New Atlanticist

In Catalonia, a ‘Coup d’État Masquerading as a Referendum’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Catalonia’s illegal independence referendum has thrown Spain into turmoil. In light of the escalating tensions, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is now toying with the idea of invoking the never-before-used Article 155 of the Spanish constitution that would suspend Catalonia’s regional autonomy. With a view to taking such action, Rajoy on October 11 asked the […]

What are the Implications of Decertification of the Iran Nuclear Deal?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The expectation that US President Donald J. Trump will decertify the nuclear deal with Iran this week raises the question: what would be the implications of decertification? Trump faces an October 15 deadline to certify to the US Congress that Iran is complying with the terms of the nuclear agreement that the Islamic Republic struck […]

Streamlining Infrastructure Permitting: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

By Keith J. Benes

While US President Donald J. Trump’s actions on infrastructure permitting, including executive orders to expedite approvals of controversial projects like the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, grabbed headlines, they are potentially counterproductive. Rushing environmental review and infrastructure approval processes could ultimately undermine Trump’s efforts by leaving those projects vulnerable to court challenges as a […]

Lifting of US Sanctions on Sudan Seen as Positive Step Toward Re-engagement

The United States’ decision to lift the sanctions on Sudan, citing progress made on counterterrorism and humanitarian efforts, indicates Washington’s understanding that cooperation with Khartoum will best serve the interests of both countries, according to an Atlantic Council analyst. “This decision reflects the conviction that engagement, rather than isolation, is more likely to advance US […]

Russia’s Soldier Selfie Ban Fights Open-Source Research

A law drafted by Russia’s ministry of defense, which would ban its soldiers’ use of social media, serves to confirm the work of open-source researchers reporting on the illicit presence of Russian troops in Ukraine and Syria, according to Atlantic Council analysts. “The Russian authorities and media have repeatedly tried to undermine open source researchers […]

Will Trump Ditch NAFTA?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

There is a strong likelihood that US President Donald J. Trump will withdraw the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Robert Zoellick, a former US trade representative, said at the Atlantic Council on October 5, while advising US lawmakers to be prepared to push back. “There is a very serious risk […]

The Catalonian Jigsaw: Where to Now?

By Alvaro Morales

The controversial conditions surrounding Catalonia’s recent independence referendum show that a unilateral declaration of independence does not embody the will of the people, no matter how much Catalan nationalists claim otherwise.  Long-standing tensions between the Spanish government and the Spanish region of Catalonia rose to a climax on October 1 as Catalans went to the […]

AfD’s Rise Puts Xenophobia Front and Center in Germany

By Adham Sahloul

The rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is unwelcome news for Germany’s minorities, particularly its four-million-plus Muslim community. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s re-election to a fourth term in office on September 24 was marred by the fact that the AfD made history by becoming the first nationalist political party to win seats in […]

Malta Does Not Share Macron’s Vision for the EU

By Matthew Lowell

French President Emmanuel Macron’s audacious plan for “profound” changes to the European Union’s (EU) structure will leave Malta uneasy over the prospect of Europe meddling in its policies on taxation and defense. An ardent supporter of the EU, Malta has a tax regime that has always made the country leery of the EU’s desire to […]