New Atlanticist

Think Before We Talk About War on ISIS

By Richard LeBaron

Whether our political leaders and media commentators are willing to declare war on the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) is fast becoming somewhat of a litmus test for whether one is serious about defeating this particular brand of terrorists. While the horror of the attacks in Paris certainly merits a strong response, the […]

After Paris, Will the United States and Europe Give Migrants the Cold Shoulder?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s Fran Burwell and Faysal Itani say despite calls for stronger screening, some terrorists will inevitably get through The discovery of a Syrian passport near the scene of a suicide bombing in Paris on Nov. 13 and confirmation that one of the attackers had entered Europe as part of a wave of hundreds of […]

‘It is Time to Take the Diplomatic, Military, and Cyber Gloves Off’

Atlantic Council analysts react to ISIS’ attacks in Paris The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks in Paris that killed more than 120 people on Nov. 13 — the deadliest attack in Europe since the 2004 train bombings in Madrid. French President François Hollande said the attack […]

A Zanzibar-Size Blemish on Tanzania’s Election

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Electoral panel’s decision to nullify Zanzibar vote must be recalled, says President of International Republican Institute Tanzania faces a crucial test of its commitment to multiparty democracy in the wake of October elections that were marred by the annulment of voting in the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, Mark Green, a former US Ambassador to Tanzania, […]

‘Rehumanizing’ War

By Alejandro Alvarez

After Veterans Day, authors urge public to remember human element of war A critical divide between the American public and military needs to be overcome to best provide for veterans returning home from war, said a VA official and authors at the Atlantic Council on Nov. 12. “Ignorance flourishes amid apathy, and we are a […]

Crowdsourcing Terrorism

By Ashish Kumar Sen

ISIS intent on expanding online abilities to conduct cyber attacks, says US official Extremist groups are using social media to “crowdsource” terrorism and are intent on developing the ability to conduct crippling cyber attacks on their enemies, a senior Justice Department official said at the Atlantic Council on Nov. 10. “[Terrorist groups] have the intent […]

David Cameron Wants EU to Reform. Will He Get His Way?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

British Prime Minister unlikely to get his way on curbing welfare payments to EU migrants, says Atlantic Council’s Fran Burwell British Prime Minister David Cameron will likely get some of his demands for reform of the European Union, but on at least one — curbing welfare payments for EU citizens migrating to the United Kingdom […]

Renegotiate TPP? Fuggedaboutit

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Obama administration rules out reopening trade deal with eleven Pacific Rim nations The Obama administration will not renegotiate a trade deal it spent more than five years negotiating with eleven other Pacific Rim countries, a White House official said on Nov. 10. “Renegotiation is just not an option because if you open up the issues, […]

In Bangladesh, Radical Islam on the Rise as ‘Battling Begums’ Feud

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Faysal Arefin was stabbed to death in his second-floor office in a crowded Dhaka neighborhood on Oct. 31. His crime: Publishing books by Avijit Roy, a Bangladeshi-American blogger and strident opponent of religious extremism. Arefin is not the first to meet such a gruesome end. On Feb. 26, machete-wielding men fatally attacked Roy as he […]

Russia Bombing Syrians Displaced by War, Says Syrian Activist

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Russian warplanes have bombed not just moderate rebel groups, but also critical civilian infrastructure and people fleeing the war in Syria, a prominent Syrian civil society activist said at the Atlantic Council on Nov. 6. “Russia claims that they are fighting against [the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham] … but ISIS is 100 kilometers […]