Future of Work

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Helena Fee Rasch

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Reem Goussous

Nonresident senior fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Americas Arabic

Fellow

Tatiana Gfoeller

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Arabic Central Asia

Staff

Natalia Storz

Program Assistant

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French
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