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New Atlanticist

Jan 7, 2009

Gaza Backlash Hits Afghanistan

By James Joyner

In my post on the transatlantic divide over Israel’s Gaza operation, I referred to “America’s virtually automatic support of Israel, even for actions that are not only outside the norms of international law but decidedly unhelpful to our own interests.”

New Atlanticist

Jan 7, 2009

Europe, Russia, and Ukraine: The Gas Crisis in Multimedia

By Peter Cassata

As (somewhat) anticipated, Russia reduced the flow of gas to Ukraine on New Year’s Day because of ongoing disputes over prices for 2009 and unpaid bills.  However, unlike the briefer affair in 2006, this spat has evolved into a full-scale crisis with news today that Russia has cut off gas to Europe entirely (see my […]

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

Jan 7, 2009

Europe’s Gas Supply Cut Off

By James Joyner

The semi-annual gas war between Russia and Ukraine has ratcheted up another notch, with the announcement that all gas headed from to the rest of Europe through Ukraine — which is to say, virtually all Russian gas headed to Europe — has now been halted. Maria Danilova for AP: Ukrainian officials said Wednesday that Russia […]

Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2009

Back on the “Special Relationship” Merry-go-round

By Alex Massie

Sure as eggs is eggs, the arrival of a new American president heralds fresh fretting in the British press over the precise state of the so-called “Special Relationship”. Today’s text comes courtesy of Rachel Sylvester, writing in the Times. It’s worth considering in some detail:

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2009

Helping Ukraine Help Itself

By Nikolas Gvosdev

We are seeing a familiar pattern repeating itself. A dispute between Naftohaz and Gazprom leads to an interruption in Ukraine’s gas supply. Deliveries to Europe are affected. Russia is criticized for its use of “the energy weapon”. Then, everything is patched up, the gas flows again and the West loses interest in the matter until […]

Energy & Environment Russia

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2009

Polls: Gaza and Sarkozy

By James Joyner

Our new poll asks, “Who is most to blame for the current violence in Gaza?“ Is it Hamas, whose refusal to stop terrorist rocket attacks on Israeli civilians provoked the attacks? Or is it Israel, for swatting at a gnat with a sledgehammer?

Israel

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2009

Germany’s Ever-Changing Stimulus Package

By Peter Cassata

First it was €40 billion.  Then it was €25 billion.  Now it may be as high as €50 ($68.1) billion.  The plan, which will reportedly focus on schools and public works, remains stalled by conflicting domestic political debates over tax cuts within Merkel’s governing coalition. 

European Union Germany

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2009

Transatlantic Divide on Israel Attacks in Gaza

By James Joyner

In a post titled “Transatlantic Differences,” Alex Massie muses about how differently Americans would react than Brits to news that two members of the shadow cabinet of the conservative party had entered (separately) into homosexual civil unions.

Israel Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2009

Energy Independence Fallacy

By Robert Manning

A smart energy policy is one that successfully integrates energy security (adequate, reliable supplies of energy at reasonable prices), national security and climate change policies so that they are not pulling in opposite directions.  President-elect Barack Obama’s choices of former EPA administrator Carol Browner to coordinate energy and environment policies, and of Steven Chu, director […]

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2009

The War in Georgia and Europe’s Terrible Silence

By David Smith

Four months after the hot phase of Russia’s war on Georgia, Russia continues to violate the European Union-brokered ceasefire agreements of August 12 and September 8.  Notwithstanding, the EU on December 2 resumed Partnership and Cooperation Agreement talks with Russia, which it had suspended September 1 in the wake of Russia’s August assault on Georgia. 

European Union International Organizations