Category: Issue Brief

Nuclear geopolitics in the Baltic Sea region: Exposing Russian strategic interests behind Ostrovets NPP

By Giedrius Česnakas and Justinas Juozaitis

In the Baltic Sea Region, there is an important but often overlooked and underestimated security challenge brewing. Russia is increasing its foothold in Belarus by facilitating and supporting the construction of the Ostrovets NPP, while simultaneously blocking other strategic energy projects.

The US-UK “special relationship” at a critical crossroads

By Schuyler Foerster and Ray Raymond

Ever since World War II, the United States and the United Kingdom have enjoyed a truly special relationship grounded in a shared commitment to a world order based on democracy, the rule of law, and free trade, among other commonalities. However, significant changes on both sides of the Atlantic–with Britain’s decision to exit the European […]

The US-UK “special relationship” at a critical crossroads

In this issue brief, Dr. Foerster and Dr. Raymond outline the key elements of this unique relationship and provide their recommendations for strengthening the partnership that helps anchor the liberal international order.

Libya: From intervention to proxy war

By Karim Mezran and Elissa Miller

More than six years after Libya’s 2011 revolution against Muammar al-Qaddafi, the situation in the country is significantly more complex and dangerous. The failure of the 2011 NATO intervention to assist the country with a comprehensive stabilization process led to rapid deterioration on the ground and created an opportunity for external actors to pursue competing […]

Libya: From intervention to proxy war

By Karim Mezran and Elissa Miller

In this issue brief, Dr. Karim Mezran and Elissa Miller explore the dynamics of regional and international actors most involved in Libya’s proxy conflict, as well as recent incidents of escalation that threaten to further destabilize the country.

Journey to the West: Chinese opportunities in European infrastructure expansion

By Maximilian Gebhardt

Maximilian Gebhardt explores the implications and challenges of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for European Union infrastructure investments in the latest issue brief from the Atlantic Council’s Future Europe Initiative: “Journey to the West: Chinese Opportunities in European Infrastructure Expansion.” As the European Union aims to deepen integration, particularly in the field of infrastructure, […]

Journey to the West: Chinese opportunities in European infrastructure expansion

By Maximilian Gebhardt

Maximilian Gebhardt explores the implications and challenges of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for European Union infrastructure investments in the latest issue brief from the Atlantic Council’s Future Europe Initiative

Transforming India from a balancing to leading power

By Manish Tewari and Bharath Gopalaswamy

“It is vital for American interests in Asia to have India as an economic and strategic ally,” writes Bharath Gopalaswamy and former Minister Manish Tewari in “Transforming India from a Balancing to Leading Power,” a new brief from the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center. In the brief, the authors present policy recommendations for US policy […]

Transforming India from a balancing to leading power

By Bharath Gopalaswamy, Manish Tewari

In the brief, the authors present policy recommendations for US policy makers as a newly assertive India seeks to assume a leading role in Asia.

Economic Sanctions: Sharpening a vital foreign policy tool

By John Forrer

Despite the popularity of economic sanctions as a foreign policy tool, their ability to deliver sustained impacts on target countries is often called into question. In “Economic Sanctions–A Vital Foreign Policy Tool,” author John Forrer, associate research professor of strategic management and public policy at the School of Business at George Washington University, explains the […]