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

Jan 9, 2022

Can the US avoid both appeasement and war? This week’s Russia talks will be revealing.

By Frederick Kempe

By this week’s end, the United States and its allies likely will know whether Vladimir Putin is willing to negotiate or whether he’s determined to escalate.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Inflection Points

Dec 19, 2021

Next year’s global challenges are the most daunting in decades. Biden must prepare for them.

By Frederick Kempe

It may be the United States, more than any other actor, whose actions and inactions will drive the plot.

Conflict Nuclear Nonproliferation

Inflection Points

Nov 21, 2021

With the US in ‘strategic contraction,’ allies take a new approach to partnership

By Frederick Kempe

What our partners see now is a less externally confident, more internally focused United States guided by a sober calculation of its leverage and resources, burdened by public weariness with the cost of international leadership and hobbled by domestic political polarization. 

Afghanistan India

Inflection Points

Nov 7, 2021

Special Report: Three lessons from Riyadh and Glasgow, as climate change collides with an energy shock

By Frederick Kempe

The world is experiencing more energy transition than revolution, climate adaptation is critical, and politics will indelibly shape the energy future.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

Inflection Points

Oct 17, 2021

We’re at the perilous beginning of an uncertain era in US-China relations

By Frederick Kempe

The United States and China represent the most significant bilateral relationship in human history—and neither side is managing their rising tensions with adequate skill or durable strategy.

China Economy & Business

Inflection Points

Oct 3, 2021

Biden should course-correct to embrace global economic, trade deals

By Frederick Kempe

By embracing its global partners economically, the Biden administration would make good on its “America is back” narrative.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

Inflection Points

Sep 19, 2021

Xi’s big bet helps explain the Australian submarine deal

By Frederick Kempe

It is only in the context of Xi’s increased repressions at home and expanded ambitions abroad that one can fully understand Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s decision

Australia China

Inflection Points

Aug 29, 2021

Biden can still salvage his legacy and US credibility. It won’t be easy.

By Frederick Kempe

Here's how President Joe Biden can correct course with allies and partners over Afghanistan—and beyond. 

Afghanistan Conflict

Inflection Points

Aug 22, 2021

Afghanistan threatens Biden’s shot at being a historic foreign-policy leader

By Frederick Kempe

At the end of the worst week of US President Joe Biden’s young presidency, this is the question he must urgently answer: Of all the problems that his Afghanistan troop withdrawal decision has generated, which is most significant?

Afghanistan Conflict

Inflection Points

Jul 11, 2021

Lessons from the Didi IPO ride: Xi faces a tradeoff between economic dynamism and authoritarian grip

By Frederick Kempe

This was a clarifying week for global investors—or for anyone concerned about authoritarian capitalism—of just how much the Chinese Communist Party would be willing to pay to ensure its dominance. The answer represents an immeasurable loss of economic dynamism.

China Economy & Business
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