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.

Subscribe

Inflection Points with Frederick Kempe podcast

Content

Inflection Points

Mar 7, 2021

Who will organize the world? That’s what’s at stake in the Biden-Xi contest.

By Frederick Kempe

If Biden’s vision is for the United States to create a band of reinvigorated democratic sisters and brothers, inspired by the country’s revitalization, Xi’s vision is for a world where each country’s political system, culture, and society are its own business. Will either view come out on top?

China International Norms

Inflection Points

Feb 28, 2021

Why the US can’t afford to fall behind in the global digital currency race

By Frederick Kempe

The Federal Reserve worries about being too hasty in introducing a digital dollar, given the stakes as the world’s reserve currency. The greater geopolitical danger, however, is how quickly the Fed is falling behind.

China Digital Currencies

Inflection Points

Feb 21, 2021

Biden’s ‘inflection point’ for democracies poses historic challenge for the US and allies

By Frederick Kempe

The Biden administration will need to develop a far more creative, intensive, and collaborative give-and-take approach to its Asian and European allies than perhaps ever before. Galvanizing international common cause has seldom been this important, but it also perhaps has never been this difficult.

China Crisis Management

Inflection Points

Feb 7, 2021

Why ‘The Longer Telegram’ triggered such a fierce, global China debate

By Frederick Kempe

The 26,000-word paper has served as a sort of Rorschach test for the expert community on China. The reactions have ranged between critiques from those who found the paper’s prescriptions too provocative, to praise from those who lauded its ground-breaking contributions.

China Politics & Diplomacy

Inflection Points

Jan 31, 2021

A bold new China proposal for Biden: Draw red lines and focus on Xi

By Frederick Kempe

The author’s hope is that this paper would be an important step “toward a new American China strategy” that would include ten key elements outlined in the paper, ranging from addressing domestic economic and institutional weaknesses to full coordination with major allies so that all significant action is taken in unity in response to China.

China Politics & Diplomacy

Inflection Points

Jan 24, 2021

It’s Joe Biden’s America, but could it be Xi Jinping’s world?

By Frederick Kempe

As Joe Biden’s presidency enters its first one hundred days, he can’t take his eyes off Xi Jinping's efforts to leverage the anniversary of the first one hundred years of the CCP’s power. Biden faces a wide array of international challenges, but this contest will be the one that will define his place in history—and whether democracy or authoritarianism will be the ascendant system for the future.

China Elections

Inflection Points

Jan 17, 2021

Here’s how Trump’s parting acts have improved Biden’s shot at history

By Frederick Kempe

The past days’ events have greatly improved Biden’s chance of being the sort of transformative president who comes along only every generation or so.

Elections International Norms

Inflection Points

Jan 10, 2021

Trump’s resignation would be the best path to US healing—and global effectiveness

By Frederick Kempe

As unlikely as it seems that Trump would step down, his resignation in the next week would serve him and the country best.

Elections International Norms

Inflection Points

Dec 20, 2020

China’s Xi rushes to close EU investment deal ahead of Biden inauguration

By Frederick Kempe

President Xi isn’t willing to hit the pause button to provide President-elect Biden time and space to assemble his China team, reach out to allies, and frame his strategy. He won’t do so on trade and investment, nor will he do so in his efforts to crack down on political dissent at home.

China East Asia

Inflection Points

Dec 13, 2020

Biden’s best chance for Mideast gains: go slow on Iran and build fast off the Abraham Accords

By Frederick Kempe

Imagine President-elect Biden standing before two doors that represent the Middle Eastern quandary he faces. One door is marked “Return to Obama’s Iran Nuclear Deal.” The other is labeled “Build Upon Trump’s Abraham Accords.” As it is with most of these tales, there are perils in both paths.

Economy & Business Elections
Load More