Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 20, 2013

Cyprus Still Has Options, But Damage Already Done

By Megan Greene

Everyone knew that Cyprus would be a tough nut to crack, but few expected this tiny island to be the one country to stand up to the so-called troika of international lenders (the EBC, IMF, and European Commission) and reject a bailout offer. To be clear, the potential consequences for Cyprus of its bravado are […]

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Mar 19, 2013

Who Will Pay for Cyprus?

By Julian Lindley-French

In 1984 George Orwell wrote, “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind, simultaneously, and accepting both of them.”  I was reminded of doublethink (to that add double-speak) watching Europe’s politicians and Eurocrats dance on the head of a political pin to distance themselves from the so-called ‘one-off’ Deposit Tax Levy […]

Economy & Business
European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 19, 2013

Europe’s Work Is Far From Over

By Lawrence Summers

Europe’s economic situation is viewed with far less concern than was the case six, 12 or 18 months ago. Policymakers in Europe far prefer engaging the United States on a possible trade and investment agreement to more discussion on financial stability and growth. However, misplaced confidence can be dangerous if it reduces pressure for necessary […]

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

NATOSource

Mar 14, 2013

Viktor Orbán’s Hungarian power grab

By Editorial Board of the Washington Post

From Editorial Board of the Washington Post:  Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán triggered alarm bells around Europe in 2011 when he used a two-thirds majority in parliament to push through a series of measures that concentrated political power, weakened checks and balances and restricted the freedom of the media, religious groups and minorities.

European Union
International Organizations

NATOSource

Mar 13, 2013

The transatlantic community needs a common vision

By Isabelle Francois, New Atlanticist

From Isabelle Francois, New Atlanticist:  Eminent American strategic thinkers indeed consider that their country is at a crucial juncture of human history and have advised the Obama administration to seize the opportunity towards collaborative partnerships with its most stalwart allies in Europe

Economy & Business
European Union

NATOSource

Mar 12, 2013

China’s growing interest in Iceland and the Arctic

By Einar Benediktsson and Thomas R. Pickering, New York Times

From Einar Benediktsson and Thomas R. Pickering, New York Times:  According to a 2008 estimate by the U.S. Geological Survey, 13 percent of all the unexploited oil, 30 percent of natural gas and 20 percent of the natural gas liquid resources are located under the seabed of the Arctic.

Energy & Environment
European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 11, 2013

Syria: Between Sarajevo and Baghdad

By Julian Lindley-French

Thucydides, the great-great grandfather of unforgiving International Relations, once said, “The strong do what they have to do and the weak accept what they have to accept”.  British Foreign Secretary Hague’s announcement last week in Parliament that Britain will send armored vehicles and bullet-proof vests to support the Syrian National Coalition came just at the moment when […]

International Organizations
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Mar 11, 2013

Syria’s Opposition: Ready or Not?

By Frederic C. Hof

As the Syrian uprising approaches its second year surely it is fair, with the passage of so much time, to pose a question: what good is an opposition that is not prepared to govern? 

International Organizations
Politics & Diplomacy

NATOSource

Mar 7, 2013

Britain to train Syrian rebels

By James Blitz and Joshua Chaffin, Financial Times

From James Blitz and Joshua Chaffin, Financial Times:  Britain announced on Wednesday that it would train Syrian rebels in the tactics they must use to hold territory seized from the Assad regime

European Union
International Organizations

NATOSource

Mar 6, 2013

Moldova’s Pro-Western Government Falls

By Andrew Roth, New York Times

From Andrew Roth, New York Times:  The pro-Western government of Moldova fell on Tuesday when Parliament passed a no-confidence motion

European Union
International Organizations

Experts