New Atlanticist

The Confusing Case for Striking Syria

By Rajan Menon

For more than two years President Barack Obama has resisted the clamor of the interventionists, avoiding military moves against Bashar al-Assad’s regime for fear of being sucked into the vortex of Syria’s horrific and complex civil war.

Obama in Stockholm: A Missed European Opportunity

By Fran Burwell

Don’t get me wrong — Sweden has been an exceptional partner to the United States. Although technically not an ally, Swedish soldiers have stood with ours in Afghanistan and Kosovo, and the Swedish air force played a serious role in enforcing the no-fly-zone during the Libyan revolution. Sweden is also a strong supporter of a […]

Syria, Obama, and the Value-Interest

By Julian Lindley-French

President Obama’s 31 August decision to authorize but delay a military strike against Syria’s Bashar al-Assad’s regime in the wake of the alleged use of chemical weapons is an important moment. Taken together with the 29 August decision of Britain’s Parliament to deny Prime Minister Cameron permission to use force two changes are apparent.

Damon Wilson Looks at President Obama’s Visit to Sweden

As Magnus Nordenman summarizes in his piece on NATOSource, there could be any number of reasons why President Obama is visiting Sweden this week. Obama’s decision to visit Stockholm may be explained with something as banal as Russia’s acceptance of Ed Snowden’s asylum application and a wish by Washington to send a message of displeasure […]

Obama’s Hamlet Act

By James Joyner

As recently as two days ago, it looked as if strikes would commence this weekend. Yesterday, though, the president announced that he would seek permission from Congress, which won’t be back in town for more than a week. This Hamlet act is drawing jeers from friend and foe alike.

Obama’s Syria Decision and US Global Credibility

By Barry Pavel and Alex Ward

After a week of signaling that a US-led attack on Syria was imminent to punish the Assad regime for the inhumane and internationally condemned use of chemical weapons against his own people, US President Barack Obama announced two decisions Saturday: first, that he had decided to take military action against Syrian regime targets; but second, […]

Obama Will Seek Congressional Authorization on Syria

In an announcement from the Rose Garden at the White House, President Obama announced two decisions on Syria. He said in his statement that he has decided the United States should take military action against the regime in Syria for their use of chemical weapons.