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March 11, 2010 | The Spill Over Effect of Oil in Iraqi Politics

Oil, far from the blessing it was expected to be, has failed to lift Iraq out of war and economic stagnation. ++ As demonstrated by high levels of corruption in many oil-exporting nations, overreliance on oil for economic growth can …More

March 9, 2010 | Adding Teeth to Iran Sanctions

The Obama administration is currently working on new UN sanctions designed to cut off funding to Iranian nuclear and missile activities, as well as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s vast network of companies. ++ Chinese participation is a …More

March 8, 2010 | Yemen: Challenges of Counter-Terrorism

Roland Popp: Counter-terrorism operations in Yemen have proven to be difficult. While the West has recognized that a broad civil-military strategy for Yemen is required, strengthening the central government in Sanaa does not lead to a diminished terrorist threat. Western governments should prioritize the country’s regional integration and mediation efforts. …More

February 16, 2010 | Another Lesson of Chinese Wisdom

Outstanding records in all fields prove again that 2010 will definitely be the year of China. ++ Beside the 10 Chinese growth rate outrunning the timid 3,9 world GDP, China is surprisingly enough the world’s first importer in almost all raw …More

February 15, 2010 | What Does Chinese Socialist Nationalism Look Like Today?

Filippo / Mauri: How does the Chinese authority deal with the political identity crisis resulting from a socialist and yet ever more opening economy, influenced by Western values? The construction of national identity in the post-Mao era relies heavily on cementing the gap between China and the West. …More

February 12, 2010 | Russian Foreign Policy: Smitten by China?

Russia is increasingly smitten by China.Since the days of Primakov as Foreign Minister, China has largely replaced the West as the object of admiration in Russian foreign policy. This new orientation in Russian foreign policy is not …More

February 9, 2010 | The Gap Between China and India Widens

The gap between China and India continues to grow, despite the tendency to group the emerging countries together. ++ China’s GDP is four times that of India and will likely double over the next 30 years. ++ By 2040 Chinese GDP is …More

January 15, 2010 | A Bright Spell In Sight

Neighbours witness a very positive context in spite of a 40 years old past of stormy relations between India and Bangledesh. ++ Timing eventually made both sides meet on an common ground for reinforced dialog. ++ Trade and border security issues are on the …More

January 11, 2010 | Turn the Focus on Kashmir

The U.S. government has all but ignored the conflict in Kashmir and espoused a “hands off” approach on the issue. However, pressure to engage is increasing. After all, a resolution of the Kashmir conflict, which pits two nuclear powers against one another, …More

February 26, 2010 | The Russian Energy Rule is Over

For years, Russia has largely benefited from its “energy super power” strategy. ++ Today, using gas and oil supplies as a tool for the Russian diplomacy is becoming less relevant. ++ While the European market is oversupplied and battles over the …More

February 4, 2010 | Political Pipelines as Diplomatic Fault Lines

Joshua Posaner: Europe should strengthen infrastructure across the former Soviet space as opposed to directly competing with Russia on gas pipelines. The White Stream project currently in development by Ukraine provides a possible counterweight to Moscow’s increasing energy dominance and an antidote to Eastern Europe’s increasing isolation. …More

January 20, 2010 | How and Why Has Belarusian Foreign Policy Been Constrained 1991-2009?

Helen Turek: Following almost two decades of isolation, this paper sets out to examine why Belarus has traditionally had such a limited range of foreign policy options, and what has changed in the last two years, causing Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka to try and appeal as a partner to the West. …More

March 12, 2010 | Indonesia and the US Contemplate Forming a Union

Indonesia is trying to determine whether to increase diplomatic engagement with the US in the run up to Pres. Obama’s visit on March 20. ++ The Asian country could be a good partner for the US as it has proved its commitment …More

March 10, 2010 | Women Can Do It Better

Empowering women in Asia is not only a requirement for basic human rights but also an economic asset in recovery form the global recession. ++ It remains the best way to lower the illiteracy, malnutrition and child mortality rates in the long term. ++ A …More

February 19, 2010 | Soccer Star Pushes Countries to Meet MDG Targets

French soccer star and UN Goodwill Amb. Zinedine Zidane is trying to raise support and awareness of the MDGs. ++ The financial crisis has set back the efforts of Asian countries to meet MDG targets. ++ The Asian Development Bank …More

March 12, 2010 | A Renewed Commitment to the MDGs

Much progress has been made in the last decade in the area of international development, yet right now the developed world needs to re-affirm and strengthen its commitment to the Millenium Development Goals. ++ With enough effort, millions of people …More

March 8, 2010 | The World Should Not Give Up on Somalia

Somalia is typically associated with war, displacement, terrorism, and piracy, but the country is not the failed state it’s portrayed as. ++ “Somalis are resilient and committed to peace, and sickened by the nihilistic violence of the …More

February 24, 2010 | Post Apartheid South Africa Turns 20

For its 20th birthday, post-apartheid South Africa has little to celebrate. ++ SA is doing better than anticipated, but expectations were very low. ++ The country has some of the highest murder and AIDS rates in the world as well as one of the …More

February 24, 2010 | Spain's War in Afghanistan

Ed Burke: Spain cannot avoid the incoming fight in its Area of Responsibility in Afghanistan and should resource the mission properly. The Spanish responsibility to link the southern and western parts of Afghanistan to the north remains essential in the fight against the insurgency. …More

February 23, 2010 | Afghanistan is the Straw that Broke Holland's Back

The Dutch gov’t. has unraveled over how to proceed in Afghanistan. ++ PM Jan Peter Balkenende was hoping to find a compromise between a promise to the Dutch people of troop withdrawal by the end of 2010 and American insistence …More

February 23, 2010 | Is Obama Reading the Soviet Guidebook?

Osama Bin Javaid: The current Western involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan is only embedding deeper extremism. Let real democracy develop, as opposed to Karzai’s version, allow the Taliban to run and win elections. Empowering and educating the Afghan masses are the only ways out of NATO’s disarray. …More

March 3, 2010 | US-Europe: the Winning Losers' Partnership

The anti-Europe discourse is fashionable again these days in American tribunes. ++ “Pacifist Europe” progressively withdrawing its commitment from NATO’s engagement in Afghanistan fuels scepticism towards the everlasting European …More

March 2, 2010 | Dutch Exodus a Game Changer

Julian Lindley-French & Kurt Volker: The departure of the highly-acclaimed Dutch force from Uruzghan has ramifications for both regional security and transatlantic relations in a broader sense. If no other European power fills the void, regional security could deteriorate and NATO cohesion will be strained. …More

February 25, 2010 | Denmark Shows How to Get Support for Afghanistan

While European support to NATO’s strategy in Afghanistan is progressively being undermined, Denmark stands out by maintaining a supportive public opinion in spite of heavy casualties. ++ The Danish government unveils the ingredients …More

February 15, 2010 | NATO Provides Alternatives to Insurgents

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: After the London conference, NATO was accused of trying to achieve peace by bribing the Taliban. In this video, the NATO Secretary General says that this is not the case, and that reconciliation and re-integration efforts will provide an alternative path to the Afghan people. …More

February 8, 2010 | Supporting Better Governance

Memo 22: Atlantic-community.org has developed several policy recommendations regarding the international mission in Afghanistan. Members agree that improving the functioning of the state is necessary and that better governance, empowering local institutions must be one of ISAF’s primary goals. …More

January 29, 2010 | Civil Projects Need to Play a Greater Role

Interview with Bente Aika Scheller: Following yesterday’s London Conference, and reflecting the debate currently running on atlantic-community.org, we interviewed the Director of the Boell Foundation’s Kabul office. Dr. Scheller states that along side security, the international community also needs to strengthen Afghan civil society. …More

March 5, 2010 | NATO's Women

Stefanie Babst: Although NATO and women are not two words that typically go together, the organization is taking a number of actions to increase the representation of women both in policy and on the ground. NATO is an active supporter of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. …More

February 4, 2010 | Realist Idealism in Iran

Iran’s well known nuclear ambitions prove American diplomatic engagement wrong. ++ There is a clear need for reconciliation between both realist and idealist approaches. ++ A balance can be reached by supporting the Green Revolution to ensure a …More

January 13, 2010 | Balancing Power Politics

Timor Sharan: Seventeen out of twenty-four proposed Afghan cabinet ministers were rejected by parliament in a clear reaction to Karzai’s capitulation to international pressure. How will the President balance his commitments to local power-brokers as well as international demands to stem corruption? …More

February 4, 2010 | Thomas E. Gouttierre, Dean of the Center for Afghan Studies

The Center for Afghanistan Studies at the University of Nebraska is the only institutional base in the US specifically concerned with Afghan affairs. As director of the center, he plays an integral role in educating …More

January 27, 2010 | Taliban to Be Part of the Post-war Government

The international coalition involved in Afghanistan is seriously considering negotiating a peace process with the Taliban in the next international conference in London. ++ The deal is the following one: “renounce violence in …More

January 25, 2010 | Afghan Elections Postponed: Great News

Afghanistan’s electoral commission has postponed elections. ++ If “regrettable,” it is yet a positive sign that realism has finally won over idealism. ++ Afghan leaders acknowledge security issues and shortage of money …More

September 2, 2009 | EU and Turkey to Mediate Balkan Tensions

Memo 18: More than a decade after the Dayton Agreement West Balkan countries are fighting over EU membership and against the resurgence of nationalist forces. These factors presently contribute to the emergence of renewed conflict potential. The European Union and Turkey have a key role to play as mediators. …More

August 7, 2009 | Is the EU Suffering From 'Visa Liberalization Fatigue'?

Rudi Guraziu: The EU seems to have made its political decision as far as visa liberalization for the West Balkans is concerned. However, by excluding the two nations who have suffered the most during the conflict it risks stability in the region. …More

August 7, 2009 | How Will Europe Protect Itself Against the Nationalist Virus?

Wolfgang Stock: Slovenia and Greece are currently preventing Croatia and Macedonia, two politically and economically stable countries, from entering the European Union. This blockade is unjustified and a violation against the highest principles of the EU. Brussels must cease from its indifference and act on this. …More

February 17, 2010 | Turkey and Asia: A Win-Win Scenario

Since assuming power, the AK Party in Turkey has shifted foreign policy eastward. ++ Turkey should continue to strengthen ties with Asia politically, economically, and culturally. ++ This policy shift can be seen through Turkey’s …More

January 7, 2010 | "Keeping Turkey out of Europe"

22 years after Turkey’s first application, EU membership is as remote a prospects as ever, with Bulgaria presenting the latest hurdle. ++ Although Turkey should be required to improve its human rights record, the antipathy directed at Ankara is …More

December 17, 2009 | The PKK's Freerider Strategy

Over the last five years the PKK has shown it understands and adapts to the changing circumstances of regional politics, and has thus guaranteed its survival. ++ The only remaining threat to the PKK is the AK Party. ++ The PKK has been using violence …More

March 12, 2010 | Taking the Temperature of Arctic Governance

Editorial Team: The Arctic region tops the agenda at atlantic-community.org for the next week. As the melting ice cap reveals unprecedented commercial and resource exploiting opportunities, we invite our members to reflect on and debate how to make the fight against climate change prevail over states’ interests and consider the need for transatlantic leadership in Arctic governance. …More

March 12, 2010 | Will the US Become More Active in the Arctic?

Ingrid Lundestad: The United States has stated an intention to become a more active and influential player in the Arctic. What is currently the US position in the region, and what will it look like in the future? …More

March 11, 2010 | Norway and the Arctic: The End of Dreams?

Paal Sigurd Hilde: Norway is a bright example of how moderation can prevail even when the stakes seem high. Those dreaming of an Arctic El Dorado have been sorely disappointed. Will the other states rushing to the Arctic also come to their senses?

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