Atlantic Council blogs

Top News: Morsi Calls for National Reconciliation; Opposition Rejects Call

By Egypt Source

During a conference of Islamist parties discussing the Nile Dam crisis on Monday, President Mohamed Morsi urged political groups to put their differences behind them and pursue comprehensive national reconciliation to face the myriad challenges currently facing Egypt.

Top News: Egypt Warns All Options Open for Ethiopia Nile Dam

Egypt’s president on Monday hardened his stance against Ethiopia and its construction of a Nile dam, warning that "all options are open" in dealing with the project that threatens to leave Egypt with a dangerous water shortage.

The President: The Arbiter between Powers / رئيس الجمهورية؛ الحكم بين السلطات

By Yussef Auf

In a surprise move just a few hours after Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) issued its ruling, on June 2, on the Shura Council and the Constituent Assembly tasked with drafting the constitution, the Egyptian presidency issued an official statement responding to the two rulings. Despite its brevity, this statement deserves analysis and comment. The statement […]

Syria: Seven Qs and As on Military Intervention

By Frederic C. Hof

Question: Why should the United States intervene militarily in Syria and what could it accomplish? Answer: The United States would intervene to save lives and to help stabilize the region. It is militarily capable, without putting "boots on the ground," of destroying or seriously degrading the ability of the Assad regime, through shelling and bombing, […]

A Strong Europe for a Strong NATO

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  In my view, the biggest dangers to our security are not cyber-warfare, terrorism, or proliferation. These are challenges. But they are not obstacles. I would say the real obstacles are Europe’s own limited ambitions in today’s world.

US Helps Allies Trying to Battle Iranian Hackers

By Thom Shanker and David Sanger, New York Times

US and Israel Worried About How Quickly Iran is Improving its Cyber Warfare Arsenal

By Thom Shanker and David Sanger, New York Times

From Thom Shanker and David Sanger, New York Times:  Israeli and American intelligence officials have been concerned by Iran’s swift advances in its computer weaponry, particularly its ability to disrupt existing infrastructure.

Top News: Qatar Preparing for Leadership Transition

Qatar’s powerful prime minister is preparing to step down as part of a wider power transition that may also see the country’s ruler ceding power to his son, Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim, Arab and Western diplomats said on Monday.

NATO-EU Cooperation Saves Indian Ship from Pirate Attack

By NATO Maritime Command

From NATO Maritime Command:  On Wednesday 5th June 2013, the NATO counter-piracy warship HNLMS VAN SPEIJK worked together with the European Union to provide support to an Indian dhow that was being attacked by suspected pirates off the coast of Bosaso (North-eastern Somalia).

Baltic Spirit

By Julian Lindley-French

Having dinner with the Lithuanian Chief of Defense Staff Lieutenant General Pocius was a moving experience. Listening to the story of his family’s struggle for freedom left with me with the profound sense that every NATO and EU leader should visit the Baltic States at least once a year to remind themselves of the importance of […]