New Atlanticist

TTIP Will ‘Survive’ Brexit

By Mitch Hulse

The effort to conclude a transatlantic trade deal will continue despite the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, according to the European Union’s top trade official. “There are a lot of uncertainties related to Brexit and we will have to wait and see the clearer picture. But for now and for the immediate […]

It’s Time to Scrap the Minsk Agreement

By David J. Kramer

Editor’s Note: On June 22, Ambassador John Herbst and David Kramer debated whether we should bury the Minsk agreement, the troubled ceasefire agreement in Ukraine, at an Atlantic Council event in Washington, DC. Their remarks have been adapted from the debate. The Minsk ceasefire agreement, signed February 15, 2015, by the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, […]

NAFTA Seen Key to Preserving US-Mexico Relationship

By Mitch Hulse

It would be a disaster to cut trade relations with Mexico, three former US officials said at the Atlantic Council on June 27. Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, has pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which enables trade between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In a speech […]

Atlantic Council Report Advocates Troop Buildup in Europe in Response to Russian Threat

By Ashish Kumar Sen

NATO must respond to threats from Russia by permanently stationing troops in the Baltic States, Poland, and the Black Sea region, according to a new Atlantic Council report. “These are clearly modest—in terms of the troop commitments—measures designed to stabilize the alliance, protect our smaller allies in the east, and do what the NATO alliance […]

Africa and Brexit: Not All Bad News

By J. Peter Pham

Amid the global political and economic turmoil in the wake of last week’s narrow decision by British voters in favor of taking their country out of the European Union, there has been no shortage of alarm about the potential toll of “Brexit” on Africa in terms of diminished trade, investment, and assistance. While there will […]

With Brexit Looming, United States Advised to Forge Ties with Germany, the UK

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Germany has economic and political dominance in Europe, said Atlantic Council board member R. Nicholas Burns In light of the British decision to leave the European Union, US President Barack Obama and his successor must forge a closer bond with Germany and shore up the “special relationship” with the United Kingdom, said R. Nicholas Burns, […]

The United Kingdom’s Long Kiss Goodbye

Here’s what Atlantic Council analysts and guests had to say about the British referendum on June 23 to leave the European Union. In the Week After the Vote: “British support for taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union came as a tremendous shock to the world. Global financial markets were roiled for two […]

Brexit: An ‘Earthquake’ in London

By Ashish Kumar Sen

A vote by the British to leave the European Union should not be viewed as an isolated incident. It should, instead, set off alarm bells about the future of the European project. British Prime Minister David Cameron’s campaign to keep the United Kingdom in the EU was defeated by 52 percent to 48 percent despite […]

In Post-Brexit Era, a New Vision for the EU is Necessary

By Fran Burwell

Boarding the Eurostar from Brussels to London on June 24, the British passengers still went through the “EU Members” line at passport control, while we Americans went through “All Other Passports”—for how much longer? Possibly, for quite some time, if some British leaders—including top campaigners to Leave—have their way. At the core of the issue […]

EU’s Salvation a Priority

By Anders Åslund

David Cameron will go down as one of the most foolish prime ministers in British history. By placating populist sentiment and agreeing to hold a referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership in the European Union to manage tensions in his own Conservative Party, he has taken his country out of relevant international politics, forced himself […]