New Atlanticist

No More Baby Steps: Pentagon Needs a Real Strategic Review

By Barry Pavel and James Joyner

The United States must fundamentally rethink its defense strategy in light of major changes in both funding and the security challenges we face in the world.

China: Mao or Markets?

By Robert A. Manning

Why is Chinese president Xi Jinping embracing his inner Mao at a moment when China’s new leaders are on the verge of launching a new wave of reforms to retool China’s economy based on strengthening market forces? Hint: it may have something to do with the regime’s efforts to bring down the former Chongqing Communist […]

Don’t Use US Credibility as a Reason to Attack Syria

By Rajan Menon

What’s striking about the debate over President Obama’s plan for a punitive strike against Syrian President Bashar Assad is the extent to which it centers on countries other than Syria. There’s a reason for this. A concept that has had a long, significant though subtle influence on U.S. foreign policy is at work again: credibility.

Is the Special Relationship Dead?

By Julian Lindley-French

Is the Anglo-American special relationship dead? In the wake of Parliament’s 29 August decision to block the use of British forces in any US-led strike on Syria British officers were ejected from planning meetings at US Central Command (CENTCOM). At this week’s G20 meeting in St Petersberg President Obama will pointedly have a private meeting […]

Five Reasons Why Congress Must Support Obama on Syria

By R. Nicholas Burns

Whether you agree or disagree with President Barack Obama’s surprising decision to ask Congress to authorize the use of force against Syria is last weekend’s question. Now that the Senate has begun a vigorous debate, this week’s only pertinent question is whether theUnited States will respond to the Syrian government’s use of chemical weapons against […]

Sweden Welcomes President Obama

President Obama’s trip to Sweden before heading to the G20 Summit has all of Europe buzzing. The photo above shows President Obama’s arrival, and the video set below shows the joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Sweden.

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.