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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.
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New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2013

NATO Demise Redux?

By Stephen M. Saideman

Harlan Ullman’s “NATO RIP” seemed like a bit of déjà vu, as people have been predicting the Alliance’s demise pretty much as long as it has been around. This obviously increased after the Soviet Union collapsed and with it NATO’s raison d’etre. However, the reality is that institutions are sticky, including international ones, and disappear […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2013

Managing Mali

By J. Peter Pham

Strategically ill-conceived as it might been in a moment of panic and almost stillborn as a result of its bumpy start (thanks to diminished European military logistics capabilities), the French military intervention in Mali has nevertheless altered the dynamics in the fight against al-Qaeda’s regional affiliate. As the United States broadens the hitherto limited assistance […]

Sahel

NATOSource

Jan 28, 2013

French colonel: France better off alone in Mali

By Andrew Rettman, EUobserver

From Andrew Rettman, EUobserver:  A senior French military officer has said France is better off without Nato or EU help to "reconquer" north Mali.

European Union International Organizations

MENASource

Jan 28, 2013

Yet Another Reason National Reconciliation in Libya Cannot Wait

By Karim Mezran

The famous Egyptian analyst and writer Mohamed Hassanein Heikal recently revived an old theory in an interview on Egyptian television: Egypt can claim a right to the fertile and oil-rich lands of the eastern Libyan provinces since millions of Egyptians are descendant from Libyan tribes that once lived on the Egyptian-Libyan border. Heikal also implied […]

Libya

NATOSource

Jan 28, 2013

Pentagon increasing its cybersecurity forces fivefold

By Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post

From Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post:  The Pentagon has approved a major expansion of its cybersecurity force over the next several years, increasing its size more than fivefold to bolster the nation’s ability to defend critical computer systems and conduct offensive computer operations against foreign adversaries, according to U.S. officials.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

NATOSource

Jan 25, 2013

The Strategic Implications of the Euro Crisis

By Jeff Lightfoot, Fletcher Forum of World Affairs

From Jeff Lightfoot, Fletcher Forum of World Affairs:  The crisis of the Eurozone is likely to have profound strategic implications that will impact Europe’s role in the world and the dynamism of the transatlantic alliance.

Economy & Business European Union

NATOSource

Jan 25, 2013

NATO’s ‘very urgent challenge’ on its southern border

By Alexander Vershbow, NATO

From Alexander Vershbow, NATO:  One very urgent challenge is the crisis on our south-eastern border. 

MENASource

Jan 25, 2013

Turmoil in the Arab World: How Has Morocco Fared?

By Mohsin Khan and Svetlana Milbert

The Arab Spring has resulted in profound political and economic changes in the Middle East. Yet, while authoritarian regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya were toppled, Morocco has for the most part withstood the tumult of protests.  

Morocco

New Atlanticist

Jan 25, 2013

Optimism After Jordan’s Election

By Danya Greenfield

Against all expectations, Jordan’s parliamentary election this week seems to have generated some optimism. The big questions had little to do with the appeal of specific political platforms or even the candidates themselves, but rather with process and turnout.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jan 25, 2013

All-Volunteer Military a Ticking Time Bomb

By Arnold Punaro

The all-in cost of the all-volunteer force is a ticking time bomb that could explode our defense capabilities if not dealt with responsibly. Unfortunately, the Pentagon does not track the real cost of personnel decisions, making smart reform difficult.

Security & Defense United States and Canada