Atlantic Council blogs

Why Less Is More on the Korean Peninsula

By Rajan Menon

On February 12, North Korea conducted its third nuclear weapons test. The UN tightened existing economic sanctions in response. Since then, the Korean peninsula has become an even more dangerous place than usual. Now that’s saying a lot. There’s no place on earth that, per square mile, contains more soldiers and armaments.

European industry flocks to U.S. to take advantage of cheaper gas

By Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post

From Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post:  The sprawling chemical plant in this city along the Rhine River has been a jewel of Germany’s manufacturing-led economy for more than a century. But the plunging price of natural gas in the United States has European companies setting sail across the Atlantic to stay competitive.

U.S., Russia, and Britain preparing to spend half a trillion dollars on modernizing their nuclear arsenals

By Des Browne, Wolfgang Ischinger, Igor Ivanov, and Sam Nunn, International Herald Tribune

From Des Browne, Wolfgang Ischinger, Igor Ivanov, and Sam Nunn, International Herald Tribune:  [T]oday’s leaders should move decisively and permanently toward a new security strategy, one that considers offensive and defensive military forces, nuclear and conventional weapons, and cybersecurity and space.

Has France ‘made the right choices in terms of leaders and policies in recent decades?’

By Dominique Moisi, Project Syndicate

From Dominique Moisi, Project Syndicate:  [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel has changed profoundly while in office. Five years ago, she did not exude the natural authority that she now possesses.

NATO seeks cheaper alternative to Russian transport hub – official

By RT

Top News: US Blasts Arrest Warrant Against Egypt Satirist Bassem Youssef

By Egypt Source

The US State Department says arrest warrants and the investigation of a popular Egyptian satirist and other critics of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi highlight a "disturbing trend" of growing restrictions on freedom of expression in Egypt.

Fingers, Foreign Elements, and the Former Regime

By Basil El Dabh

“There is no room for confrontations or mistrust.” This sentence, delivered by president-elect Mohamed Morsi on June 24, 2012 was part of his first speech to the Egyptian people amid a section stressing the importance of “national unity.” Trust was a critical point to highlight moving forward after a contentious election when accusations were lodged […]

NATO’s role in Obama’s Syria debate

By Adam Entous, Wall Street Journal

From Adam Entous, Wall Street Journal:  The U.S.’s Syria strategy is emblematic of the administration’s policy of limiting Washington’s role as global policeman.

‘Internal divisions, miscalculations and bureaucratic inertia’ in Obama’s Syria policy

By Adam Entous, Wall Street Journal

From Adam Entous, Wall Street Journal:  A reconstruction of months of conversations within the administration—based on interviews with two dozen senior officials in Washington, Europe and the Middle East—suggests that process has been slowed by internal divisions, miscalculations and bureaucratic inertia.