New Atlanticist

Keep the Faith: Fighting Islamophobia

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The United States and Europe have entered a “dark period” of Islamophobia, and no easy solutions are at hand, panelists contended in a discussion at the Atlantic Council in Washington on October 20. In the wake of deadly attacks by sympathizers of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in Paris, Brussels, and San […]

Building on the Iran Nuclear Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The next president of the United States must build on the opportunity provided by the nuclear deal to normalize ties with Iran, said Ellen Laipson, a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council, in Washington on October 19. “Iran is not a peer adversary of the United States. We should be able to manage the challenge […]

Only KGB Generals Stand between Putin and Absolute Power

By Anders Åslund

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin rules supreme. On September 18, his United Russia party won its largest-ever majority—enough to change the constitution—in the parliamentary elections. He seems to be running circles around the West in both Ukraine and Syria. Yet, Russia’s stability must not be overestimated. Last year, retail sales fell by 10 percent and this […]

Alaska’s Microgrid Experience Applied Across Borders

By Penny Gage

There is a stark divide between rural and urban Alaska, with 41 percent of the state’s residents residing in the city of Anchorage. Most communities are located off the road system, accessible only by airplane or boat. Supplying reliable, secure, and affordable energy is a challenge. Remote electricity systems, and even large cities concerned about […]

As Arctic Council Chair, United States Will Stay the Course on Climate Change

Despite the opposing positions on climate change adopted by Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, a senior US official has expressed confidence that the United States’ efforts to curb the effects of global warming over the course of its chairmanship of the Arctic Council will transcend the political transition in Washington. Regardless of the outcome of […]

Securing the Internet of Things

As a consequence of our dependence on gadgets that are increasingly interconnected, securing these devices has become a “homeland security issue,” a senior US official said at the Atlantic Council on October 14, while exhorting industry and civil society leaders to address potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The system of interrelating, connected computing devices with the ability […]

Russia Seen Guiding the Illiberal Turn in Central and Eastern Europe

Russia is financing far-right political parties and critics of the European Union as part of a broader Kremlin strategy to sow disinformation and mistrust on the Continent, according to a member of the European Parliament (MEP). Ivan Stefanec, an MEP from Slovakia, contended that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is now more closely aligned with […]

Getting the Most Out of Renewables

By Clare Magee

Nearly half of the Fortune 500 companies, including Apple, Facebook, General Motors, Google, Target, and Wal-Mart, have announced sustainability and/or clean energy targets. Non-utility customers accounted for 52 percent of last year’s 4,000 megawatts of US wind deals, and US companies represented 907 megawatts of solar in 2015—a nearly 60 percent increase over the previous year. However, […]

Protecting Cyber Life Zones

By Ian Fairchild

Humans and technology are converging in unexpected ways, and more rapidly than ever before.  For instance, Tesla is integrating radar into its cars.  Delta Airlines tracks luggage with microchips.  Even our home energy controls are becoming smarter.  As humans increasingly inlay technology into daily life, greater interaction necessitates both dialogue and action.  We must critically […]

In DRC, Questions About President Kabila’s Intentions

By Ashish Kumar Sen

President’s advisor says Kabila will respect constitutional term limits, not seek a third term Joseph Kabila has no intention of seeking a third term in office. The fact that he will likely remain president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) long after his term ends in December—until a successor is elected—is simply because […]