Inflection Points

Inflection Points

A weekly column by Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe, Inflection Points focuses on the global challenges facing the United States and how to best address them.

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Inflection Points Today

Dec 9, 2023

The private sector’s role in the climate crisis

By Frederick Kempe

This year’s sharply increased level of private-sector engagement could be the game changer to address challenges beyond the capacity of governments alone.

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

Inflection Points Today

Dec 8, 2023

The crooked road to a better Middle East

By Frederick Kempe

It’s time to connect the dots globally. Before it’s too late, we must build and defend the architecture of the future, whether in Europe (with Ukraine) or in the Middle East. The alternative is to stand by while the forces of the past tear it down.

Crisis Management Economy & Business

Inflection Points Today

Dec 4, 2023

A big idea to address the biggest killer of the climate crisis

By Frederick Kempe

With over seventy thousand delegates and observers at COP28, actions that aim to improve lives—such as insurance programs to support workers in the informal economy, many of them women—deserve notice.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
Bombing in Gaza seen from southern Israel

Inflection Points

Nov 18, 2023

The best antidote to surging Mideast violence and Iranian extremism? Regional versions of NATO and the EU.

By Frederick Kempe

To bring peace, the moderate, modernizing Arab countries and Israel need to work together to create institutions of collective security and economic development.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Biden speaks to the nation

Inflection Points

Oct 21, 2023

Biden’s inflection point and history’s sobering lessons

By Frederick Kempe

Now that Biden has identified this inflection point and its actors, it’s worth reflecting on what the term means—and what it demands from the United States and its global partners.

Israel Middle East
Biden addresses the nation

Inflection Points

Oct 12, 2023

Israel, Ukraine, and how Biden should connect the dots

By Frederick Kempe

When Biden does get around to making his speech on Ukraine, he should discuss the attacks on Israel and how the US and its allies face the greatest threat to global order since the 1930s.

Israel Middle East

Inflection Points

Sep 17, 2023

On China, grant the US the wisdom to distinguish between what it can and cannot change

By Frederick Kempe

In crafting its strategy on managing its relations with China, the United States should begin with a geopolitical serenity prayer.

China Elections

Inflection Points

Jul 15, 2023

Dispatch from Vilnius: Inside a NATO Summit of high drama on Ukraine—and historic opportunity

By Frederick Kempe

The fireworks were unusual in a consensus-driven Alliance that values decorum and discretion. But the summit still yielded several strategic wins.

Conflict NATO

Inflection Points

Jul 9, 2023

Dispatch from Vilnius: Will Zelenskyy show at the summit? It depends on whether Biden listens to frontline NATO allies.

By Frederick Kempe

Central European officials say the US has held up a fast track to NATO membership for Ukraine. That would be a mistake.

Conflict Eastern Europe
Atlantic Council President and CEO Fred Kempe speaks to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Atlantic Council Chairman John F. W. Rogers

Inflection Points

Jun 4, 2023

Dispatch from Kyiv: Ukraine deserves NATO membership and even more robust weapons

By Frederick Kempe

An Atlantic Council delegation's trip to Kyiv this week highlighted how important additional support is to Ukraine.

Conflict Eastern Europe
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