Inflection Points
Hopes and gains from Berlin Wall’s fall at risk
If U.S. and European leaders don’t recover the common purpose they shared at that time – and there is yet little sign they will – this weekend’s Berlin Wall anniversary is more a moment for concern than celebration.
International Order
Global risks 2035 update: Decline or new renaissance?
In 2016, Mathew Burrows predicted that state-on-state conflict would pose a bigger threat than terrorism in the future. In the two years since, the post-Cold War order has continued to unravel without a “new normal” emerging.
Climate change
Trump abandons US climate leadership with pact withdrawal
The withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is disappointing, but other actors in the United States are prepared to continue the fight against climate change.
Disinformation
Pro-Kremlin sources target BBC for report on murdered Chechen commander
The BBC’s coverage of the murder struck a nerve with Russian actors intent on turning the narrative away from the likely culprits of the assassination: Russia.
Issue Spotlight: Disinformation
Disinformation
Disinformation is false or misleading information spread with the intention to deceive. When left unchecked, disinformation has the potential to sow confusion in public dialogue, exacerbate political polarization, and promote distrust in our political systems and democratic institutions.
Sat, Jun 22, 2019
Operation Secondary Infektion
A Russian-based information operation used fake accounts, forged documents, and dozens of online platforms to spread stories.
Wed, Oct 23, 2019
Can Beijing export its manipulation of information?
While censorship and propaganda have long been features of Chinese domestic politics, Beijing is ramping up its information operations abroad.
New Atlanticist by
Fri, Oct 18, 2019
Richard Stengel on disinformation and the threat to democracy
Disinformation—both foreign and domestic—is a catalytic harm that acts to magnify existing societal vulnerabilities. Forging digital resilience is an urgent priority—because, as Stengel said, disinformation is “an attack on our very democracy. And Americans need to be aware of it.”
New Atlanticist by
Commentary and analysis
Fri, Nov 1, 2019
Why the Islamic Republic of Iran keeps taking hostages
After forty years, the evidence should be clear to even the most benighted. The hostage-taking of 1979-1981 was an unmitigated disaster for Iran and its people.
IranSource by
Mon, Nov 4, 2019
Sanctions are effective—if used correctly
Ilhan Omar is spot on that sanctions are not a one-size fits all solution to the United States’ problems. But her critique of sanctions as a failed tool in the foreign policy playbook misses the mark.
New Atlanticist by Brian O’Toole
Mon, Oct 28, 2019
Prospects of the Russian protest movement
Amid a summer of protest and Vladimir Putin’s declining popularity, Ksenia Kirillova looks at the Russian protests victories, weaknesses, and next steps.
Issue Brief by
In-depth research and reports
Flagship events
Watch one of the highlights from NATO Engages: The Alliance at 70
Atlantic Council in the news
From the Atlantic Council’s Blogs
Spotlight: Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs
Director
William Wechsler
William F. Wechsler is director for Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council and director of the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. Wechsler’s most recent government position was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Combatting Terrorism. He advised multiple Secretaries and helped coordinate interagency policies on a wide range of direct and indirect actions.
Tue, Oct 8, 2019
The MENA region: A great power competition
The idea of a ‘Russian resurgence’ in the Middle East set against a perceived American withdrawal has captured the attention of policymakers and scholars alike, warranting further examination.
Thu, Nov 7, 2019
Saudi-backed Yemeni government and separatists sign power-sharing agreement
On Tuesday, November 5, the Hadi government signed a power-sharing agreement with southern separatists in Riyadh. The separatists and Hadi-led Yemen Government are backed by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, specifically by the United Arab Emirates. Infighting between them further fractured the civil war in August when the separatists seized Aden from Saudi-led forces. It […]
MENASource by
Tue, Nov 5, 2019
Iran’s revolutionary bluster masks its role as oppressor in the Middle East
At their core, the problems in Iraq and Lebanon are the same as those in Iran, as they are in Egypt, Syria, Algeria and elsewhere in the Middle East: castes of entrenched, corrupt and incompetent rulers lord over young populations yearning for better lives.
IranSource by Borzou Daragahi
Critical Issues
Resilience
The growing threats of climate change, migration, natural disasters, and spillover from violent conflict are forcing policy makers to focus on the resilience of their societies and institutions. While not all crises can be avoided, societies can be made more resilient through proper preparation before, during, and after a disaster or shock occurs.
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Disinformation
The rise of the internet and online social networks has altered the scope and scale at which people access, consume, and communicate information. But the same technologies that have democratized access to information have also enabled malicious actors who seek to undermine our democratic values and processes. Disinformation is false or misleading information spread with the intention to deceive.
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NATO
NATO is the bedrock of transatlantic security, encompassing nearly thirty democracies across North America and Europe. Created to defend against the Soviet Union, the Alliance today protects member states against conventional attack, engages in peacekeeping and stabilization operations, and leads counterterrorism and piracy efforts. NATO works with partner countries around the world and continues to promise an “open door” for countries to become members if they fulfill the Alliance’s democratic and operational standards.
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Critical Regions
Africa
A continent of fifty-four nations, Africa holds vast opportunity and promise. Its 1.2 billion population is expected to double by 2050 and become the world’s largest region. Alongside this demographic boom, Africa is home to almost half the world’s fastest-growing economies as its leaders are taking steps to expand the movement of goods, people, and capital within the continent. Demand for democracy is high and protest movements have proven that citizen activism can unseat consolidated African strongmen.
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Europe & Eurasia
Stretching from the shores of the Atlantic to the mountains of Central Asia, the European and Eurasian landmass contains both some of the most stable and wealthy countries in the world, as well as some of the poorest and those led by repressive regimes. After centuries of devastating conflicts, new institutions and organizations for economic, political, and security integration provide an opportunity to bring stability
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Middle East
Stretching from the Western Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, the Middle East continues to be a region struggling with violent conflict, political repression, and poor development. Numerous pro-democracy protest movements, a burgeoning youth population, and efforts to reform governments and lessen economic dependence on oil, however, are causes for optimism. The United States and the international community must remain engaged with the region to provide support for these positive moves and to address the many remaining challenges.
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