Atlantic Council blogs

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.

Will Russia take ‘yes’ for an answer?

By Steven Pifer, New York Times

From Steven Pifer, New York Times:  When Secretary of State Chuck Hagel announced this month that the Pentagon would increase the number of missile interceptors in Alaska, he noted that the U.S. missile defense program in Europe would be restructured.

Tough EU mission to overhaul Mali army kicks off tomorrow

By AFP

From AFP:  The EU begins an ambitious top-to-toe overhaul Tuesday of Mali‘s ragtag army, far from ready to take the place of foreign troops to defend the West African nation against fresh attacks by Islamist insurgents.

Methane Hydrates: A Second Gas Revolution?

By Robert Manning

Speculation is rampant that a new gas cornucopia is coming. After a successful Japanese experiment to extract natural gas from methane hydrates 1,000 meters below the surface and 50 miles off its shores, some are beginning to wonder if the “shale revolution” was just the beginning. But don’t hold your breath. There is no question […]