Americas

Atlantic Council Report Analyzes Landmark Mexican Energy Reform

WASHINGTON – A report released today by the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center on Mexican energy reform argues that Mexico has positioned itself to become a major player in the global market as a competitive and transparent supplier of oil.

China Ascendant: Is Conflict Inevitable?

By Rajan Menon

Thucydides’ purpose in his great epic was to account for “what led to this great war falling upon the Hellenes.” He acknowledged that what we know as the Peloponnesian War was produced by many different disputes and depicted them masterfully, laying bare their specificities. But, in the opening pages, he warns us that dwelling on […]

US and NATO Allies Voice Concern over Russian Deployment of Iskander Missiles

By Steve Gutterman, Reuters

From Steve Gutterman, Reuters:  The reports caused alarm in Poland and the Baltic states, which are wary of Russian military movements after decades of dominance by the Soviet Union.

Russia Confirms Deployment of Iskander Missiles on NATO Borders

By RIA Novosti and RT

From RIA Novosti:  Russia confirmed Monday that it has deployed tactical ballistic missiles near its borders with NATO but said the move did not violate international agreements.

Dempsey Backs Strong US Military Presence in Europe

By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes

The U.S. military’s senior leader said Wednesday that he’s a strong supporter of maintaining a sizeable presence overseas, including in Europe, despite budget constraints, because of the proximity to potential hotspots.

Mexico Passes Landmark Energy Reform

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

In the last hour, the Mexican Congress passed energy reform that will fundamentally transform the country by opening up foreign investment in the energy sector for the first time in 75 years. The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center also will be issuing the first comprehensive analysis of the reform on Thursday, December 19, which […]

Is France Replacing the US as the World’s Policeman?

By Emily Cadei, OZY

With French troops on the ground in Mali and now the Central African Republic, French President Francois Hollande’s enthusiastic support for the aborted U.S. strikes in Syria and French diplomats’ tough line on negotiations with Iran

Hagel Warns Ukrainian Defense Minister Not to Use Military Forces Against Civilians

By Department of State

Today US Defense Secretary Hagel spoke by phone with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Pavlo Lebedyev.

Marczak on Venezuelan Election Results

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Question: What do the results suggest about the level of support for the president, the opposition and where the country may be headed? Is a big change likely to come about in Venezuela in 2014? Chavismo may have won the popular vote in the December 8 municipal elections, but the opposition can rightly claim its […]

Newtonian Physics and International Politics

By Harlan Ullman

One of Newton’s famous laws— that every action has an opposite and equal reaction— is often mirrored in international politics. A key question is how to deal with these opposite reactions. Just when breakthroughs in resolving the most pressing international crises appeared possible if not imminent, the roof fell in.