Atlantic Council blogs

Jordan’s Six Challenges at the Arab League Summit

By Shehab al-Makahleh

On March 29, Jordan will host the Arab League summit amid chaos across the Middle East.  There is speculation that Russia and Egypt are pressing the Arab League to invite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the summit in light of reports that Syrian military officers have visited Jordan and Egypt over the past few weeks. […]

British Official Calls for Greater NATO-EU Cybersecurity Cooperation

By Ashish Kumar Sen

In the aftermath of Russian cyberattacks during the US presidential election last year and amid concerns about a repeat of such a strategy in Europe as Germany, France, and the Netherlands go to the polls this year, British officials are calling for greater cooperation on cybersecurity between NATO and the European Union. “NATO is the […]

US General Says Russia Deploys Cruise Missile, Threatens NATO

By Reuters and AP

From Idrees Ali, Reuters:  Russia has deployed a land-based cruise missile that violates the “spirit and intent” of an arms control treaty and poses a threat to NATO

Interview with The Young Republic: Local and Regional Activism for Syrians in Europe

By SyriaSource

Mohammed Alsaud is the cofounder and chairman of The Young Republic, an NGO based in Sweden with the aim to support the Syrian youth diaspora with their participation and social inclusion in Europe. SyriaSource interviewed Alsaud on the development of the organization and its successes and challenges.  

Ukraine’s Got Less Than a Month to Clean Up Highest Court

By Halya Coynash

By the end of Viktor Yanukovych’s presidency in February 2014, virtually all vestiges of judicial independence had been eroded in Ukraine, together with any public confidence in the justice system. Three years later, only a small number of the most corrupt judges have lost their posts. It is rightly difficult to dismiss judges, but it […]

Here’s Why You Should Worry About Russian Propaganda

By Alina Polyakova

“Fake news” is the term du jour in the current discussion on the new media landscape. We knew long ago, however, about the prevalence and proliferation of fabricated stories produced by so-called media entrepreneurs looking to make a profit with flashy headlines or fly-by-night “news sites” churning out outrageous click-bait stories. The Russians (and the […]

The Untapped ‘Girl Power’ in the Energy Sector

By Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir

In recognition of International Women’s Day 2017, and under the banner of #BeBoldForChange, the United Nations (UN) is calling upon all actors to strive for equal representation of men and women in the professional world. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka emphasized this focus in a message entitled: “Women in the Changing World of Work: […]

Trump’s ‘Rhetoric of Hate’ May Sway Mexico’s Elections

Mexican presidential candidate sees risk of an anti-American Mexican leader The “rhetoric of hate” that has dominated US President Donald J. Trump’s approach to Mexico could impact the outcome of Mexico’s presidential elections in 2018 and determine the future of the US-Mexican partnership, Margarita Zavala, a candidate for the Mexican presidency, said at the Atlantic […]

Europe Prepares for a New Transatlantic Bargain

By Anna Wieslander

Of all American alliances around the globe, the transatlantic relationship is the crown jewel. Despite disagreements and quarrels, the United States and Europe have together built and defended the liberal order for more than seventy years. March 8, International Women’s Day, is an official UN commemoration day and as such, part of that liberal order. […]

“You have to wait for a new decision on your status”

By Hikmat al-Habbal

He stood in a white apron in a restaurant on the European side of Istanbul, facing a tower of dishes plastered with leftover scraps of food. They are waiting to be washed. No sooner does he finish than a new batch arrives. Majd, 17, starts work at 1pm and finishes at 8. He has started […]