Content

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2012

Syrian Opposition Must Prove It Can Handle Foreign Funds

By Barbara Slavin

In the aftermath of its latest meeting with international supporters, the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) faces a crucial test: whether it can spend millions of dollars in foreign aid efficiently and without corruption.  Syria analysts and SNC members concede that the council has been slow to organize behind a single leader or vision to […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Apr 3, 2012

Brent Scowcroft on Renewing the Transatlantic Community Through Global Partnerships

By Jason Harmala

On April 3, the fifth annual Christopher J. Makins Lecture featured a unique and forward looking conversation with Lieutenant General Brent Scowcroft, who has served, in both official and unofficial capacities, as a national security advisor to every US president since Richard Nixon.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2012

To Help Syria, Apply a Mix of ‘Soft’ and ‘Hard’ Power

By Benedetta Berti

The debate over the role of the international community in Syria is disheartening, dominated by skepticism about the ability of outsiders to have a positive impact. This stems from the fact that two main options – continuing to refrain from direct intervention or waging a fully fledged military campaign – both have serious drawbacks. Is […]

International Organizations NATO

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2012

Is it Time for a Nuclear Mutual Assistance Pact?

By Julian Lindley-French

Is it time for a Nuclear Mutual Assistance Pact? Yesterday’s ‘P5+1’ statement urging Iran to enter into “serious dialogue” on its nuclear program “without preconditions” suggests the danger of nuclear proliferation is now so real that something new is needed to prevent it. The statement is also an important precedent. The very fact that the […]

International Organizations Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Mar 5, 2012

Big Weekend for the Big Brothers

By Julian Lindley-French

This has been a big weekend for the big brothers. Vladimir Putin somehow managed to get himself ‘re-elected’ as Russian president. (He should next time try to become EU President as the system is by and large the same.)

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Feb 24, 2012

The European Union and the Syrian Gridlock

By Vivien Pertusot

The United Nations account of the 8317 dead and counting in Syria is disturbing, even more so as the international community remains divided and actions to curb violence have proved unsuccessful. In this apparent gridlock, the European Union has adopted a hard-pressed and steady posture against the regime. The pressure may be growingly biting, yet […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2012

Syria Intervention: Ugly Choices

By Daniel Trombly

With Russia and China standing firmly behind Assad’s regime in Syria, it appears increasingly likely that continued violence, and potentially a prolonged civil war, will be the future condition of a country where the opposition is not strong enough to overcome the core elements of the regime’s security forces, and foreign parties lack the willpower […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Feb 1, 2012

With Syria, Don’t Repeat Yemen Mistake

By Danya Greenfield

Efforts to halt the killing in Syria shifted to the UN Security Council yesterday, where its members debated a draft resolution proposed by Morocco to end Bashar Al Assad’s reign of terror.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and foreign ministers from Britain, France, and other nations urged passage of the resolution, with Clinton pleading that […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2011

Will NATO Intervene In Syria?

By James Joyner

Among the explanations given for why the West intervened in Libya but has thus far stayed out of the far greater crisis in Syria has been the lack of regional support for action. That excuse appears to be nearing its expiration date.

International Organizations NATO

New Atlanticist

Nov 9, 2011

NATO’s New Math: 600, 2012, and 0

By Harlan Ullman

Next May, NATO will have its biannual heads of government summit in Chicago. Few Americans are interested in or know much about NATO these days. Fewer are aware of this forthcoming summit and the crucial challenges facing the alliance and threatening its cohesion. The numbers in the headline — 600, 2012 and 0 — reflect […]

International Organizations NATO

Experts