Atlantic Council blogs

TRADE in ACTION – March 23, 2017

By Global Business & Economics Program

After the conclusion of the G20 meetings in Germany, and Chancellor Merkel’s first joint press conference with President Trump, we look to Europe for the sixtieth anniversary of the Treaty of Rome as well as to Prime Minister Theresa May who announced the triggering of article 50 (the article to kick off the UK’s exit […]

Sixth Anniversary of the US-Libya Intervention: A Model for the Future

By Nedal M. Swehli

Six years ago on March 19, 2011, the United States started its military intervention in Libya. In 2009, President Obama, in his inauguration speech, addressed the world’s dictators asking them to “unclench their fist” and said  that “America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace […]

How Vulnerable Is Putin? The Answer Rests on Oil

By Diane Francis

The Kremlin’s dirty tricks are dominating the headlines and have plunged the United States into political disarray. Behind these attacks, however, is a Russia that is increasingly weak and vulnerable. What this means for the stability of Vladimir Putin’s regime, however, is anyone’s guess. Russia’s future depends on the price of oil and gas. This […]

Ten Reasons Why Ukraine’s Economy May Surprise You

By Ruslan Minich and Volodymyr Yermolenko

Grain, steel, and sunflower oil are probably Ukraine’s most famous exports, but they’re not the only ones. Ukraine’s growing reputation for excellence in IT and fashion are well known, but other areas of the economy are also dynamic, including aviation, architecture, and design. The technological capacity of the economy is huge and promising with the […]

Wanted: Leader of the Free World

By Stephen Blank

Two months into Donald Trump’s presidency, it is clear that Trump cannot control himself or his own administration. Sadly, this observation applies across the board in foreign policy. Trump first warmly greeted Taiwan, threatened a trade war with China, and then abruptly announced that he recognized the one China principle and Secretary of State Rex […]

US Engagement in the Balkans Seen as Vital

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Albanian foreign minister said United States has a ‘decisive’ role in Balkan reforms It is critical for the United States to deepen its engagement in the Balkans—a region that faces threats from terrorists as well as Russia, Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati said in Washington on March 21. In February, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama […]

Rebuilding Syria: Opening Statement by Omar Shawaf

By Omar Shawaf

Below are remarks by Omar Shawaf and audio of the event on Rebuilding Syria: Reconstruction and Legitimacy hosted by the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council in Washington on March 21, 2017:

Unseen Casualties of Syrian Sanctions

By Rhys Dubin

In a little-noticed news item, on March 8, security forces in Beirut raided several money transfer shops accused of sending upward of $20 million to militant groups in Syria. Lebanese security forces arrested at least six Lebanese nationals and closed 16 stores in several neighborhoods throughout the city.

Italy Seeks a US-European Front to Face Common Challenges

‘Transatlantic bond remains as important as ever,’ said Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano Unprecedented migration, instability in the Middle East, and the growing threat of terrorism necessitate a joint US-European approach to common security challenges that stem from the Mediterranean region, Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said at the Atlantic Council on March 21. “In […]

Tillerson Urges Senate Ratification of Montenegro’s NATO Membership

By Patricia Zengerle, Reuters

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has written to the leaders of the U.S. Senate urging the ratification of Montenegro as the newest member of the NATO alliance