New Atlanticist

A Two-Pronged US Strategy for the Middle East

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The United States must develop a two-pronged strategy for the Middle East that prioritizes ending the civil wars and unlocking untapped human potential, according to a new report from the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Strategy Task Force. This is a matter of urgency, not least of all because the West has borne some of the […]

The War on ISIS: Trump’s ‘Steep Learning Curve’

The United Nations’ Syria envoy, Staffan de Mistura, called on US President-elect Donald Trump to work with Russia in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria, however, many other factors must be considered before the United States enters into such an alliance, according to an Atlantic Council expert. “Putting together a coherent strategy around […]

Italy’s Referendum is Not a Brexit Moment

By Andrea Montanino

Italians will vote on constitutional reform in a referendum on December 4 that could shape the global perception of Italy and determine Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s future. If it prevails, the reform would vest the power to pass laws solely in the lower house of parliament, instead of the current system that requires approval from […]

Trump Must Not Rip Up the Iran Nuclear Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President-elect Donald Trump must honor the terms of a deal that prevents Iran from making a nuclear weapon, said Madeleine K. Albright, a former US secretary of state and an honorary director of the Atlantic Council’s board, in a meeting with reporters this week. “I happen to think that it’s a good deal, it […]

Africa Presents an Opportunity for Trump

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President-elect Donald Trump must make Africa a priority because it is in the United States’ interest to help tackle the security, humanitarian, and developmental challenges emanating from the continent, according to J. Peter Pham, director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center. Pham said the Trump administration must focus its Africa strategy on four key […]

Mr. Trump, Don’t Be Too Hasty About Lifting Russia Sanctions

By David Mortlock

The US approach to Russia, specifically the future of sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine in 2014, is one of the many US foreign policies thrown into question by Donald Trump’s election as the next president of the United States. Quickly lifting these sanctions may simplify compliance efforts for the private sector […]

Mr. Trump, Don’t Pull Out of the TPP

By Ashish Kumar Sen

If US President-elect Donald Trump were to keep his promise to withdraw the United States from a trans-Pacific free-trade agreement it would severely undermine US credibility and open the door for China to set the rules on global trade, according to Atlantic Council analysts. Trump issued a video on November 21 in which he outlined […]