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

Apr 8, 2025

‘How did things ever get so far? It was so unfortunate, so unnecessary.’

By Frederick Kempe

As a global trade war heats up, The Godfather films offer a way to think about US President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy and the market fallout that has resulted.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

Inflection Points

Apr 3, 2025

Why the markets keep getting Trump wrong

By Frederick Kempe

Investors repeatedly miscalculated US President Donald Trump’s far-reaching intentions regarding tariffs ahead of his announcements on April 2. Is this time different?

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

Inflection Points

Mar 31, 2025

‘What you’re witnessing is a revolution.’ Making sense of Trump’s head-spinning moves.

By Frederick Kempe

As the past week made clear, the Trump administration is pushing ahead with what it sees as a revolution in the US approach to the world.

Economy & Business Greenland

Inflection Points

Mar 10, 2025

Here’s a Ukraine peace plan Trump can use to deter—not appease—Putin

By Frederick Kempe

Putting the possibility of NATO membership for Ukraine squarely on the table provides leverage in negotiations with Russia, a new essay argues.

Conflict NATO

Inflection Points

Mar 2, 2025

Zelenskyy and Europe confront the first contours of the Trump World Order

By Frederick Kempe

The Ukrainian president’s tempestuous recent meeting at the White House was a window into a larger transformation of global order by the US president.

Europe & Eurasia International Norms

Inflection Points

Feb 25, 2025

China’s Year of the Snake is off to a good start, thanks in part to Trump

By Frederick Kempe

From an AI breakthrough to an apparent diplomatic recalibration by Washington, Beijing seems to be going from strength to strength in the new year.

Artificial Intelligence China

Inflection Points Today

Feb 24, 2025

History’s clock is ticking (again) in Germany

By Frederick Kempe

Likely incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s election-night mention of the need for “independence” from Washington signals the stakes of this moment for Germany and Europe.

Elections Germany

Inflection Points

Feb 21, 2025

The week that shook Europe—and the historic test ahead

By Frederick Kempe

Trump has an opportunity to cement his place in history and preserve the hard-won gains of the post–World War II era. But any perceived or actual sellout to Russia’s despot would leave an indelible stain US global leadership.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Inflection Points

Feb 20, 2025

Beyond politics: The Atlantic Council’s enduring mission in a world transformed

By Frederick Kempe

As a nonpartisan organization, the Atlantic Council equips policymakers with the insights and analysis necessary to make informed decisions and advance US interests in an increasingly complex global environment.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Inflection Points

Feb 14, 2025

Dispatch from Munich: Trump has put European history in motion again

By Frederick Kempe

As the annual Munich Security Conference opens, there is a palpable sense that the city might again be a place where history is made.

Europe & Eurasia Germany
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