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New Atlanticist

Dec 30, 2008

From Peshawar to Batumi: Time to Realize the East-West Corridor

By David Smith

Hakimullah Mehsud makes an eloquent practical argument for development of the East-West Corridor that runs from the Black Sea to the Caspian, across Georgia and Azerbaijan.  His Taliban guerillas are attacking NATO supply convoys traveling from Pakistan to Afghanistan and they recently struck a major logistics depot in the Pakistani town of Peshawar. 

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Dec 29, 2008

A Marshall Plan for Afghanistan?

By James Joyner

Former Afghan finance minister Ashraf Ghani — a member of the Atlantic Council’s International Advisory Board — calls for a Marshall Plan for his country in an op-ed in today’s Independent.   He argues that “The Obama Presidency provides a second chance to get Afghanistan right” and that the way to turn around this failed state […]

Afghanistan
Planned South Stream and Nabucco Gas Pipelines

New Atlanticist

Dec 29, 2008

Pipeline Politics: Gazprom Seals Serbia Deal

By Peter Cassata

Gazprom has purchased a controlling 51 percent stake in Serbia’s state oil company, NIS.  Equally as significant, Dmitry Medvedev and Serbian president Boris Tadic also signed a declaration of intent to include Serbia in the planned South Stream pipeline that will supply gas to Europe. 

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 28, 2008

Taliban Shadow Government Nears Kabul

By James Joyner

The Taliban is in de facto control of an increasing part of Afghanistan, Jason Straziuso and Amir Shah report for the AP. The Taliban has long operated its own shadow government in the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan, but its power is now spreading north to the doorstep of Kabul, according to Associated Press interviews […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 28, 2008

Euro at 10

By James Joyner

The euro turns ten with the new year and the tributes are rolling out.    An AP “Euro at a Glance” piece shows the vital statistics: • The euro zone currently encompasses 15 countries with a combined population of 320 million and a 16.4 percent share of world gross domestic product.

New Atlanticist

Dec 27, 2008

Pakistan Readies for War with India

By James Joyner

Pakistan is reportedly moving large numbers of troops to its border with India and canceling leave for soldiers.  At the same time, however, it is signaling that it wishes very much to avoid war.

Pakistan
STOCK India-Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 26, 2008

Pakistan Scales Down Anti-Terrorist Operations

By James Joyner

Pakistan has diverted troops away from anti-terrorist operations in order to safeguard against an attack from India.  Meanwhile, India and Saudi Arabia are calling for “joint action” against terrorists.  BBC: The Pakistani military has scaled down its operations against Islamist militants in the north-west following tensions with India, officials say.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 26, 2008

Bypassing NATO?: Ukraine and Georgia Seek to Strengthen Ties with U.S.

By Peter Cassata

Will the U.S. extend security guarantees to Georgia and Ukraine on a bilateral basis?  With NATO MAPs not on the table for the foreseeable future, pacts with the U.S. are emerging in both countries.  However, Ukraine’s is nonbinding, and as my colleague James Joyner points out, Georgia’s seems largely symbolic.  RFE/RL ran two articles about […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Dec 25, 2008

Geogia-U.S. Accord: Better than Nothing

By James Joyner

The United States and Georgia will sign a “strategic partnership treaty” in the New Year, AFP reports. “Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Grigol Vashadze and the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will sign a strategic partnership treaty on January 4 in Washington,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Khatuna Iosava told AFP. 

The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Dec 24, 2008

German Stimulus Package Smaller Than Previously Announced

By Peter Cassata

Germany’s fiscal stimulus package will be smaller than earlier announced.  Apparently, Spiegel‘s article from last week touting the availability of €40 ($56) billion in funds was incorrect; the figure is actually closer to €25 ($35) billion. 

European Union International Organizations
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