Category: Timely Commentary & Analysis

Lebanon’s Neutrality Toward the Syrian Conflict

After weeks of debate that nearly collapsed the government, Lebanon’s cabinet approved a policy statement on March 14, 2014. The debate focused on Lebanon’s position on the conflict in Syria and the role and future of Hezbollah’s armed militia, over which the March 8 and March 14 alliances disagree. The conclusion of the debate and […]

Working Group on Defense Industrialization in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Saudi Arabia, which spends more on defense than any other nation in the Middle East (up to 10 per cent of its GDP, which amounts to $21 billion), is the world’s seventh biggest spender in military terms. The United Arab Emirates, the world’s fourth largest arms importer, fields an increasingly capable military, is a regional leader […]

Briefing with US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson

On Thursday, March 13, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted a discussion with US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson. Ambassador Olson discussed the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship, and elaborated on various security, economic, developmental and political dynamics between the two countries. This conversation is particularly important, looking at the year ahead, as Pakistan pieces together […]

Briefing with Gary Lewis

On Thursday, March 13, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted Gary Lewis for a private briefing. Drawing on his experiences of over 26 years at the United Nations, most notably as the current United Nations resident coordinator in Iran, Lewis spoke on a range of issues including but not limited to the ongoing nuclear […]

Ambassador Mark Brzezinski on Sweden, NATO, and the Future

On March 13, 2014 the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security hosted a strategy session with the US ambassador to Sweden Mark Brzezinski on Sweden’s role as a NATO partner and on the broader framework of US-Sweden security cooperation.  Visiting Stockholm in September, President Barack Obama underscored Sweden’s importance as one of the […]

Latin America’s Economic Integration and Inclusion

With the region’s increasing prominence on the world stage, Latin America and the Caribbean are at a critical juncture towards a more prosperous future. Yet there is still work to be done – not only in promoting sustained economic progress but also in building stronger trade and investment ties with the United States, its top […]

Ukraine Leader Offers “Partnership” With Russia if it Exits Crimea

By Atlantic Council

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk offered to negotiate an “equal partnership” with Russia if it ends its invasion of Crimea, and praised the Western response to the crisis following his talks today at the White House. “I would like to reiterate that we still want to have a free, equal partnership… with Russia. And we […]