Atlantic Council blogs

Atlantic Council blogs provide short-form analyses from Council experts and a wider community of global voices on the world’s most important news stories.
View all
of our blogs
Subscribe to our
newsletters

Latest from across our blogs

MENASource

Dec 9, 2015

Top News: Egyptian Anti-Corruption Activist Sentenced to Four Years in Bribery Case

By EgyptSource

A Giza misdemeanor court sentenced on Thursday prominent anti-corruption activist and former independent MP Hamdi al-Fakharany to four years in prison and an EGP 100,000 fine on charges of blackmail.

MENASource

Dec 9, 2015

EconSource: Turkey Central Bank Says Inflation Target Should Be Set With Government

By EconSource

Turkey’s inflation target should be set together with the government, Central Bank Governor Erdem Basci said on Wednesday, a marked departure from the norm in the European Union that Ankara aspires to join.

SyriaSource

Dec 9, 2015

The Personal Choice between Emigrating from and Staying in Syria

By Zaina Erhaim

The choice to emigrate from Syria is a difficult one for Syrians. Despite the war and oppressive rule of extremist groups such as the Islamic State, leaving Syria means braving the unknown and feeling one has abandoned his friends and country. Karam, who asked to only be identified by his first name, said, “I am […]

Syria
Trident Nuclear Submarine HMS Victorious, April 4, 2013

NATOSource

Dec 8, 2015

British Defense: Mind the Gap

By Leo Michel

Michael Fallon, the U.K. Secretary of State for Defense, visits Washington this week, where he might be forgiven for using what Gore Vidal once called “the four most beautiful words in our common language: I told you so.”

Cybersecurity NATO

New Atlanticist

Dec 8, 2015

Is the United States a Less Reliable Ally?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Some Arab Gulf states seen looking at Russia, China as ‘alternatives’ The United States’ friends and allies in the Middle East see Washington as a less reliable partner and are “talking fairly openly about alternatives” such as Russia and China, retired Gen. James L. Jones, Jr., a former US National Security Advisor, said on Dec. […]

International Organizations Iran

UkraineAlert

Dec 8, 2015

Even in Theater, War and Displacement Has No Room in Ukraine

By Irena Chalupa

As I was walking up Kyiv’s colorful Andriyivsky descent on December 6, three explosions pierced the quiet evening. No one stopped examining the myriad souvenirs on sale in the booths lining the street, no one showed any fear or ran for cover. On the third explosion, one exasperated man exclaimed “Who the hell is blowing […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Dec 8, 2015

Biden to Ukraine: “The United States stands firmly with the people of Ukraine”

By Melinda Haring

“Today Russia is occupying sovereign Ukrainian territory. Let me be crystal clear: the United States does not, will not, [and] never will recognize Russia’s attempt to annex the Crimea,” US Vice President Joe Biden said in a December 8 address to Ukraine’s parliament. The parliament gave Biden a standing ovation. Geoffrey Pyatt, US Ambassador to […]

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Dec 8, 2015

Election Victory? Check. Now Can the Opposition in Venezuela Stay United?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Opposition must set aside differences and focus on people’s interests, says Atlantic Council’s Peter Schechter Venezuela’s opposition has won an absolute majority in Congress that gives it the ability to initiate a recall referendum against President Nicolás Maduro, but it must instead focus on staying united and showing that it has the people’s interests as […]

Venezuela

UkraineAlert

Dec 8, 2015

The IMF Outfoxes Putin: Policy Change Means Ukraine Can Receive More Loans

By Anders Åslund

Today the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reversed its “policy on not lending into arrears.” IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said in a statement that “the IMF’s executive board met today and agreed to change the current policy on non-toleration of arrears to official creditors.” Historically, the IMF has refused to lend to any country that has […]

Russia

SyriaSource

Dec 8, 2015

Top News: December 8, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Russia says too early to confirm Syria talks in New York– Suspected US-led Syria raids kill dozens of civilians– Syrian opposition seeks unified front in Riyadh; Kurds plan summit after exclusion from meeting– UNICEF appeals for $1.1 billion for Syria, neighboring countries– Turkey halts troop deployment to Iraq but will not withdraw– Iraqi forces […]

Syria