Domestic Debates
North American
“So many people have bet on our demise that it absolutely drives me crazy” states US Vice-President Joseph Biden. ++ Indeed, to the chagrin of many Americans, it has been said countless times before that America is in decline. ++ Yet trends …More
Olaf Theiler: The war in Afghanistan has exposed strains among NATO members, but these tensions do not threaten the stability of the alliance in a fundamental way. Rather, they can lead to better cohesion by showing how NATO’s role in a 21st century security context can be better defined. …More
Regulating nanomaterial is indeed difficult: For one, it is nearly impossible to intervene in early development phases - for example to ensure environmentally-friendly design - since the final application of the material may yet be unknown at this …More
The Obama presidency has left many in Europe disappointed. ++ The post-Bush euphoria has slowly given way to the sobering reality that Europe is not high on Obama’s list of priorities. ++ “The great struggles of the Cold War, which bound Europe …More
Obama has been unable to form a personal bond with a foreign leader since assuming the Presidency. ++ A series of snubs have cooled Obama’s relationship with Pres. Sarkozy, Chancellor Merkel, and PM Brown. ++ “In this he is the opposite of …More
The American hummer is an endangered specie. ++ 9000 of these “gas guzzlers” were sold this year against 71 000 in 2006. ++ Even the Chinese Communist Party is suspected to have rebuffed GM’s offer to buy the sinking brand because of its …More
US Liberals tend to think the grass is always greener on the other side of the pond. ++ These intellectuals look to other countries as evidence of America’s shortcomings. ++ The problem is that these people only see what they …More
Russell Miller: American alarm over Jens Soering’s possible release from a German prison misunderstands Germany’s legal commitment to human dignity. …More
Djörn Eversteijn: The new US Quadrennial Defense Review marks a shift away from previous views on international security and warfare. A major objective of the review is to develop the capacity for US partners and allies to solve their own conflicts and security issues. It remains to be seen if this will be an effective approach in combatting security threats. …More
US President’s move to give up on Czech and Polish missile defence projects for a new deployment in Romania a few months afterwards might be confusing at first sight. ++ It is in fact another sign of Obama’s shift towards a foreign …More
President Obama has projected that it will take at least ten years to eliminate America’s budget deficit. ++ The US could face a situation similar to the one Japan did—as its debt rose, its influence worldwide declined. ++ …More
Isaac Guillermo Lara: Insecure chemical plants pose one of the gravest threats to national security within the United States. Congress needs to do more to address this issue, particularly by establishing national security standards for chemical facilities. It is critical for the government to acknowledge potential terrorist threats from within the US as much as those in the Middle East. …More
Editorial Team: US President Barack Obama discussed some of the most important issues governing transatlantic affairs in his first State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress and the American public. …More
Tobias P. Fella: The Obama Administration returns to the logic of liberal hegemony. Nowadays, global
challenges require an approach based on multilateral cooperation, smart power and the acknowledgment of security interdependence. The new American Grand Strategy precisely takes all of them into account.
…More
Army, marine and government cabinets have all been requisitioned to ensure a quick response. ++ After the mismanagement of Katrina and a foreseeable mass movement of Haitian boats towards Florida, the US is pushing its “moral …More
After a year in office, Obama’s pragmatic leadership takes a Leviathan-like posture. ++ Supposedly outweighing the political balance towards government between corrosive liberal action and conservative dismantling practices, the electorate is …More
Christian E. Rieck: The Bush administration’s spin doctors are doing their best to ensure that history will reflect kindly upon the 43rd president’s legacy. However, like another beleaguered Republican administration, the actual achievements undermined the legitimacy which the United States clearly needs now. …More
Wall Street was the first to recover from the financial crisis as opposed to 10% of the American population still struggling to find a job. ++ The pay controversy is more relevant than ever before. ++ Yet the New York Stock Exchange evolves in a different …More
The Christmas Day terror scare favors the rivival of Bush-style rhetoric. ++ Obama´s refreshing attempt at an open dialogue with Muslims is turning into a classical security response. ++ Though the breach was largely the fault …More
The terrorist attempt on Christmas Day proves that politics is prevailing over objective analysis. ++ Political assumptions are clouding the process twards developing an effective global counter-terroism policy, causing obvious mistakes that …More
Universal jurisdiction, as a legal practice, is profoundly undemocratic and leads to a form of enforced political morality. ++ Last week London issued, and then retracted, a warrant for former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on war crimes allegedly …More
Obama rode to power with the promise of improved diplomacy to counter eight years of Bush-style international relations. ++ However, the recent trip throughout Asia has revealed the limits of the new administration’s approach. ++ No real concessions were …More
Obama’s decision to go “across party lines” and select Jon Huntsman Jr. as US Ambassador to China is a fine decision. ++ “Handling the rise of China may be the biggest challenge facing Washington today” and it needs Huntsman’s …More
“Barack Obama sent a forceful message about his foreign policy priorities” by preferring to prepare for his 9-day Asian visit then join the celebrations in Berlin. ++ Although China has been the focus of successive US Presidents its current …More
Efforts to form an ASEAN community are increasingly “spinning in the political sands” over the strategic interests of a diverse collection of neighbours. ++ The disparity in religion, system of governance, economic performance …More
Mr Obama must choose a strategy on the war with Afghanistan and persist with it, as delay and indecision will prove dangerous in the face of public opinion. ++ The latest excuse for delay, namely that a decision cannot be made without a legitimate partner …More
The Obama administration recently threatened to halt its intelligence-sharing with Britain, to block the release of seven paragraphs of American intelligence documents relating to torture allegations by a former prisoner at Guantanamo Bay. ++ In …More
President Obama’s intention of ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is “a profound mistake, as a ban on testing nuclear weapons would jeopardize American national security.” ++ The reliability of US nuclear weapons cannot be guaranteed without …More
Greg Randolph Lawson: President Obama’s domestic and foreign policies align in such a way as to likely limit American flexibility in addressing unforeseen threats over the long run. In essence, the President seems ready to bet that “institutional cooperation” will be sufficient to guarantee global stability. …More
Mr Obama’s presidency is plagued by accusations of weak leadership. ++ Although rightwing assaults on a liberal president are to be expected, Obama’s supporters are now also starting to question his ability to get things done. ++ Therefore he now “needs …More
Editorial Team: Barack Obama has just been declared the winner of the ‘Nobel Peace Prize’ beating other nominees such as Chinese dissident Hu Jia, Ingrid Betancourt and Colombian activist Piedad Cordoba. Is it too soon or are you happy with the committee’s decision? …More
Parallels between Obama and JFK continue as both faced difficult decisions about troop numbers in unpopular wars during their first months in office. ++ Although a cliché Vietnam does hold lessons for the conflict in Afghanistan as …More
Canadian PM Stephen Harper was absent from the UN General Assembly this week missing a “golden opportunity to give prominence to Canadian views on global issues.” ++ This has been attributed to both Canada’s failure to make progress on climate …More
Although increasingly unpopular at home he is highly thought of internationally with 93% approval in Germany and 77% in India. ++ The concessions made to insure these favourable views ahead of yesterday’s speech at the UN is costing him. ++ The lack …More
Despite “Yes we can!” Obama’s presidency brought no change for the better so far. ++ Barack Obama has no power at all, but is taking orders from anyone except from those who voted for him last year. ++ Like most of his predecessors he is the henchman for …More
In a report released in August for the Senate Select Committee on National Security, the Director of the National Intelligence, Dennis C. Blair, made statements that question previous assumptions of security …More
Iyad Dakka: America must give up its maverick style approach to foreign relations and finally accept the changing nature of international politics. President Obama may understand this, but now opposing parties and interest groups need to jump on board as soon as possible. …More
The panic is over but “although the worst [of the financial crisis] was avoided, much pain remains.” ++ Unemployment still rises in the West, further dislocating the political economies. ++ The US stimulus plan failed to increase …More
Egypt hopes to become Washington’s primary Middle Eastern partner following a visit to the US this weekend by President Hosni Mubarak. ++ The Bush regime served to undermine bilateral ties but Cairo could now be prepared to compromise. ++ …More
Relations between the US and Libya are set to improve again next month when Muammar Kaddafi visits New York to address the UN. ++ Washington is seeking increased cooperation on confronting Al Qaeda in North Africa whilst Kaddafi aims for US arms …More
After recent promises, China and the US must find a way of reducing carbon emissions at the Copenhagen summit later this year. ++ It is time for compromise as China insists on “common but differentiated responsibilities” to …More
Experts said last year’s economic breakdown was “the end of the world as we know it… there are new values that we will need to adopt and adapt.” ++ But as memories of the financial turmoil begin to fade, bankers are right back where they started. ++ …More
With its focus on China, the Obama administration loses sight of India’s importance as a strategic partner in Asia. ++ The US’ Asia policy “lacks a distinct strategic imprint.” ++ Obama looks at India primarily in terms of India-Pakistan …More
Editorial Team: Joseph Nye accuses political science of losing relevance and short-changing students by overemphasizing theory in lieu of policymaking. Atlantic-Community.org hopes to offer a space where students, academics, and professionals can debate global problems, develop solutions, and formulate policy recommendations. …More
There are increasing calls from economists to use inflation to solve the financial crisis by keeping US interest rates artificially low. ++ They say it would reduce the real level of debt, and allow a faster recovery. ++ But …More
US builds Middle East policy by distancing itself from Israel.++ Calling on Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; demanding a freeze of settlements and pushing towards a two state solution despite Israeli …More
Economic indicators show that the recession in the US could end as early as this month. ++ Consumer spending has increased, and claims for unemployment insurance have peaked. ++ Container imports and exports are both up at two major ports. ++ …More
The WHO has only been able to effectively handle pandemics since the enactment of the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005. ++ Powers of the WHO under old regulations were limited. ++ The IHR give “a sound legal basis for the WHO to …More
Challenges facing the world offer President Obama a “moment of unique opportunity”. ++ Negotiations are being held with a number of countries on various strategic and political issues. ++ Action is required following this “concert diplomacy …More
The debate about water boarding misses a fundamental point: human rights abuses have no place in a democracy, whether they occur once or 183 times.++ Torture is a systematic attempt to break people.++ Amnesty for perpetrators is unacceptable …More
A push for Wall Street banks to be turned into heavily regulated, “talent-deficient” public utilities would see them take fewer investment risks, leading to lower economic growth and higher long-term unemployment. ++ A no-risk system fails to …More
The recent Somali pirates success of holding a US captain hostage reinforces the strategic importance of Africa and the need to recognize and constructively approach the volatility of the region. ++ The US must engage regional …More
President Obama has changed the face of the US drastically, both nationally and internationally.++ When it comes to approaching the economic crisis however, Obama is missing out on an opportunity to find feasible alternatives to …More
Warning signs that US superpower status is passé include the loss of trust in US credit safety, instability despite US efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Iran’s strategic gains in the Iraq invasion. ++ The loss of US …More
The approaching G20 will also be the first meeting between President Medvedev and President Obama. ++ Recently, the US has shown increased willingness to reconstruct their relations with the Kremlin whose cooperation is much needed on the Afghan and Iraqi …More
Obama’s clear rhetoric on terrorism and the rule of law contrast his stance on state secrets and detainees with that of the previous administration. ++ President Obama ordered Guantanamo’s closure and abolished the “enemy combatant” terminology, but …More
Another obstacle was placed in the way of free trade last week as the US Congress abolished the US-Mexico trucking demonstration system. ++ This is not a new development; in 1995 the US Congress unilaterally vetoed NAFTA’s cross-border …More
The decision to shut Guantanamo Bay led to an outcry of joy. ++ What will follow is unknown because “no acceptable alternatives exist.” ++ The issue of unlawful enemy combatants puzzles both law and state. ++ As Guantanamo Bay …More
The debate on renewable energy sources produced many failed ideas and attempts. ++ Hence, the motto that viable fusion energy is “20 years away and always will be.” ++ But the government sponsored National Ignition Faculty with its promise …More
Tony Hayward: The new American energy policy should be a mixture of alternative energies and drilling. Only a compromise will succeed to tackle climate change while guaranteeing energy security and efficiency. …More
Since the economic downturn began as a mortgage crisis, the focus should be on mortgages in order to find a solution to the financial crisis. ++ Mr. Obama and his administration seem to be aware of this; the Homeowner Affordability and …More
Obama’s election worried those who fear creeping socialism. ++ Today’s democratic socialism has little interest in nationalization and abolishing the private market. ++ It aims to humanize and democratize capitalism, allowing free …More
This week has been shocking for the US. ++ First, the CIA revealed that it had destroyed 92 tapes of interrogation and thus, possible torture evidence, reminding Americans of the Bush abuses. ++ Second, the release of legal …More
Obama decided to send two high level US officials to visit Syria and participate in “preliminary conversations.” ++ The decision is a complete shift from the Bush attitude. ++ It comes as a pleasant surprise to those who believe …More
The small glimpse of hope of potential Russian-US cooperation on curtailing Iran’s nuclear plans disappeared after an unsuccessful meeting between Russia and the US. ++ Obama stated that Russia would not determine …More
Recently arrived in office,
US President Obama has
announced an increase of 17,000 American troops in Afghanistan. Experts consider at
least twice this amount necessary for progress. At the same time US Defense
Secretary Robert …More
From the time of Machiavelli to today, academics were present in politics. ++ Kennan is seen as the “father” of America’s policy of “containment” in his theory that communism has an innate need for …More
Faced with a choice between staying and winning or withdrawing and ending the war in Vietnam, Nixon chose the former. ++ The outcome of his policy was complete failure. ++ Obama is now faced with a similar decision. ++ In choosing an exit policy for Iraq …More
The White House’s comparisons between the US’ current financial situation and the Great Depression have created a necessary climate of fear in the country. ++ This crisis is both alarming and systemic and America must face up to its …More
Quotas for federal housing loans to poor Americans led to a huge increase in subprime loans. ++ Regulators could have stepped in, but thought that housing prices would increase steadily. ++ The crisis shows that we cannot help …More
Pushing through a horrible stimulus package quickly was necessary, otherwise it would have been too late. ++ It may be too late for the economy, but at least money goes to the poor, who will spend it quickly on necessities. ++ …More
Chavez’s victory at a national referendum that will end presidential term limits is no big surprise considering that he controlled all aspects of the electoral process. ++ This success does not however mean that Chavez’s position will remain …More
Pres. Bush has always been relatively popular in India, this is mainly due to his revitalization of the US-India alliance which has a nuclear deal at its core. ++ New Delhi would have preferred a Republican successor to Mr Bush, fearing that a …More
A lot has happened recently, but the event which still steals the thunder is the election of President Obama and the new foreign policy he has designed for the US. ++ The Munich Security Conference offers confirmation; Biden came to Europe and promised that …More
The attempt of the EU to cut Co2 emissions by setting up high emission targets has failed. ++ The US should draw conclusions from this example and consider alternative measures to fight climate change. ++ Yet, Sen. Boxer, who …More
Fabian Wendenburg: The stimulus package has been the first real test of Obama’s promised bipartisanship. But after it attracted only three senators and no congressman of the GOP, last week was a vivid reminder that it will be hard to overcome differences of principle and culture. …More
The anti-antiterror lobby is as dangerous now as before the election, but Obama is not following its lead. ++ He has disguised the fact that his policies on terror are the same as Bush’s. ++ The administration under Obama …More
The curious case of Henrietta Hughes shows American attitudes towards social assistance. ++ Before, she was unemployed and homeless, living in a small car with her adult son. ++ Now, she lives in a spare home of a Republican representative and has …More
Obama seems to be certain that “disaster” and “catastrophe” will materialize should the stimulus legislation fail to be adopted promptly. ++ How can he be so sure? Overconfidence is not an unfamiliar trait in Washington: Kennedy and …More
The response to an economic crisis which is very reminiscent of the Great Depression needs to reflect the urgency of the situation. ++ The stimulus plan now standing before Congress will bring the change hoped for because it is …More
There is much more to the Middle East than Iraq, and US foreign policy must quickly widen its foreign policy focus in the region. A successful Middle East policy strategy must simultaneously address Iraq, Iran, Syria, …More
News that the Pentagon wants to cut defense spending by 10 percent should be met with resistance by Obama. ++ Defense offers a clear means of stimulating the economy in tough times. ++ A reduction in spending would only fuel fears among allies about …More
Obama’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 and obtain 10% of US electricity from renewable sources is great news for companies that provide climate change solutions. ++ “Three well-established socially responsible fund …More
Christia Flourentzou: The 2003 war in Iraq was rationalized through the doctrine of prevention. Yet, the doctrine is unsustainable because it contradicts the laws of war as found in the ‘Just War Tradition.’ Using Pragmatism as the theoretical framework, the argument is that to use prevention is to contradict the liberal identity.
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The Obama administration’s plan for rescuing the banking system is not the appropriate response to saving the financial system. ++ The problem goes beyond fairness considerations, “where taxpayers bear the cost if things go …More
The Netanyahu-Clinton relationship in 1996-99 was seen as a clash of personalities. ++ Clinton campaigned for Peres, and Netanyahu retaliated, supporting Christian conservatives in the US. ++ All this affects the elections in …More
Jordan Michael Smith: The unprecedented enthusiasm with which the election of President Obama has been received in Europe is destined to sink when European and American interests conflict. Measures can, however, be applied on both sides of the Atlantic to secure the positive development of the Euro-American relationship. …More
The long proclaimed transatlantic divide
between bloated European welfare states and a lean US government is mythical at best. A
closer look at the facts shows that the social expenditures of the United Sates
and Europe are very similar …More
Under Pres. Bush non proliferation efforts suffered a devastating blow: he did after all exit the ABM, ignored the NPT and saw the whole issue as anachronistic. ++ The result has been nuclear testing from North Korea and further proliferation …More
Rüdiger Lentz: Inclusiveness, openness and transparency are the key experiences of the early Obama administration, according to Rüdiger Lentz, President of Atlantic Initiative U.S. in his new video message. …More
The US President’s focus on the economy — although sensible — may compromise the opportunity to examine and condemn the use of torture. ++ Obama should create a non-partisan committee responsible for investigating torture cases under …More
Last seen clutching on to power by the skin of his teeth in the Fall, Canadian PM Harper has come back with a massive $2.5m bail-out plan. ++ “Can there be any greater act of capitulation for a former head of the anti-government National …More
The debate over the ways to revive the US economy has an explicit focus on the immediate and short-term: save the economy now. ++ But in the absence of a medium-term strategy, the stimulus plan will simply add to an already large deficit …More
Republicans are very slow to understand that their policies have worked against America. ++ Their illusions are reflected in their doubts over the President’s stimulus plan: they argue that it legitimates excessive spending at a time when …More
The financial crisis may produce an “automated” solution to migration: as jobs lessen immigration currents are reduced. ++ In the US, the numbers of those “caught trying to sneak in […] from Mexico is at its lowest level since …More
US liberalism has enjoyed popularity in cycles. ++ In the 1980s, liberal ideas were at a low as social unrest and low wages reflected “liberal governance [as] demanding far too much sacrifice.” ++ Obama is eager to revive the pre 1970s …More
US troops need to withdraw from Iraq, on that the US and Iraq are agreed. ++ The 16-month withdrawal timetable ought, however, to remain modifiable should military experts decide that conditions are likely to deteriorate. ++ In any …More
Soon-to-be US Treasury Secretary Geithner has declared to the Senate that speed and force are necessary to deal with the financial crisis. ++ Meanwhile, Bank of America has faltered. ++ Plans to set up a “bad bank” are advancing in …More
Granted: times are difficult for Obama to take the lead and in his hands lies a combination of high expectations and hope. ++ The US and Europe ought to continue working together and some key ingredients ought to accompany their …More
Now that the long-awaited inauguration of Barack Obama has been and gone, it is time to evaluate the first words of the new US president. ++ The speech appears poor in terms of language and one is surprised that “Obama the writer” …More
Worldwide, the state has recently reassumed a greater role in the economy, including firm sustainers of the neoliberal philosophy. ++ The adoption of Keynesian measures has been seen as an unavoidable step to counteract the …More
Memo 10: In this new era under the Obama White House, it is high time for a transformation of transatlantic relations. The US must distance itself from the unipolar policies of the past and come to terms with a multipolar world. The EU has to develop more proactive policies. …More
Barack Obama’s inauguration is shaping up to be a party of unparalleled proportions. ++ An estimated 4 million people will attend, as a watershed in US history takes place. ++ The uniqueness of the occasion goes beyond Obama being …More
The 1960s were expected to be the period when ideological tensions would ease in the US. ++ However, feminism, the rise of information technology and the Vietnam War challenged social cohesion and introduced ideological politics, which penetrated …More
Apart for the brief wave of popularity in the aftermath of 9/11, Bush has ended his mandate leaving Americans disaffected. ++ Among the numerous mistakes he made, one of the biggest was his unwillingness to open dialogue with political …More
Barack Obama has repeatedly expressed admiration for the man who managed to abolish slavery: Abraham Lincoln. ++ Indeed, the two men seem to have a lot in common given their shared belief in inalienable rights and economic independence, as …More
The new US government has opted for raising taxes in an attempt to exit the financial crisis: a necessary step indeed considering the dangerous state of the economy as a result of the huge budget deficit accumulated during the Bush …More
Under Bush, relations between Europe and the US have been tense, with disagreements causing concerns of a break up of the special transatlantic partnership. ++ Pessimism seems to be persisting, despite the coming of a new President. ++ However, the situation …More
Just as Clinton did several years ago, Obama has opted to exempt the Bush administration from investigation for the commitment of possible crimes. ++ This is a dangerous precedent; it not only places people holding power above the law, but …More
The US Congress is critical of the way money from the Trouble Asset Relief Program has been used, and adds that the remaining amount should be made conditional on more loans being granted. ++ However, analysts argue that as the financial …More
With the changing Presidency comes new thinking on policy; how could the US shift away from Bush’s unilateralism towards cooperation with allies and multilateralism? ++ The policy of ‘going it alone’ is failing the US in Iraq and …More
The Fed’s decision to pour tons of new dollars into the US economy has not staved off recession. ++ The government is in fact the main beneficiary of the huge increase in the monetary base: deposits which the public are too …More
President-elect Obama’s stimulus package, now roughly $800 billion, includes “politically expedient” tax cuts which “are widely recognized as packing very little bang for the buck” - $150 billion in business tax breaks and the promised …More
When President Obama speaks of the current state of the US economy, his rhetoric reveals the gravity of the situation. ++ Yet, his actions fall short of his words, with US analysts arguing that his stimulus plan will do little to …More
From the Editorial Team: “The received wisdom is that President Bush has been a foreign policy disaster, and that America is threatened by the rise of Asia. Both claims are wrong — Bush has successfully rolled back jihadism, and the US will benefit from Asian growth.” …More
The stimulus package needed to combat the economic downturn is a source of concern as its experimental character deprives it of any guarantee of success. ++ Due to the acuteness of the crisis, measures taken ought to be immediate …More
President Obama has introduced a new stimulus plan to revive the US economy. ++ While the plan aims to reduce tax payments by $300 and provide relief to both families and business, US officials warn against the unnecessary spending …More
President Bush appears comfortable with his legacy. ++ This includes the battle against Islamist terrorists, his executive order in support of faith-based initiatives, and an unsuccessful drive to reform Social Security - however, Bush notes that his …More
Interviews with YATA Delegates: Youth Atlantic Treaty Association delegates interviewed at their General Assembly held in Berlin in November 2008. The topics range from Russian relations to what Obama will ask Europe to do. …More
Having used the Internet with great success during his campaign, Obama has announced plans to build up the US’ Internet infrastructure to boost the economy. ++ The US only ranks 15th in the world in access to high-speed Internet. …More
Brian T. Edwards: Since the invasion of Iraq, young Arabs have become more skeptical of US intentions. As Americans are putting hope into the new administration, many in the Arab world have less reason to trust democracy. Obama’s ability to excite Americans puts him in a perfect position to inspire young Arabs to expect something from America beyond business as usual. …More
To achieve low carbon emissions and green growth, an “eco- efficient, information technology-based approach” is needed. ++ The US believes that a 7% increase in broadband services will “reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.45m …More
Obama’s recent appointments have led to the conclusion that he intends to govern from the center. ++ His choices, however, are practical rather than ideological. ++ The centrist team will stabilize and pacify foreign policy and the economy so that Obama …More
Five accused planners of the 9/11 attacks have withdrawn guilty-pleas, which were not enough to save them from the death penalty. ++ The trials are a farce, not least because they are being held at “Gitmo.” ++ The terrorists are …More
Canadian PM Stephen Harper has acted irresponsibly in his scramble to save his government from the challenge being mounted by the Left. ++ He mischaracterized the Liberal-New Democrat coalition as “a power sharing coalition with a …More
President-elect Obama’s team of national security heavyweights evinces his finest qualities: courage and inner assurance. ++ He will need these characteristics as he attempts to distill “order out of a fragmenting international …More
Pouring Fed money into the car-makers of Detroit is tempting. ++ If they slip, “a myriad” of other companies depending on them will fall. ++ But if the Fed bails out car companies, credit card companies will come begging, after which come …More
Under Bush, the State Department, Defense Department, and White House fought over the War on Terror. ++ Clinton and Obama fought in the primaries, which does not bode well for their cooperation. ++ The Clinton administration of the 90’s took a …More
“Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World” portends a severely diminished role for the US and a planet hobbled by multipolarity. ++ The irony is that the Bush administration, in their attempt to further American preeminence, has done …More
As Barack Obama’s chief political rival – more so than even John McCain – Hillary Clinton’s appointment to the role of Secretary of State is a bold move. ++ Nevertheless, she doesn’t represent the face of change …More
A downward spiral of stagnation and deflation - “stag-deflation” - is threatening the US and the world. ++ Central banks are no longer lenders of last resort, having to give direct loans, or even becoming the sole lenders on the …More
Barack Obama should adopt Al Gore’s proposal for a carbon tax on a global scale. ++ In today’s hyper-globalized economy, cap-and-trade systems that only apply to certain countries are not a viable solution. ++ A harmonized tax would allow for …More
Nanne Zwagerman: Transatlantic themes were not central to President-elect Obama’s campaign. With the shape of the team unfolding, his Presidency now looks likely to signal a renaissance of the transatlantic alliance. This may well be a shrewd strategy for foreign relations as well as his domestic agenda. …More
Public spending, especially on infrastructure and new technologies, is needed to build up steam in this stagnant economy. ++ Building up more state debt and increasing the budget deficit is nothing to worry about right now. ++ Cutting …More
Contrary to his promise to distance himself from the “Clinton political method,” Obama has set up a “Team of Rivals,” assigning Hillary Clinton to the important office of secretary of state. ++ His choice can be viewed as …More
A third of the US’ oil, most of its immigrants, and nearly all of its cocaine come from Latin America. ++ President-elect Obama could easily overlook the region as he enters office at such a demanding time; that would be foolish. ++ Given …More
Wess Mitchell: President-elect Obama will be the first president facing the reality of global multipolarity. In view of the intricate international agenda that is challenging US policy, Obama must break with the unipolar mentality of President Bush. He must distance himself from his predecessors bipolar approaches and adjust US foreign policy to the actuality of a multipolar world. …More
Obama’s administration should continue President Bush’s efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. ++ The US could benefit from such a solution by regaining Arab governments support in dealing with regional challenges. …More
President-elect Obama has proved his strength by presumably appointing Hillary Clinton Secretary of State, leaving the conflicts of the primary season behind. ++ His cabinet is going to be one of the strongest in American history, reminiscent of …More
Obama has pledged to close Guantanamo, yet critical questions must be addressed: what are the rights of detainees? Is preventive detention justified? Do we need a new detention statute with revised standards of proof? ++ Judge Leon’s release order for five …More
Speculation is rife as to who will be the next Secretary of State. ++ Many have forgotten the more important question: What does America need from that post? ++ First, the “complete confidence of the president” is a prerequisite; second, they …More
A bailout for the Big Three automotive companies could damage US engagement in the global economy. ++ Foreign investment and job insourcing would take a major hit, costing jobs and devaluing the dollar. ++ By expanding protectionist policies …More
Western oriented, business friendly, and governed by smart, young people, Georgia is a country on the rise. ++ NATO should not be her final resting place, though. ++ Georgia doesn’t meet NATO requirements for full control of its territory and …More
President-elect Obama has repeatedly stated that he is willing to open talks with Tehran. ++ Obama will continue to contain Iran through multilateral mechanisms as well as greater coordination with Arab allies, should Tehran decide to …More
By passing an economic rescue package, Congress intended to stabilize the banking system by “purchasing illiquid mortgages and mortgage-related securities.” ++ Rising unemployment, falling house prices and European economies in crisis have …More
Interview with Jackson Janes: The executive director of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies tells Atlantic-community.org that Russia, energy security, climate change, Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the financial crisis are all pressing issues to be addressed jointly by Germany and the United States under an Obama administration. …More
Bertelsmann Foundation: Written with a distinctly European perspective, this Trans-Atlantic Briefing Book for the Obama administration is a policy blueprint that offers strategies for cooperation between Europe and the new US leadership. …More
The Bush administration destroyed American goodwill abroad. ++ Obama is a welcome change, but there are limits to what “soft power” can achieve. ++ White House glamour will be useless if Asia stops buying US treasury bonds. ++ As the …More
In 2006 president Bush signed a free-trade agreement with Colombia that Congress has yet to pass, arguing Colombia’s state of human rights is unacceptable. ++ Most Colombian exports are free of tariffs, in view of efforts to combat the …More
Great challenges await the 44th US president, especially economic ones. The Brookings Institution lists the ten most important:
Restoring Financial Stability: Strengthening the global financial system is a priority …More
Obama is going to have a very hard time fulfilling his campaign promises. ++ The heavy financial burden of the market bailout will slow his progress, especially since his tax policy proposals don’t seem to even cover his planned health-care reforms. …More
General Motors is on the brink of bankruptcy with Ford and Chrysler not far behind. ++ The government must bail out the auto industry as hundreds of thousands of jobs are at stake. ++ A gas tax is the answer. ++ Gas prices should be set to $3.50 per gallon with a …More
Eimear O'Casey: Three general elections have been held in Canada over the last four years. Although Canadian elections don’t get much media coverage, this election deserves our attention as an example of an ailing electoral system and the failures of vote-swapping. We need to draw some lessons from this display of first-past-the-post politics at its worst. …More
In the upcoming lame duck session of Congress, Bush and Obama should insist to vote on the outstanding free trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama. ++ The election put these pacts on the back burner, but the sooner …More
Upon taking office, Obama must immediately close the infamous Guantanamo Bay prison that so dreadfully taints the reputation of the US. ++ Bush’s criticism of the prison might have been truthful, but its closure would create …More
President Bush will take a first step toward restoring diplomatic relations with Iran by establishing a diplomatic office. ++ The US understands that going to war with Iran would be fatal. ++ Unlike the US, “Iran never tried to overthrow a US …More
A “fire hose, not [a] feather duster” is needed for Republican Party reform, even if it means taking risks. ++ The Fed’s task should be limited to stopping inflation; the financial system also needs overhaul. ++ The GOP, meanwhile, …More
Russia’s attacks on Georgia have been decried by the US as a violation against international law but recent US attacks on Syria are no less destabilizing to the area. ++ Syria has not only initiated peace talks with …More
Anti-intellectualism is no new current in US election cycles. ++ Election populism soon gives way to post-election academic inspiration, especially in the realm of foreign policy. ++ JFK raided the ivory towers of Cambridge, MA; Nixon, Harvard; …More
By the end of this year the UN mandate allowing US troops to operate in Iraq will expire. ++ Both countries have agreed to a US withdrawal and G. W. Bush has announced that troops will leave by 2011, “leaving only military trainers and air traffic …More
Election day must have been difficult for President Bush. ++ In 2006, Iraq was mired in a chaotic maelstrom of violence and terror. ++ Now, “victory” would probably look something like the current Iraq. ++ Nevertheless, Bush …More
President-elect Obama ran on promises of domestic, bipartisan harmony and international cooperation. ++ Immediate appointments should be made for secretaries of treasury, state and a national security advisor; moderate republicans should be …More
Simon K. Koschut: President-elect Obama faces a tough challenge once he takes office. The world is expecting change from America, but they shouldn’t hope for too much, too fast. Instead, in countries like Germany, the question needs to be “what can we do for the United States?” Likely topics of discussion will regard burden sharing in Afghanistan and possibly even Iraq. …More
Sonja Bonin: The election of Barack Obama represents more than just the ascendancy of the first African American to the heights of political power in the United States; it denotes the end of the Reagan Revolution — the dominant form of politics in the US for the past generation that divided the nation on cultural grounds. …More
Barack Obama’s election is a great first step to restore America’s image – but to maintain that image, real progress must be seen. ++ Despite the economic gloom, keeping his tax policy pledges will solidify domestic confidence in the …More
It is no wonder that Barack Obama has won the presidential elections as he understood the failures of the current administration. ++ To make up for these mistakes Obama must replace Bush’s economic bailout plan by implementing …More
From the Editorial Team: We spent the election night at a number of parties throughout Berlin. In light of the blithe atmosphere surrounding these events, we decided to ask fellow revelers a few questions regarding their election thoughts. …More
From the Editorial Team: German and American policy pundits and exchange students celebrated Obama’s election and look forward to a new era in transatlantic relations, but they also recognize the limits of further US-European cooperation. …More
Americans have proven that they are more united than ever, by clearly electing Obama the next president of the US as well as by chosing a strong Democratic Congress. ++ With regard to the political legacy of George W. Bush, Obama is facing the toughest …More
Eckart von Klaeden: No matter whom the American voters elect, a radical change in US foreign policy towards its European allies is unlikely. Both McCain and Obama would generally continue to follow the multilateral course pursued by President Bush in his second term of office and before him by President Clinton. …More
While it is true that G.W. Bush has ruined his country’s finances, alienated many of its friends and botched the risky occupation of Iraq, not everything was a disaster. ++ Coaxing China into a rules-based economic system and seeking closer …More
America might think Wall St. and Main St. are now more important than Haifa St.; They are wrong. ++ From WWII to 9/11, history has shown that economic crises and America’s resulting inward attention are the seeds of global conflict. ++ …More
Heath Kern Gibson graduated from Denison University and received a master’s in public administration from Harvard. She is the director of digital media in the public affairs office of the State Department in Washington, where she is …More
The dramatic fall in oil prices could be the key to Iranian willingness to negotiate about their nuclear program. ++ Despite economic sanctions, Iran has managed to compensate for this financial hindrance via high oil prices, but …More
With its dubiously opaque financial practices, “chronic scandals and tyrant-friendly tilt,” the UN is in dire need of reform. ++ While McCain proposes a League of Democracies to provide competition, Obama wants to impose serious oversight …More
America is forgetful of Obama’s skin color in part because he “placed the race issue beyond the borders of the discourse.” ++ America has changed greatly in the last fifty years - pejoratives and epithets have given way to more …More
We are entering “the twilight zone,” the interregnum period between the election and the ascendance of the new president, where president Bush could act with menacing impunity. ++ The recent raid on Syria, which killed eight, is not …More
In the final week of the presidential election, Obama is ahead in the polls by a double digit margin. ++ Republicans have started to look for a scapegoat, turning out to be none other than Sarah Palin. ++ Palin has publicly criticized McCain’s campaign …More
Matthias Stephan Fifka: McCain is likely to loose the US presidential election. Though his bad luck of having to follow the current Republican presidency is also a factor, he has made fatal mistakes in his campaign. Abrupt strategy changes, his pick of Sarah Palin for VP, and negative campaign ads were all part of his own demise. …More
OPEC’s decision to cut output by 1.5 million barrels has not stopped oil’s slide. ++ Production cuts could result in an even worse crisis. ++ The energy sector is facing a mini crisis with analysts expecting “global …More
James Joyner: Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama is simply the final scene of an act long in coming: neoconservatism is dead. The Foreign Policy Establishment is composed of realists, and neocon ideas are being pushed to the margins. For the GOP, the sooner it can re-embrace pragmatic foreign policy, the better. …More
At Boston University, Andrew Bacevich railed against what Reinhold Niebuhr dubbed the “dreams of managing history” – the neocon rallying call that blends arrogance and narcissism and states that power is paramount. ++ Expansion …More
Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama has demanded the headlines. ++ While endorsements can be forgotten, his other message should not. ++ Obama is not a Muslim, nor an Arab, but “What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim …More
The US has to face a reduction in its super-power role and an “era of financially induced isolationism.” ++ Spending on foreign policy challenges has increased, and the times in which a strong dollar used to provide stability to the …More
While reports from stockmarkets dominate the news, what we should really worry about is the shape of our nonfiscal economy. ++ In the US retail sales and industrial production are falling quickly, and it seems like we are in for a …More
Jan Ross: America’s superior power position has long begun to crumble. The faith of the American people in the US mission has been shaken by the politics of an unpopular president and threatening economic developments. The US does not only need “change” right now. America needs healing. …More
In addition to the development of the Iranian nuclear program and the economy, the choice of the next Iranian president will be determined by this year’s US presidential election. ++ Iranians are afraid of an American or Israeli …More
Joel Kotkin: Presidential candidates concentrate on relations with Pakistan, Russia, China or other troublesome and distant places. Instead, they should first consider building stronger relations with countries who share America’s values as well as demographic vitality, e.g. Canada, Australia and New Zealand. …More
Red states vs. blue states, the red army against the blue, and Palin is the “Katyusha rocket” of the red forces. ++ The culture wars in the US must end fast. ++ The McCain campaign has used tactics that exacerbate the cultural differences of “conservative” and …More
The US presidential race has been one for the ages. ++ Citizens of the globe have never come so close to seeing an African American become president of the world’s most powerful nation; never again will they see a Vietnam veteran running; never have they seen 19 …More
Given the Bush administration’s obstinacy in refusing to take action against climate change, many US states have stepped up to the challenge - none more so than California. ++ California has taken the bold step of becoming the nation’s first …More
For Republicans, the financial crash of Sept. 29, as the stock market fell over 700 points, will be remembered as the day which began their “exile” from political power. ++ Republicans in the House voted against their own party’s bailout plan by a margin of 2 …More
“It is a glorious day for democracy.” ++ With all members of the House up for re-election in November, the rejection of the Paulson plan is a clear indication of the American public will - Wall Street must be accountable, not the tax payers. ++ Americans …More
By talking about terrorism instead of the financial crises in front of the UN, Bush has staged himself as “yesterday’s man.” ++ Even Germany - one of America’s closest allies - is distancing itself from the US and blames the state for opposing tighter …More
The rejection of the rescue package, led by Republicans, proved the incompetence of US leadership. ++ Most members of the G.O.P. still believe socialism poses the biggest threat and disregard that today’s economy experiences huge cycles of bubble and burst …More
Congress has failed to take any significant steps on an energy policy over the past year; in fact, it appears as if they’re backsliding. ++ “Drill, baby, drill” has become the mantra de jour, as partisan politics have rendered any …More
Presidential debates cannot change the fundamentals of an election. ++ Reagan’s poor opening debate against Mondale didn’t keep him from a 49-state landslide, and Kennedy’s strong debate against Nixon didn’t insure his victory - a …More
Currently, the US is reeling from the “Palin Effect.” ++ The overall demoralization and financial crises damage the collective identity of Americans and that is why voters need to hear that their country is still ‘exceptional’. ++ Fortunately, “Palin finds …More
Brown and McCain value experience as a virtue. ++ Especially McCain’s strategy is contradictionary: he portrays himself as a politician who has enough experience to shape the decision about the financial rescue package, and as …More
The US Senate must pass a waiver buying seats aboard Russian space vehicles for US astronauts.++ The NASA shuttle fleet retires in two years, and its new space vehicle, the Orion, will not be ready until 2015, essentially leaving the …More
The Bush administration’s financial bailout package is not well received by Congress – and rightly so. ++ There should be no “blank check,” given Henry Paulson’s maladroit leadership. ++ Obama has outlined four cardinal …More
In the late 80’s and early 90’s the government-owned Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) was charged with overseeing $400 billion in assets, most from failed banks and loan institutions. ++ The lessons learned then are applicable …More
Ban Ki-moon lauded Tehran’s mediating role in the Caucasus, which surely is music to the ears’ of Iran’s president. ++ Ahmadinejad adopted the language of post-hegemony and portrayed Iran as the leader of a new global alliance for peace and, …More
Urgent action to save the financial system is good, but current draft legislation is risky. ++ Congress should not rush into a decision but needs to concentrate on three things: quickly restoring financial stability with low cost, punishing …More
The US weapon industry is continuously growing, while more weapons are sold abroad ++ In Iraq, a host of factors, oil revenue included, has created a “loyal new customer,” namely the Maliki government. ++ Some say selling weapons to …More
The US has done the right thing when it launched a rescue plan. ++ Those who argue how vast the initiative is are wrong because they underestimate the extensiveness of the US economy. ++ However, the true impact of the expansion of public spending lies in …More
Immigration remains an open problem in the US and is now on the campaign agendas. ++ Obama still supports the three pillars of extensive reform: tougher enforcement, expanded legal immigration and a path to citizenship to illegal immigrants who are …More
Due to the financial crisis, the attack on the US embassy in Yemen, and the latest tropical storms, the tone of the US presidential campaign has become nervous and angst-ridden. ++ Even if people who consider the economy to be the most …More
We are witnessing the worst economic conditions since the banking shutdown of 1932. ++ After rescuing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and reluctantly doing so with AIG, the Fed declined to bail out Lehman Brothers or Merrill Lynch; the Fed had to draw …More
Given the interdependence between the economic growth of China and the world, it is necessary to integrate China into the global economy system. ++ One option is the US-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED), which brings US and Chinese …More
McCain’s campaign is turning everything into a cultural wedge issue - including energy policy. ++ Republicans who favor the exploitation of more and more oil ignore the need for an energy policy that diminishes the US dependence on this …More
This time, the declaration of a new world order does not depend on the next US president. ++ Now, it is the new economies that are shaping geopolitics, not the US. ++ Moreover, the complex matrix of various actors hinders global …More
The unipolar moment after the Cold War passed as quickly as it emerged. ++ The new US president will suddenly see some decisions also being made in Beijing, Moscow, and Europe. ++ A league of democracies would be nonsense in the current …More
David Neil Lebhar: While the race between Obama and McCain is too close to call, US voters and the world must realize that the two candidates’ foreign policy positions are not especially different. Furthermore, due to economic instability, domestic concerns, and a shifting geo-political balance, the next president will have to react to international issues through re-defined multilateralism. …More
Both presidential candidates honorably chose to put politics aside on the anniversary of 9/11, but there are various open questions on security. ++ One of these questions asks how willing can the US be to attack Pakistan if its …More
A war very close to home should get more attention in the US: the one in Mexico. ++ Even if Americans soldiers are not among the casualties, US money and arms fuel this dispute. ++ Mexican President Calderón’s efforts to fight the drug syndicates …More
A McCain victory could have consequences that reach far beyond party politics. ++ Enormous numbers of young voters support Obama, a generation that could easily become cynical should this seemingly obvious election go sour. ++ Likewise, African …More
In order to achieve at least one of its foreign policy goals, the Bush administration insisted on the international approval of the nuclear deal with India. ++ The world can sell nuclear fuel to India; however, the action was ill-conceived. …More
Meredith L. Nicoll: McCain’s ‘fighting words’ might superficially translate to a hawkish, us-against-them foreign policy declaration. However, specific strategies for foreign policy were almost entirely absent from McCain’s speech. How should the international community take it? …More
McCain’s vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin, is accused of lacking experience in security and foreign policy issues. ++ She is contrasted to Obama’s running mate, Joseph Biden, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. ++ …More
Mark Brzezinski & Lanny A. Breuer: The US government abuses the law and ignores human rights in the name of security; this shapes the American image abroad and undermines strategic US objectives. American credibility as a standard setter in human rights suffered a major setback. It will take time to repair this damage. …More
In many ways the US has always been ahead of Europe in creating tough environmental protection policies and is less lenient in its standards. ++ As for climate change, the US has fallen far behind. ++ However, it is unfair to accuse …More
Mr. Zadari is expected to win the presidential election in Pakistan. ++ He portrays himself as a pro-Western candidate, but he is merely a caricature of the country’s immoral Westernized elite. ++ Therefore, he serves as a …More
There is no quick fix for Pakistan. ++ Policies need to put the Pakistani people ahead of public figures, and institutions ahead of simplistic solutions. ++ The economy needs to be stabilized and an international plan to improve infrastructure, …More
“Politics is the art of communicating intimacy to a crowd” and Obama’s latest speech proved that he is very good at it. ++ However, commentators do not ask if he can win, but if he should win and question the US …More
If Obama is elected, a VP Joe Biden will likely mean positive developments for troubled US-Iran relations. ++ Biden’s experiences with Iranian diplomacy legitimize Obama’s call for direct contact with Tehran. ++ However, Biden’s …More
From the Editorial Team: In his nomination speech, the Democratic presidential candidate reiterates his commitment to direct diplomacy with Iran and his hawkish position on Pakistan. What do you make of Barack Obama’s security policy positions? …More
After nearly eight years of Bush’s haphazard and ill-advised actions and his contempt for the Arab-Israeli peace process, for most Arabs change cannot come soon enough. ++ Senator Joe Biden is known for his foreign policy experience, …More
Obama comes from the most ideological and, therefore, most dangerous part of the Democratic party. ++ He supports policies that will aggravate many international problems. ++ Despite all this, he should be president because the probable hiatus of …More
Musharraf’s resignation as president allows the country to move toward full democracy and this process should not be seen as a threat in Washington. ++ With Musharraf’s exit the “war against terror will in fact be pursued with much more vigor and …More
In the discussion of US-Russian relations, one element has been overlooked: the shift in the nuclear balance. ++ After the cold war both powers agreed to reduce their tactical nuclear arsenal, but Russia started from a much higher level and still has 10 …More
Musharraf’s resignation ends an exquisite relationship between him and the Bush administration. ++ The latter created the myth that Musharraf had “joined the free world in fighting the terrorists” after 9/11. ++ The truth is, Musharraf neither supported the …More
Russia’s use of force in the Caucasus is fully legitimized by its right to self-defense and international law. ++ The US has to acknowledge that brutality against a civilian population is not justified simply because the Georgian …More
There are voices among US officials that Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki became overconfident about his government’s ability to handle the security situation in Iraq without the US troops and that he wants to portray himself as the national …More
The war in Iraq eroded not only US strength but also its moral authority and sense of purpose. ++ Iraq strains the US army to such a extent that it is not left with forces sufficient to stabilize Afghanistan. ++ Moreover, critics of the US administration emphazise …More
The Pakistani government finally decided to impeach President Musharraf. ++ The US declared the impeachment “an internal matter” of Pakistan, which demonstrates that Musharraf has lost the support of the US, his biggest advocate in the past. ++ But …More
After 1945, the US was clearly the world’s leader but it took its supremacy for granted and became complacent. ++ Since then, the US has become dependent on foreign oil and relied on debt to finance its economy. ++ American …More
Amid the general Bush-bashing, we should not forget the achievements of G.W. Bush’s foreign policy: Iraq isn’t a failure, but turns out to be a genuine success as three free elections since 2003 prove. ++ Furthermore, one must recognize that the Bush …More
Joseph S. Nye: If the US wants to remain powerful, strong ties to the world’s emerging powers are crucial. Improved relations between the US and India could provide the basis for China’s international integration. …More
There are signs that, due to lack of resources and interest, the US is not able to “micromanage the hemisphere” anymore and regional powers such as for instance Brazil are emerging and filling the power vacuum. ++ …More
valentine anatolevich akishkin: The economic downturn and the rise of new centers of power will lead to a shift in US foreign policy doctrine, allowing the country to readjust itself to new world challenges by employing more agreeable and less costly means. …More
There are two rumors regarding the US elections: the first one says that if a candidate travels abroad he becomes inaccessible to “ordinary” Americans. ++ Considering the positive image which Americans have of Europeans, this assumption seems to …More
Richard Wales: The presidential election campaigns are shaped by corporate interests. Barack Obama is part of the same institutionalized political elite as Bush. The promised change can only be achieved by a new generation. …More
Obama’s popularity last
Thursday showed the desire for a responsible global power and the unwavering belief that the US should be that power. ++ But the charisma of the presidential candidate should not blur our view of the other Obama: the …More
David Francis: Obama’s popularity should not be interpreted as a shift in German policy towards the United States. Many officials I spoke with while reporting from Berlin earlier this year said Germany will continue to act in its own interests no matter who is in the White House. …More
Matthias Stephan Fifka: Even if Obama enjoys much more sympathy abroad and is being received like a rock star by the public, his foreign policy would not differ essentially from McCain’s. The biggest discrepancy between the candidates are the expectations of the Europeans, who are likely to be disillusioned with Obama as president. …More
Rüdiger Lentz: Obama’s speech at the Victory Column in Berlin, impressive as it was, contained more empty slogans than substance. This was not the radical change he promised during his primary campaign. His charisma might not be enough to win the elections. …More
The German magazine Der Spiegel featured articles about Barack Obama with such satiric headlines as “The Messiah Factor” or “Germany Meets the Superstar.” ++ These examples show that Europeans are far less excited about Obama than Americans, even …More
India just had its first vote of confidence because the government’s communist allies withdrew their support over the civilian nuclear deal, arguing that the pact made India a pawn of the US. ++ Prime Minister Singh’s Congress …More
E. Ben Heine: The majority of Germans support Barack Obama for the US presidency, not because they believe he will radically change US policy, but because he is expected to return it to the familiar pre-Bush trajectory. …More
An anonymous Iraqi official assumes that Maliki thinks Obama will win the presidential election and is taking preemptive steps in order to collect chits that he can later call in. ++ President Bush wisely ignored Maliki’s demand for US troops to …More
Obama has achieved astonishing levels of popularity abroad. ++ Foreigners, however, had better temper their excitement. ++ A “skilled tactician,” Obama tends to shrewdly adapt his discourse to his audience and since, if elected, he would in any case …More
Over the last few weeks, Obama has confused both Arabs and Israelis with his notes on Palestinian suffering and the status of Jerusalem. ++ But contrary to McCain, Obama shows basic respect for the Palestinians and admits that the …More
J Street, which emerged as a counterweight to AIPAC, released a new poll indicating that US Jews’ views about the Middle East are considerably more dovish than frequently acknowledged. ++ Large majorities of US Jews favor diplomacy with Iran …More
Anne Applebaum: Obama’s visit to Europe signifies a change in America’s political culture – it shows American voters are aware of the damage the current administration has done to America’s image and are not indifferent to how their country is perceived abroad. …More
A study by the Pew Foundation recently
confirmed that the USA
has been suffering from an image problem for years, and this all over the
world. Even in Japan, Argentina, Germany
or Great Britain, all countries
with a traditionally …More
Barack Obama Speech: “I will give our military a new mission on my first day in office: ending this war. (…) Let me be clear: We must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in. We can safely redeploy our combat brigades at a pace that would remove them in 16 months.” …More
Obama highlights the differences between McCain and him on Iraq. ++ He still intends to redeploy the combat brigades in such a way that they could be removed from Iraq in 16 months: “That would be the summer of 2010 - two years from now.” ++ After …More
Despite warnings of their imminent collapse, with the help of US government, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be able to survive and stock market panic can be avoided. ++ Since the two companies have $5.3 trillion in …More
Bush’s “cowboy diplomacy” is changing the way the world addresses climate change. ++ The new G8 document reflects the approach of the White House since 2002. ++ For the first time, the G8 acknowledged that progress will depend on …More
Uncertainty in an emerging “new world order” has brought with it new approaches to the provision of multilateral responses. One concept gaining attention in the US is a ‘league of democracies’, an institutionalized body of …More
Since the Cold War, US foreign policy has struggled to find a “main enemy,” thereby defining its focus. ++ Global politics, however, have returned to a status quo, in which a broad range of problems, with long-term resilience …More
At current consumption rates, the US will spend over $10 trillion on oil imports over the next 10 years. ++ This will constitute the largest transfer of wealth in human history. ++ The only alternative is homegrown energy. ++ Between …More
Bush’s departure will not facilitate addressing global problems. ++ The complex issues of peace in the Middle East and nuclear proliferation will continue to dominate the diplomatic debate. ++ In addition, American and European …More
The resurgence of the Taliban and al Qaeda demonstrates that the war in Iraq is dangerously diverting attention from the “war of necessity” in Afghanistan. ++ Rather than inflexibly planning to stay on or leave Iraq, candidates …More
Conventional wisdom which treated President Medvedev as a mere continuation of Putin is oversimplified. ++ We are witnessing one of the most promising periods in Russian history. ++ The new Russian government with two centers of power …More
Few will mourn the end of the Bush Administration, yet many fail to realize that his legacy has long-term implications. ++ Beside operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, Bush has managed to shift the path of America’s foreign policy. …More
Thomas Carothers: The US needs to recover the international legitimacy it has lost and continue promoting democracy. Yet an exclusive and excluding League of Democracies would be an ineffective tool. Indeed, too many democratic governments are unwilling to follow the US and challenge national sovereignty in the name of democracy. …More
Many parallels can be drawn between Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter at the time of 1976 presidential election. ++ Then, as now, war and economic stagnation created fertile ground for leaders who promise a fresh start and a change in how …More
Sino-American ties are likely to be the most important component of international relations for the next several decades. ++ The question is whether China’s re-emergence can be managed without a conflict. ++ Powerful voices …More
Peter H. Schuck: Americans’ belief in the value of diversity is complicated by a recent study. Is law the answer? Perhaps, but only to a limited extent. The US government must find ways to encourage interaction and exchange, thereby generating social capital, rather than mandating forced diversity. …More
Markus Kaim: Climate change is causing a growth of possibilities for the use of the Arctic. Canada’s Arctic policy, dominated by claims to sovereignty and territory, conflicts with that of its direct competitors in the region (Denmark, Canada, USA, Russia, and Norway) and is at odds with German and European efforts to support multilateralism and uphold international legislation. …More
Obama enjoys astonishing and unprecedented support in Europe. ++ The anti-Americanism fueled by Bush may have subsided, but this international popularity is not necessarily beneficial for a candidate who primarily needs to …More
John McCain intends to subsidize domestic drilling and cut taxes to “free” the US of its dependence on foreign oil. ++ However, the basic rules of microeconomics doom this popular yet cynical energy policy to failure. ++ American …More
Nouriel Roubini: The Financial Times recently interviewed economist Nouriel Roubini regarding the current US housing market problem and the potential for an extended US recession. Roubini addresses the outlook of the US economy, mortgages, potential policy action—The Frank-Dodd bill, Fed policy, and the outlook of financial markets. …More
Gao Xiqing, the president of China’s sovereign wealth fund expressed his frustration concerning the political opposition his fund sometimes faces when it attempts to invest in the West. ++ From the economic point of view, this is …More
Obama should readjust his Iraq strategy like many other former opponents of the war did. ++ US will be remembered as much for how it got out of Iraq as for how it got in. ++ A precipitous withdrawal may give Iranians the chance to dominate Iraq. …More
For most Europeans, including the British journalist who said that he will “be remembered as a blithering idiot,” Bush’s legacy is the Iraq war. ++ On Bush’s last visit to the UK, however, Brown emphasized the president’s accomplishments and …More
Across the globe, voices from the government and media are predicting the waning position of the US as the only remaining superpower. ++ This is a trend that will probably pass with the next US elections. ++ In matters of hard, soft, …More
Iraq’s disparate ethnic groups are united in their opposition to the latest American political and military intentions for the country. ++ According to Bush’s plan, occupation of Iraq could be indefinite. ++ The president should leave the …More
Thomas Speckmann: Examining the foreign policy of US presidents since Kennedy reveals that Germany is generally better off with the conservatives and that German military involvement will always be expected, regardless of who is elected. …More
Sonja Davidovic: Through the changes in the global power structure resulting from the breakdown of the Soviet Union, the USA inevitably assumed the role of a “Global Leader”. This shifted position within the international community provided the American theorists of foreign policy with new tasks. It has become imperative to define the positioning of the USA in the modified global political landscape and to find a suitable strategic orientation of the activities in the field of foreign policy. …More
On Thursday, the US Supreme Court ruled that detainees held at Guantanamo Bay have the right to challenge their detentions in a federal court. ++ This marks the third time the court has made clear that the president has no authority to trash the …More
On both sides of the Atlantic, politicians are certain that a new US President will mean big change on a broad range of issues, from climate change to Iraq. ++ In gearing up for a more “enlightened” era of transatlantic relations, …More
Perhaps by electing Obama as president, pro-American reformers in the Middle East will no longer feel so alienated. ++ According to expat experiences in Egypt, locals are hoping for an Obama victory because of his ethnicity and …More
From the Editorial Team: President Bush’s last official visit to Germany has sparked a vivid debate about the legacy of his presidency and the image of the US abroad. Will Europe forget about Bush soon after the elections and consider the US once again as a partner and friend? Or will the next president have to fight with America’s tainted image for years to come? …More
Official US presidential candidates have been selected but voters now face the difficult task of distinguishing between “the politics of winning”, which shore up popularity, and “the politics of governing”, which focus on ability. ++ Obama’s lack …More
Hillary Clinton has admitted defeat, as for Obama, the battle has only just begun. ++ This year’s US Presidential campaign rotates on an axis between character and experience. ++ McCain offers the American people know-how, while …More
C. Deblock & M. Rioux: Canadians want to develop closer economic ties with Europe in order to reduce their dependence on the United States. However this new “European” policy is motivated by the wrong reasons and political and structural differences could prove insurmountable. …More
The “League of Democracies” has existed as a concept discussed by American political experts for years now. This spring, the idea transferred from the domain of relevant professional journals to that of the US presidential election …More
Rüdiger Lentz: In US presidential elections, Europeans tend to overwhelmingly support the Democratic candidate. Yet, Europe misplaced its bets in both 2000 and 2004. The qualities that Europeans value in a US president are not the same ones that matter to Americans. Europe should tone down its expectations, and come to terms with the possibility of another GOP presidency. …More
US cooperation with Syria - “not based on shared values, but shared interests” - should replace the policy of non-engagement to support Israel, isolate Iran, and ameliorate the situation in Iraq. ++ Waiving economic sanctions against …More
Obama’s nomination as the democratic presidential candidate initiated enthusiasm abroad. ++ Many nations feel Obama as president “could help to reduce anti-US sentiment and even turn it around.” ++ In Europe Obama has strong …More
The question of whether al Qaeda is engaged in a “leaderless” Jihad or one that is “alive and well” - a fundamental issue when determining US counter-terrorism policy - provides for heated discussions in the US. ++ Al Qaeda is in …More
Striking differences between McCain and Obama on issues such as Iraq, the economy, global warming, energy, and the international standing of the US, mean the real debate can now begin. ++ Clinton should rally behind Obama and he should …More
The personality of the US election winner will fundamentally shape transatlantic relations, but the fact remains that today the priorities of the EU and US differ more than ever before. ++ In the multipolar world that has succeeded …More
In order to win the presidency Obama must quickly readjust his strategy. ++ The long and fierce battle between the two democratic candidates has alienated supporters from both sides. ++ In the May 20 Kentucky primary, 2/3 of Clinton supporters …More
Obama has claimed the Democratic nomination, but Clinton will remain an important figure over the next months. ++ Clinton “did well among working-class whites, older voters and women” so her eventual endorsement of Obama will be crucial. ++ …More
The US dollar was for a long time the leading global currency against which all other foreign currencies were measured. The downside of this is that as a result, the USA has accumulated a huge trade deficit. In 2006, foreign …More
Daryl Kimball: The next US president must take action towards nuclear disarmament in three distinct areas. He or she must pursue reductions in US and Russian nuclear arsenals, work towards ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and reassess and reduce the role of nuclear weapons. …More
The US position vis-a-vis Iran and North Korea has been weakened in the past several years, not out of a reluctance to engage in talks, or because of the emptiness of threats of using force, but because of a failure to formulate a …More
The growing popularity of John McCain’s League of Democracies among US voters of both parties should raise concern. ++ In a post-American world peace and prosperity especially require Chinese and Russian cooperation. ++ …More
The Qatari-brokered power sharing agreement between Lebanon’s feuding political factions puts into perspective the new Middle East power equation, in which the US is no longer a dominant factor and the rules are now being written by …More
The foreign policy discussion between McCain and Obama has helped portray the former as uncompromising and the latter as visionary. ++ Since US strategy in Iraq has required diplomats to negotiate with Shiite militiamen, Sunni …More
Europeans’ support for Obama based solely on his Democratic credentials ignores his resistance to free trade which is something on which Europe depends. ++ “His ‘Invest in America’ policy can hardly be topped as protectionist mindset, and his …More
While every candidate seems to agree that “America’s current public diplomacy efforts are badly flawed,” each conceives a different solution to the problem. ++ The warnings which are currently circulating in academic and policy …More
Peter H. Schuck: As in de Tocqueville’s time, American culture, politics, and economics stand apart from the rest of the world. Examining American institutions, public policies and cultural patterns would help the world understand America’s exceptionalism compared to other liberal democracies. …More
In foreign policy, both Republicans and Democrats favor negotiation. ++ Yet McCain realizes “where diplomacy is appropriate, and where more fortitude is required” and this creates a distinction. ++ There are real downsides to the unconditional …More
Oil prices keep setting records and many believe global oil production will soon peak. ++ American dependence on oil and the habit of driving large, gas-guzzling cars and living in suburbs without public transportation access will develop into a …More
Foreign direct investment by sovereign wealth funds from oil-producing and Pacific Rim nations has many Americans worried about the impact on financial markets. ++ However, the lack of transparency poses a greater problem for the country of …More
The campaigning for the US Presidential Election has gotten ugly on Middle East foreign policy. ++ In his speech to the Israeli Knesset, President Bush accused Obama of appeasing with Hamas. ++ It is “hard to remember any president …More
Obama advocates leading open and direct negotiations with everyone, from Iran to Cuba. ++ His opposition to the Iraq war, his rational stance on Iran, and his “understanding of US imperialism” suggest he will reshape American …More
The National Nuclear Security Administration announced the US had reduced its nuclear warheads stockpile. ++ Yet the US continues to upgrade its nuclear arsenal which is the world’s largest. ++ Since the US has not ratified the …More
The current problems of the US financial sector are often compared to those of Japan in the 1990s. ++ While there are many similarities, there are significant structural differences that suggest that a different remedy is required in …More
John C. Hulsman and A. Wess Mitchell: Coppola’s film offers lessons in diplomacy that we can’t refuse. Rather than the liberal institutionalist and neoconservative policies of the last two decades, the next US administration should adopt a flexible realist approach to deal with the challenges of a multipolar world. …More
John McCain’s recent neoconservative foreign policy proposals are of questionable merit. ++ Reorganizing the G8 to the exclusion of Russia and China, will effectively render the organization irrelevant. ++ A League of …More
The end of the unipolar world is approaching. The unipolar world emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union when the bipolar era of the cold war came to an end. Yet just after one decade and a half of US supremacy, the international system is …More
Mc Cain aspires to redefining the US’s global role by creating a US-led “League of Democracies.” ++ Besides antagonizing Russia and China and ignoring the significance of their cooperation on environmental and nuclear issues, …More
While Obama upholds transformation, Mc Cain’s intentions suggest a great deal of continuity based on American power considerations. ++ Obama emphasizes negotiation and the use of the US “potential for attraction instead of its …More
Internationalist economic policy is no longer perceived to be in the interest of the working population in the US. ++ A new internationalism that mitigates adverse effects – inequality and insecurity – is required to …More
Dan Henninger: Despite the recent Clinton victory in Pennsylvania, Obama is likely to be the Democrats’ nominee, opines Wall Street Journal columnist Dan Henninger. …More
Although the US’s economic and political difficulties have rarely been so acute, all of the candidates for president are selling simple answers that don’t exist. ++ Neither McCain’s version of military victory in Iraq nor …More
A recent poll showed that 70% of Iraqis believe US should leave because they are fuelling tensions. ++ Americans believe US should stay to curb sectarian violence and promote democracy. ++ Even Petraeus recognizes the solution is …More
Obama and Clinton may agree on many issues, but they champion two very different approaches towards US foreign policy in the Middle East. ++ Obama opposes the notion of a “clash of civilizations” and supports engaging moderates and democrats in the Muslim world. ++ Clinton would follow a path similar to that of the Bush administration and focus on defending US allies and deterring Iran.
European obstructionism of US proposals at the NATO summit exposes the EU’s division, weakness, and indecisiveness. ++ Energy dependency means that Russia has a de facto veto over EU security. ++ Suggesting the EU could mediate …More
The growing strength of other states, the challenges to US foreign, energy, and economic policy, and globalization, which has diluted state control, have all contributed to ending the era of American dominance. ++ The new distribution …More
The threats to US supremacy tend to be overstated. ++ China and Russia won’t achieve global domination while the post war arrangement goes on. ++ Yet to contain the progress of autocracy, protect and promote liberalism, and maintain its …More
US’s coercive tools - military might and economic leverage - have severely diminished due to failure in Iraq, expensive oil, and the rise of new industrial giants. ++ The next president needs to acknowledge the ineffectiveness of …More
Since they help increase productivity and develop economic potential, efficient services are fundamental to modern economies. ++ Because the service sector is expanding rapidly and contributing to sustainable growth, liberalization could …More
The IMF might have prevented the US crisis if it had detected mortgage market vulnerability sooner. ++ Since IMF governance is organized according to the “money for influence” model - most influential members have most leverage - US policies and …More
The current financial crisis demands strong governmental actions, particularly in the US. ++ The US’s financial problems can be explained through the debt crisis, credit crunch, and housing bubble which lead to a consumer binge. ++ The government …More
Benjamin Lucas Schoo: McCain is the only true free trader among the remaining presidential candidates. The economic policy positions of Clinton and Obama are similar. Unlike McCain, both Democratic candidates support ending the Bush tax cuts. …More
Anatol Lieven: McCain’s promise to listen more to America’s allies in Europe needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Senator McCain is in fact a neo-conservative as can be seen from his policies on Iraq, Russia, NATO, and democracy building. …More
While Jim Webb would have many weaknesses on the campaign trail, he could be a great vice president to Obama. ++ Senator Webb’s military experience outstrips that of any other likely democratic VP candidate, his authenticity gains him respect, and he could …More
Partisan polarization over foreign policy is stronger than ever before. ++ A Democratic, rather European, vision of diplomacy is opposed to a Republican celebration of American exceptionalism and forceful great-power politics. ++ …More
Obama’s speech on race spoke to Europe and provided insights into the imperfections of US democracy. ++ Obama succeeded in addressing the problems of his nation, something which is rarely accomplished
in Europe. ++ The …More
The decline of America’s image in Europe is less a matter of hostility than disillusionment. ++ Reinvigorating the transatlantic relationship requires a more flexible, multilateral US, and Europe
to take more responsibility in the face of common …More
Iran and the US are not doomed to remain eternal enemies. ++ The two countries share profound strategic interests such as stabilizing Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan; preventing the spread of Russian influence; and ensuring that Middle Eastern oil …More
Between the recession and the Iraq war, isolationism is growing in America. ++ American anger at Europe’s inability to defend itself furthers the isolationist impulse, with conservatives and liberals converging on the issue. ++ Despite …More
Julianne Smith: If elected, Obama will attempt to reestablish a strong partnership with Europe. He should come closer to his European partners on issues such as climate change and international law, but will expect greater cooperation and support for US policies in the Middle East and Afghanistan. …More
As nuclear weapons’ materials increase on black market, US needs to modernize forensics tools in preparation for a potential attack. ++ International collaboration and a shared
database are essential. ++ A group of independent experts …More
Nothing opposes Yeltsin’s and Putin’s terms in office more strikingly than their interpretation and understanding. ++ The West’s demonization of Putin is in stark contrast with high levels of consent and popularity at home. ++ The West should not …More
As a reserve currency, the US dollar’s value was only sustainable while the economy was growing. ++ As many economists expect a recession, the Fed is moving aggressively to pump more liquidity into the US banking system. ++ This and increasing …More
Dominik Bertram: This paper is looking at the new role the European Union has to play on a global level, by applying Joseph Nye’s Model of a “three dimensional chessboard”, and the “TIT FOR TAT” strategy, put forward by Robert Axeldrod. …More
It is wrong to think that China has supplanted America in driving the global economy - the US still contributes 5 times more to the world’s GDP than China. ++ Banks around the world are learning that the US has lived beyond its means and debt may not be repaid. ++ Though a US tax cut may help, it won’t be enough to prevent recession. ++ The extent of the damage may not be known until 2009.
Parag Khanna: The new world order won’t include American hegemony. “Second world” nations will be the geopolitical battlefield, as the US fights for a balance with China and the EU. …More
Manuel David Weitnauer: The United States must adapt its policy to the new political circumstances brought about by the National Assembly elections on February 18, 2008. This translates into reducing backup for Musharraf, altering the form of military aid, and strengthening civil society. …More
Charles Kupchan and Ray Takeyh: Rather than continuing to pursue strategies which isolate and attempt to contain Iran, the US needs to follow the lead of its Arab Allies, practice diplomacy, and encourage regional integration. …More
It is a misunderstanding of Al Qaeda’s nature and aims that leads to the fear it could implement an Islamic state in Iraq if the US troops were to leave. ++ Al Qaeda is a non-territorial global entity that antagonizes the West, disrupts existing conflicts but cannot coordinate enough key local actors so as to rule a state. ++ In Iraq, it is the Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds who play the central role.
The assertion that a Democratic president will have to repair the damage done to the country’s reputation overseas underrates the complexity of feelings towards America. ++ Anti-Americanism is less the result of policies than natural tension with …More
The US economy is facing a post-bubble recession rather than a cyclical downturn. ++ As homebuilders and consumers - a sector representing 78% of GDP, are being hit the hardest, the Fed’s monetary easing policies which favor …More
The US has failed to understand that China’s objectives do not complement America’s. ++ China does not want the US to play a role in Central and East Asia, and its actions routinely illustrate this. ++ By adopting a tolerant …More
In recent years, the Democratic Party has tended to gravitate towards protectionism. ++ The denigration of freer trade is characteristic of Democratic candidates during the primaries. ++ Obama’s trade policy credentials however, suggest he is likely to be a friendlier president to multilateral free trade. ++ “Hope,” “change” and an international outlook are incompatible with protectionism.
With broad-based support within Russia for the direction Putin is taking the country and high oil prices, the US can no longer expect Russia to merely acquiesce to its policy preferences. ++ America will have to choose between adamantly pursuing …More
Rüdiger Lentz: As Obamania continues to sweep the nation, it appears as if the Republicans’ worst fear will come true. …More
A Democratic candidate, if elected, needs to end the war in Iraq as promised. ++ US withdrawal would not only allow the US to make progress on domestic issues, but it would also give Iraqis an opportunity to make their own deals and decisions …More
Viktor Friedmann: This paper provides a summary of a V4 conference with young researchers which identified the type of information which could be transferred from the Visegrad civil sector to the neighboring countries who would also like to be members of the EU. …More
Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger: George W. Bush’s successor will make demands of the Europeans, and Europeans would do well to take note of this fact. Key areas of contention will remain between Europe and America especially when it comes to Russia, Afghanistan, and democracy promotion. …More
The struggling US economy has become a critical issue for America’s current and future leadership. Robert Reich, a professor of public policy at the University of California at Berkeley and a former US secretary of labour, …More
Christian Andreas Morris: References to transatlantic relations by the front-runners to the Democratic nomination are quite vague and generic. Clinton has shown more interest in Europe than Obama. …More
Samantha Ferrell: Many US Republican candidates have demonstrated general suspicion and negativity towards Europe when discussing their projected transatlantic policies. …More
Confronting some of the protectionist calls during the ongoing presidential nomination process, Steven E. Landsburg, a professor of economics at the University of Rochester, reminds us of the huge benefits of free trade we benefit from everyday.
Thus, even …More
Paul Krugman, Professor of Economics at Princeton, argues in the NY Times that the biggest foreign policy issues for the next president will not be related to 9/11 or the war in Iraq. Rather, they will involve the consequences of China’s rapid economic …More
The manner in which the “War on Terror” has been conducted since 9/11 has rendered the United States as an uncompromising power and as a bully. Richard L. Armitage and Joseph S. Nye Jr. contend that it is Al-Qaeda’s deliberate …More
The inner-workings of the sub-prime crisis in the United States are explored by the BBC. Scrutinized are its origins and its effects, but particularly the role of the mortgage bond market in the outcome and …More
Scott T. Paul: The Senate’s ratification of the Law of the Sea is essential in showing US commitment to international law, especially as the treaty is supported by business, the military, and the White House. …More
The spheres of influence of the United States and China could be starting to shift, proposes Richard Komaiko writing for the Power and Interest News Report.
US Navy ships USS Patriot and USS Guardian were denied permission to …More
The last 16 years provide valuable hindsight into the grand strategic approach of the United States and highlight the need to reshape American foreign policy around the principle of restraint, argues …More
Most economic indicators in the United States look disappointingly opaque today, with the exception of an acceptable 4.6% unemployment rate. Yet Dr. Joseph Stiglitz argues in his article, “The Economic Consequences of Mr. Bush,” that …More
Mark Brzezinski: Barack Obama’s candidacy for the US presidency gives America an opportunity to redefine itself in relationship with the world, because he takes a global approach to US challenges rather than a more conventional approach. …More
Casey S Butterfield: Income mobility in the United States is not as high as people think. If the US economy is so excitingly dynamic, why do children in Canada and Europe have a better chance of surpassing their parents’ incomes? …More
The United States has to revitalize its ability to inspire and persuade rather than merely rely upon its military might, argues a bipartisan Commission on Smart Power at Center for Strategic and International Security …More
Nikolas Kirrill Gvosdev: I ask whether the alliance across the Atlantic can “endure in the face of disagreements.” A new way forward is needed in US foreign policy, one which does not take European cooperation for granted. …More
As the Pentagon explores the army’s future, The Economist emphasizes the need for an army more capable of engaging locally while better prepared technologically for an uncertain future. Success against …More
Patrick Deneen: Both the right and left overlook parts of Europe which challenge their presuppositions. These small villages could teach Americans on both ends of the political spectrum about a healthy respect for the environment and a culture of sustainability. …More
Rejecting liberal immigration policy and condemning free trade are two stances that certain US politicians — both Democrat and Republican — share with the European far-right, suggests Carlos Alberto Montaner in the Miami Herald. This …More
Tony Karon: The West should not be asking whether Tehran will build nuclear weapons in the future, but rather how the regime can be persuaded that it doesn’t need them. …More
Jan-Friedrich Kallmorgen: the only news from the White House and Petraeus findings is that any decision on American troop withdrawal is postponed: President Bush is betting it all on positive trends in Iraq. Should the situation improve, Germany too will have to do its part. …More
Have conditions in Iraq improved since troop numbers went up? We look at two different viewpoints on this issue, one from embedded journalists on an eight-day stay, the other from members of the 82nd Airborne Division, the key actors in the …More
Retired General James Jones: Positive trends on the ground could enable a shift in responsibility from Coalition forces to the Iraqi security forces. …More
The 2007 Transatlantic Trends Report, the German Marshall Fund’s annual survey of public opinion from 12 European countries and the United States, has been released today. The authors caution against blanket optimism for new transatlantic …More
Karsten Voigt: There is a need for deeper dialogue between Europe and America. Misconceptions on both sides about each other’s point of view on religion have led to more separation than necessary. …More
The Atlantic Community Editorial Team: presents a comparative analysis of the most promising plans from policy makers and think tanks across the US. See all the strategies here, or download and print out a PDF with the full matrix of options. …More
Since September 11, 2001, the idea that terrorist attacks are planned in distant failed states has snowballed into a new understanding of an omnipresent threat. Silber and Bhatt, two senior intelligence analysts working for the New York City …More
Most US presidential candidates have very favorable views towards closer cooperation with India in the future, reports Joanna Klonsky of the Council on Foreign Relations. Klonsky’s findings belie the low coverage on this …More
Philipp S. Mueller: Mexico is the ignored elephant on the transatlantic agenda. This OECD country of 105 million people is an economic heavyweight that both Europe and the US have underestimated. What are you waiting for, policy entrepreneurs? …More
F. William Engdahl: I take a critical look at last week’s Five Principles For US Energy Security from Stuart Butler and Kim Holmes. My counterproposals emphasize environmental and fiscal concerns, as well as historical perspective. …More
Stuart M. Butler: and Kim R. Holmes of the Heritage Foundation: We argue that US energy security demands a free market. Policy makers should encourage global economic participation by American businesses, trade with free democratic regimes, and diversification of fuel sources. …More
John Cavanagh, Anita Dancs, and Miriam Pemberton at the Institute for Foreign Policy and the National Priorities Project argue that US security would not suffer if one third of the Pentagon’s $650 billion-budget …More
Casey S Butterfield: reveals what to expect on foreign policy from the US presidential hopefuls for 2008. In this installment, Nuland introduces the top Democratic contenders and finds that all of them promise to get the US out of Iraq—it’s just a question of how. …More
Niklas Keller: reveals what to expect on foreign policy from the US presidential hopefuls for 2008. In this first installment, Nuland introduces the top Republican contenders and finds that what plays to the people now is just the tip of the iceberg. …More
Shlomo Ben-Ami: I analyze the consequences of US grand strategy in the Middle East. The regional balance of power has been so thoroughly altered that an Arab-Israeli settlement now looks increasingly possible. …More
Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger: of the Atlantic Initiative Advisory Board interviews President George W. Bush just prior to the G8 Summit. The President speaks on US-Russia relations, domestic energy policy, and the criticism he has received from around the world. …More
Anne Underwood of Newsweek reports on the campaign by American mayors to conserve energy and mitigate climate change. City leaders across the United States have joined together and drafted the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection …More
Daniel Benjamin writes in Slate that among the many disputed actions taken by the United States government following September 11, those predicated on …More
America has a “profound misunderstanding of the nature of power in world politics,” says Harvard professor Joseph S. Nye. Power is distributed at three levels: unipolar military relations among states, multipolar economic relations, and …More
The newest tale of woe among American investment banks is the housing market, according to The Economist. Some analysts on Wall Street predict that the housing bubble is on the verge of collapse, and point to the “subprime mortgage …More
Veteran Middle East reporter John K. Cooley suggests the US initiate a comprehensive, formal dialogue with Iran on the issues that have divided the two countries since Iran’s 1979 revolution. The minimum objective of …More
Tufts University professor Daniel Drezner highlights the Bush administration’s recognition of the shifting geopolitical order. The author of All Politics is Global credits the US for its multilateral approach on incorporating …More
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