Global Challenges
Wars & Conflicts
The 21st century will witness new commercial battlefronts: the yuan vs. the dollar is one of them. ++ Americans blame Chinese officials for maintaining the yuan at an unnecessarily low exchange rate, therefore making it more difficult for the …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
Discussions on Turkey’s EU membership tend to neglect the fact that the country’s strategic significance has skyrocketed since the end of the Cold War. From the standpoint of Western interests, Turkey plays a key role in conflict resolution from the …More
According to nearly 60% of Afghans, corruption is their country’s greatest problem, and not the precarious security situation. Hours spent waiting in lines, weeklong delays in obtaining necessary licenses from local bureaucrats have …More
Obama’s foreign policy approach is bearing fruit in Pakistan. ++ The Pakistani military is engaging Taliban havens in the North of the country and increased intelligence-sharing with Washington has led to the capture of several Taliban …More
Following the Copenhagen Accord, there is a danger that Europe and the United States will fall back upon old strategies in international climate politics and hope to see matters through with new patience. But the debacle at Copenhagen clearly …More
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
Jackson Janes: In order to maintain its relevancy, NATO must convince the world that is as important now as it was 60 years ago. To to this, NATO should re-affirm its commitment to collective defense within a twenty-first century security context, properly resource deployments, and more equally share burdens. …More
Juliette Dixon: With the declining influence of the US, an ageing, slow moving EU and the threatening rise of China, stronger cooperation between the powers in such a sensitive context should be looked at more closely. The culture gap between the East and the West is vivid and prevents the Western powers from finding common ground with the Chinese partner. …More
EU’s President Herman Van Rompuy gave his strongest speech to date last week. ++ Economic governance and strengthening ties with emerging powers were identified as the main areas to improve Europe’s role in the world. ++ Surprisingly …More
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
Rebuking western claims that the gov’t. is corrupt and at odds with the military, the President re-affirms his Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism and building a sound, democratic society. ++ Zadari states an international assistance program akin to the …More
It is a mistake for the United States to retain the threat of a military strike against Iran. ++ Such an approach is unrealistic from a military standpoint, does little to aid the efforts of reform-minded Iranians, and distracts from the building …More
Joerg Wolf: The United States and some of its European partners seem to have increasingly different policy priorities. Should NATO members support the surge in Afghanistan and increase their defense budgets? Or should NATO focus on nuclear disarmament?
…More
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
Saeb Sal Kasm: Successful resolution of the Iranian nuclear dilemma requires creative and skillful diplomatic engagement. Otherwise, the parties risk further isolation, politically charged rhetoric, and eventually escalation toward military confrontation. …More
Enver Ferhatović: As Sudan prepares for general elections this year and a secession referendum next year, the international community needs to help form a plan to avoid post-election violence. Sudan will over the next couple of years remain one of the major test-cases of the effectiveness of an EU common foreign and security policy. …More
According to a recent complaint by General McChrystal, senior decision-makers are being forced to turn to the mass media in search of the information they need on Afghanistan. The intelligence community is preoccupied with …More
The over 20 operations and missions conducted up to present within the framework of the European Union’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) have had mixed results, both for civilian and military operations. While some missions like the …More
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
It is nearly impossible to predict what the future will hold for Iranian politics. Nevertheless, thinking through various conceivable scenarios does provide decision-makers with important cues as to possible future developments. Two variables are …More
German troops are doing great work in Afghanistan but are not getting the support they deserve. ++ Despite the ongoing debate in Germany over whether troops are actually needed, they are a key partner and complement to the ISAF and US missions …More
Andrew Small: The mood on China is beginning to darken. From cyber-attacks to obstinacy in Copenhagen, Beijing’s assertiveness and the hardening tone of its diplomacy are prompting a rethink. If the competitive aspects of the relationship with China are going to dominate in the years ahead, have the US and Europe got their strategies right? …More
Palestinian underground tunnellers face increasing difficulties from all parts to provide immured Gaza Strip with staple products and arms. ++ Among the numerous tricks designed to hinder the tunnels’ activities are the Israeli …More
Cortnie Shupe: Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin wall, the West has failed to incorporate the Russian Federation into security institutions in Europe. The EU’s soft power security challenges confront the Russian hard security agenda regarding Eastern Europe. Three political moves could reverse that trend. …More
The results of Britain’s inquiry into the legitimacy of the Iraq War threatens to tarnish Tony Blair’s legacy. ++ Evidence suggests that Blair agreed to commit troops to Bush’s war “no matter what happened”. ++ …More
President Obama has declined an invitation to the US-EU summit in Madrid this May due to domestic priorities. ++ Europeans face declining American interest in the EU and are considering postponing the summit. ++ Various signs prove them right; the Lisbon …More
Makeda Hannah Peter: IR feminists offer alternative conceptions of power. In doing so, feminists attempt to de-construct the power-politics of positivist realism, and focus on individuals and communities. Empirical research conveys gender related issues as central to studies within IR. …More
Obama has inserted himself in the midst of a conflict even more difficult than the one between Republicans and Democrats, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ++ Despite Obama’s shift from an optimistic to a pessimistic outlook for the …More
Interview with Claudia Gonzalez: Social media is transforming how the UN relates humanitarian crises to the global public. In this interview, the former head of Public Relations and Special Projects in the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees explains how Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and other platforms have added a new dimension to their humanitarian work. …More
As the world watches to see how the political crisis in Iran will play out, its neighbors in the have been silent on the matter. ++ “From the prism of Arab Gulf interests, there is no need to pick a side in this fight, especially when it is unclear …More
Parag Khanna: Many people think the lines on the map no longer matter. However, by using maps of the past and present, we can understand the root causes of modern border conflicts worldwide. This oft overlooked explanation gives insight into a series of conflict zones, and can offer simple solutions towards their resolution. …More
Southern Sudan is projected to vote for secession from the North in 2011 elections to be held under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). ++ This “failed marriage” of the North and South is unlikely to have an …More
The Editorial Team: A virtual conference 4-9 Feb, featuring online keynote contributions from world leaders and participants logging on from around the globe. NGOs, civil society, security & defence practitioners, leading political and military figures, think tanks, academics, and journalists will interact online to build concrete solutions together. …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
Joschka Fischer: Europeans may be too tired and divided to play a significant role in world politics, which could have dire consequences for Europe in this time of global realignment. But even if Europe abdicates its global role, the EU cannot forget about order within its immediate neighborhood. The Balkans are a part of Europe, and Europeans must solve the region’s problems. …More
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
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
Texts, tweets, and friend requests are playing their part in what is being dubbed “twenty-first century statecraft.” ++ The US State Department is actively promoting the use of modern communications and social networking technologies to win …More
Aleksandra Palagnyuk: The five-day war between Russia and Georgia in 2008 has reveiled the true importance of the Caucasus region to the EU as well other key international players. In this MA thesis I analyse the implications of the conflict for European foreign policy, especially with regards to EU energy security. …More
Editorial Team: President Obama has moved away from his predecessor’s ‘War on Terror,’ which is now coming under fire. According to conservative’s in the United States, these new, ‘weaker’ policies are to blame for the attempted Christmas Day bombing. …More
Dirk Schuchardt: Germany’s main interest in NATO enlargement lies in creating a stable European security order, while preventing a confrontation with Russia. Therefore, from the German perspective, Ukraine and Georgia should not join the Alliance. …More
Lyle Brecht: The catastrophic consequences of global warming pose a far greater threat than any national defense initiative, yet military spending consistently trumps climate change legislation in American politics. Rational thought is absent from the decision making process and the public is simply going along for the ride. …More
UN resolutions, Geneva conventions, previous regional agreements, the Arab Peace Initiative, and official national policies are all being ignored to the detriment of those under siege in the Gaza strip. ++ The EU recently restated the requirements for …More
Aung Sun Suu Kyi’s plight is well known, but there are more than 2000 other activists in Burmese prisons. ++ Many are subject to torture, denied medical treatment, and forced into manual labor. ++ Ethnic minorities face cultural genocide. ++ The UN has …More
France is attempting to pull Russia into a “common security space” bypassing both NATO and the EU by offering to sell it advanced naval vessels. ++ This looks set to “seriously complicate the security environment for NATO …More
One thing that was regrettably missing in Obama’s address to the nation was the moral dimension of the troop surge. ++ This is part of a larger trend in which the principles of democratic values are too often set aside. ++ By focusing on listening instead of …More
Daniel Korski and Richard Gowan: The potential rewards the EU might reap from improved trade in Iraq are huge, but the risks of instability remain highly problematic. By coordinating efforts, both within the Union and with NATO, Europe will win gratitude in Washington and a fruitful market in Baghdad. …More
Jovana Jezdimirovic Ranito: As the situation in Kosovo since the end of the war has demonstrated, there is a gap between words and deeds. Furthermore, the main constraints preventing the successful development of security are the actors’ motivations, the lack of political will and a lack of civil and military cooperation. …More
Marie Lall: With Pakistan having entered its most violent chapter in its history as an independent state, it might already be too late to reverse Islamic militancy and terror. The West can only help with a cash injection in the economy, making sure that the money reaches ordinary Pakistanis rather than the military, government officials or Western consultants. …More
Syrian President Bashar Assad’s call for the resumption of negotiations with Israel, demonstrates his commitment to reaching a peace deal. ++ Netanyahu should accept his offer for talks as a peace agreement with Syria would give Israel important …More
Obama’s prolonged deliberation about Afghanistan risks undermining his commitment to whichever decision he ends up making. ++ As there is unanimity in the Pentagon and considerable agreement in Congress and among NATO allies about the need for …More
China’s impressive economic growth in recent years would not have been possible without the exploitation of raw materials in Africa. Up to now Beijing’s interests in Africa have been largely economic in nature. This, however, is bound to …More
Within the United States, the Gaza War has led not only to renewed calls for peace by the U.S. government, but also to the emergence of numerous pro-active, public peace movements. The American Jewish community is no longer …More
Greg Randolph Lawson: Obama needs to maintain military flexibility by repositioning its “Af-Pak” policy. The US can encourage lasting stability in the region, and indeed protect its own strategic sustainability, by rethinking its nation building efforts and allowing regional actors to grow into a more effective anti-Taliban force. …More
The fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 remains a major landmark in time, reminding us in the West of what has been won and what is still worth fighting for. ++ Globalisation has since lifted 500 million people out …More
Natalie Catherine Chwalisz: I examine the consequences of the decision to make the Iraqi High Tribunal a domestic court-a decision which negatively affected its effectiveness. It analyzes the Tribunal’s success / failure in achieving not only a fair procedure, but also transitional justice in its broader sense. …More
Harlan Ullman: As Hillary Clinton visits Pakistan the state is quickly becoming the most important strategic issue confronting the US in the fight against jihadi-backed violence. The Obama Administration should recognize this and take effective action to deal with Pakistan’s problems by providing more economic and military aid to Islamabad. …More
Sebastian Bruns: The new Secretary General of NATO needs to seize momentum to reinvigorate NATO’s influence, now the Eurocentric alliance is in decline. He will need tact and diplomacy to act as a mediator between the French and the Americans, whilst keeping the other member states united. …More
Vilborg Ása Guðjónsdóttir: Lessons from Disagreements between the United States and Europe from 1954-2009 …More
The early victory, coupled with key mistakes and the over use of air support at the start of the conflict has led to the present, dire security situation. ++ The “pacification of a country needs boots on the ground [and] the tiny …More
Birgit Hütten: Japan, like no other country, has been successful in implementing enormous changes to its political and social structure. The way to modernization and its impact on Afghanistan are vital factors for the development of other Asian countries. …More
Andreas Michael Bock: Iran is legally entitled to posses nuclear WMD - not inspite, but because of the NPT. The international treaty claims to apply equally to all contracting parties, but numerous exceptions have been made in the past. Then why should the NPT apply to Iran? …More
“The Nobel committee did President Obama no favors by prematurely awarding him its peace prize.” ++ The President has not yet done anything deserving of such an award but was right to accept it with the humility he did. ++ The …More
A study by the Bertelsmann Foundation in cooperation with the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research has proven that the number of cultural conflicts has risen dramatically over the past 25 years. …More
Reactions by Moscow and Tbilisi to the EU report on the Russian-Georgian War demonstrate how tense the situation in the Caucasus remains. The report blamed the war on the Georgians, who opened hostilities against the South …More
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) today represents the strongest military and political alliance in the world. Its member states on both sides of the Atlantic are situated in the planet’s best developed areas, …More
Nadia Claudine Boegli: The US and the wider global community must change their strategy towards Afghanistan. Their aim should be to establish a stable Afghan state not mired by corruption and based on the full engagement of the domestic population. …More
The Obama administration’s middle east policy is largely unsuccessful due to its containment policy towards Iran. ++ The „US’ moves meant to contain the power of Iran, are the main stumbling block on the path …More
The lingering conflict between Turkish and Greek Cypriots needs to be resolved now the conflict is riper than ever before. ++ Although Turkey has demonstrated a benevolent commitment to defusing the conflict, internal Cypriot politics are …More
Both sides claimed vindication following the publication of the EU report on the causes of the Russia-Georgia conflict. ++ “But the report said Georgia violated international law and triggered the August 2008 war by shelling the …More
Three truths dominate the PRC as it celebrates its 60th. ++ Firstly, “the Chinese state will try to protect itself[…]and convince onlookers of the power of the communist superstate.” ++ Secondly, the Chinese state is deeply …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
A renewed naval patrol around the Georgian coast has been Russia’s reaction to the cancellation of the missile defence project as threats are turning into a veiled policy to undermine its sovereignty. ++ “Moscow has realized …More
Obama looks to be uncertain if his grand strategy for Afghanistan will work. ++ Even though the US does not have vital interests in the Middle East it still has an obligation to stay until the end and support Kabul. ++ “Democrats have to realize …More
Laura Wicks: Sectarian tensions continue to threaten civil war with large Sunni and Shia Muslim populations throughout the Middle East, particularly in Iraq. The current war in Iraq will play a prominent role in determining the future of the Sunni-Shia conflict. The ethno-religious conflict will in turn determine the future of Middle Eastern relations and security. …More
The UN Human Rights Council report condemning both Israel and Hamas for January’s confrontation looks set to change nothing. ++ Despite a loss in the international public opinion war Tel Aviv secured unanimous support domestically that …More
Jeffrey Mankoff: It is a priority of the USA to gain Russia’s support for a new round of UN sanctions against Iran. However, due to a number of economic, diplomatic, and strategic factors, it is very unlikely that Moscow will take meaningful steps against Tehran. Thus, the Obama Administration should circumvent Russia and find a way to solve the Iranian nuclear problem alone. …More
Obama’s approach to shift away from the Bush policy of isolation and reestablishing dialogue with Syria proofed not successful yet. ++ Despite the good intentions, the current US Administration’s behavior has not convinced Damascus to change its …More
In contrast to the events in Afghanistan, German media pays little attention to Iraq. The envisioned withdrawal of US troops by the end of 2011 will become a historical turning point with consequences for the …More
Péter Marton: Euro-discourse often derides Americans for not recognizing “complexity” around them. The opposite is true in Afghanistan. The European countries present in the North are not particularly interested in learning a lot about the social context they are operating in, and they are generally slow to adapt to changes in their area of operations. …More
Obama’s speech in Cairo raised expectations in the Arab world. ++ In order to stop the bloodshed in the Middle East Israel must be willing to give back Arab territory. ++ Saudia Arabia, as the key actor in the region, will refuse to engage Israel as long as …More
Joshua Foust: The Bundeswehr has evolved from refusing to kill known militants to calling in air strikes based on flimsy evidence. The German deployment has been a complete failure. The Bundeswehr is consistently undermining the allied tasks in Afghanistan and should either reevaluate or withdraw. …More
President Obama must not add to the 21,000 troops that he has sent to Afghanistan recently as this would be an historic mistake. ++ This will only serve to “galvanize local people to back the Taliban in repelling the infidels.” ++ Leading …More
Christopher Lee Davis: NATO’s near-term priority in Afghanistan must be the implementation of the new strategy to which member-states agreed at their last summit. Time is of the essence since the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. The alliance-wide agreement offers new momentum to focus on five critical areas. …More
Interview with Günter Nooke: Germany’s Human Rights Commissioner welcomes Washington’s participation in the UN Human Rights Council this month. It is now time for Germany to assist in any way it can to produce a credible front. One step towards this goal would be the acceptance of Guantanamo prisoners. …More
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
Rachelle Richardson: The fact remains that states have to exist in a world where nuclear weapons exist. As we enter the second nuclear age, this fact competes against other emerging contemporary perspectives impacting on the foreign policy of state actors. What is certain is that traditional norms are being questioned a …More
Yukio Hatoyama’s Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will pursue a more independent foreign policy and aim to break down the all powerful bureaucracy. ++ However, “Hatoyama began his political career in the LDP, and one of the dangers of the new …More
Raffaello Pantucci: Greater coordination on Central-South Asia would be a boon to European and US interests in the region. Unfortunately, such coordination is still lacking and we are unlikely to see a greater push from the EU. More European involvement in any sort of “civilian surge” would be welcome, but will be unrealistic until the security situation is stabilized. …More
The Kremlin’s strategy has not brought peace to the Caucasus. ++ Russia’s failure can be blamed on Vladimir Putin’s cynical deals with influential clans in the North Caucasus, the elimination of democratic procedures and the …More
Although “the protesters have been routed from the streets of Tehran, the political turmoil in Iran continues unabated behind the scenes.” ++ The leaders authorities are challenged by a group of religious and secular elites. ++ It is doubtful that the …More
As the movement against Iran’s controversial election is fading, the West is likely to resort to imposing more sanctions against Tehran. ++ But “the only viable…. strategy is to stop trying to isolate Iran and instead nudge …More
Shuja Nawaz: Following the death of Baitullah Mehsud Pakistani leaders face a number of challenges. Will they be able to make an offensive against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)? Will they be able to resist US pressure to “do more” against the Afghan Taliban? Will they muster the troop strength and the resolve to move against the TTP in South Waziristan? …More
Prime Minister Netanyahu must accept the idea of an end to settlements when he meets with US government officials this week. ++ Thus, Arab countries should seek to normalize their relations with the Jewish state. ++ A cessation of …More
Months after President Obama’s speech in Cairo, it is still upon Muslim states to react. ++ Being the first US President credible enough to be accepted by the Palestinians, Obama called on Muslim countries to finally implement …More
Marc Saxer: To use of the window of opportunity for establishing effective global governance, Europeans should accept that not all countries are willing to cede their sovereignty, but should work to increase the representation of emerging powers in multilateral structures. …More
Leon V. Sigal: The world needs to focus on first steps toward abolition, not the ultimate goal. Most importantly, before moving to Zero, the West has to achieve major efforts in its relations with North Korea and Iran. …More
J. Shire and W. Wilson: Contrary to the assumption, the settlement of regional disputes does not have to be a precondition for nuclear disarmament. The deterrent serves to make regions torn by conflict no safer but instead accentuate fear and cause stalemate. …More
Barry M. Blechman: The reduction of nuclear weapons is an unclear goal but entirely possible if the right structural framework is set in place. All that’s needed is the courage and will of political leaders to take the first steps. Inaction is too risky a course to take. …More
At present, the power struggle in Kabul is reaching its apex. ++ After years of US hegemony, now, Russia, Iran and China push for influence in Afghanistan. ++ Both, Kabul and Washington depend on Moscow’s benevolence in …More
L. Korb and M. Wilkins: Even though a nuclear-free world may never be achieved, the aspiration is an end in itself. The steps towards Global Zero will help discourage nuclear proliferation. Ultimately, the feasibility of nuclear abolition will depend on the logic of nuclear deterrence being perceived as obsolete. …More
The Taliban’s “don’t vote or we”ll blow you up” message aims to make the outcome of today’s election in Afghanistan appear illegitimate. ++ This is what the West is fighting against. ++ If not enough people have the courage to participate, the president’s …More
Charles D. Ferguson : Cold War lessons teach us that nuclear abolition is a crucial goal. To reach Global Zero, future policy must address bureaucratic inertia on nuclear targeting policy, linking conventional and nuclear arms control, and reducing the prestige of possessing nuclear weapons. …More
Paul M. Carroll: In today’s world, nuclear weapons have become a liability rather than an asset. These arms present risks in and of themselves and should not be retained by anyone. Thus, efforts to reduce and then eliminate nuclear weapons are not only feasible, but imperative. …More
Withdrawal from the CIS for Georgia represents a continental shift away from Russia and other former Soviet republics. ++ President Saakashvili should not have left so quickly as it frees Moscow from the obligation of viewing the territorial …More
Military drills in China are set to involve 50,000 troops over the next 2 months. ++ Exercises that will test the People Liberation Army’s long-range force projection worry neighboring countries. ++ Washington is monitoring the situation as Beijing …More
Kenneth N. Luongo: A prerequisite for the abolition of nuclear weaponry is that international leaders must effectively and comprehensively address the evolving global nuclear dangers of the 21st century. Thus, they should launch a Nuclear Security Initiative, that would include a comprehensive suite of next-generation nuclear security policies and tools. …More
Tom Z. Collina: The three prerequisites to stable nuclear reduction must be pursued consistently by both Russia and the US. Only after we achieve real success can we begin to judge whether Global Zero is truly possible. Our map to disarmament makes the beginning clear but our choices will define the path. …More
Subrata Ghoshroy: Global Zero is not feasible unless the security concerns of all nations are addressed. A world free of nuclear weapons depends on conventional disarmament, deeper cuts in the US and Russian arsenals and a ban to further produce nuclear weapons.
…More
Andrew Kneale joined the British Council, the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities in 2006, working first in education before taking up a role developing …More
Editorial Team: Nuclear disarmament is back on the agenda in the international debate. Atlantic Community members are encouraged to join the conversation as we host a special Theme Week on “Global Zero.” We will present the results from your discussion at the Böll Foundation’s conference “A World Without Nuclear Weapons or Nuclear Anarchy?” …More
After the 13th round of border talks, India and China have still not found a solution to their territorial dispute. ++ Despite the ongoing conflict China has become a crucial trading partner for India, even surpassing the US. ++ Failure …More
Bianca Sarbu: The failure of the UN to achieve consensus on humanitarian intervention has led to contradictory practices. A qualitative analysis is needed to establish how action is legally accepted by the international community and what factors legitimate it. …More
The Israeli-Palestinian consensus on the two-state solution has little meaning. ++ It is “a catchphrase divorced from… issues it is supposed to resolve.” ++ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sticks to demands for a …More
Israel will not accept Hezbollah as part of the Lebanese government, or as a political entity, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. ++ Hezbollah is “seeking a national unity government that guarantees a real partnership’” after …More
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
Despite Iran’s development towards an Islamic military dictatorship, the political and civil countermovement gains ground. ++ As long as gas imports rise and oil profits are not passed down to the population protests will …More
One year after the Russian invasion, Georgia continues to draw nearer to its western allies. ++ “The Kremlin is forced to discover that few points of its agenda have succeeded.” ++ Despite the Georgia peace plan signed by President …More
The Cold War is over, so why continue disarmament talks designed to deal with it? ++ Recent decisions to cut nuclear stockpiles have been unilateral, so there is no need to waste effort and prestige on a fresh bilateral treaty. ++ Any deal would not …More
Elizabeth Pond: The Kosovar State has so far been successful in the most pressing challenges facing the country since its secession from Serbia. However, excessive political interference with societal institutions alludes to the long way of development and improvement ahead. …More
Daniel Korski: If there is one thing the EU is proud of, it is the bloc’s Balkan record. From a region torn apart in the mid-1990s, a new one has emerged. However, progress in Bosnia-Herzegovina has ceased. It will take a clear aim and a tougher EU approach for Bosnian politicians to start behaving responsibly and building a state that has a future in Europe. …More
Editorial Team: The delicate power equilibrium in the West Balkans is currently far from the media’s spotlights. But rising tensions in Bosnia, the Croatian-Slovenian conflict, and Kosovo’s still fragile democracy all suggest that Europe’s political powder keg cannot be ignored. Atlantic Community has therefore initiated this Theme Week, featuring international Balkans experts. …More
President Obama’s engagement with US’ adversaries is failing. ++ North Korea and Iran responded to America’s politics of dialogue by testing nuclear weapons and commencing nuclear enrichment. ++ “Obama’s diplomatic hand …More
If the western coalition wants to win the war in Afghanistan in the long term, they have to let the Afghans do their own fighting. ++ “The Taliban are Afghans, to be dealt with by Afghans” and the West “shouldn’t make this a NATO war, allowing the …More
Increasing political tensions in former Yugoslav republics make Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s diplomatic efforts indispensable. ++ “Bosnia has obtruded itself upon Turkish diplomacy,” which follows its …More
As both the Israeli and Palestinian parties have settled on a two-state solution, the US must now show them the way. ++ The rivals’ ability to negotiate bilaterally has reached its limit. ++ “An American proposal that offers …More
After 8 years, Afghanistan is not independent or democratic, and women are as bad off as ever. ++ This will not improve until Western soldiers leave, as “history teaches that we always reject occupation and foreign domination.” ++ “It is not …More
The international community must show Afghans that they will not be deserted to Taliban retribution. ++ The weaknesses of the insurgency must be considered: “It
is a… shallow coalition of convenience… [and] deeply unpopular.” ++ “Success …More
Editorial Team: The Bundeswehr pursues insurgents in Northern Afghanistan with heavy firepower. Members of atlantic-community.org, will this more assertive approach lead to more stability in Afghanistan? Has a “psychological threshold” been crossed in Germany? …More
Pakistan should be President Obama’s top foreign policy challenge. ++ It would be terrible if Afghanistan or Iraq collapsed, but it would be unthinkably catastrophic if Pakistan were to fall into chaos. ++ “America has to change its policy …More
Arab-Kurdish relations in Iraq are at their lowest point since Saddam Hussein was in power. ++ The autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is steadily developing an independent oil industry in northern Iraq. ++ In Kurdish …More
Obama should continue to make clear that the United States stands with those seeking peaceful and democratic reform in Iran. ++ Although street demonstrations are fewer, Iran’s political crisis appears to be intensifying. ++ “Several of the …More
Obama’s firm support for Georgia is good, but Joe Biden’s visit this week is a chance for a big US foreign policy win. ++ “The US should tell Saakashvili that future economic aid is dependent on an end to his increasingly authoritarian, corrupt and …More
The world cannot ignore the renewed violence in Somalia, which is not a classic civil war but an external attempt to overthrow a legitimate, recognized government. ++ “While the world focuses elsewhere, groups of foreign extremists are trying …More
Daniel Fiott: Russia’s take on foreign affairs is determined by geopolitical fears, border security and the wish to be perceived as a great power. Thus, key-issues to understand Russia are NATO and EU enlargement, the proposed US missile defense system and energy security. Other powers have to take this into account if they want Russia to be more cooperative. …More
Former decision makers from Eastern Europe warn President Obama in an open letter about an deterioration of bilateral relations. ++ The tone of the letter is “much sharper than the usual language of diplomacy.” ++ This reaction of …More
Despite controlling some of the most extensive oil resources worldwide, Iran is heading towards an economic crisis. ++ In order to use its oil reserves, the Islamic Republic needs new technologies for oil production and further …More
Colette Mazzucelli and Sebnem Udum: UN Security Council members and Germany must turn to Turkey to successfully negotiate with Iran. The possible common ground between the two countries and Turkey’s new policy direction towards dialogue must not be underestimated and could be effective against the Iranian nuclear threat. …More
Ridding Afghanistan of al-Qaida is not worth our soldiers’ lives, as “the world is full of places where [they] can hide and operate.” ++ The true war on terror “is about hearts and minds, not soldiers dead in a ditch… The hearts and the minds …More
President Obama’s visit to Moscow must not be taken as a serious reset with Russia. ++ It “was a mix of visionary kitsch, caviar and feckless horse-trading.” ++ Russian-American agreements made this week are short sighted. ++ Obama …More
History has shown that there are similar scripts utilized by authoritarian regimes to manifest dictatorship. ++ “Invoke a threat…establish a surveillance apparatus…subvert the rule of law.” ++ This procedure applied by Iranian and Thai …More
Expectations are low for the next G-8 meeting, due to “inexcusably lax planning by the host government, Italy, and the political weakness of many of the leaders attending.” ++ If this session is going to justify the time and effort, …More
Opponents of missile defense argue unpersuasively that “there is no near-term, long-range Iranian missile threat and the proposed US system could not defeat such a threat anyway.” ++ Yet Iran continues to buy crucial …More
Biden’s words giving Israel the green light for a military strike should Iran obtain nuclear capabilities caused public discomfort. ++ Yet anything less would be irresponsible: Jewish history taught Israel it cannot wait for the worst case scenario - …More
Recent events in Iran and China have demonstrated the impressive power
of the internet. Iranians used web communication technologies like Twitter to
spread reports and images of their protests worldwide, despite attempts …More
While North Korea’s autocrat, Kim Jong Il, prepares
for a transition of power, international experts are racking their brains to
determine all possible future political scenarios in the region. Will Kim Jong
Il’s …More
Jan Techau: Drafting a new strategic concept for NATO provides a great chance for Europeans to get real about what it means to be allies and stop the great threat to the continent’s defense - the decoupling of the transatlantic alliance. But this means more and smarter spending on defense and most certainly more casualties. …More
The Obama administration’s sternness toward Israel seems over the top considering its friendliness towards Egypt. ++ Both countries receive some of the highest percentages of US Development Aid. ++ Israel “needs little reminder of the …More
Jesse Michelle Kalata: The EU and NATO have to increase their strategic co-operation. In times of ever increasing global threats best practices for future missions have to be developed. Only a profound approach to transatlantic governance can establish these prerequisites.
…More
The West can’t ignore Russia’s belligerent moves towards Georgia - warning signs that Russia is not ready for the relationship we seek. ++ “Extensive fighting could
erupt again” and Russia may be preparing to install a puppet …More
In times of international competition for energy resources and strategic partners, the US must move more quickly to embrace a relationship with Turkmenistan and Belarus. ++ China is constructing a gas pipeline to Turkmenistan. ++ Moscow …More
The UN resolution banning North Korean weapons trade is ineffective as it requires the regime to consent to foreign inspection of its ships. ++ Yet, North Korea’s belligerent stance gives the US a go-ahead: announcing the end …More
Marie Lall: The West continues to misunderstand Pakistani realities on the ground. It must alter its hawkish approach towards the region and embrace a deeper understanding of the views across Pakistan. A radical policy shift and investments to stabilize the economy must be made before Western involvement turns sour. …More
The international community is taking inventory of their expenditure in Afghanistan. ++ The results will reveal a wide range of shortfalls, especially on behalf of the EU. ++ In spite of the existing realization that the Afghan war …More
Editorial Team: You are in a crowded, run-down basement. Lights are flashing in your eyes and your heart is racing. You’ve broken out in a sweat and it’s running down your back. People are anxious. Someone is screaming. Danger seems imminent. …More
The Obama Administration should use the upheaval in Iran to “creep away from the corner into which it has painted itself in the Arab-Israeli peace process” - that is, insisting on a total “freeze” in Israeli settlements in the West …More
German politicians must address public questions about NATO involvement in Afghanistan. ++ They must recognize that the war entails risks, and costs - including German lives - and communicate to Germans that they owe their soldiers …More
Any chance at Middle East peace requires recognizing that Hamas, labeled a terrorist group, remains a popular force. ++ Historical conflict regions such as South Africa and Northern Ireland teach us that even “terrorist groups” can …More
The only way to deal with Iran’s theocratic dictatorship is investing in renewable energy. ++ US President Barack Obama should enhance his efforts to end America’s reliance from Iranian fuel. ++ It is “the one thing we could do …More
In the face of retreating OSCE peacekeepers, a second war in Georgia becomes possible. ++ Russia’s demand that the OSCE leave Georgia comes at the same time as it states Georgia is preparing for war. ++ Since last year, Moscow has …More
Obama’s caution vis-à-vis Iran betrays the promises he made in Berlin during his election campaign. ++ The excuse that his only choice is between feeding views that America is “meddling” or virtual silence is unfounded. ++ He …More
Punctual US troop withdrawal is the crucial next step for Iraq. ++ Violence will be determined by Iraqi cooperation with the US and across ethnic and sectarian lines. ++ US forces should be able to help their Iraqi counterparts resist al …More
Luca Ratti: Expansion of NATO membership into Eastern Europe has provoked Russia. NATO must attempt constructive dialogue with Russia to solve this problem. The future and continued success of NATO will depend on either including Russia, or ceasing its open membership policy. …More
Andreas Michael Bock: Terrorism is able to thrive when it has the support of local people. Therefore, in order to win the war on terror, it is vital to win the loyalties and convictions of the people. An initiative outlined by US President Barack Obama in his Cairo speech, intends to strike terrorism at its Achilles’ heel by removing the people’s voluntary support of terrorist groups. …More
The current demeanor of both, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could lead to war in 2010. ++ Although the leaders aim at different goals, “they are united in their apocalyptic religious …More
As the casualties from the protests in Iran begin to mount, critical voices have accused US President Barack Obama of being too soft and indifferent towards Tehran. ++ In spite of his tone getting tougher in regards to the escalating …More
Gesine Palmer: The Western world is wracked with anxiety over the fate of the Guantanamo Bay prisoners who have been detained without basic human rights. The US has built up an unrealistic fear of their release, but closing Guantanamo is paramount. We should treat prisoners with generosity rather than anxiety. …More
The US cannot abandon Pakistan and Afghanistan. ++ If the Taliban and al-Qaeda are allowed to triumph, their destabilizing alliance will spread. ++ To ensure that the forces of fanaticism are defeated, we have to succeed not only …More
“President Obama took office loudly promising to be the anti-George W. Bush of foreign policy,” but what he has received instead is “an education in the reality of global rogues, and how he responds has become a major test of his …More
The buzz around Middle East peace is on again, with all major players stating their negotiating position. ++ Yet, donors, who are tired of seeing their efforts repeatedly ruined, are leaving the Palestinian Authority to crumble. ++ …More
Returned Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has actually staged a creeping, silent coup, wresting control of Iran from the clerics and installing his military cohorts in their place. ++ Supreme Leader Khamenei shows strong support …More
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is holding fast to a power-sharing agreement with tyrant president Robert Mugabe, despite such an arrangement having little history of success. ++ He “calculates that Mugabe is part of …More
Russia has vetoed an extension of the UN mission in the Georgian breakaway zone of Abkhazia. ++ All international monitoring organizations have left Abkhazia. ++ “Moscow clearly wants to finish what it started… Georgia had been long …More
For the first time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mentioned the Palestinian state as a solution for the Middle East. ++ Some commentators have labelled this as “a great step for Netanyahu.” ++ “He wants to appease Obama by …More
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is concerned about US President Obama’s lack of attachment to Israel. ++ “Obama doesn’t fit in the pattern of former US presidents.” ++ “The thrust of his Middle East policy - reconciling the US with …More
Iranian religious leaders have suppressed efforts by any moderates to gain political power - culling all but four of the original 475 Presidential candidates for the elections. ++ President Ahmadinejad is favored to retain …More
North Korea’s latest missile attacks and their withdrawal from the armistice with the US could escalate to become a new chapter of the Korean war. ++ “The combination of aggressive behavior and succession questions is a dangerous …More
Even though the momentum for peace in the Middle East Peace is supported by the Arab world and the US, Israel is hesitating. ++ The Arab
Peace Initiative - a tactical and strategic regional plan - may bring Israel peace, …More
Lebanon’s Sunni-led pro-western alliance has won a surprising victory at the weekend’s parliamentary elections. ++ Saad Hariri, the son of the assassinated head of government Rafik Hariri, is the front runner for the position of …More
In a comparison of worldwide military spending, China has climbed to second place. ++ “The US spent $607 billion on defense, which exceeds the expenditure of the other top 14 states in one year.” ++ The worldwide war on terror has …More
The road to more
security and stability in Afghanistan runs exclusively through Pakistan. Only
if the Pakistani leadership manages to avoid the collapse of political order
and the stem the march of the Taliban out of the northwest of …More
Since the end of the
Cold War there have been regular prognoses concerning the absolution of NATO.
In fact since then the Alliance has undergone scores of tests: Bosnia, Kosovo,
9/11, Iraq and most recently Afghanistan. In …More
For almost three hundred years independent states have
been the primary vehicles, and objectives, of political action. Today, however,
only very few stirve for political goals within the framework of a particular
state. Quite the opposite: …More
The opposition from the Taliban to the Pakistani and US troops is increasing. ++ “The support of mainstream political parties and, increasingly, of the civil society” as well as from India, for Pakistan’s military operations means the …More
Florian Neutze: The EU has begun to create peace building and crisis management capacities, signaling a readiness to contribute to regional and global security. How to value this development? Does the EU have the capabilities to fulfill its intention influence these world events? …More
Alessandra Radicati: Now that the civil war seems to be over, the current Sri Lankan government needs to avoid the mistakes of its predecessors and embrace the Tamil community, not alienate it further. How the Government implements post conflict policies will be vital in the country’s reunification. …More
UN member states should contribute more female personnel to the peacekeeping forces in line with efforts made to involve more local women in peacebuilding. ++ These efforts are not made for the sake of gender parity, but rather to draw …More
Heiko Pääbo: Changing perceptions of the world order have influenced NATO’s open door policy. Russia believes that relations with NATO should be based on mutual respect and is reluctant to see the Alliance as a partner. NATO must maintain its shared values and consider Russia’s interests for a successful partnership. …More
The US and the EU must take a coordinated approach when trying to bring around reform in “Europe’s last dictatorship,” Belarus, which will be a slow and tough process. ++ The US should consider lifting sanctions only on the basis of …More
South Korea must recognize that North Korea is not treating its nuclear power as a bargaining chip, but as a safety measure and the core of its survival strategy. ++ The world’s strategy must adapt without giving up the objective of a …More
Marco Vicenzino: Despite Benjamin Netanyahu being a reluctant peacemaker, the Israel-Palestinian conflict cannot be allowed to continue and a two state solution is the only viable solution for all parties. Despite early expectations, President Obama may not have the political capital to solve the dispute on his own. …More
Djörn Eversteijn: In this era of international flux, state power and even state sovereignty are increasingly disputed, questioned and redefined - whether by international corporations due to the war on terror or by preventive war. The state-oriented world order characterized by the Treaty of Westphalia is up for grabs. …More
The Obama Administration’ acknowledgement that the US has not been consistent in its policies towards Pakistan and has engaged selectively to attain specific interests rather than to develop a reliable partnership means nothing …More
André Budick: Russia has an ongoing fear of being encircled and slowly pushed back by the West, making it difficult for other nations to have valuable relations with Moscow. Should the West even pursue a partnership with such a paranoid regime, even though the alternative is very unpleasant? …More
Jonathan Laurence is a Transatlantic Academy fellow at the German Marshall Fund, non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and an assistant
professor of political science at Boston College. He has received his Ph.D. (2006) …More
Memo 17: Enlargement, Russian relations and internal cooperation will test NATO’s ability to compromise and strike bargains in the upcoming months and years. In return for greater decision-making power, European NATO member states must increase contributions to the Alliance. …More
Despite Islamist insurgencies in Afghanistan and Pakistan preoccupying Washington, the solution to the Obama administration’s so-called “AfPak” problem runs through India. ++ That Pakistan has nearly 100 nuclear weapons and is so unstable is …More
When Dick Cheney lambasted the change in US security policy under President Obama, he was not really attacking the current administration,
but the previous one. ++ The changes to policy - such as a push to close Guantanamo and …More
Prosper Thuysbaert: NATO requires assistance in order to facilitate democracy and peace across the world. The United Nations Security Council needs to be reformed and made more globally representative, and smaller regional organizations need to be set up and work alongside NATO to assist failing states. …More
The claim it is possible to divide Taliban moderates from radicals is based on desperation for a strategic response and not historical reflection and hard analysis. ++ The Taliban are the fiercest and most inflexible Sunni-based extremists with …More
Aid alone will not solve the situation in Pakistan. ++ Pakistan is ripe for large-scale public rejection of oppression increasingly popular globally. ++ Its recent democratic movements and the increase in highly organized local civil society groups competing …More
Under the Obama Administration the promotion of democracy in foreign policy is likely to take a back seat to defense, diplomacy, and development. ++ In previous administrations democracy took on an “imperialist connotation,” but there …More
The end of Sri Lanka’s 25-year civil war leaves crucial work: The Tamil Tiger’s use of humans as shields and the army’s heavy approach caused a humanitarian emergency and a refugee crisis. ++ Alarming loss of civilian lives causes …More
Israel is determined to prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb, even with military strike. ++ Such an act of preventive aggression would have disastrous consequences: it would end all Iranian hesitations to build a bomb; the Middle East …More
Urs Schrade: Pakistan could be weeks away from full-blown civil war and state collapse. To bring Pakistan back from the brink, international aid must urgently be spent on improving security and economic development. Many Taliban supporters have a financial - not religious - motive for backing the group. …More
President Zardari thinks the Taliban is a monster created by Pakistan’s ISI and the CIA. ++ President Obama’s policy on South Asia is very different from that of his predecessors. ++ His focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan demonstrates …More
NATO, so far the most successful regional security alliance, needs to define its strategic focus.++ While Afghanistan remains the pressing issue, NATO needs to move beyond a focus on the topical hotspots towards long-term strategic thinking.++ …More
Gen. Petraeus faces a tougher fight in Afghanistan then Iraq in applying his counterinsurgency tactics; to first hit the insurgency hard to then strip away the moderates.++ His asset of strong diplomatic support to …More
Dialogue between the US and Syria is alive even though President Barack Obama renewed sanctions on Damascus, which were due to expire. ++ Syria immediately dismissed it as a routine procedure. ++ The key to removing sanctions is …More
The launch of NATO military exercises in Georgia – the latest effort in Tbilisi’s campaign for membership of the alliance - has angered Russia. ++ Georgia believes NATO is pivotal to its security and independence, but Russia has …More
Jordan Michael Smith: Today an international conference in Washington will discuss how national security systems that predated many new threats such as terrorism and pandemics could be updated. To not do so would represent a systematic failure in government. …More
The United Nation’s election process for the Human Rights Council is a farce with “no opportunity to choose the best” proponents of human rights. ++ Governments seem to have forgotten the commitment made just three years ago to create an …More
The US must improve its relationship with Russia as well as supporting the fledgling democracies on its border. ++ Introducing a free-trade agreement with Georgia is a good first step and will not hurt Washington-Moscow relations. ++ …More
Ian Davis: NATO needs to become closer to the more than 1 billion stakeholder citizens. Two new public consultation projects aim to make NATO more accountable, transparent and open. NATO must be more agile, flexible and creative when analysing threats and when subsequently dealing with them. …More
Retaining the Iraqi army in 2003 and less punitive measures against former Ba’ath party members would have allowed the earlier withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. ++ This “alienated Iraq’s Sunni Arabs and opened the door for a strong al-Qaeda …More
As the US retreats from the Middle East, Iran has a sophisticated, multi-level strategy to step in and take control of the region. ++ Iran-controlled groups and “front” companies have been caught actively destabilising six nations …More
Juliette Dixon: The international military deployment in the Aden Gulf reveals a shortsighted strategy. Piracy is better addressed on land than on sea. This can be achieved with a coordinated international effort building on the support of regional partners. …More
The international community is falling “woefully short” of financing Afghanistan’s needs. ++ Security is better funded than any other sector including economic and social development. ++ If this continues, “the suffering of a very poor …More
Asle Toje & Barbara Kunz: The new culture of collective defense among unarmed countries is not security, it is a suicide pact. Free-loading has left NATO dependent on the US. But as US influence is reduced, Europe will find that “soft power” without hard to back it is impotent. Unless Europe dumps the utopian idealists, there is a danger the continent will be left unprotected. …More
The global community is slowly realizing the magnitude of the dangers the current problems Pakistan and Afghanistan carry for the world. ++ France has taken an active role, “committed to contributing its full weight to help …More
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may have softened his stance on Israel after saying his country would recognize the State of Israel - if Palestine signed a two-state peace deal. ++ The Obama Administration has extended an …More
Georgios Drossinos: This thesis analyzes, from a practical and a theoretical approach, the resurgence of Somali piracy and the threat it poses to international trade. Furthermore, it explains how piracy challenges both realist and international regime theory. …More
US foreign policy shows a desire to critique Israel, exemplified by Clinton’s rebuke of Israel’s reluctance to move on the peace efforts. ++ This development will benefit both states: it shows a new assessment of US interests and an …More
Despite UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaking of the “tens of thousands” of lives at risk in Sri Lanka, the “international community has barely stirred”. ++ The situation in Sri Lanka is complicated, morally and legally, where both parties …More
Journalists can become embroiled in geopolitical conflict not of their own doing. ++ Iran
should overturn the conviction of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi if they “wish to earn the respect President Obama has accorded …More
Tanvir Orakzai: The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan have suffered from radicalization of the population, in part due to the Afghanistan invasion by US and NATO forces. Resolving many of the tensions there could go a long way to solving the bigger problems in the surrounding region. Any strategy has to take into the account the unique political and geographical landscape of the FATA. …More
Elizabeth Zolotukhina: Recent events in Moldova have shown that Twitter can harness the power of disaffected individuals. The Moldovan approach to the protesters may have damaged its relations with other European states. For the Moldovan government, the key relationship remains with Russia. …More
Nadia Claudine Boegli: The question underlying this report is how should the United States deal with Darfur? In order to answer such a normative question it is necessary to have a closer look at the obstacles that the United States must handle when deciding on a policy concerning Darfur. …More
The love Pakistanis have for their country will mean that the Taliban can never be victorious there. ++ There is a “real and irresistible agenda for reform and renewal in Pakistan’s cities.” ++ The religious right is tone-deaf, and …More
A two-state solution is essential to Israel’s survival as a Jewish state. ++ Maintaining the occupation of Palestine and the building of settlements in the West Bank “gnaws at the very foundations of the Zionist dream”. ++ Prime Minister Benjamin …More
Memo 15: There is little disagreement among Atlantic Community members that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be prioritized on the international agenda. Our members believe pursuing a two-state solution and initiating domestic reforms are critical in securing the long desired goal of peace. …More
Forgiving agents who may have used torture techniques against detainees accused of terrorism was a wise move by President Obama. ++ The Administration yesterday said such acts could never again be condoned by the US. ++ A 9/11 style …More
Ahead of US Middle East envoy George Mitchell’s visit to Israel, the issue of continuing Iranian uranium enrichment looms large. ++ Israelis want to see deadlines and performance based-milestones in place. ++ This issue is …More
The latest strategy to deal with the Taliban has drawn praise from NATO but the lack of infrastructure in Pakistan casts doubt on its chances of success. ++ Indians welcomed the announcement from Richard Holbrooke that India “is the …More
In response to the North Korean rocket launch, President Obama committed to reducing the US supply of nuclear weapons. ++ This is not an effective strategy and gives other states an incentive to increase their nuclear capacity. ++ The only …More
Prime Minister Netanyahu has to decide between the competing pressures of his coalition’s agenda drafted on an appeal to the threat of outside enemies, and “new winds blowing in the U.S. and Europe.”++ The latter shifted, drawing …More
The US Afghanistan strategy, escalation to attain peace through war, is ominously like the last administration’s approach and risks getting the country into “political and military quagmire.”++ It is based on 9 postulates, such as linking …More
As the US reaches out to Iran inch by inch, the concern exists whether this “incremental, seemingly ad hoc approach is best.” ++ Serious efforts are being made to find common ground and dispel the “Bush-era threat of regime change.” ++ …More
Future strategy in Afghanistan is being debated more strongly than before: more money, more soldiers, stronger European involvement, and negotiations with moderate Taliban. But the allied troops on site have to solve completely different …More
On April 4 the Atlantic Alliance will celebrate its 60th birthday. ++ An apt occasion to review its tasks and raison d’etre with a changed décor and security challenges. ++ There are several issues to tackle. ++ It is clear is that Article 5 …More
NATO Livefeed: Right here you had the chance to watch the NATO Youth Forum in Strasbourg from April 2-3, 2009. Distinguished speakers discussed topics ranging from the future security environment and NATO’s role within it, to how NATO can best use new communication channels in order to reach out to the next generation of atlanticists. …More
The period between April 4-8 will be characterized by tension given North Korea’s plans to launch a rocket and the suspicion that it might be a long range missile. ++ The US spoke of a defensive response if the rocket heads …More
If anyone thought that the Arab League Summit in Doha would end in success, their expectations were shattered. ++ The summit did little but reflect the vast disunity among Arab states and thus, condemn any possible development …More
This year holds promise for the Russia-US bilateral relation. ++ The Russian President has argued Russia and the US should attend the G20 and try “establish universal rules and disciplines that would apply to all parties without exception […] and …More
Despite Mugabe still being in power after losing the election last year, there are some reformers holding ministerial offices. ++ It is vital that the US and Europe provide aid to such reform figures while at the same time keeping in check …More
Obama’s long awaited new strategy in Afghanistan has finally been presented by the President last Friday March, 27th. ++ The delivered strategy has proven to be comprehensive in understanding the wide dimension of the challenge — for …More
Parag Khanna: President Obama’s administration may need to look outside of its traditional set of allies in order to secure stability in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the surrounding regions. There will be a cost attached to this cooperation, but the cost of failure may be higher. …More
The Arab League’s annual meeting could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Arab unity as the Iranian threat brings Arab states closer. ++ But regional politics might point in a different direction as a “Cold War” is being waged: the …More
From the outside it may appear that the situation in Afghanistan is continuing to worsen. ++ US commanders are confident that they can shift the momentum in their favor. ++ This would be a result of increased resources.++There …More
The election of President Obama created hope that realism will cease to determine US foreign policy. ++ But the changing attitude of Obama towards the Armenian genocide prioritizes American-Turkish relations—and American national …More
Obama used television to address the people and government of Iran. ++ The President invited Iran into the “community of nations” but reminded them that rights come with responsibilities. ++ Iran replied by saying that actions …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
Further allegations have been made to the International Red Cross concerning alleged torture of prisoners held in secret CIA prisons. ++The judgement of the Red Cross is very important as its status as a monitor of prisons around the …More
Iftikhar Chaudhry will once again be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. ++ A peaceful campaign has been waged to uphold a central tenet of democracy, “the right for a constitutional office-holder to not be ousted in an …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
Johannes Gunesch: The lack of a commonly accepted global approach means that alternative regional approaches outside of traditional organizations such as the UN will become more common. …More
Roland Popp: The strategic effects of the Gaza War have been remarkably small. Israel’s strategy of isolating Hamas continues to focus on short-term conflict management and fails to open up new prospects for resolving the Middle East conflict. …More
Kyle Robert Coppin: In the future, nations will devolve into smaller, homogenous states that are united into regional organizations that take on responsibilities of foreign affairs, national defense, and others. …More
While a US victory in Afghanistan would benefit Russia in terms of controlling the spread of Islamists in Central Asia and the Caucasus, Russia needs to be prepared for potential failure. ++ Given that the potential of a Russian led military force is …More
Sober assessment of the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan has prompted a recasting of policy from President Obama. ++ Reconciliation with moderate aspects of the Taliban should be considered. ++ The need exists to combine …More
Constanze Stelzenmueller: Germany is a bridge between Russia and the West, and how Berlin chooses to deal with Moscow will set the tone for how the United States and the rest of Europe manage their own relationships with Russia. …More
According to US envoy Holbrooke, Afghanistan is tougher than Vietnam. ++ The Taliban have the advantage of operating on their terrain and have a network of supporters providing them superior intelligence. ++ Thus, the mechanism of operation ought …More
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.
In this series of exclusive …More
At the Sharm el-Sheikh conference the US pledged to give a generous amount of money to the Palestinian authority in Ramallah in emergency relief for the stricken territory. ++ This is not the right way to save Gaza ++ Peace will …More
Mr. Bashir should undoubtedly be arrested. ++ As the President of Sudan, he cannot ignore the atrocities being committed in Darfur. ++ Whether the arrest warrant issued by the ICC will have a real impact on stopping the hostilities is another …More
Jordan Michael Smith: In yesterday’s speech, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described Afghanistan as “NATO’s biggest challenge”. NATO has agreed to resume high-level contacts with Russia on this issue, but President Obama also has a key role in ensuring that Afghanistan is transformed into a liberal democracy. …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
Jörg Gundelfinger: In 2020 global governance will be increasingly non-institutionally driven and most actors in these processes will act for their own benefit. This is problematic and cannot solve the major problems of our world. We need the UN to control global governance concerning power imbalances. …More
Editorial Team: The violence in Gaza, the elections in Israel and the choice of Netanyahu to lead government negotiations has kept the Middle East conflict on the transatlantic agenda.
Articles on this website have made suggestions which range from allowing Israel and Palestine into the EU to making Israel the 51st state of the US and Palestine its second Puerto Rico. However, we would like to narrow down the medium-range solution possibilities to three different peace plans. …More
In his State
of The Union Address
in January 2002, George W. Bush warned us of the infamous “Axis of
Evil.” Iran, North Korea and Iraq were accused of harboring
terrorists, building weapons of mass destruction and threatening world …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
Pakistan is the place where the US should concentrate, given the Taliban’s dominance in the Swat region and the recent ceasefire based on the adoption of sharia law. ++ Similar past agreements did little to prevent extreme …More
The reported plight of Jews in Iran has provoked consternation amongst academics in this area.++ Comparisons with totalitarian regimes such as that of Nazi Germany are not accurate.++ Today’s Iran is an open society with access to …More
The focus will be on the reconstruction of Gaza. ++ It would be wrong to focus only on this problem as there are many other issues that have come out of the recent conflict. ++ Many refugees have fled to a Lebanese camp in Nahr …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
Bernhard Lucke: As a chilled peace process turned into hot war in December 2008, there was still no legitimate partner for an Israeli dialog among the Palestinians. The Hamas election victory had eliminated the last possibility for this. Thus, a three-state-solution of Israel-Egypt-Jordan should be enforced. …More
The deployment of an additional 17,000 US troops in Afghanistan is a welcome response to the enduring threat of the Taliban. ++ Military might alone, however, is no solution: “defeating the insurgency means understanding it.” ++ State-building …More
Peace in Gaza should be brought about by the international community. ++ Great idea, but opposition from the Israeli government and Hamas are difficult obstacles to overcome. ++ There are therefore two options left: the international …More
Louis Emmerij founded the United Nations Intellectual History Project together with Richard Jolly and Thomas G. Weiss in 1999. He was President of the OECD Development Center in Paris, Rector of the Institute of Social …More
Kay-Michael Dankl: If the UNSC is to maintain its international legitimacy specific procedural features should be reformed, and the principle of equity of states should be strengthened.
…More
There are many paradoxes that characterize Iran, and here comes another one. ++ The Iranian-Jewish community lives in peace in Iran and Iranian tolerance towards the community reveals a lot about “its sophistication and …More
Sec. of State Clinton “ran through a litany of clichés” about US-South Korean relations on her visit last week. ++ However, her perceived willingness to compromise over North Korean nukes and her appointment of Stephen Bosworth as …More
The US’ response to Burma’s suffering under a military junta has been strict economic sanctions. ++ The limited effectiveness of this policy led the US to consider an alternative which will deliver practical benefits to the …More
As Kosovo celebrates one year of independence, progress in the new state can be best summed up with a “so-so.” ++ While violence has been held at bay, reconciliation between Serbs and Kosovans remains a long way off. ++ NATO and EU troops continue to …More
Andreas Umland: In Russia, a virulent form of anti-Americanism is becoming a constituent part of public opinion and foreign policy thinking. Should the current dominant trend in political discourse continue, in the future the world may witness more than a new cold war. …More
The Indian-Muslim community refuses to bury the Pakistani-Muslims involved in the Mumbai terrorist attacks. ++ Their interpretation of the attacks not as an attempt at martyrdom but as an act of mass murder seeks to delegitimize the …More
The success of the Iraqi election shot down Washington’s contention that democracy in Iraq was a fantasy and provided stark contrast to the post-Saddam days when “the only communal or social ties […] were those of ethnicity and sect.” …More
NATO’s effectiveness is being jeopardized by a series of disputes over its purpose. ++ Proposals for a European army, supported by UK Defense Sec. Hutton, would deplete NATO and undermine its efforts. ++ The alliance is also threatened by …More
The world’s most recent wars —Gaza 09, Iraq 03 — had the same objective: secure deterrence through the extreme suffering of civilians. ++ This policy has left many speechless as it revealed a “tacit endorsement by large democratic …More
Israel is going to the polls today yet there is little feeling that the election will be a watershed on Israel’s Gaza policy. ++ The outcome of the election will most probably result in the formation of a right of center, status quo …More
Tobias Weise: The major players in global governance in the years to come will be state actors. They can only be effective if their decisions are monitored and regulated by international institutions. …More
Rudi Guraziu: Humanitarian Intervention (HI) is a topic which divides the international community. The two opposing camps in International Relations are the idealists vs. the restrictionists. The paper supports the idealist views, who argue that HI is justified even if the SC does not authorize the use of force. …More
Andrew Christian Emery: Israel’s invasion of Gaza has had a significant effect upon the contest to become the next Israeli Prime Minister. Although Kadima has made some ground in the polls, the conflict could be most instrumental in preventing a Likud landslide. …More
The Munich Conference on Security Policy needs renewal. ++ In 2007 Putin declared the end of unipolarity here. ++ This year NATO seeks discreet dialog with Russia, but the focus will be on the seating of US and Iranian delegations. ++ The …More
Chancellor Merkel was right to demand answers from the Vatican on Bishop Williamson and the Holocaust. ++ The Holy See has since declared that Williamson “must distance himself publicly” from Holocaust-denial. ++ This ensures a minimum: that …More
The exponentially increasing use of robotics on the modern battlefield challenges our current understanding of technology and war in much the same way that technological advances revolutionized warfare during World War I. …More
A recent Taliban bridge bombing in Pakistan which cut off supply lines to NATO forces in Afghanistan has once again highlighted the vulnerability of passing through Pakistan. ++The US is, however, running out of luring …More
The US finds itself involved in most of the regional conflicts in the M-E. ++ When the US looks for a friendly face in the region it is confronted with hostile regional states (Iran), strategic liabilities (Afghanistan), and allies which speak …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
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.
…More
The success of the election in Iraq last Saturday rewards American efforts. ++ But it also weakens “Tehran’s hand” in Iraq as voter turnout was composed of a healthy mixture of Shiite and Sunni Iraqis, making way for the possibility of …More
Lenin’s revolution never succeeded and socialism was left undefined — a mixture of bureaucracy and a police state — as the ideals behind the revolution were suppressed. ++ The sacrifice of Rosa Luxemburg gained her immortality in history to remind …More
The global economic crisis is in fact good news for aid-dependent Africa. ++ It is an opportunity for the continent to move towards the market-driven interventions which have enabled the rise of Brazil, India and China. ++ “Foreign …More
Last year
125 vessels were attacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of
Aden, one third of which were successfully boarded. Among them was
a hijacked Saudi super tanker laden with oil and a Ukrainian ship carrying 33
Russian armoured …More
A ban on educating girls: one of the latest atrocities imposed by the Taliban in Pakistan. ++ “Radio announcements warned girls that they could be attacked with acid if they dared to attend school, and teachers have been threatened and killed.” …More
Barack Obama is revealing himself to be a foreign policy hawk. ++ After just one week, his stance on Sudan, Pakistan and Gaza shows bellicosity. ++ To pursue such a stance, he will need the support of the pro-war left, “voracious defenders” …More
Mark Thomson, DG of the BBC, has refused to broadcast the appeal of Disaster Emergency Committee for aid for Gaza, fearing that it would ruin the corporation’s impartiality. ++ The BBC itself is actually a clear pro-Palestinian …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
As difficult as it might be to believe in view of the events of the last decades and the recent activity in Gaza, hatred between Jews and Muslim is a recent phenomenon. ++ Both descendents from Abraham, they not only coexisted but due to their …More
There can be little doubt that Obama will work hard to remove the bitter taste which his predecessor left in European mouths and embrace the continent in dialog. ++ Making this a successful reality is the responsibility of …More
Is the massive reconstruction aid currently being sent by Europe to the Middle East mere compensation for having been unable to prevent the recent Gaza War? ++ If the Palestinians lived in their own state, they wouldn’t need …More
After 22 days of conflict in Gaza the much desired ceasefire has been reached. ++ In no way, however, does this ceasefire preface peace, as the core sources of the problem have not been addressed: Hamas is still dominant in Gaza and the various crossings are …More
The 9/11 attacks created global solidarity in the fight against a common enemy: terrorism. ++ The response was found in the “war on terror” and sometimes justifies resort to force for the rightness of the cause. ++ However, “the issue is not …More
Tyson Barker: NATO is consistently looking for a means of reinventing itself to increase its relevance in the post-Cold War era. By boldly appointing Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski as the next Secretary General of NATO, the alliance can start the process in earnest. …More
As China’s South Fleet moves into the Gulf of Aden to fight Somali pirates, larger “strategic combat configurations” are at play: namely the Middle East. ++ A presence in Aden could secure China the Middle East access it …More
The struggle between Egypt and Syria over their respective negotiations with Hamas demonstrate power politics in the Arab world for hegemony in the Middle East. ++ With Egypt stand western-leaning allies Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and behind …More
The Great Depression hindered the democratic progress; the current crisis could advance it. ++ Authoritarian countries like China, Russia, Venezuela and Iran will suffer more than democratic competitors. ++ Political legitimacy based …More
Another war in the Middle East and the same question re-emerges: To what extent should Hamas be engaged in peace talks? ++ The answer is none. ++ No discussions can be held with a group which - despite differences - views Hezbollah as a role …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
Despite the war in Gaza signaling the need for an urgent change in US policy in the Middle East, Obama’s Middle East team made up of “liberal, Jewish (or half-Jewish) males’’ does not meet the cultural diversity needed for new thinking …More
Criticism has been directed against British Immigration Minister Woolas’ contesting the Geneva Convention - cornerstone of humanitarian law setting standards on the treatment of noncombatants and prisoners of war. ++ Woolas claims that …More
Pakistan is still suffering the consequences of its colonial past. ++ The western nation-state model has failed at the internal level and led to damaging consequences: leaderships have always been more concerned with keeping their …More
Taking office upon a promise of “a rupture” with French national and foreign policy, Nicolas Sarkozy differentiates himself from his predecessors through the active role he assumes in the international arena. ++ The current crisis in Gaza is a crisis …More
A series of failures during the eight-year Bush administration are culminating in the current Gaza war. ++ Bush failed to capitalize on Arafat’s nationalistic and peace making potential; he then shunned Iran despite vital …More
Ari Rusila: The situation in Gaza is escalating into a full scale war with over 800 deaths and over 3,000 in hospitals already. The use of force can stop rockets flying from Gaza to Israel for a while, but what after that? Balkan history can provide some lessons applicable to the Middle East. …More
Hamas will not receive expected support from Hezbollah. ++ Palestinians have often been instigated to fight by others promising support, only to be left alone. ++ The relative accuracy of Israel’s bombings shows intelligence from within …More
Manuela Paraipan: The conduct of Hamas in the ongoing conflict in Gaza is jeopardizing any prospect of peace. They betray hypocrisy, cowardice and a total lack of respect for the Palestinian people. So long as such appaling leadership persists, there can be no resolution to this bloody conflict. …More
Palestinians in Gaza need international support to protect their rights and lives. ++ This support is won through media campaigns, and the Palestinians and Hamas are losing. ++ Hamas’s aggressive rhetoric consistently plays into Israel’s …More
Three weeks after Hamas fired rockets on Israel, the latter’s retaliation plan seems to be producing a boomerang effect. ++ The Israeli people are wary of a ground invasion which threatens the lives of Israeli citizens; …More
Peter Peetz: The nature of youth violence in Central America is deeply connected to social perceptions and societal constructs. El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica provide three examples of how State reaction to youth violence is influenced by the public discourse. …More
Palestine’s exploitation of its refugees and use of children as human shields are among the most shameful practices in the Israel-Palestine conflict. ++ The international community has for years sustained these abuses: the …More
Analysts and scholars warn that the problems that the US faces in Afghanistan - continued insurgencies, opium production, a US army demoralized and drained of resources given the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - will compromise the …More
The war in Gaza is evidence that the current governance paradigm has failed the Palestinian people. ++ It is bizarre that a two-state solution continues to be advocated; “instead, we should look to a three-state approach, where Gaza …More
Barack Obama, financial crisis, resurgent Russia, G20, Western decline, climate change - in the season of global predictions, current discourse is driven by these and other such catchwords. ++ Yet, predictions from December 2007 were of little value: …More
William Maley: In the battle to win hearts and minds in Afghanistan, Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) are often on the front line. What are they actually, what are their tasks and ways of operating? …More
To settle the Israel-Palestine conflict, a four-state solution should be considered. ++ Israel would be surrounded by the West Bank, ruled by secular nationalists Fatah, and Gaza, ruled by Islamist Hamas. ++ With regard to the …More
NATO has become “a military alliance without any political clout” and is in the midst of an identity crisis. ++ The campaign in Afghanistan is suffering because of NATO’s lack of a political voice and a lack of cohesion between …More
“Japan’s near-total opposition to participating in its allies’ military struggles is no longer defensible.” ++ Having made an “easy transition to democracy” after World War Two and now enjoying economic …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
Over the last year Turkey has accomplished more in the Middle East than the entire transatlantic contingent. ++ Last week Erdogan negotiated with the Afghan and Pakistani presidents over economic projects, in which both countries are …More
Last week Ban Ki-Moon asked European leaders to intervene in DR Congo, admitting the failure of the peacekeeping mission. ++ The collapse of the Congolese army has led to mass killings and rapes. ++ The EU must take action in …More
The Taliban now control 72% of Afghanistan, up from 54% in 2007. ++ Many of the new US troops being sent will be placed around Kabul; Afghanistan cannot afford an army strong enough to control the whole country. ++ This leaves …More
Populous Muslim countries will be among those hardest hit by the current economic crisis. ++ The Mumbai terrorists were to politics what the Somali pirates are to economics. ++ Iran will either break down or break out into military action. …More
The riots in Greece are rooted in young people’s dissatisfaction with government policy. ++ Low wages, high prices and fear of unemployment are causing concern. ++ New Democracy and PASOK, which have ruled Greece for the past 34 years, cannot offer …More
Stanley R. Sloan: The hegemonic behavior of the Bush administration during its first term almost led to the end of the transatlantic partnership. The US will not be able to face the challenges of this century without its allies and NATO. A closely coordinated US-EU-NATO cooperation is essential to attain shared interests. …More
The international community has done little to end the atrocities committed by Sudanese militia in Darfur. ++ President Bashir has pledged to punish “anyone guilty of crimes in Darfur.” ++ The African Union as well as …More
A battle over ex-Soviet republics is taking place between Brussels and Moscow. ++ This quarrel is the subtext to the laborious negotiations over Ukraine and Georgia joining NATO and the EU. ++ The EU has shown a clear desire for greater …More
David S. Yost : In order to deal with new security challenges, NATO is developing its concept for cooperation with civilian organizations. Since the early 1990’s, the European Union, the OSCE and the United Nations have been the closest partners. Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan are showing how crucial it is to expand this work. …More
Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo lost the US its position as champion of human rights. ++ As a result, democracy and rights activists face a global backlash. ++ Obama can close Guantanamo and stop torture by executive order. ++ The US undermined the rule …More
For months Iraqi interpreters were not allowed to wear masks to conceal their identities, although insurgent groups put enormous effort into identifying and killing them. ++ However, the security of US troops as well as American strategy depends …More
MONUC, the biggest peace mission worldwide, has not managed to stabilize the situation in DR Congo. ++ The unfair distribution of power and resources as well as militaristic thinking, on which political decisions are based, constitute the roots of this …More
The terrorist attacks in Mumbai were also directed at Pakistan’s democratic government, which is trying to advance the peace process with India. ++ Accusing Pakistan of complicity is wrong. ++ Pakistan is willing to take action against …More
A recent US report, “World at Risk,” seems to label Pakistan itself as a weapon of mass destruction, but contains solid proposals. ++ Involvement in Central Asian has been characterized by patchwork diplomacy. ++ This bit-by-bit …More
The Mumbai attacks were nothing new, but they struck a people that were starting to feel secure. ++ “Confidence in the political system is at a low.” ++ “The middle class is accustomed to overlooking the fault lines in India.” …More
A new strategy to tackle Somali piracy has become imperative. ++ A blockade with patrolling naval ships at each major port has the best hope of counteracting the pirates’ wealth and anonymity ++ Customary international law can be exercised to allow …More
Europe may well come to regret the multilateralism it has been longing for from the US now that it is finally on the horizon. ++ European responses are uncertain should Obama call for funds, troops, and solidarity. ++ The EU should show …More
In view of the upcoming Israeli elections next year, PM Olmert has stated that disputes with Palestine and Syria need to be settled by giving up parts of Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. ++ In return, Palestine must compromise on the right to return …More
In light of the attacks on Mumbai, President-elect Obama’s presidency will become even more complex. ++ Indicators seem to show that the attacks originated in Pakistan and point to Lashkar-e-Toiba, a terrorist group based there. ++ A …More
Christian Mölling: International organizations aim to overcome inefficiencies in complex crisis management by adopting “comprehensive approaches”. However, the implementation is affected by diverging security cultures and the particular interests of the member states. …More
The US sphere of influence can’t extend from Iraq to Georgia. ++ “Historically, peace is maintained when smaller states show restraint in the face of large neighbors.” ++ “Finlandization,” or bowing towards Moscow, used to be an insult …More
“Americans are right to express solidarity with India.” ++ Facing Maoist rebels in the east, separatists in the northeast, organized crime and communal violence, India is a world to itself. ++ Unfortunately, the bloodiest conflict …More
New Delhi has been warning the world of terrorist threats emanating from Pakistan, and now the world is listening. ++ “Stabilizing Pakistan means genuinely democratizing its polity and helping its economy grow back to a sustainable level of prosperity.” …More
The UK wasted a diplomatic opportunity as it opened a classy museum exhibition in Damascus. ++ UK Foreign Secretary Miliband begged Syrian President al-Assad for help with the Middle East peace process, but could have reached out to his …More
Iraq’s deal with the US to end the occupation means the complete defeat of the neoconservative plan to turn Iraq into a pro-western ally. ++ Iraqis no longer see the US as the lesser threat to al-Qaeda and subsequently want US troops …More
Iraqi PM Maliki Iraq faces tough opposition today as his cabinet scrambles to find support for a US withdrawal bill. ++ “The opposition is about Maliki” said a US official. ++ A failure of the bill would mean a US withdrawal …More
Instead of focusing on an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement, Obama should invest in Israeli-Syrian negotiations. ++ Talks between Syria and Israel will focus on “withdrawal, peace, security and water - and the gaps are clear and …More
After asking China to give more to the IMF, Britain has drastically changed its position on Tibet, no longer recognizing it as autonomous. ++ This change of heart risks tearing up historical agreements that frame the international …More
Somaliland is a relatively stable part of Somalia that claims independence, and might deserve it. ++ Other regions, Puntland and the south of Somalia, are bases for pirates, fundamentalists, and warlords; they should be …More
Terrorism is not the key strategic threat facing the US and Obama’s focus on Afghanistan is misguided. ++ NATO’s overemphasis in 2005 destroyed the stable situation of 2004 and the more focus Afghanistan gets now, the …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
The most pressing moral issue the next US administration will have to face, is the genocide that is taking place in Dafur. ++ The International Criminial Court is likely to issue a warrant for arresting Sudan’s president, al-Bashir, …More
Despite opposition to the ICC, President Bush is backing its prosecution of President Omar al-Bashir for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Darfur. ++ Sudan is trying to both charm and blackmail members of the …More
President-elect Obama’s toughest international challenge will be Pakistan. ++ To avert rising threats, financial support for Pakistan’s government and military should be limited. ++ Cutting tariffs on agricultural products would be an …More
Bush’s desire for a long-term military presence in Iraq beyond 2011 has been precluded by an agreement that embarrasses the US administration. ++ The Iraqi government forced changes to the document that leaves only a complete …More
Pirates – that ancient breed of scoundrel, romanticized and glorified, yet wretched and rotten – have made a name for themselves off Somali coasts. ++ Many, it turns out, are simply trying to make a living for themselves. ++ While their …More
The election of Obama could have marked the beginning of improved Russian-US relations, but the “new cold war” will continue. ++ Anti-American sentiment is the result of Russia’s perceived security threats and is fuelled by official …More
The lessons, as well as the history of Iraq, have been ignored and are now being repeated in Afghanistan. ++ The US and the UK have only succeeded to “reduce what should be one of the world’s richest countries to shambles.” ++ If there is one …More
The hijacking of a Saudi-owned oil tanker is unprecedented but only part of the recent, dramatic rise in piracy. ++ Capturing pirates in not a major problem, but due process makes dealing with captive pirates more complex than in the …More
Afghanistan has been at war for almost 30 years. ++ The possibility of US exit strategies hovers on the horizon but winning the war would require carpet-bombing of southern Afghanistan. ++ Many Afghans hostile to the Taliban still support the …More
Congo’s civil war has rendered the eastern region of the nation a “humanitarian catastrophe.” ++ Over 250,000 people are displaced in a conflict that finds its roots in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. ++ Of the 17,000 UN …More
On Friday the EU and Russia met to discuss the state of economic cooperation. ++ Russian troops still remain in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, hindering Georgians from returning home. ++ Upcoming talks between Russia and Georgia do not seem promising. ++ By …More
Obama’s proposed “mini-surge” in Afghanistan of some 15,00 troops will not provide enough personnel for the job. ++ Iraq, a smaller country than Afghanistan, required 700,000 soldiers and security forces; there are only 200,000 in …More
The EU and Russia will meet for an annual meeting, focusing on the renewal of their partnership agreement. ++ Since the attacks on Georgia, EU-Russian relations have been shattered. ++ Europeans will not accept a divided Georgia. ++ The EU will …More
The situation in Eastern Congo is becoming untenable; without the assistance of the 3,000 more peacekeepers being called for by United Nations officials, the situation will become even more desperate. ++ The 17,000 international peacekeepers already in place …More
In 2003 the EU created a “security strategy;” the first draft didn’t even mention Russia. ++ For better or worse, it’s time to revise that plan. ++ The one good side effect from the war with Georgia is that it allowed Merkel …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
Indian elites are showing insecurity over India’s role with relation to Washington. ++ That Obama is courting Islamabad for support in Afghanistan shouldn’t be cause for worry. ++ The lack of criticism of US military action in …More
Last week, Medvedev threatened to station missiles near Poland if the US administration continued its plans to install a missile defense system there and in the Czech Republic. ++ President-elect Obama has to improve US-Russian relations. …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
From the Editorial Team: We are proud to announce our first opinion article competition for students (both undergraduate and graduate level), in cooperation with the Humboldt Viadrina School of Governance. The best entries will receive a monetary award and will be published in a memorandum for decision makers. …More
Obama must fulfill his promises of withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan and those of diplomacy with Iran. ++ He must close Guantánamo and declare the war on terror is over, realizing that terrorism is a technique, not an ideology. ++ Talks, not air …More
19 US missile attacks since September on suspected terrorists are unlikely to win any hearts and minds, will promote ill will, and will do little to dry “the pond that breeds the mosquitoes.” ++ Michael Chertoff’s plea, backed …More
Tens of thousands of Congonese civilians have fled their homes, finding themselves surrounded by Rwandan-backed rebels. ++ The financial crisis seems to be distracting global leaders from the genocide that is taking place in Congo. ++ Since Rwanda invaded …More
Now in the eighth round of the Sino-Tibetan dialogue, China’s expectations are clear: Tibet must follow the Shangri-La model. ++ Shangri-La, part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is strictly controlled by Beijing, maintaining civil order at all costs. ++ With 30% …More
Heinrich Maetzke: Here is a politically incorrect assessment: President Bush will hand over to his successor a Middle Eastern foreign policy outlook far brighter than the one he inherited from Bill Clinton. Strenuous double containment of Iraq and Iran has given way to difficult but doable containment of Iran. And Iraq looks like the most promising country in the entire region. …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
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
US interests, and its allies, were dealt a severe blow when US commandos attacked an alleged Al Qaeda operative in Syria, killing seven civilians. ++ The risks of such an attack include “sabotaging Israeli-Syrian peace talks, reversing the …More
NATO countries disagree about the floundering mission in Afghanistan, but it is obvious the hardwearing Taliban cannot be crushed by military means alone. ++ More troops would not help keep control in rural areas, where the insurgency …More
Obama and McCain’s respective stances on Russia evoke a palpable difference in their demeanor. ++ “McCain is prepped for a new Cold War; Obama is looking for a thaw.” ++ The foundations for McCain’s positions were laid forth by the …More
Sending more troops to Afghanistan will not solve the country’s many deep-rooted problems. ++ A larger military presence could alienate the local population. ++ Iraq should have taught us that more troops don’t necessarily mean more security, as …More
The Syrian leadership has denounced attacks carried out by US forces near its Iraqi border. ++ Syria, however, is known for sponsoring attacks on its neighboring countries. ++ The “US is no longer prepared to respect the sovereignty …More
Kamil Zwolski: While security problems around the world cry for the broadest coalition possible, NATO and Russia keep falling back into a Cold War state of mind. Moscow proposes a new European security deal as a long-term solution and has criticized the present system as outdated and US-dominated. A new plan is needed to address modern security threats, including climate change. …More
The Georgia conflict is forcing Russia’s neighbors to rethink their relationships with Russia as well as with the West. Through military action, Russia has demonstrated how far it is willing to go to protect its national interests. …More
The financial crisis has dominated the US election campaign, marginalizing foreign policy. ++ But it is foreign relations, and especially ties with Iran, that will be at the top of the next president’s agenda. ++ This is not only about …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
“Old” and “new” Europe parallel the blue and red state split in the US. ++ In old (western) Europe Obama is viewed as a “ray of hope;” new (central and eastern) Europe raises the question, …More
With the status-of-forces agreement at an impasse, policy makers are unnerved by the ominous signs in Iraq. ++ If an agreement is not reached by December 31, US troops will have to return to their bases; “Without legal authority to operate, …More
Marek Swierczynski: Russia’s naval power prevents NATO from effectively defending Baltic States. If the Alliance is serious about its commitments, it must strengthen its marine capabilities to match those of the Russian Baltic Fleet. …More
It is clear that it was the free-market fundamentalism and reckless stewardship of the US government that led to the current financial crisis. ++ The US will pay a high price for its sins. ++ The bailout, which is likely to end up …More
Russia’s invasion of Georgia is not an aberration - it demonstrates a pattern of aggression, one that now threatens Ukraine as Moscow embraces PM Yulia Tymoshenko. ++ Russia’s relations with Tehran, Syria, OPEC and most recently Venezuela all threaten US …More
E. Ben Heine: The stability of Kim Jong-Il’s regime has depended to a significant degree on financial and material support from Japan’s North Korean minority. This paper analyses the history and organization of North Koreans living in Japan and outlines its significance in future Japan-DPRK relations. …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
Obama’s lead in national and global polls might tempt Osama bin Laden to make a public reappearance. ++ Bin Laden wants the US to continue “policies that create the appearance of a clash of civilizations.” ++ An Obama …More
Jesse Schwartz: The author seeks to explore the varying degrees of influence – both positive and negative – non-state actors have on their state counterparts and to what extent they have impacted traditional notions of international security. …More
Europe is showing willingness to take greater part in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but willingness isn’t readiness. ++ The EU must first stop treating Israel with sensitivity, while simply treating Palestine like a poor country. ++ Israel …More
Anna Nadgrodkiewicz: Russia’s authoritarian tendencies will continue to make it a threat to international security. Allowing Russia to define and act within a self-proclaimed sphere of interest will not make anyone safer. …More
The nuclear deal with Korea appears to be back on track, which is the only thing President Bush has going for himself. ++ The deal seems predicated on Washington removing Pyongyang from the terror list in exchange for limited inspection access. …More
Moscow’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia does not correlate with universal approval, and an international dialogue concerning the status of Georgia is set to begin. ++ Europe has proven itself too dissolute to confront Russia …More
NATO has lost itself in the in Caucasus conflict. ++ Medvedev has repeatedly outlined his plans for a EU security architecture - he views his country’s security interests neglected. ++ The EU has almost disqualified itself from …More
Iran is at most four years away from its nuclear goals - diplomacy is needed. ++ Russia’s offer to provide Iran with enriched nuclear material and US proposals for direct talks in return for the abandonment of nuclear intentions have been …More
David Neil Lebhar: Ahmed Rashid argues that the conflict in Afghanistan needs a regional solution, including US-Iranian cooperation. The German military must intensify operations in northern Afghanistan, and the government has to educate the public about the mission’s importance. …More
Russian President Medvedev continues the wave of anti-US invective of his predecessor. ++ After 9/11, the US failed to spread democracy around the world, choosing to “consolidate its global domination” instead. ++ Europe should …More
The financial crisis stole the spotlight from the Russia-Georgian conflict, but it also sheds new light on the topic. ++ Reasonable attitudes are conquering politics because we are suddenly “all in the same boat.” ++ Russian …More
The Bush administration announced its intention to agree to a $6.4 billion arms sale to Taiwan. ++ There are more than 1,400 missiles on the Chinese side of the Taiwan Strait that endanger Taiwan’s security. ++ The sale will help …More
On Israel’s 60th anniversary and the Islamic revolution’s 30th, both countries are actually more similar than one may think. ++ Israel fears a loss of power from shifting demographics, and similarly Iranian conservatives fear losing power …More
Osama Bin Laden called Iraq the “central front” in his fight against the US - he was right. ++ Obama/Biden only focus on the past; they still think invading Iraq was a mistake, a distraction from Afghanistan. ++ Their obsession misses the point: “The …More
US incursions into Cambodia, which led to its destabilization and the rise of the Khmer Rouge, should be remembered. ++ The same mistake is being made in Pakistan, where the dangers are far greater. ++ Undermining Pakistan does not help …More
Pakistan can no longer play its “dangerous double-game”: accepting money form the US while also supporting the Taliban and other extremists. ++ General Kayani has appointed a new spy chief, Lt. Gen Ahmed Shuja, who must work to …More
By odd coincidence, or perhaps providence, $700bn is roughly the same amount of money squandered on Bush’s “preposterous war in Iraq.” ++ Ironically, the greatest economic crises since the great depression means Obama and …More
McCain’s perception of the Middle East conflict deems Israel a critical ally. ++ McCain accepts the military facet of the conflict, while Obama considers diplomacy the tool to triumph over a minority of Islamic extremists. ++ The root cause of …More
Tzipora Livni is the newly elected leader of the Kadima party and may become Israel’s prime minister. ++ She represents those who favor a two-state solution instead of a Greater Israel, because they just want to live safely. ++ It is …More
The peace process based on the two-state solution is stagnant and one alternative which is increasingly popular among Palestinians and some Israelis is an unitary state, providing both parties equal rights. ++ Abbas and Bush still support the …More
Thomas Speckmann: To Western democracies, the idea of war privatization is still largely associated with the reign of warlords in Africa and Afghanistan. However, privatization is also sneaking into Western warfare. This new financial aspect of war needs to be regulated on a national and global scale. …More
Western warships are unable to guarantee the safety of merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden, due to their inability to effectively fight pirates and terrorists there. ++ This is especially noteworthy because the region is a conduit for …More
Even if Iran is currently racing toward accumulating enough uranium for a bomb, the financial crisis has reduced the sense of urgency in the US. ++ The UN Security Council and Germany will meet this week, but it’s unlikely that they will agree on any …More
Today’s challenges need to be faced with collaboration. ++ The UN is successfully fighting for democracy and human rights in various countries. ++ However, Darfur shows that mandates are empty if they are not backed by resources. ++ The foundation …More
Ralf Fuecks: There is a tendency to ignore discomfiting facts so as not to disturb good relations with Russia. This approach, which borders on Russian blackmail, is a categorical failure. Moscow needs to be integrated into the EU fold; but at the same time, the EU must be willing to evince a willingness to face the right conflict at the right time. …More
Memo 8: Atlantic Community members conclude that the EU, acting in coordination with the UN, is in the best position to negotiate a peaceful solution. The US, Russia, Georgia, NATO, and others must consider their future strategies carefully. …More
The Bush administration’s attempt at reconciling the Palestinian problem has been a dismal failure. ++ The peace process is unlikely to restart anytime soon; a plethora of elections, scandals, and spoilers will preclude a substantive, top-down …More
President Bush’s decision to allow US military operations within Pakistan shows how desperate the situation is becoming. ++ But, if the Taliban and other extremists are to be permanently subdued, it must be done by Pakistan itself. ++ The US …More
Oreste Foppiani: Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi is changing Mediterranean politics, bringing new importance to Italy’s role in the EU as well as its role in the world. This could bring great changes to the plans of the European Armed Forces and global security issues. …More
The new political agreement in Zimbabwe is a boon to President Robert Mugabe; he will retain the presidency, command the armed forces, and head the cabinet. ++ His opponent – and victor in the March elections – Morgan Tsvangirai, …More
Askarbek Erkinovich Mambetaliev: Many commentators are looking to Kyrgyzstan to express its “creed” about the Russia-Georgia conflict, considering Kyrgyzstan a key country in Central Asia. It seems no one wants to cross the “older brother” Russia. Therefore, President Kurmanbek Bakiev must act wisely in this situation. …More
Republicans may praise the latest series of US forays into Pakistan’s sovereign territory, but they trouble Pakistan’s new President. ++ Therefore, Zardari wants to convince the UK that it is crucial to hold the US back. ++ In addition, he …More
Hall Gardner: Moscow’s decision to recognize South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence has begun to backfire: Russia has been widely criticized for its actions and the events in Georgia could provoke nationalist claims for independence within Russia itself. Redefining the concept of “independence” might be a way out of the crisis. …More
Negotiations are in limbo as Palestinians and Israelis attempt to endure their respective political transformations at home and in the US. ++ Mahmoud Abbas’ presidential term is set to expire in January, but …More
If the US goes ahead with its plan to take the war on terror into Pakistan, Pakistani army will loose its credibility and may end up caught up between American troops and al-Quaeda.++ Weakening Pakistani army would backfire on the …More
Sarwar Amin: The Iraqi Parliament will soon embark on a daunting task of re-deliberating on the controversial Provincial Election Law. The Kurds feel like they are being treated unfairly. The US and UN must help the process. …More
Putin is using Venezuela in reaction to US plans for a missile defense system in Europe. ++ With his economy in shambles and his opposition uniting, Chávez is happy to be used because he wants to rally national support by painting …More
In July President Bush decided to increase attacks by US forces against the Taliban in tribal areas. ++ This increase is in response to the Taliban’s growing strength in Pakistan, more attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan, and an increase in …More
Russia’s recent actions make it look like the Cold War is back, but Russia is still a poor, weak country. ++ Russia’s military is no match for NATO and their backup nuclear arsenal is unlikely to play a role in conflicts. ++ Moscow can claim few …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 growing number of voices call for Saakashvili’s resignation due to his felonious decision to bomb Zchinwali. ++ In spite of the government’s rhetoric, which tries to justify any efforts to keep South Ossetia, the opposition calls for an …More
Israel is known for not tolerating a deadly threat, and so it is only a matter of time before it strikes Iran. ++ The international community failed to pressure Iran, as it did not block the Strait of Hormuz thereby harming Iran’s …More
Dubai seems to be caught between a rock and a hard place: Iran and the US. ++ Recently Dubai has served as a critical trading partner allowing Iran to circumnavigate sanctions imposed by the US. ++ Dubai re-exports many goods it receives …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
Monday, Russia agreed to joint naval exercises with Venezuela and is making its first major maneuvers off US waters since the Cold War. ++ It is not widely recognized, but the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and the Panama Canal are vital …More
Colette Grace Mazzucelli: The US, acting in coordination with the EU, should address the crisis in Georgia with a strong humanitarian effort and a firm, yet non-isolating, stance toward Russia. As foreign policy concerns are compounded by domestic challenges, the next US administration must prudently tackle economic problems and re-define America’s role in world affairs. …More
It is no accident that Dick Cheney visited Azerbaijan last week. ++ Azerbaijan is a core east-west transit country for oil and natural gas. ++ Their pipelines provide energy to Europe, support former Soviet republics, and help keep oil money away from …More
While some have argued that the recent summit in Brussels proved ineffective, the Georgia crisis has actually drawn the member states closer together. ++ As Europe proceeds, there are important objectives to keep in mind. ++ Europe must focus on …More
Stefan Fröhlich: The fighting between Russia and Georgia over the separatist enclave of South Ossetia is turning into a reversion of spheres of influence and a balance of power politics in Europe. The EU and the Euro-Atlantic community must take steps to mediate new developments. …More
The situation in Somalia has gradually become worse since the US and UN withdrew in the 1990s, but most people think otherwise, assuming they would have heard more if problems were escalating. ++ The suffering of nearly 10 million Somalis is …More
The war in Afghanistan stands at a critical juncture; the Taliban-led insurgency is gaining in effectiveness and influence. ++ The US troop surge planned to counter this threat is no remedy in itself. ++ NATO should develop a …More
Intelligence sharing between the US and Turkey has forced the PKK out of the countryside and into the cities, bringing their violent attacks with them. ++ Further security measures, such as protected bus routes and tightened …More
Despite the call for sanctions on Russia from Poland and the three Baltic states, the only agreement the EU made was to postpone talks about a partnership agreement with Moscow. ++ Medvedev praised the EU’s decision to reject sanctioning …More
While
Pakistan is often called a failed state it is more accurately labeled as a flailing
state. The PPP-PML coalition cannot solve every problem alone but needs help
from India, China and the US. These nations, which had …More
“The attack on Georgia will go down not as the dawn of a new era of Russian power but as a major strategic blunder.” ++ Russia thought it had little to lose, but it has driven its neighbors, like Poland and Ukraine, into the …More
Ari Rusila: First it was Kosovo to declare unilateral independence. Now South Ossetia and Abkhazia have followed suit. The next new breakaway state could be Pridnestrovie, otherwise known as Transnistria. The EU needs to be prepared for a possible conflict. …More
Conflict in Georgia proved that Russia isn’t and doesn’t want to be a part of Europe. ++ Moscow rejects European commitment to nonviolent methods of conflict resolution and shows little appreciation for equality of nations, which is a …More
NATO’s failure to provide Georgia and Ukraine with a concrete Membership Action Plan was a grave mistake, as demonstrated in part by recent events in Georgia. ++ Both NATO and the EU, the latter meeting today to discuss …More
It is sectarianism, not religion, which threatens national unity. ++ The US repeated in Iraqthe mistake that the French made in Lebanon: they imposed a system that highlights sectarian differences, turning Iraq into a “fragile …More
Judy Fu: The situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a reflection of the sorry state of affairs for millions of people living under unrecognized de facto government or in secessionist territories. There are important lessons to be learned here in the need to engage non-state actors. …More
Interview with Hussain Haqqani: Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States reaffirms his country’s democracy and promises better cooperation with the United States and Afghanistan in an interview with Steve Clemons of the New America Foundation. …More
President Medvedev was unable to achieve the explicit support of the Chinese president for Russia’s intervention in the Caucasus at the latest Central Asian summit. ++ China has not only avoided any anti-western statements so far, it is also concerned …More
International investors were already troubled by Russia’s economic problems, but Russia’s recent actions toward Georgia have created diplomatic tensions, which may scare off investors. ++ The outcome of the US election could be a major factor in …More
Leonie Holthaus: There is still a chance that diplomacy can contribute to resolving the Caucasus conflict. Given resurgent cold war vocabulary and the upcoming presidential elections in the US, it is up to the EU to function as a mediator between the conflicting parties. …More
Andreas Umland: A justification for Russia’s recent invasion of Georgia was that it had to protect its citizens in South Ossetia. There is, however, a subtle difference between a state’s protection of its citizens living abroad, and its defense of citizens creating their own state within another country …More
It is the Hamas’s illegitimate rule that prevents progress between Israel and the Palestinians, not Israel itself. ++ However, Palestinian protesters stick to the anti-Israel dogma and do not question the extremists’ …More
It was Saakashvili’s behavior that forced Russia to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. ++ Relations of different nations living in one state have to be handled with great sensitivity. ++ Russia respects its minorities and …More
The US has to realize that it cannot fight terrorism in Afghanistan successfully without expanding the war on terror into Pakistan. ++ The US should revitalise the coalition of the willing, enhance the cooperation with the Afghan and …More
Before the new US administration is approved and in full operation, there will be a pause in early 2009 in US involvement in the Middle East. ++ Even though EU cannot complete the job for the US, it can act as a trustee to keep the …More
Russia’s invasion is not only a threat to Georgia, it also questions the political order and values of Europe. ++ With American help, the EU has become “one of the greatest strategic achievements of the 20th century.” ++ But now …More
Ulf Gartzke: Mikhail Saakashvili’s reckless military gamble has unfortunately paid off and put him on a fast track to NATO membership. This stunning turnaround demonstrates the problems with the behavior of the Georgian leadership as well as with the West’s response to their actions. …More
The US should use alternative means to accelerate Russia’s withdrawal from Georgia and to stabilize the country. ++ In addition to humanitarian aid, it could initiate a large reconstruction operation to ensure the vitality of Georgia’s economy during the …More
Marek Swierczynski: The Georgian war diverted the world’s attention from Afghanistan. But events on the ground, implications of the conflict in the Caucasus and political turmoil in neighboring Pakistan make imminent the perspective of NATO snared in a war that cannot be won. A new strategy is urgently needed. …More
Eva Diez: The Spanish government asserts its soldiers are only involved in humanitarian operations. But in Afghanistan their main mission is to enable the US to realize its own strategic plans. Now is the right time for Spain to define and press for its own interests. …More
Poles, Czechs and Hungarians should be under no illusion that they can count on the US in case of a crisis. ++ In the past the US used to leave its Eastern European allies in the lurch and its recent reaction to Georgia’s plight was no …More
The conflict in South Ossetia is one of many explosive ethnic disputes in the region. ++ These are especially dangerous because of the absence of a superior security pact. ++ Therefore, the best way to enhance the security situation would be if …More
The conflict in Georgia has exposed the dangers of ignoring “frozen conflicts” as well as the UN’s lack of helpful precautionary tools. ++ The absence of democracy and free media in breakaway regions breeds corruption and human rights …More
Matthew Derek Crosston: The West needs some serious balance in the way it analyzes and discusses the Georgian conflict. Academics, diplomats, and journalists have come forward with a united response to Ossetia: Russia is showing ‘imperialist ambitions’ and ‘a disproportionate reaction.’ This is ridiculous. …More
A sharp consensus between Europe and the US emerged at the NATO summit that they can not deal with Russia as usual. ++ Regarding the question what to do instead, one answer could be: concentrate on Russian oligarchs. ++ They have close …More
A strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, whether by the US or Israel, is a disastrous idea. ++ If Iran is attacked oil prices may rise to $200 a barrel which would be a hard hit for the global economy. ++ Iranian nuclear facilities are too widely …More
Instead of demonstrating the noble character of NATO, the so called “good war” in Afghanistan is running out of control. ++ The death toll is rising inexorably, the security situation for aid agencies and women deteriorates and the local population is …More
The Atlantic view that it’s necessary to protect the underdog from its powerful neighbour is isolated; most of the world is bemused at Western double standards and sees Russia as bullied by the West. ++ Events in Georgia show that the West lacks …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
UN officials and aid workers are frequently killed - both on purpose and accidentally - in Iraq, Algeria, and Afghanistan. ++ In fact, al-Qaeda declared the UN to be a central target. ++ Facing this danger, the UN needs to “nationalize” field operations and …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
The reemergence of autocracy and great-power politics questions the stability of the international liberal order. ++ Unfortunately, Europe’s postmodern tools of foreign policy are not able to counter Russia in the latest conflict between liberal …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
Volodymyr Horbach: Consequences of the recent conflict in Georgia will be as serious and global as those after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Ukraine’s position in this conflict is especially uncomfortable as it needs to preserve good neighborly relations with both Georgia and Russia. Kiev should not, therefore, take sides but take part in the peacekeeping mission. …More
The EU can be proud of achieving a cease-fire between Russia and Georgia. ++ The Caucasus crisis has shown that the EU is able to create a space for diplomacy in order to resolve international conflicts. ++ Much remains to be done if the situation is to …More
By agreeing to host a US missile defence base Poland, like the UK and Czech Republic, became America’s groundbait and exposed itself to a possiblity of a nuclear attack. ++ In turn, the system is supposed to protect Poland as …More
Two of the EU’s key assumptions towards Russia have been proven wrong: firstly, Russia obviously does not share the Western values and secondly, Russia does not oppose Iran going nuclear. ++ Moscow can assume that a nuclear Iran will hurt Western …More
Marek Swierczynski: Even though technically Russia won the war, the victory will paradoxically weaken Russia’s position towards its western partners, especially the US. Military action against Georgia – however limited in scale – is a symbolic resurrection of Russia’s imperial ambitions and will thus strengthen transatlantic partnership. …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
There is a wide gap between declarations that a two-state solution is vital for Israel’s security, and actually doing something about it. ++ Both Olmert and Bush have a few months left in offices: they will not go down in history …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
NATO foreign ministers are meeting tomorrow in Brussels to decide on further actions regarding the crisis in Georgia. ++ To prevent further instability, they should reassure those members who fear Russia that atlantic mutual-defence commitments are real …More
Iran remains mute on Georgia crisis. ++ US-Russia rift could spoil Iran Six negotiations; or increase Russia’s engagement. ++ Historical ties to Georgia and more recent fears of Russian aggressiveness should lead Iran to condemn this …More
Recent progress in Iraq does not excuse the war as a whole. ++ It was good to get rid of Saddam Hussein, but the hasty invasion encouraged terrorism and hostility around the world and recent US criticism of Russia’s …More
Russia claims to protect Ossetians, but its brutal military campaign encompassed the whole of Georgia and therefore a regime change in Georgia seems to be its true aim. ++ In light of these events, Georgia’s reasons for seeking NATO membership are …More
If the world allows Russia to crush Georgia’s democracy and independence, it will give a green light to all authoritarian governments. ++ The historical echoes of Finland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia are deafening and only Western …More
This week’s events in Georgia proved the failure of the Western policy of belligerence towards the Kremlin. ++ It failed to take into account the complexity of the ethnic, religious, and nationalist structures in Georgia and even …More
For democracy in Georgia to last, Georgians need to feel we have their backs; the West must impose tough economic and diplomatic sanctions on Russia. ++ This conflict demonstrates impotency of the global security order. ++ The West must show …More
The clashes in the Caucasus show once again how explosive secessionist conflicts can be. ++ According to international law, they endanger global peace and only the UN and the OSCE are authorized to manage the resolution of such conflicts. …More
Baghdad and Washington have set a tentative time limit for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq in 2010-2011. ++ Both sides agreed to uphold a “declaration of intent,” which was signed last year. ++ Tensions are high over the new election law, as …More
Richard Holbrooke and Ronald D. Asmus: Moscow’s behavior in Georgia poses a direct challenge to European and international order. Georgia deserves our solidarity and support. Only strong transatlantic cooperation can put an end to this conflict and begin to repair the immense damage done. …More
Ari Rusila: The trial of Radovan Karadzic will answer many open questions of the Balkan events during 1990’s. Some reports suggest quite a disgusting picture about “realpolitik” behind the noble statements of the international community. …More
Of all the post-Soviet states, Georgia has come furthest in the fight to strenghten democracy and independent foreign policy and that is precisely what Russia wants to thwart. ++ The fact that Russia was entrusted with the …More
Russia has continued to recognize Georgia’s regional unity and merely responded to the Georgian attack on South Ossetia. ++ To call it an attack on “small, defenseless Georgia” is hypocritical and inhumane. ++ Western encouragement prompted …More
Nikolas Kirrill Gvosdev: The Caucasus conflict challenges the Atlantic community, because there is no consensus about resolving it. With regard to Russia, the European countries will have to decide if they want to follow their path of constructive engagement, or keep good ties with the US. …More
The current conflict is not only about Russia and Georgia, but also represents the US-Russian competition for control over the strategically important transit routes for oil and gas. ++ The Georgian President must have aimed at American …More
Western support of Kosovo’s declaration of independence and NATO’s assurance of Georgia and Ukraine’s eventual Atlantic Alliance membership erode Russian influence on former states of the USSR. ++ Georgia pays a high price …More
Stefan Wolff: South Ossetia might well become Georgia’s Chechnya. The current escalation of military hostilities has put the likelihood of a sustainable settlement off even further. The European Union is the best-placed conflict manager in the South Caucasus. …More
Tamuna Kekenadze: On Saturday morning, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili requested the Parliament to endorse his decision on declaring martial law on the entire territory of Georgia. The Parliament has approved the presidential decree immediately. …More
Ari Rusila: Kosovo’s unilateral proclamation of independence played a key role in events we see in South Ossetia today. Do we still have time to close the Pandora box and if yes - how? …More
Regarding the issue of Palestine, Israel, the US, and the free world overemphasized the aim to have a strong partner in the peace process, and in doing so even supported corrupt and violent leaders. ++ But the path towards peace must …More
From the Editorial Team: Georgia and Russia are on the brink of a full-fledged war. How should the European Union, NATO and individual Western governments respond to the current crisis? …More
The war on terror has been an utter fiasco: before the US troops arrived in 2001 Afghanistan was much more peaceful and stable, now the insurgency has spread all over the country, become multi-ethnic and more robust. ++ American claims …More
EU realizes it is time to solve the festering conflicts in the Union’s new neighborhood: Abkhazia and South Ossetia. ++ But Moscow has an interest in preserving this “simmering status quo” and delays anything that …More
As the chasm between Hamas and Fatah appears to widen, another organisation called Hizb ut-Tahrir emerges. ++ It has the aim to reestablish an Islamic Caliphate to govern the whole Muslim world under Islamic law, but opposes the use of violence …More
The recent escalation of violence in Afghanistan and the calls to divert the US troops from Iraq make the question of ending these long and costly wars even more urgent. ++ There is only one organisation that can provide the …More
His presidency coming to an end, Bush becomes obsessed with his legacy and solving the issue of nuclear Iran is foremost in his mind. ++ If he decides to support Israel in its possible attack on Iran, the economic and political …More
Grigol Ubiria: NATO’s eastern enlargement is too often solely considered from the perspective of Russia’s right to defend its interests on its borders. Little or no attention has been paid to factors forcing former Soviet republics, particularly Georgia and Ukraine, to rush to join the alliance. …More
For China’s strategic and economic interests it is crucial to maintain a good image, otherwise counter-alliances are likely. ++ Nonetheless, the ruling elite is not willing to establish a constitutional state to replace the “socialist constitutional state.” …More
There are many reasons to believe that Iraq is going to make it: violence is declining, US soldiers are turning province after province over to the Iraqi Security Forces, and planning withdrawals for 2009. ++ These developments …More
The key reproach that critics raise against international courts is that “in their effort to do justice, they are obstructing achievement of a more important goal, peace. ” ++ These complaints are expressed especially when heads of …More
US presidential candidates have been so busy campaigning they lost sight of the changes taking place in Iraq. ++ For the first time in years, the risk of a massive insurrection has diminished and there are realistic prospects for …More
Despite the considerable shift in global power, the default Western mindset is still based on the assumption that might and right are always on the side of the West. ++ However, the authority of this “self-appointed global …More
Some scholars recently advocated a single-state solution, based on the idea of justice, during a public debate. ++ The delivery of justice would require conditions in which Palestinians could lead normal lives in their homeland. ++ …More
The arrest of the Bosnian Serb leader, political mastermind of the Bosnian genocide, Radovan Karadzic on charges of war crimes is a clear indication that ultranationalists no longer speak for Serbia ++ The decision to abide by the EU’s requirement …More
Zaborzka, Casini, Szymanski, Weber: EU member states should unite to offer immediate assistance in the Middle East and especially in the North of Iraq. The establishment of quotas would enable the EU to welcome the most vulnerable Iraqi refugees and prevent another human tragedy in the region. …More
Mugabe’s bloody rule will continue for another term unless Russia, China, and South Africa help impose tougher sanctions and an arms embargo on Zimbabwe. ++ Moscow and Beijing’s vetoes against tougher measures in the Security Coucil are to blame …More
Obama has not retracted from his end-the-war stance which dates back to 2003 and was the key to his success over Clinton during the primaries. ++ But in so far as “full withdrawal” from Iraq, such as Iraqis want, never belonged to his …More
Although the plans for a long-term security arrangement between Iraq and the US have caused a wave of criticism, such an agreement is in the best interest of both countries. ++ The main objectives of Americans and Iraqis are …More
Ari Rusila: The years to come in the Balkan region cannot be as bleak as those of the recent past. Despite uncertainties regarding developments in Kosovo, the following scenarios offer likely alternatives and demonstrate the region has a future. …More
With a military budget larger than the rest of the world’s combined, the US is still undeniably world’s greatest superpower. ++ However, there are clear signs that its empire is overreaching itself and the whole system starting to …More
Dealing with the Middle East quagmire is going to be one of the greatest challenges for the next US president. ++ McCain may be an ill-suited candidate to tackle the situation: he seems to believe America always wins; since his …More
The International Criminal Court’s resolution to seek an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar Bashir was hailed as a step towards stopping the bloodshed in Darfur. ++ In fact, this decision will not change anything and is …More
Even if the international military presence has been expanding rapidly in Afghanistan, the country recently experienced one of its bloodiest weeks. ++ A suicide bomber struck the Indian embassy in the capital and killed 41 people. ++ US …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
Abukar Arman: Lasting peace in Somalia requires a holistic approach and constructive engagement on behalf of the international community. The peace accord needs to be adapted to recognize that the precondition “cessation of violence” cannot be fulfilled before Ethiopian occupation troops have left. …More
Despite the increasingly positive coverage of the war by Western media, the situation in Iraq is constantly deteriorating. ++ Al-Qaeda, the declared enemy of the Bush administration, has become only one of many terrorist groups in Iraq. ++ The …More
The prospect of war between Georgia and Russia is increasingly realistic. ++ We must stand up for Georgia and prevent the war as it could lead to the breakdown of Russia’s relations with the West and destabilize a territory so crucial for …More
The situation in the Middle East is past the point when sanctions and diplomatic talks can still make a difference. ++ The Islamic Republic is not going to yield, it is simply playing for time while trying to produce deliverable nuclear …More
Elizabeth Pond : Even though radical voices are still present in Serbian political life, most of the Serbs finally made the choice of becoming a part of Europe. …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
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
Globalization means that international affairs no longer occur in a bipolar, unipolar, or even multipolar world, but rather “under conditions of nonpolarity.” ++ In this nonpolar world, coordination between actors is increasingly difficult, …More
The US failed to capitalize on its initial military success in Afghanistan and what seemed to be a finished matter has now redeveloped into a serious threat. ++ “America has only itself to blame” for the current situation. ++ It was …More
In the end of July, Obama is scheduled to meet with Chancellor Merkel and to hold a speech at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. ++ He should consider saying something to the following effect: the lessons of Berlin illustrate …More
The Dalai Lama seems to be more interested in fanning up international pressure on China than in talking seriously with the central government. ++ However, after the Olympics, his influence in the West will probably fade. ++ His concept of …More
Despite the West’s fear and loathing of America’s perceived overdrawn and poorly executed military initiatives in Iraq, the nation’s expats across the Middle East are singing a different, more optimistic tune. ++ …More
From the Editorial Team: Atlantic Community offers a chance for members to influence real politics. In preparation for Chancellor Merkel’s visit to Ukraine on July 21st, 2008, we are preparing an Atlantic Memo which will be send to members of parliament prior to Merkel’s departure. …More
Rather than focusing on force levels, debates about burden-sharing within NATO should look at “defense transformation, operations, and the wider context of the international community’s efforts.” ++ While burden-sharing faces many challenges, …More
Israeli government claims the extent of the Iranian threat is being underplayed and that no diplomatic pressure can prevent Iranians getting nuclear weapons. ++ Shaul Mofaz, member of Israel’s security cabinet, announced last week that “attacking …More
Senator McCain’s call for a “League of Democracies” would be a danger rather than an aid to world peace. ++ With both Russia and China excluded, the league would be unable to combat the most pressing global matters: terrorism, climate change, …More
Six-party framework is our best option to achieve the strategic goal of Korea’s denuclearization. ++ Now North Korea is already disabling its plutonium production facility at Yongbyon under the monitoring of US inspectors. ++ The US …More
Zimbabwe’s opposition leader was right to withdraw from the runoff presidential “election”. ++ Thousands of his supporters have been kidnapped and tortured, thousands more would probably have suffered, and it would all have been for …More
The recently adopted UN resolution 1820 finally recognized rape as a threat to international peace and security. ++ It recognized emotional, physical, and financial damages not only to the individuals and but to the whole communities and underlined the …More
Representatives at the Berlin Middle East Conference reaffirmed their commitment to the US-initiated peace process in Annapolis. ++ Yet the approach has been changed. ++ The creation of an efficient security mechanism aims at setting the …More
Despite positive developments between Israel and many of its adjacent neighbors, the increasing frequency with which Israel speaks of attacking Iran must not be ignored by the West. ++ Israel either truly plans to attack and “is preparing the …More
Violence in Iraq has driven over 2 million refugees abroad, especially to Europe. ++ Several EU countries believe their current immigration policy is too lax and that responsibility is unevenly distributed. ++ Taking over the next …More
Something can still be done to save the political and economic situation in Zimbabwe. ++ For this, the US, the UK, and the EU need to cut Mugabe’s access to foreign financial goods and services, and the African Union and Zimbabwe’s …More
Some of the 350 US nuclear bombs in the EU are stored at host air bases. ++ A report concludes security standards were not met, and “support buildings, fencing, lighting and security systems” need improvement. ++ The storage of nukes in Europe has …More
A new strategy to stabilize Afghanistan should try to separate al-Qaeda and the Taliban, whereas in the past the opposite was done. ++ A policy is needed that supports anyone who provides stability and does not give asylum to …More
Despite the presence of over 50,000 NATO troops and some 140,000 Afghan troops and police, the Taliban and al-Qaeda have gotten stronger over the past two years. ++ The Pentagon invested about US$16.5 billion in Afghanistan, but it still lacks a …More
Direct negotiations between Israel and Hamas create a new opportunity to stabilize the territory and soothe the heated fronts, but lessons of the past should not be forgotten. ++ The last year of Israel’s blockade was …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
Anatol Lieven: NATO might fail in Afghanistan. Hopes for democracy, development, and progress in Afghanistan are already dead. Even though the situation seems hopeless, the West can and should prevent further deterioration. …More
The parallels between the arrangement sought by Bush with the Iraq/US deal, and the defective British Iraq settlement in the 1930s, are striking. ++ The July 31st accord would free Iraq of UN sanctions and provide it with American economic and military …More
Until now, no one really seems to realise what kind of threat climate change represents for human beings living together on Earth. In his book “Climate Wars”, the social psychologist Harald Welzer therefore warns us against only …More
If the international community remains inactive regarding Sudan, its outrage could end up being regarded as hollow. ++ With the help of the International Criminal Court, France, Britain, and the US should pursue a strategy for concomitant …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
Albeit reversible, the situation is improving in Iraq as the government gains confidence and increasingly asserts its independence from the US and Iran. ++ Despite the lack of jobs, clean water, and electricity, Iraqis are benefiting from high oil prices …More
Al-Maliki wants good relations both with Iran and with the US but ongoing tensions between the two are putting him in a difficult position. ++ The Iraqi Prime Minister cannot afford to ruffle Iran’s feathers because of the large Shia majority in …More
Today, a Syrian-Israeli peace, which would enable Syria to recover the Golan Heights and protect the country’s interests in Lebanon, is complicated by Syria’s alliance with Iran. ++ Yet if Syria achieves peace with Israel, its good …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
Global issues, such as proliferation, energy security, diseases, and terrorism are not disparate and unconnected, and cannot be settled unilaterally. ++ “Practical multilateralism is a strategic necessity, not a liberal nicety.” ++ The UN …More
“Many of the world’s necessary interventions in the decade before the invasion - in places like Haiti and the Balkans - would seem impossible in today’s climate.” ++ In the wake of the Burmese cyclone, the strength of totalitarian …More
The decrease of large scale commercial agriculture in Africa and the loss of productivity in Asia are partly responsible for the critical need for worldwide food assistance. ++ A solution to the crisis requires both huge …More
The Pakistani Army no longer fights the counterinsurgency war on their western border. ++ Instead Pakistani troops are deployed at the border to India, where 80% of US aid since 9/11 has been used, although given to fight the Taliban insurgency. ++ …More
Compromise has yet to be reached on the issue of Macedonia’s official name and national identity, as Greece recently blocked the country from joining NATO, out of fears that a recognized Macedonian nation state would mobilize separatist …More
US Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, who is known for cautious assessments, said terrorists in Iraq have “never been closer to defeat than they are now.” ++ The Iraqi government has gained control of Basra and Sadr City for the …More
Senior Afghan official, Mohammad Z. Wahdats is skeptical that there would be less stability in Afghanistan’s north without the Germans. ++ “For the issue of security, we don’t need them any more. We solve all our problems by ourselves.” ++ …More
Cooperation between Russia and the US on issues of nonproliferation is vital for America’s national security. ++ The agreement now before the US Congress would help the US and Russia create an international fuel bank that could …More
While the private military industry has benefited enormously from contracting opportunities in Iraq, these opportunities will at some point draw to a close and the industry will need new contracts. ++ Firms will likely return to Africa …More
Bush’s unilateralism has created a rift in transatlantic relations that is unlikely to be fixed by the next US president, unless the EU and the US share a common threat. ++ McCain frames the authoritarian capitalism of China and Russia as …More
The current propaganda campaign against Iran is similar to that against Iraq before the US-led invasion. ++
Without Iran’s cooperation peace and stability in Iraq cannot be achieved. ++ The more immediate danger is not Iranian nuclear …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
James Cricks: We are indebted to Christopher Catherwood for doing the homework about Iraq and the West that current policymakers should be considering. …More
Although the recent negotiations between Israel and Syria give an encouraging push to the peace process in the Middle East, some Palestinian faction leaders and analysts expressed concerns about this issue. ++ They believe that …More
Michael T. Klare: When the Cold War ended, it was generally assumed that the US would henceforth enjoy unchallenged preponderance. But today, military superiority no longer constitutes the decisive determinant of global paramountcy: energy has acquired unexpectedly vast significance. …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 US proposal of a regional nuclear defense shield against Iran is not being met with enthusiasm by its allies in the Persian Gulf. ++ As business ties with Iran deepen, the Gulf States perceive the offer of the US as a …More
Failed US foreign policy pushed Iran into a hegemonic role it never could have attained under its own power and in such a short time. ++ Iran’s nuclear program threatens to tilt the regional strategic balance enduringly. ++ It is very …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
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
The Japanese government is asking to be granted permanent authority over the use of military force. ++ Currently every foreign deployment of troops requires separate legislative approval and is bound by strict legal parameters. ++ While …More
The recent agreement between Lebanese political factions promised to end the 18 month long political deadlock. ++ Although it amounted to a significant shift of power in favour of the militant Shiite group Hezbollah, the governmental …More
Responsibility and emergency to act in Burma cannot be doubted but UN legitimacy is lacking and R2P stands for “responsibility to protect,” not “right to invade.” ++ Any action requires “a careful, informed calculation of the likely …More
Uncertainty remains as to whether Serbia will turn East or West, but the radicalization of public opinion means the emerging government will have to defend Serb interests in Kosovo and encourage the de facto partition. ++ The …More
Thomas Speckmann: By highlighting the following dilemma “the Iranian bomb or the bombing of Iran”, Sarkozy signalled the return to a strategy of nuclear deterrence. Since the West’s most dreaded scenario is the nuclearization of the Middle East, calls to prevent Iran from acquiring the atomic bomb are becoming ever more frequent. …More
Ethan Christian Arrow: Raising the issue of UN legitimacy in matters of hard and soft power, a panel of speakers have recommended tailoring operations according to local needs. Perhaps running the UN more like a business and less like a Western power would produce better results for all concerned. …More
At the Knesset plenum, Bush’s declarations regarding America’s political and military commitment to Israel’s defense were most promising. ++ Yet the Hezbollah’s recent take over of Lebanon was met with absolute silence on …More
US diplomats will not exceed their offer - worth billions - to modernize Poland’s armed forces in exchange for the hosting of the anti-missile shield base on Polish soil. ++ Poland’s expectations are higher than what the US is …More
Without a coordinated international response to the humanitarian crisis in Burma, the death toll could expand exponentially. ++ French Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner controversially suggested that given the responsibility to …More
Andrei Tsygankov: The US presidential candidates are increasingly playing the Russophobia card in their campaigns. In addressing Russia, Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton have resorted to insulting President Vladimir Putin as a KGB spy who has no soul. Russophobia is truly back into fashion, as Senator Joseph Biden admitted last week.
…More
Natalia Ruban : Those who support a boycott of the Beijing Olympics overlook that limiting relations with China to the question of Tibet will not improve the human rights situation. The worsening of Western-Chinese relations endangers economic growth, and progress on global issues such as nuclear non-proliferation, Darfur and climate change. …More
Brought up by their fathers - the men responsible for the mass killings back in Rwanda - or by extremist Hutu rebels, the second generation of Hutu child soldiers has grown up.++ They are imbued with the same mind-altering ideology of …More
Growing oil prices and diminishing supplies of natural resources increasingly give rise to doubts regarding the long-term stability of an economy that relies on fossil fuels. The underlying assumption of pessimistic analyses based on the “peak …More
Next month the US will assume the presidency of the UN Security Council. ++ In hopes of preserving its currently vulnerable legacy as an architect of peace, the US plans to move forward in deploying peacekeeping troops to the Darfur region. …More
The conflict in Lebanon is part of the larger regional struggle between Arabs and Iran over influence in the region. ++ Hizbollah military action shows that there is a new game in town. ++ While Iran armed, financed and supported Hizbollah, the Arabs …More
During his last Middle East Tour, President Bush will have to accept the failure of his policies in the region. ++ Since Bush undertook to revive peace negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians at Annapolis in late 2007, no …More
Peter van Ham: NATO is slowly losing its significance as the central platform to manage transatlantic security challenges. In view of the different reasons for the Alliance’s declining relevance, its resilience, rather than its demise should surprise us. …More
Recent escalating disputes and mutual suspicion between the government and the Shiite militia Hezbollah in Lebanon raise fears of a new civil war. ++ Arab countries are concerned that Hezbollah may be attempting to spread Iranian …More
The recent victory in Serbian parliamentary elections by President Boris Tadic’s pro-EU alliance was not as decisive as he would like to have the world believe. ++ In order to form a government he is likely to have to form a coalition with …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
Russia is increasing military means in Georgia that show striking parallels with Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus. ++ NATO members argue Georgia’s state of democratization needs to improve before they are willing to risk souring …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
In a sort of ‘State of the Union’ address, the Jerusalem Post marks the 60th anniversary with the struggles, triumphs, and miracles that have brought about the first geographically defined Jewish civilization since millennia. ++ Accompanying …More
With high oil prices allowing authoritarian regimes to consolidate power, and US influence and moral authority in decline, the global trend towards democratization appears to be reversing. ++ This is particularly apparent in Zimbabwe, …More
Péter Marton: Afghanistan needs an external security guarantee for the long term. NATO should provide that guarantee against clashing external influence-seeking endeavours, but it can only do so it if it sheds its geopolitical identity for the Afghan mission. That is how a neutral strategic identity could be secured for Afghanistan. …More
Decades of conflict have created economic, demographic, and political conditions that are compromising achieving peace in the Middle East. ++ Disincentives for the creation of two states are proving stronger than the rationale for peace. …More
The old Middle East and the secular nationalism that went along with it is being replaced by a new, modern Middle East in which political Islam and anti-Western nationalism play a decisive role. ++ There is now a serious threat of “a …More
In Asia, the rise of India is perceived as less threatening than the rise of China. ++ India does have strong military capabilities, but is a democracy, which are said to be more peaceful. ++ India’s military is believed to be unthreatening …More
Since the US invasion of Iraq, the situation for women especially in the south of the country has worsened dramatically. ++ Tribal forces subdued under Saddam have been unleashed by the US occupation. ++ According to the UN, 133 women were …More
According to the US, Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism causing heavy casualties in Iraq. ++ Iranian Hussein Shariatmadari denies this with the claim Iran shares Iraq’s interest in ending US occupation and armed militias. ++ …More
James Jones: While NATO forces are needed in Afghanistan, the real focus should be on fighting narcotics, building up an effective judicial system, increasing Afghan police capabilities, empowering a single individual to represent the international community, and acknowledging regional difficulties. …More
Policy in Washington favors punishing and boycotting governments and political factions who do not adhere to US mandates. ++ This approach gives leaders little incentive to moderate their policies. ++ “In the Middle East, as in Nepal, the path to peace …More
Climate change, resource shortages, and crippling, high food prices caused by the increased consumption of advanced and developing economies has unleashed a tide of resentment in poorer regions. ++ If Western culture and influence gets the blame …More
Musharraf and Bush’s failure to calm Pakistan’s lawless border enabled Al Qaeda to take refuge and gain strength. ++ Pakistanis now think the war is Washington’s because of the civilian casualties. ++ New government …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
T. Noetzel & B. Schreer: Despite a theoretically clear strategy, NATO is both politically and militarily ill-prepared to execute the required counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan. An Afghan disaster might not be a death sentence for the Alliance, but would certainly have major repercussions. …More
Independence is first about daily economic realities, and not about religious practice or ideology. ++ Tibet has made no visible steps to build on its autonomy; without China Tibet is not even able to feed its population. ++ All those Hollywood personalities will not create new jobs or build better infrastructure, as China did. ++ The world has a large enough inventory of failed ideas like Iraq.
There is more to NATO’s enlargement plans than the official explanations imply. ++ “NATO is just a vehicle and another opportunity to extend its hard power globally” says Dan Plesch. ++ Regional dominance in former Soviet …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
India is confronted with a multitude of territorial claims from its neighbors. ++ The Asian giant is vulnerable to “the tyranny of geography.” ++ The pluralist democracy’s fragile and instable surroundings and the …More
Jackson Janes: The common threats which Europe and the United States are facing call for immediate collaborative action. Given the interconnectedness of the world today, it is important to apply the lessons learned through transatlantic successes to other regions as well. …More
Critics of current US foreign policy point to the Iraq war for the current economic slump. ++ New indicators suggest otherwise. ++ A general rise in material and commodity prices running parallel to high oil prices, reflects …More
Daniel Korski & Richard Gowan: Away from the limelight and with other world events getting the media’s attention, the situation in Kosovo has been getting worse and worse. And it all started so well with the EU managing to get a consensus for its ESDP mission and two-thirds of EU states backing the province’s independence. …More
Recent Arab public opinion polls confirm a “gap between the aims of American policies and Arab public perceptions of the US.” ++ They also highlight that the US could improve its image by brokering peace between Palestine and Israel …More
Russian perception of enlargement to Ukraine and Georgia as a threat is reasonable. ++ Russia desperately needs EU investment and technology. ++ Europe needs Russian natural gas. ++ Russia should also be stronger engaged in disarmament again. ++ Stable relations to Russia should be preferred over NATO enlargement, representing “the fantasies of an American president.”
Lior Petek: Former US President Jimmy Carter on his current Middle East tour justified his controversial talks with Hamas by arguing that it cannot be ignored. Unfortunately, Carter does not see that there is nothing to talk about with Hamas. …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.
Contrary to the Bush administration’s claim last week, the main interest of Iran in Iraq is not to predicate on violence but to stabilize this country. ++ To prevent the possible future aggression from the Sunnites and to stop the agitation …More
A new culture of international relations based on full respect of human rights, human security and sustainable development is needed. ++ Global problems such as terrorism, food crisis and climate change can no longer effectively …More
Atlantic Community SURVEY: 23 European and US policy analysts and our members express stronger support for Ukraine’s NATO aspirations than witnessed at the Bucharest Summit. Advocacy for fast NATO enlargement correlates with geographic proximity to Russia. …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
Colette Avital: The negotiations between Israel and Abu Mazen’s Palestinian Authority need to move forward quickly and improve conditions on the ground. Failure to reach a solution within the year could trigger renewed violence and make future negotiations along similar lines impossible. …More
China is afraid of its unity being called into question. ++ Kosovo’s recent unilateral declaration of independence,
Taiwan’s upcoming presidential election, and China’s short history as a united country are reasons for stringent …More
A top-down model of political compromise is inapt to restore order and bring peace to Iraq’s tribal society. ++ But now, a balance of truces between hyperlocalized clans and councils is generating optimism, political progress, and a …More
Reduction of violence in Iraq “so great as to be undeniable.” ++
Yet partisan debate over Iraq continues. ++ McCain sees success within reach, while Clinton and Obama remain locked within the “this war is lost” prism, and …More
Few members at the Bucharest Summit acted to present the strongest military alliance in the world as “purposeful, tough and cohesive.” ++ “The Atlantic Caucus” is left to shoulder the biggest burden in Afghanistan and fill the “Eurogap” …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
Marek Swierczynski: NATO’s decision to delay a major enlargement should only be viewed in a positive light if it results in better management of the Afghan mission, and the Alliance keeps up the pace to relaunch negotiations with Ukraine and Georgia. …More
Troops in Afghanistan amount to a mere 10% of the contingent needed. ++ Quarrelling over NATO policy issues is preventing gathering the necessary means to effectively tackle terrorism and the Taliban. ++ While French, German and Greek troops …More
For the sake of NATO credibility, the decision against MAPs for Ukraine and Georgia
needs to be reviewed within the year. ++ If Europeans give in, Russia may be able to prevent former Soviet republics from democratizing and westernizing. ++ But Russia’s …More
The fate of NATO’s Afghanistan mission is strongly interlinked with developments in Pakistan. ++ Stability of both countries depends on an effective strategy to fight the Taliban/Al Qaeda in Pakistan’s tribal border areas. ++ …More
Stanley R. Sloan: Besides agreeing on devoting more military and non-military resources to the mission in Afghanistan, NATO leaders at the Bucharest Summit should start drafting a new strategic concept and a contemporary Atlantic Charter for the new American administration to tackle in 2009. …More
The first territorial war of NATO history in Afghanistan will be the hot topic at the Bucharest Summit. ++ NATO’s credibility seems tied to success in Afghanistan, therefore NATO governments should reach a consensus on new criteria for measuring success and failure. ++ Democratization and stabilization can be difficult to achieve and should not be measured on an all-or-nothing basis.
NATO has always been a two-tiered alliance in which some countries shouldered more burdens than others. ++ This fact will not change, but it also does not invalidate the significance of NATO. ++ A two-tiered NATO even has certain benefits for …More
Daniel Korski: Something odd is happening across Europe’s security landscape. In spite of British Prime Minister Brown’s euro-scepticism, and Britain’s supposed European isolation following the Iraq War, London is once again becoming the centerpiece of European security cooperation. …More
Rüdiger Lentz: Increasing debates within the Alliance about the inequity of risk- and burden-sharing among its members overshadow the upcoming summit in Bucharest. Especially, the Germans are being pressured by Washington and their Western allies to send more fighting troops to Afghanistan. …More
US disengagement in Iraq will increase long term stability in the region. ++ Al-Qaeda is not behind most of the insurgency. ++ Disengagement should include serious dialogues with Iraqi leaders and those of neighboring areas, …More
Wess Mitchell: While the United States has been prodding the alliance’s second-tier members, newcomers have stepped up in Afghanistan. …More
Wall Street is expected to account for nearly 40 percent of the $1.2 trillion loss in the global market turmoil. ++ “U.S. leveraged institutions, which include banks, brokers-dealers, hedge
funds and government-sponsored …More
Taliban and al Qaeda members sheltered in Pakistan are serious threats to US and NATO troops in Afghanistan. ++ Frontier Corps need to be improved and the US should be spending more than $150 million a year on the eastern front. ++ The US should clearly support reconciliation, getting the military out of politics, a new tribal area policy, and above all, democracy in Pakistan.
Britain’s new US-style national security strategy (NSS) should provide for better risk assessment, more troops, and more funds. ++ Unfortunately, the NSS only makes casual reference to Europe and features a continuing belief …More
Washington continues to rely on Musharraf to stop cross-border incursions of terrorist militants into Afghanistan and to keep Karzai’s regime standing. ++ Yet US military and financial aid has been inefficient due to Musharraf’s leniency …More
Fouad Naji Maarouf: George W. Bush was a disaster for the US. A change of attitude and government would bring good change. …More
Ambassador Victoria Nuland: “Europe needs, the United States needs, NATO needs, the democratic world needs – a stronger, more capable European defense capacity.” …More
With unilateral pull-outs of the Afghan mission threatening NATO’s existence, Europe’s security is also at risk. ++ EU members lack consensus both on matters of foreign policy and regarding a role for NATO in the future. ++ As a global security actor, the EU should bolster its military capabilities, drop its idealism, and commit itself to real objectives in Sudan, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.
China should think twice before it uses excessive force on protesters in Tibet and generates an international outcry. ++ With the Beijing Olympics on the horizon, deaths in Lhasa could motivate many democracies to condemn China and withdraw from the competition. ++ China could best resolve the current crisis by inviting the Dalai Lama to talks, an action which would receive international applause.
Marek Swierczynski: Poland’s decision to join the “coalition of the willing” has left the military stretched beyond capacity, the society in serious mistrust of their leaders and perception of a joint effort for a good cause seriously damaged. It took 25 lives 5 years and 3 governments to rethink and withdraw. …More
The Iraq war no longer raises much interest on behalf of the American and European people. ++ Raw US military presence compounded by a lack of regional policies and informed diplomacy with Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Israel has left the country in a stalemate. ++ The next American president will face two options: everlasting peacekeeping or a possible bloodbath at the time of withdrawal.
To remain a relevant alliance, NATO needs to adapt to both changes in the international order and evolving threats. ++ NATO requires a comprehensive approach, enhanced coordination with other civilian actors, and cooperation with the UN and the …More
War in Iraq might decrease US ability to preserve peace in East Asia - a serious concern for Japan. ++ Japan relies on the Middle East for 90 percent of its oil - stability in the region is vital. ++ North Korea will never dismantle nuclear weapons without US influence. ++ Japan should maintain close relationship with US - decline in US power is not in Japan’s national interest.
Uprising in Tibet is embarrassment for Beijing, especially in light of upcoming Olympics. ++ Instead of showing progress, the world sees how little has changed. ++ Instead of stepping up propaganda war, China should allow freedom of religion, …More
Marek Swierczynski: Just before the NATO summit in Bucharest, the differences on what and how the Alliance should do in the future seem all but rising on both sides of the Atlantic. The Warsaw conference on NATO’s Transformation made fundamental divides clearly visible. …More
Eventually the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be settled by the formation of two states. ++ Bringing Hamas into negotiations is one option to speed up process. ++ Making peace first with Syria would end confrontation with …More
Aiming primarily to qualify Serbia for membership in the EU, the Democratic Party of Tadic offers the country the most sensible economic, strategic, and diplomatic solution. ++ Kosovo’s declaration of independence may have …More
Given the current logic of violent retaliation which dominates actions of the weak and divided political systems in Palestine and Israel, there is no foreseeable end to the conflict. ++ Yet if an end to the strangulation of Gaza, a …More
With power changing hands in the US, the time has come for Australia to reconsider its position towards the American leadership and acquire some confidence and self reliance. ++ Both ventures with the US in Vietnam and Iraq were disastrous, and placed Australia on the side of the politically defeated. ++ Australia need not systematically be a follower when it comes to matters of national security.
Nuclear weapons with their incomparable destructive capacity are the determining center of international power. ++ As technological forces are increasingly being associated with national security and success, defenders of disarmament are losing …More
Uta Ermler: A comparison of statistics in road casualty to killed German soldiers in Afghanistan points out, that the increasing danger in the south should be no reason for the refusal of the German government to deploy troops in southern Afghanistan. …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.
Reidar Visser: While Western media has largely overlooked the rise of a moderate centrist force in Iraq, this new current deserves attention as it faces challenges from the Iraqi Presidency Council. …More
Currently, NATO’s means are solely military. ++ Yet today’s most urgent task is to prevent crises by eliminating reasons for armed conflict, so force should be the ultimate resort. ++ To avoid becoming a hollow transatlantic alliance, …More
Tobias Bock: This paper aims at assessing the civil society within Iraqi Kurdistan, the region of the conflict torn country that is often perceived as ‘the other Iraq’ or at least tries to convey this impression to the outside world. …More
Benjamin Lucas Schoo: We have entered an era of political science where traditional security studies have been challenged by a much broader concept, which has come to be known as Human Security, examining the role of non-traditional threats on the security of individuals. …More
West Bank NGOs that channeled funds to Hamas have been brought under supervision, Hamas groups have been disarmed, and the Palestinian Authority has neutralized hundreds of radicals. ++ In return, Israel needs to remove settlements, checkpoints, and roadblocks in the West Bank. ++ This would help solve Israel’s security problems and allow for the improvement of the lives of Palestinians.
As Afghanistan moves from a transitional to a long-term development framework, an outside authority is needed to direct reconstruction. ++ The Afghan government cannot manage this alone. ++ The country is slipping back into terrorism reminiscent of Taliban rule. ++ The European Union would be the ideal candidate to coordinate between the government, international organisations and the NGOs.
Kosovo’s illegal declaration of independence has destabilized the international system. ++ Recognizing Kosovo legitimizes imposed solutions to ethnic conflicts, unilateral secession by a non-state actor, and forced partition to sovereign states. ++ “Recognizing Kosovo means saying, in effect, that Serbian democracy must be punished because [Milosevic] was left unpunished.”
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
Kosovo’s declaration of independence is equally one of dependency - but it’s the “least worst” outcome. ++ Europe is pushing for Kosovo to move from protectorate to EU member state, without allowing it to achieve full independence. ++ Kosovo’s independence does not make the region any more unstable. ++ Serbia has a choice: to sulk, or to start working towards reconstruction and the EU.
Failure to make the most of the Annapolis process would be fatal for both Israel and the international community. ++ The US needs to be “the major responsible supervisor of the negotiation process.” ++ The EU must move beyond its traditional …More
Benjamin Lucas Schoo: Vote now on what prominent security related issue the governments on both sides of the Atlantic should focus their attention on! We have identified 4 major tasks for 2008 and ask you to select which of these should be at the top of the transatlantic agenda. You can vote now on the right side. …More
D. Korski & M. Williams: NATO’s members need to take action if the 60 year old alliance is to survive as a useful organization. …More
EU member states tend to act autonomously in their relations to Russia. ++ Implementation of EU treaty provisions on common security and foreign policy offers new prospects for EU-Russia cooperation and would be conducive to a partnership …More
Media perception that Afghanistan is slipping into chaos is wrong. ++ US efforts mean Afghanistan had an average GDP growth of 9.5% a year between 2003 and 2006. ++ Infrastructure is also developing rapidly. ++ While Afghanistan has benefited economically from laws implemented by President Karzai’s ministers, the president himself has mired further reforms.
Sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council against Iran since December 2006 had ambivalent consequences. ++ They negatively affected the Iranian economy and indirectly influenced inflation in Iran, as the government was forced …More
Western countries should increase their military forces in Afghanistan. ++ More important is a focus on human security; otherwise, a defeat is a real possibility. ++ Priorities should be the training of the police and judiciary, providing jobs and guaranteeing fundamental public services. ++ The author was asked to be the UN’s special envoy, but was rejected by Mr Karzai.
Russia’s President Putin declared the onset of a new arms race. ++ Reacting to US plans for a missile defence shield in Europe, he vowed to modernize Russia’s armed forces. ++ Putin also warned from unnamed foreign powers …More
Jan Techau and Alexander Skiba of the German Council on Foreign Relations criticize the German Government’s rejection of the US request for more German combat forces in south Afghanistan. There are at least three reasons …More
Ralf Fuecks: The United States must offer Iran direct negotiations regarding its nuclear program. There needs to be a higher level of political and energy cooperation. …More
The US president is leaving a difficult political legacy behind him in the Middle East. The civil war in Iraq is still smoldering, there are threats of complete destabilization in Lebanon and the Gaza strip, and Iran’s plans for …More
Dieter Farwick: The NATO defense ministers’ meeting should conclude with an agreement to send additional forces to Afghanistan. The troops can win if given the necessary resources and operational freedom. …More
Dominik Bertram: This paper is going to examine the legacy of the 28th president of the USA, Woodrow Wilson, and in how far his approach to international affairs is still a factor in the conduct of US foreign policy.
…More
Dominik Bertram: attempts to make comparisons between the Vietnam War and the second war in the gulf. While there are some similarities between both events, like asymmetric warfare, the justifications of the wars, there are also fundamental differences between both wars.
…More
Christian Andreas Morris: laments the US foreign policy stance towards Colombia, especially in light of the $1.3 billion of yearly military aid the US donates to fight the post 9/11 war on terror. …More
Niklas Keller: The nature of US counter-insurgency strategy in Iraq is self defeating. …More
Recent claims that Iraq’s future is looking brighter are out of place. ++ The surge has prolonged the conflict and violence has decreased only because Sunni tribal leaders have been accommodated, not because of additional …More
Volker Perthes: I admit that there is no simple checklist to determine how, when, or where German troops should be deployed abroad. But there are a number of valid questions that can be posed before soldiers are sent to peacekeeping and peace-enf …More
The geopolitical consequences of climate change are determined as much by political, social and economic factors as by the climatic shift itself. As a rule wealthier countries will be better prepared to cope with the effects of …More
Far from being the success which many have claimed it to be, the surge has actually accomplished very little according to Professor Andrew Bacevich of Boston University. Violence in Iraq has declined, but more because Sunni tribal leaders …More
Memo 4: Members of the Atlantic Community are mostly optimistic about the future of Kosovo and conflict resolution in the Western Balkans. The EU has a key role in this region and policy is in the right track, but, of course, big challenges still lie ahead. …More
In his visit to the Middle East, President George W. Bush, in an unusual note of diplomatic urgency, has insisted that Israel and the Palestinians conclude a peace accord before he leaves office in early 2009. Speaking with both Israeli and Palestinian …More
Dr. Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg: The latest survey of Afghan attitudes toward ISAF activities stresses the need for continued German engagement in Afghanistan. …More
Thomas de Waal: The simmering conflicts in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia could easily flare up. Although they are driven by unresolved regional disputes, both the US and Russia loom large in the background. …More
Dr. Gvosdev is a frequent commentator on US foreign policy and international relations, Russian and Eurasian affairs, and developments in the Middle East. He is also the author of six books, most recently the co-author of The …More
Alexander Bernhard Bitter: Missile defense for Europe is coterminous with NATO’s mission. The European policy of waiting for a new US administration is flawed, as the financial burden of the endeavor could shift heavily toward Europe. …More
Ever since the age of Enlightenment, there has been an enduring battle between the forces of liberalism against those of autocracy. Contrary to what liberals claimed, the demise of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War did …More
Elizabeth Pond: The EU and the UN can build on recent progress to resolve the last unfinished business from the 1990s’ Balkan wars. There is still a long way to go, though, to bring Kosovo under EU supervision and persuade Serbia to opt for a European future. …More
Russia’s turn away from democracy:
Despite Vladimir Putin’s quest to perpetuate his political influence, Brzezinski warns against perceiving him as an enemy. He emphasizes the need for the United States to discourage the …More
An opinion poll commissioned by the BBC indicates that 54% of Afghans think things are going in the right direction, while 70% described their living conditions as good or very good. According to the poll of 1377 people from …More
Matt Dupuis: A nuclear-armed Iran could result in regional spillover in the form of nuclear proliferation throughout the Middle East. Negotiations, not deterrence, are the best way to avoid a nuclear free-for-all in the future. …More
General James Conway of the US Marine Corps advocates the re-deployment of a large contingent of his men into Afghanistan, which would be extracted from the Marine presence in Iraq’s Anbar province, writes Gordon Lubald for the …More
Alexandros Petersen: I conclude that Putin’s United Russia administration has framed Sunday’s polls as a referendum on his popularity, ensuring extra support for the party. For all of the president’s finagling, however, the only certainty is that his means of retaining power in Russia next year will confound the pundits’ predictions. …More
Elizabeth Pond: I contend that the EU plan for Kosovo’s “supervised independence” will avoid the historical mistakes that could end up fueling Serbian resentment and ultranationalism. Offering eventual European Union membership to Serbia is a prudent step that will encourage Serbian cooperation. …More
The kinship of tribes is key to building stability and establishing a balance of justice in areas like Iraq and Pakistan with both eroding and nascent political institutions.
The disorderly and anarchic conditions in …More
Anatol Lieven: I put the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into perspective and I argue that the greatest hope lies in American patriotism and the extent to which the US establishment takes the threat of Islamist terrorism seriously. …More
Andreas Beckmann: The general public does not understand the advantages of a US ground-based missile defense system in Europe. Western politicians should be wary of making confusing public statements that could facilitate Russian and Iranian efforts to divide the Alliance. …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
Despite sporadic condemnation of terrorism by King Abdullah, Saudi Arabians make-up the bulk of the foreign fighters in Iraq and provide the lion’s share of terrorist finances, write Nick Fielding and Sarah Baxter for the …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
Iraqi insurgents are increasingly powerful because they constantly learn and adapt in the same way that the open-source movement revolutionized software development. Technological might has proved ineffectual in the …More
Nanne Zwagerman: The European participants in Afghanistan need to have more say in the future of the mission. Dutch forces cannot work in isolation, but rather must be part of a coalition in which strategic decisions are made cooperatively. …More
As a community based on values, the West must strengthen its cohesiveness in order to grapple with the pace of globalization, and face a geopolitical axis actively shifting toward Asia, argues Stephen Szabo, …More
Hans Binnendijk: The consequences of failure in Afghanistan would be severe. I offer three points to help European governments make the case for continued participation in the NATO ISAF mission. …More
Ankara’s belligerence threatens Iraq’s fledgling democratic institutions, and encourages other neighbors such as Iran and Syria to settle disputes within Iraqi territory, writes Jamaa Alatwani for the Iraqi newspaper Kitabat. …More
Zogby International publishes results of the latest telephone poll conducted on key current issues. After tensions have risen to an all-time-high between the United States and Iran, the poll shows 52% of those surveyed …More
Antonio Cassese: A confederation of states is the best compromise for Kosovo. By means of a binding UN Security Council resolution, Kosovo could be granted full and exclusive authority over its citizens and territory, as well as limited capacity for action on the international scene. …More
Kurt Volker, Prinicipal Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs discusses the status of the U.S.-NATO relationship and other transatlantic issues with State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack on October 29, 2007.
State Department
Jan Bittner: The West must acknowledge the disastrous dimensions of the Iraq refugee crisis. First, the most urgent needs must be addressed; second, prospects for the refugees must be developed in the region. The most vulnerable refugees need shelter in the West. …More
Chuck Hagel:, US Senator for Nebraska, urges Bush to consider “direct, unconditional and comprehensive talks” with Iran. The private letter, copied to Condoleezza Rice, Robert Gates, and Stephen Hadley, was first published by Steve Clemons on The Washington Note. …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
The Atlantic Community interviewed 14 policy analysts from ten European countries on Iraq. The results were published in three parts:
1. “European Analysts Want America to Stay in …More
Colette Avital: For the Annapolis peace conference to be successful, the outcome must focus on the substance of a permanent peace. A mechanism of negotiations should be set in motion for the issues of borders, refugees, Jerusalem, and security, among others, and the peace process should be accompanied by tangible measures on the ground. …More
New alliances with Sunni militias have reduced attacks on American troops in Anbar and elsewhere in Iraq, but will this new strategy lead to lasting stability, or is it feeding a sectarian civil war and exacerbating a growing refugee crisis?
David Enders and Rick Rowley from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting investigate for Foreign Exchange with Fareed Zakaria, Oktober 14, 2007.
Sebastian Harnisch: The Europeans have been learning fast about leadership in crisis management and coercive diplomacy. But in order to convince Iran to stop the most problematic aspects of their nuclear program—uranium enrichment and plutonium production—Europe and the United States must act in unison. …More
Henry A. Kissinger dampens hopes on the outcome of the meeting on the Palestinian peace process in Annapolis. Even if parties manage to agree on the Taba Plan of 2000—essentially Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders—the implementation remains …More
Jan Bittner: The Middle East is facing the largest refugee crisis since 1948. Syria, the country which has so far accepted the most Iraqi migrants, has now changed its policy. …More
Jan Techau: It is time for Germany to assert a leading role in world politics. The German public needs to overcome its aversion to international involvement and see today’s threats for what they are—because history isn’t waiting. …More
“Given the nature of Iran’s rulers, the declarations of the Iranian President, and the trouble the regime is causing throughout the region…our country and the entire international community cannot stand by as a terror-supporting state fulfills …More
Is the North Korean nuclear threat really softening? Remembering that North Korea is famous for extracting financial concessions in nuclear negotiations, Stephan Haggard of the University of California and Marcus Noland of the Peterson Institute …More
Soeren Kern: I argue that the soft power of Europe requires US hard power behind it to be effective. A strong America and a strong transatlantic relationship will increase—not decrease—Europe’s position on the global stage. …More
China is tactfully making preparations for the potential downfall of Myanmar’s military junta, writes David Lague for the International Herald Tribune. To avoid damaging its reputation prior to the 2008 Olympics, …More
The three leading Democratic presidential candidates all agreed it would be wrong to promise full troop withdrawal by 2013. However each remains determined to highlight their differing approaches to ending the war, write Jeff …More
Manjana Milkoreit and Jason J. Blackstock: Economic sanctions aren’t working on Iran as Plan A, and the military Plan B is even worse. We need a plan C that provides for civilian uranium enrichment and addresses external political changes. …More
Ambassador Yaakov Levy: A major change in the nature of warfare has taken place. Israel faces a “new reality” which presents a fundamental challenge to existing norms of international law. …More
Memo 3: Members of the Atlantic Community question German participation in OEF, support ISAF and want increased emphasis on social issues in Afghanistan. In this Executive Summary, Annette Poelking of the Atlantic Initiative has more on members’ ideas for Afghanistan and an update on the ongoing debate. …More
Reidar Visser: I criticize the British for their intention to hand over Basra to the Iraqi army as early as November. Competing Shiite parties have a strong desire to control the oil-rich region, and the potential for internal violence once the British leave is high. …More
Joerg Wolf: The Atlantic Community asked fourteen experts what would happen if US troops were completely withdrawn from Iraq by summer 2009. European terrorism, state collapse, higher oil prices and increased American isolationism were just some of the likely scenarios. Part three of a three-part series. …More
Niklas Keller: of the Atlantic Initiative recommends transparent negotiations with the Taliban and local pro-Taliban groups, in order to help curb insurgent violence in Afghanistan. …More
President Bush’s refusal to comment on the Israeli air strike over northern Syria has ignited even more speculation, report Steven Lee Myers and Steven Erlanger for the New York Times. Current and former US and Israeli …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
Joerg Wolf: Noting the high stakes for the continent and its limited capabilities, European analysts suggest that Europe should pursue different policies than the US or make support dependent on more involvement in the decision-making process. …More
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner toned down the pitch of remarks he made earlier this week on the possibility of war with Iran, this time emphasizing negotiations over the use of military measures, report …More
David McKittrick of The Independent reports on secret Iraqi peace talks held recently in Helsinki, where Ex-IRA commander, Martin McGuinness met in private with 16 representatives of warring Sunni and Shiite Iraqi …More
Joerg Wolf: We asked European policy experts for their opinions on proposed ways forward in Iraq. Respondents from ten different countries provided some surprising results.
…More
Nikolas Kirrill Gvosdev: I reject Rudolph Giuliani’s call to expand NATO membership to other, non-Western democracies. Adding states like Australia or India to “globalize” NATO would undermine its original and enduring purpose: collective security through Article 5. …More
Hans-Ulrich Klose: We need a new philosophy of deterrence against Iran. A tough containment policy, including Russia, and strong defense of Israel could bring about a changed security architecture in the Middle East that might finally include Tehran. …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
Atlantic Happy Hour: NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer came to Berlin on a mission to get more German troops into the south of Afghanistan. As the guest of honor at an event run by the Atlantic Initiative, publisher of the Atlantic Community, Scheffer appeared with representatives from five of Germany’s political parties to respond to questions on the future of operations in Afghanistan. …More
British scholar and arms expert Plesch, Director of the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy of SOAS at the University of London, and Butcher, adviser to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the …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
Idean Salehyan, coauthor of “Climate Change and Conflict: The Migration Link,”argues in Foreign Policy that climate change cannot be the exclusive cause of future wars for water and resources. Corrupt and …More
James Glanz and Stephen Farrell of the New York Times report that the military surge in Iraq coincides with a dramatic increase in the number of internally displaced Iraqis. Analyzing data from two different humanitarian …More
Markus Kaim: I advocate merging the military capabilities of Germany’s three current mandates under the ISAF umbrella to bring transatlantic equilibrium to the burden-sharing in Afghanistan. Military participation in Operation Enduring Freedom should end, and ISAF Aerial Reconnaissance and Surveillance should be integrated into a single ISAF directive. …More
Karen DeYoung and Thomas E. Ricks of the Washington Post reveal the details of a leaked Governmental Accountability Office report that Iraq has overwhelmingly failed to meet congressional benchmarks. The draft provides …More
Officials in Washington are confused and disappointed at British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s decision to withdraw troops from Iraq and focus more on Afghanistan, reports Con Coughlin of the Daily Telegraph. Brown, who …More
The prospect of a bilateral summit between North and South Korea is laudable, but Bruce Klinger from the Heritage Foundation is suspicious of the motives and the timing of South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun. With national presidential …More
David G. Haglund: I blame disagreement over Afghanistan for the disappearance of the golden relationship between Berlin and Ottawa. Canada’s “perfect peacekeepers” want Germans to shoulder their fair share of the NATO burden. …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
The 2007 Foreign Policy Failed States Index is out, and the results are in: Sudan, Iraq, Somalia, Zimbabwe and Chad are this year’s worst. The fact that “sectarian carnage in one state can sway stock markets on the other side of the planet” shows that …More
Michael Ledeen —who once told me that he only supported the Iraq War because it provided momentum and pre-positioning of American military forces to then go after Iran—is not going to feel self-actualized until America unleashes a …More
Thomas Speckmann: Iraq’s label as a “second Vietnam” for the United States does not hold up to scrutiny. Recent changes to US military strategy on terrorism— building infrastructure, winning hearts and minds—come straight out of the Bundeswehr handbook, and they’re working. So why not take them to Kabul? …More
FP lists the top most valuable disputed turfs that might just be worth a fight. The world was astonished by Russia’s recent claim to the arctic shelf, with potential for billions of dollars worth of oil …More
Stansfield advises that Iraq can no longer be expected to survive as an undivided entity. This is just one of a number of realities which coalition forces in the country must accept before they can devise practical and realistic policy management plans. …More
Takfirism: The Root of the Problem
In addition to its pursuit of US and European targets in the global jihad, al-Qaeda has sought out “bad Muslims,” and governments that have cooperated with the West. The reasoning comes from al-Qaeda’s adherence to …More
Kenneth Ballen: Almost 70% of Iranians favor normal relations with the United States. With all options against Iran still on the table, the West should pay more attention to a population whose majority supports democracy. …More
The military regime in Pakistan is responsible for the escalation of terror in Kashmir, the growth of international jihad extremism and the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, says Grare. By supporting and training those very forces which NATO …More
Ariela Blätter: I chide the transatlantic partners for their continuing failure to stop the attacks in Sudan. The Eyes On Darfur initiative uses commercial innovation to achieve what governments have not, preventing further bloodshed by broadcasting satellite images of the most vulnerable areas. …More
Business companies now face global risks which change faster and more often than before, making country-by-country interpretation difficult. As a result, the danger that terrorism poses to economic investment …More
Senior Fellow at the Century Foundation Morton Abramowitz calls on EU member states to take a united stand on Martii Ahitissari’s blueprint for Kosovo’s “supervised independence” from Serbia. Even though Ahitissari’s proposal …More
When its Reform Treaty is finally ratified, the EU should consider installing a permanent European Security Council, suggests James Roger, Director of Operations for the Henry Jackson Society in Cambridge. …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
Only a broad coalition which includes the United States, European Union, Russia, China and India can successfully replace the West’s failed attempts to negotiate with Iran. Karim Sadjadpour, an Associate at the Carnegie …More
David Mathieson and Richard Youngs of Madrid’s FRIDE connect the European left’s declining commitment to democratization with perception of American foreign policy. For Mathieson and Youngs, …More
Niels Annen: I question the sustainability of Operation Enduring Freedom. And I see deteriorating coordination between ISAF and OEF and asks whether it is time to choose between the two. …More
Dirk Niebel: Britain, France and Germany should get tough on Tehran through European economic pressure. Nuclear progress has already emboldened the government, and the West must take decisive action before it is too late. …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
Stanley R. Sloan: NATO cannot meet the security needs of the United States and Europe. I propose a new cooperation framework among all NATO and EU states, with a focus on non-military teamwork. …More
John Hulsman: I offer four simple lessons in state building from the great British officer. A respect for history could help keep America out of future misadventures like the present situation in Iraq. …More
Violence and unrest have increased among Iran’s ethnic minorities, which make up half of the country’s 70 million inhabitants. As Western countries show growing interest in these developments, author John R. Bradley warns …More
Norine MacDonald of the Senlis Council — a security, development and counternarcotics group – briefs the Canadian Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development on Canada’s faltering …More
Michael John Williams: The EU Battlegroups, though small, are a step in the right direction. The United States can and should play a role in promoting further advancement of European expeditionary capability. …More
Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow at Chatham House, analyzes Israeli policy options towards Iran and potential consequences.
Though Israel would prefer that issues with Tehran be resolved diplomatically …More
What keeps the leaders and officials of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) awake at night? According to the Pentagon’s annual report to Congress on China, it’s not military expansion for its own sake, but how to hold …More
Memo 1: Members of the Atlantic Community commented on the appropriate role for the EU in Afghanistan. …More
Rudolf Adam: I warn that US influence on Israel is not enough to make peace. Forty years after the Six-Day War, domestic Israeli politics are the key to normalizing relations between settlers and Palestinians. The United States and EU should recognize that their powers here are limited. …More
Editor Richard Horton defends the results of a Lancet study on the Iraqi death toll, offering recommendations for new policy implementation. The Lancet survey reported the number of Iraqi …More
Negotiating a solution to the conflict between Morocco and Western Sahara faces many obstacles, reports Jacob Mundy of Foreign Policy in Focus. An increasing sense of nationalism among Western Sahara’s native …More
By autumn 2007, US Africa Command (Africom) headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany should be ready for initial operations, reports the International Herald Tribune. Africom is an administrative body that will coordinate US peacekeeping …More
Karsten Voigt: Shifting German troops out of the north of Afghanistan would be detrimental to the country. The troops should stay with their original mission, as they are providing significant support to the allied forces. …More
Alexander Rahr: The EU and Russia need more direct and frequent communication to avoid future conflict. Putin’s speech has set off a vicious circle: as Russia increasingly positions itself as an aggressor, the United States and Europe find further reason to ostracize Moscow. The worst the West could do would be to write off Russia in a return to containment policy. …More
A lack of strong European leaders has made German Chancellor Angela Merkel into America’s most important partner, say Jackson Janes and Stephen Szabo. Janes, Executive Director of the American Institute for …More
Although elections for the Senate and the President were held in April, Nigeria’s (democratic) future remains uncertain, writes Dulue Mbachu of ISN Security Watch. According to the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), the first vote was …More
In this letter Drima, a young blogger, voices concern about the calls for immediate UN intervention in Darfur by The Save Darfur Coaltition, 2007 . Although Drima, an Afro-Arab …More
Julianne Smith: I want the EU to take a stronger role in Afghanistan. The EU should act as a coordinating body for the reconstruction and development of the country. This would also strengthen Europe’s standing with its partners. …More
Maximilian Müngersdorff: The Darfur conflict continues to pose enormous challenges for the international community. …More
Daniel Fallenstein: Germans should learn from the strong American reaction to the Sudan genocide. The black-and-white US worldview is the only one that matters in such a clear-cut case of good vs. evil. …More
Karsten Voigt: I cannot foresee an end to the German and Allied commitment in Afghanistan as long as the Taliban pose a threat to the country’s stability. We cannot allow pro-terrorist groups to take over, and that good governance is a priority. …More
Efforts to solve the Darfur conflict continually follow the same fruitless pattern, writes Daniel Allot of The Weekly Standard:
- The West pressures the Sudanese government to stop violations, while threatening sanctions.
- Sudanese …More
In February 2006, 60 nations convened to compose the Afghanistan Compact, a blueprint for Afghanistan’s transitional government, which outlined the Action Plan for Peace, Reconciliation, and Justice. Yet the Action Plan, first …More
The Aon Corporation’s Political and Economic Risk Map provides a concise visual guide to risk management for international business ventures in 214 countries. Political volatility in individual states is …More
North Korean nuclear tests are symptoms of an unheralded threat: not the exertion of North Korean strength, but the prospective collapse of Kim Jong Il’s government. Weakness in Pyongyang could result in desperation, a WMD attack on the …More
|
