Category: Timely Commentary & Analysis

Discussion with The Hon. Sean Stackley, Assistant Secretary of the Navy

On Wednesday, January 7th Sean Stackley, the US Department of the Navy’s assistant secretary for research, development, and acquisition, gave an Atlantic Council Defense-Industrial Policy address at the Atlantic Council’s headquarters.

Iraqi Kurds Retake Territory; Seek More Help to Free Mosul

By Barbara Slavin

No one is yet talking about victory in the war against the vicious group that calls itself the Islamic State (IS). Today’s shocking attack in Paris underlines the threat that terrorist fanatics pose to civilized society everywhere. But on the battlefronts of Iraq, IS has lost its edge. Iraqi Kurdish forces, backed by U.S. airpower, […]

Obama’s daunting new year

By Nicholas Burns

AS PRESIDENT Obama looks ahead, 2015 may be the most challenging and consequential year of his presidency on foreign policy. Here are some major global tests where he will need to marshal American diplomatic strength, leadership, and effectiveness this year.

Fragmented Syria in Search of a Referee

By Barbara Slavin

As 2014 draws to a close, the war in Syria grinds on. The main combatants continue to pummel each other like punch drunk fighters, with no referee to make them stop.

Column: Cuba Shift Could Help Break Iran Deadlock

By Barbara Slavin

President Barack Obama’s decision to transform the U.S. relationship with Cuba has obvious implications for the few remaining countries that lack normal diplomatic ties with the United States, especially Iran. While there are many differences between a resource-poor island of 11 million people 90 miles off the coast of Florida and a large, oil-rich nation […]

Washington initiatives offer expanded frontier for great power cooperation

By David Koranyi

US involvement in Afghanistan has broadened and deepened diplomatic and economic relations with Central Asian countries. Yet soon-to-retire former US defense secretary Chuck Hagel’s visit to Afghanistan early this month reminded Americans and the world that large-scale US and NATO troop engagement in Afghanistan is nearing its end. The withdrawal of most US and coalition […]

The peacemakerse of 2014

By Nicholas Burns

2014 was an annus horribilis in foreign policy, as the Ebola crisis, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the rise of ISIS in a burning Middle East, and multiple civil wars in Africa attest. As the year ends, however, a closer look illuminates thousands of courageous men and women who work ceaselessly for the elusive hope of […]