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New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2019

Top ten risks of 2020

By Robert A. Manning, Mathew Burrows

2020 will likely bear more resemblance to the 1930s, as some of the developments which did not reach a denouement in the past year cross the finish line. Several simmering conflicts, symptoms of a global system under strain from US President Donald J. Trump’s “anti-globalist” America First doctrine, could well reach breakpoints in 2020. This may include a shift from the mere corroding of multilateral institutions and US alliances toward total dysfunction.

China International Norms

Event Recap

Dec 16, 2019

War Words in 2019: A stage play about the men and women who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan

By Steven Grundman and Christian Trotti

Walk with us...

Afghanistan Conflict

Event Recap

Dec 13, 2019

Conference call: US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) deal reached

By Frederico Froes and Pablo Reynoso

On December 12, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and Baker McKenzie held a conference call to discuss the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) deal, its implications, and the road ahead.

Americas Economy & Business

EnergySource

Dec 6, 2019

The Neue Ostpolitik approach to Nord Stream 2: A legal fiction carried a little too far

By Dr. Benjamin L. Schmitt

Some Nord Stream 2 proponents invoke the Ostpolitik of the late Cold War, which involved West German cooperation with Moscow on Russian energy exports to Western Europe. But this time around, Europe does not need additional Russian gas volumes and its position is in opposition to the views of most of Eastern Europe. From this perspective, Nord Stream 2 is flawed Ostpolitik.

Energy Markets & Governance European Union

Event Recap

Dec 6, 2019

Digital Policy Simulation – Paris, Berlin

On Tuesday, November 19, the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Digital Marketplace Initiative organized a running of its Digital Policy simulation in Paris. This was co-organized with the Institut Montaigne, and hosted at Linedata Services. Institut Montaigne recruited about 20 players, a mix of tech and cybersecurity experts and national security analysts. On Thursday, November 21, the […]

Digital Policy European Union

EnergySource

Dec 5, 2019

What does a sunset coal industry tell oil producers about peak demand?

By Henning Gloystein

When it eventually peaks, a look at coal gives a glimpse of what could happen in other sectors. Peak demand does not mean consumption will fall off a cliff—coal demand has so far plateaued at or near records, with pockets of growth still around. What could this mean for oil?

Energy Transitions Oil and Gas

Transcripts

Dec 4, 2019

Atlantic Council press call: Unpacking the NATO Leaders’ Meeting

By Atlantic Council

On Wednesday, December 4, transatlantic leaders gather in London for the NATO Leaders' Meeting. Marking the 70th anniversary of the military alliance, the meeting is an opportunity to take stock of NATO’s progress over the last three major summits and discuss how to transform the Alliance for the future. The summit will come at a tense time for the Alliance, with allies divided over issues such as trade, burden-sharing, Syria, and Iran, while the meeting's host country will be only a few days away from a general election. Following the summit and rounding off NATO's historic 70th anniversary year, Amb. Alexander Vershbow, Chris Skaluba, and Andrew Marshall, discuss key takeaways from the Leaders Meeting and priorities for the NATO alliance moving forward.

NATO Security & Defense

Press and members call

Dec 2, 2019

Atlantic Council press call: Iraqi Prime Minister resigns amid violent protests

By Atlantic Council

On Friday, November 29, Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi announced plans to resign after nearly two months of anti-government protests. The nationwide demonstrations, which have been driven by anger over rampant corruption and high unemployment rates, have turned increasingly violent and have resulted in close to 400 fatalities. Following Mahdi's resignation, Abbas Kadhim, C. Anthony Pfaff, Thomas Warrick, and William Wechsler unpack the crisis in Iraq.

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

EnergySource

Nov 27, 2019

Is Rosneft undermining “maximum pressure” on Venezuela and Iran as Trump looks away?

By Matthew Bryza

US President Donald Trump is conducting policies of “maximum pressure” on two countries, Venezuela and Iran. In Venezuela, Russia’s state-owned oil company, Rosneft, actively undercuts this US policy by helping them circumvent Washington’s tough economic sanctions. Why doesn't Washington apply broad sanctions against the giant Russian company?

Energy Markets & Governance Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
Oil rig

EnergySource

Nov 21, 2019

Finding a path forward for oil and gas companies in the energy transition

By Reed Blakemore, David Yellen

2019 appears to be ending bleakly for the old guard of the energy sector—recent third quarter (Q3) reporting paints a gloomy picture: across the industry, profits have plummeted despite rising oil production. Observers have blamed those results on several potentially transitory headwinds, but are they actually what's driving the concerning outlook?

Energy Transitions Oil and Gas