Issue Brief

Oct 26, 2016

Enhancing the US-Swedish defense relationship

By Magnus Nordenman

Security and deterrence in the Baltic Sea region.

NATO Partnerships Northern Europe

Report

Oct 21, 2016

Transforming the power sector in developing countries: A strategic framework for post-Paris action

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

As the Paris Agreement on Climate Change enters into force, signatories will face the challenges of transforming their energy sectors into more efficient, lower-carbon systems. This report provides a strategic framework to understand and address the challenges and hard choices developing countries face in moving to a cleaner energy mix while expanding access to those without electricity.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Oct 19, 2016

A new strategy for US-Iran relations in transition

By Ellen Laipson

Framing a sustainable and achievable strategy toward Iran will be a high priority for the next administration. In the sixth Atlantic Council Strategy Paper, A New Strategy for US-Iran Relations in Transition, Ellen Laipson presents a new strategy to reduce prospects for a military confrontation with Iran; improve the regional security environment by working with trusted partners and with Iran; and, eventually, enable Iran and the United States to build cooperation in diverse areas of shared concern.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

Issue Brief

Oct 14, 2016

History’s lessons for resolving today’s Middle East conflicts

By Mathew J. Burrows

In the spirit of the adage that “those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it,” History’s Lessons for Resolving Today’s Middle East Conflicts, by Mathew J. Burrows, examines past precedents for resolving highly complex conflicts, by delving into seven historic examples of peacemaking.

Conflict Middle East

Report

Oct 11, 2016

Into the clouds: European SMEs and the digital age

By Tyson E. Barker

Cloud computing, which relies on automatically available services, including storage, that can be shared among devices, is considered crucial to the digital transformation of industry and the economy. But fundamental questions remain on the role of cloud computing in Europe and the best strategies for fostering the conditions necessary for a barrier-free transatlantic digital economy. […]

Digital Policy Europe & Eurasia

Report

Oct 5, 2016

Europe Needs To Trim Its Excessive Fiscal Burden

By Anders Åslund

Europe suffers from two major handicaps: poor economic growth and high unemployment. In Europe Needs To Trim Its Excessive Fiscal Burden, Anders Åslund argues that Europe needs more structural reforms to solve these problems. Åslund addresses some fundamental questions on excessive fiscal burden: Why have public expenditures become higher in the EU than in other countries […]

Economy & Business European Union

Issue Brief

Oct 5, 2016

Odd couple: The future of the Australia-UAE partnership

By John T. Watts

Considering its geographic distance and lack of formal allies, the Middle East has played an outsized role in the history of Australia’s global engagement. While Australia’s interests in the region are real and increasing, as a middle power with finite resources it must take a smart approach to pursuing them.

Australia Security Partnerships

Issue Brief

Oct 4, 2016

A NATO strategy for security in the Black Sea region

By Steven Horrell

NATO faces a worsening security environment defined by Russia’s growing willingness to challenge the West and a Europe whole, free, and at peace. In this new geo-political context the Black Sea region is one of the central friction zones between Russia and NATO. While the Alliance has recently pledged to protect its eastern flank against […]

Maritime Security NATO

Report

Oct 4, 2016

A Globalized Renminbi

By Douglas W. Arner and Andre Soares

Read the Publication in English (PDF) Read the Publication in Spanish (PDF) On October 1, 2016, the Chinese renminbi (RMB) joined the dollar and the euro as one of five official international reserve assets. This is not just a technical development. It has the potential to reshape trade and finance across Latin America, according to […]

Issue Brief

Oct 3, 2016

Islamic State networks in Turkey

By Aaron Stein

The rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and the concurrent war in Syria present serious challenges to European and Middle Eastern security. For many in the West, the direct appeal by ISIS for scores of men and women to travel to Syria and Iraq in order to live in a self-declared […]

Turkey

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2016

Sino-Russian strategic energy ties

By Miyeon Oh

A secure energy relationship between China and Russia could have profound geopolitical effects in Asia, as well as in Europe. The ramifications of this relationship could alter the role and influence of the United States in Asia.

China Energy & Environment

Report

Sep 22, 2016

Global risks 2035: the search for a new normal

By Mathew J. Burrows

What will the world be like in 2035? The forecast seems dire. In the four years since Global Trends 2030 was published, the biggest change in the world is the increased risk of major conflict.

China NATO

Report

Sep 21, 2016

Middle East Strategy Task Force: Religion, identity, and countering violent extremism

By Geneive Abdo and Nathan Brown

In recent decades, Muslims have been debating political and social aspects of their religious teachings in new ways.

Corruption Extremism

Report

Sep 20, 2016

The Future of the Army

By David Barno and Nora Bensahel

Read the Publication (PDF) In light of a shrinking force structure and limited resources despite increasing global commitments, the report provides a range of recommendations in three distinct time horizons to help Army leaders build the next Army successfully. From the Army Today, 2016-20, the Army of Tomorrow, 2020-25, and the Army of the Day […]

Report

Sep 15, 2016

Iraqi Kurdistan oil and gas outlook

By John Roberts

As the war against ISIS renders borders increasingly malleable and further strains relations between Erbil and Baghdad, the likelihood of a declaration of independence from the Kurdistan region of Iraq increases. What are the options for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to capitalize on its oil and natural gas reserves, as well as options that would be available to an independent Kurdistan?

Energy & Environment Iraq

Issue Brief

Sep 14, 2016

Precision fire: A strategic assessment of Iran’s conventional missile program

By Bilal Y. Saab and Michael Elleman

The pace with which Iran’s conventional missile program has been developing in recent years suggests that the country’s missiles could become much more accurate, and thus deadly, within a few years, potentially providing Tehran with a new set of military options and a higher degree of operational flexibility. This would force (and most probably already […]

Iran Middle East

Report

Sep 9, 2016

Reducing the risks from rapid demographic change

By Mathew J. Burrows

In Reducing the Risks from Rapid Demographic Change, Dr. Mathew Burrows explores how longer life expectancies, aging workforces, and high birthrates will affect the future economic growth and development of countries around the world.

Africa China

Issue Brief

Sep 7, 2016

Water dispute escalating between Iran and Afghanistan

By Fatemeh Aman

Iran and Afghanistan have no major territorial disputes, unlike Afghanistan and Pakistan or Pakistan and India. However, a festering disagreement over allocation of water from the Helmand River is threatening their relationship as each side suffers from droughts, climate change, and the lack of proper water management. In “Water Dispute Escalating Between Iran and Afghanistan,” […]

Issue Brief

Sep 6, 2016

Exploring US engagement in the Middle East: A crisis simulation

By Rex Brynen

With the current American election campaign and change in presidential administrations due in January 2017, the debate over appropriate levels of US engagement in an unstable Middle East assumes vital importance. Should a new administration be more proactive in seeking to address threats, resolve conflicts, support allies, and deter foes? Should the new US president […]

Middle East

Report

Aug 29, 2016

Industrial Development in Latin America: What is China’s Role?

By Dante Sica, Manuel Molano, and Jorge Guajardo

Read the Publication (PDF) – English Read the Publication (PDF) – Spanish Days ahead of the G20 summit in China, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center today releases Industrial Development in Latin America: What is China’s Role? The report frames the effects of Chinese exports on Latin American deindustrialization using economic modeling on […]

China Latin America