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 11, 2020

Abu Dhabi dispatch: The Soleimani earthquake and coming aftershocks

By Frederick Kempe

The conventional wisdom – underpinned by visuals from Iran – is that the US drone strike reinforced hardliners and shifted the internal Iranian dynamics from protests against the regime to angry demonstrations against the United States. Far harder to measure is the longer-term impact of Soleimani’s absence on the country’s revolutionary effectiveness and structure.

Conflict Iran

Inflection Points

Dec 22, 2019

Six reasons for an optimistic 2020

By Frederick Kempe

Tis the season to be gloomy, when the world’s prognosticators provide their competing lists of the coming year’s top risks. And there are plenty of candidates, from Iran to North Korea, and from American elections to global warming. But acting on the advice of Winston Churchill, here are six sources of optimism for 2020.

Climate Change & Climate Action Conflict

Inflection Points

Dec 14, 2019

Boris Johnson’s next act: Saving the UK

By Frederick Kempe

Prime Minister Johnson – who famously craves both public attention and a place in history – won the former and a shot at the latter through a British election victory this week that was the most convincing conservative victory since Margaret Thatcher in 1987. To save the United Kingdom itself, however, he must reverse course, or at least amend direction, on much of what he has said and done to win in the first place.

Europe & Eurasia European Union
NATO leaders pose for a group photo

Inflection Points

Dec 7, 2019

NATO’s China challenge

By Frederick Kempe

China has emerged as the most formidable challenge that has ever faced NATO.

China National Security

Inflection Points

Nov 25, 2019

Iran: A time of reckoning

By Frederick Kempe

Iran faces a time of reckoning, and the stakes couldn’t be higher: potential war with the United States, the reversal of its gains across the Middle East and the future of its revolutionary state.

Iran

Inflection Points

Nov 10, 2019

Hopes and gains from Berlin Wall’s fall at risk

By Frederick Kempe

If US and European leaders don’t recover the common purpose they shared at that time – and there is yet little sign they will – this weekend’s Berlin Wall anniversary is more a moment for concern than celebration.

China Europe & Eurasia

Inflection Points

Nov 5, 2019

Tougher test than Cold War

By Frederick Kempe

As the 30th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s fall approaches, does the US have a consistent strategy and a unified alliance needed to address today's challenges?

China Europe & Eurasia

Inflection Points

Oct 27, 2019

Geopolitical earthquake shakes US position

By Frederick Kempe

Though the tremors have long been evident, it’s growing clearer with each day that we’re experiencing a seismic shift that is threatening the political and economic world the United States did so much to create.

Europe & Eurasia Russia

Inflection Points

Oct 20, 2019

The dangers of neglecting allies

By Frederick Kempe

President Trump’s maximum pressure and Iran’s escalating responses have increased the risks of conflict. They have also brought a new chance of resolution that may become the most significant test yet of President Trump’s ability to transform his disruptive foreign policy into positive outcomes.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Inflection Points

Sep 28, 2019

China at 70: Xi’s bold bet

By Frederick Kempe

With every day, China’s leadership is more openly demonstrating its desire and capability to shape the global future in the face of a distracted America.

China
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