New Atlanticist

No Ordinary Meeting

By Ivo Daalder

When U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates meets with our 27 Allies this week, it will be no ordinary affair. Their focus this week: Libya, Afghanistan, and historic reform at NATO itself. It’s the first time all of NATO‘s Defense Ministers will meet since the 28 Leaders of the Alliance set forth in November at the NATO […]

Germany Tops World Influence Ratings; Iran Last

By Derek Reveron

As a consequence of globalization, many countries increasingly show concern with how they are perceived in the world.  Perception impacts both material benefits like foreign direct investment levels and non-material things like national esteem. To improve perception, countries seek to enhance their appeal or soft power through aid programs, cultural exchanges or hosting international sporting […]

Atlantic Update 3/9/11

By Jason Harmala

The Irish Republic swears in Enda Kenny as its new leader, and Europe continues to debate over action in Libya.

West Fighting Libya Intervention Calls—For Now

By James Joyner

Pressures on the United States and NATO to intervene in the ongoing crisis in Libya are growing. Thus far, Western leaders are resisting. A week ago, Senator John McCain called for an immediate no-fly zone in an address to the Atlantic Council. At least two of his heavyweight colleagues, Joe Lieberman and John Kerry, have […]

Atlantic Update 3/8/11

By Jason Harmala

The West remains divided on Libya and the possiblity of a no-fly zone, Hungary amends its controversial media law, and delegates from Serbia and Kosovo meet in Brussels for the first time since 2008.

Middle East: Lots of Challenges; One Big Opportunity

By David Smith

Something big is happening in the Middle East—precisely what is yet unclear. Unfolding developments and thoughtful analysis will no doubt tarnish some of the instant western labels affixed to the unrest—democratic wildfire, first Twitter revolution, etc. It may emerge that a major causal factor was food inflation exported from the first world to dead-end Middle Eastern economies.

Atlantic Update 3/7/11

By Jason Harmala

France’s finance ministry reels from a massive cyber attack, NATO shows no intention of intervening in Libya, and the captured British MI6 and SAS officers were released by Libyan rebel commanders.

Libya is Europe’s Job

By Don Snow

Libyan Ides of March?

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

In the wake of a trillion-dollar war that gave Iran more say than the United States in Iraq’s future, and the longest war in U.S. history in Afghanistan that seems headed for another trillion dollars and is yet to shrink the Taliban insurgency, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates wisely said those who would want to […]

An Arab Strategy? Not as Hopeless as You Think

By Kenneth Weisbrode

“What is to be done?” The famous words of Lenin echo during revolutionary moments like the one now taking place across the Middle East. To the chagrin of many commentators, leaders of the United States and most of Europe have reacted with caution, even passivity, to the dramatic events of what is already being called […]