New Atlanticist

ISIS Has the Headlines, But Al-Qaeda Still a Significant Threat, Say Analysts

By Larry Luxner

The Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) may have grabbed global attention with its brutal terror tactics, but al-Qaeda is still a grave threat to US interests, two national security analysts said April 2 at the Atlantic Council. “Islamic State, by its actions and its very effective communications strategy, has eclipsed al-Qaeda in the […]

A ‘Good’ Deal with Iran, Says Pickering

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Veteran diplomat cites ‘a lot of advantages’ for the United States A deal announced April 2 limiting Iran’s nuclear program while preventing it from developing a nuclear bomb in exchange for lifting economic sanctions “looks like a very good agreement,” says former US Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering. “My sense is that this is a […]

University Attack Marks Al-Shabaab’s ‘Pivot’ to ISIS

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s Bruton says Somali terror group embracing more deadly tactics Al-Shabaab’s deadly April 2 assault against a Kenyan university—the country’s bloodiest attack in 17 years—is a sign that the Somali terrorist group is trying to pivot toward the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), said Atlantic Council analyst Bronywn Bruton. “A schoolyard massacre […]

Legacy of Ukraine: The Need to Engage Central Asia in the Wake of Russian Aggression

By Blake Franko

Despite the ongoing battles raging in Ukraine, more focus should be placed on the less obvious and often ignored opportunities for the West in Central Asia.

Joint Arab Military Force: A Force for Stability?

The heads of Arab League countries agreed at a summit in Egypt last month to set up a joint military force. Tarek Radwan, an Associate Director for the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center and editor of the MENASource blog, interviewed Atlantic Council analysts who weighed in on these plans.

UN Official Sees Bright Future for Renewable Energy

Even as oil prices continue their downward spiral, worldwide investment in renewable energy is growing exponentially—confounding experts who said it would never happen—says Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Steiner, a German development expert who has run UNEP since 2006, spoke April 1 at an event sponsored by the Atlantic […]

Pickering: Tougher Sanctions, Threat of War Not the Way Forward with Iran

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Former US diplomat says too much at stake in nuclear negotiations to walk away now Tougher sanctions and threats of military action are both bad options in the event talks to reach a deal on Iran’s nuclear program fail to produce results, said Thomas Pickering, a former US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs. He […]

Deal or no deal: What next if Iran talks fail?

By Matthew Kroenig

The failure of the P5+1 and Iran to strike a “framework” accord by their own March 31 deadline is troubling. If the two sides can’t even agree to agree on some vague bullet points after sixteen months of negotiations, it is hard to imagine that they will be able to work out a comprehensive accord, […]

In Nigeria, Jonathan’s Luck Runs Out

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Opposition leader Buhari’s strategy of building coalitions pays off, says Atlantic Council’s Pham Opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari’s strategy of assembling a broad coalition and restricting President Goodluck Jonathan to his traditional power base helped the former military ruler to a decisive victory in Nigeria’s March 28 presidential elections, according to Atlantic Council analyst J. Peter […]

Election Uncertainty Would Deal Another Blow to Nigeria’s Economy

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Weak naira, low oil prices already hurting Africa’s largest oil producer, says Atlantic Council’s Hruby The absence of a clear winner in Nigeria’s presidential elections could deal another blow to the country’s economy, which is already reeling from falling crude oil prices, says Atlantic Council analyst Aubrey Hruby. Nigerians will vote in presidential and national […]