Category: Timely Commentary & Analysis

What is the value of the US nuclear power complex to US national security?

By Becca Hunziker

Nuclear energy provides critical economic, energy security, defense, foreign policy, scientific, technological, and environmental benefits. In the US, the civilian nuclear energy industry contributes at least $42.4 billion annually to the pursuit of US national security priorities.

The ‘principle of solidarity’: OPAL, Nord Stream, and the shadow over Gazprom

By Alan Riley

The OPAL judgment in Case T-883/16 "Republic of Poland v. European Commission" from the EU General Court will undermine Gazprom’s market dominance in Central and Eastern Europe.

Impact of the European Court of Justice’s Opal decision

By Daniel D. Stein

The recent decision by the European Court of Justice to limit Gazprom’s use of Opal, an onshore pipeline in Germany, has wide-reaching implications for Gazprom’s use of both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, as well as Gazprom’s reliance on Ukraine for gas transit to Europe.

Germany’s social democrats look for a new face, but their problems are much deeper

By Michael John Williams

A change at the top may not be enough to reverse SPD’s decline, as the party has failed to respond to structural changes within German society that have eroded support for the social democrats.

How governments can use cyber tools irresponsibly to preserve power

By Safa Shahwan

The Kazakh case serves as an example of irresponsible cyber statecraft, when governments use cyberspace and technological tools to achieve specific political goals, placing the rights of citizens, as well as their political legitimacy, on the line.

Securing Northern Europe

On September 20, 2019, the Atlantic Council Northern Europe organized a seminar highlighting the launch of a new issue brief titled ‘Securing Northern Europe: Toward A Comprehensive Approach’. Director for Northern Europe Anna Wieslander and Project Assistant Elin Schiffer presented the report for an audience consisting of invited members of parliament, civil servants, foreign diplomats […]

Toward digital power over states

By Thomas A. Campbell

Rapid advances in digital technologies amplify the potential for data acquisition from and influence over other states. One state aggressively pursuing digital advantage globally is China, especially in its leveraging of artificial intelligence (AI).

Ukraine at the Atlantic Council: Building a program, protecting American interests

By John Herbst and Damon Wilson

Given the Atlantic Council’s long track record on Ukraine, we have a unique perspective on how Ukraine moved from a geopolitical issue to a domestic one. In the midst of this growing domestic debate, we remain clear-eyed about US interests: Ukraine’s success is the best means to check Russian adventurism.

A digital agenda for the new European Commission: issues and opportunities

By Jörn Fleck and Alex Baker

Under the outgoing European Commission of President Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Union has emerged as the regulatory superpower of the global digital economy. Early signs indicate Brussels will continue to leverage the power of the single market and its regulatory approach when a new Commission takes office in November 2019.