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A careful selection and summary of editorials, commentaries, and analyses from the world’s leading newspapers and magazines to help you stay on top of the latest debates and developments in the transatlantic agenda. See list of monitoring sources.
Readers can also see how the perspectives and priorities diverge in different regions.

The Gap Between China and India Widens

The gap between China and India continues to grow, despite the tendency to group the emerging countries together. ++ China’s GDP is four times that of India and will likely double over the next 30 years. ++ By 2040 Chinese GDP is expected to make up 40% of global output, making it the biggest power in the world. ++ India has a number of options in how to respond to this shift in power—build its military, enter into alliances with the US, Russia, and Japan, settle disputes with China sooner rather than later, or hide from China.

Emerging Countries Backing Iran on Nuclear Program

China has replaced Russia at the UN Security Council as the one remaining obstacle to coercive sanctions on Iran's military nuclear ambitions. ++ The possible Chinese veto finds a sound echo among the emerging countries. ++ Brazil reaffirms its support to Iran even in the darkest times of Iranian diplomacy while Turkey would very much enjoy a trouble-shooter status. ++ Positions from Nigeria, the African heavy weight, and Lebanon, the only Arab country sitting at the Security Council, are unpredictable.

Rebuffed America Turns into Self-Centered America

US President's move to give up on Czech and Polish missile defence projects for a new deployment in Romania a few months afterwards might be confusing at first sight. ++ It is in fact another sign of Obama's shift towards a foreign policy focused on American interests. ++ Shortly after the failure of the US President's attempts at a "co-operative relationship with the rest of the world", the American strategy has turned into a "phased, adaptive approach."++ China, Russia and Iran should not be surprised to witness a more "mailed fist" America.

Yemen is Not Afghanistan - Yet

Sana,  the capital city proves the country is far from the gloomy picture of a terrorists' homeland. ++ In spite of Al Qaeda's deterring influence on tourism, there are English-speaking newspapers, N.G.O.s and a Yemeni population willing to overcome difficulties.++ But Sana's week central government over a "patchwork of rural tribes" has allowed Al Qaeda to take root in the lawless southern region. ++ Most Yemeni people are illiterate and live on less than $2 a day. ++ Education good governance are solutions to stop the "Al Qaeda Virus."

Iraq Inquiry Threatens Blair's Legacy

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”. ++ Despite attempts to charm his interrogators and the British people, Blair is viewed as little more than George W. Bush’s lackey. ++ Further damaging testimony accuses Blair of misinforming his cabinet members and essentially duping them into supporting the war. ++ The final report is expected to come out by the end of this year.

Term Two is an Uphill Battle for Merkel

After the first 100 days of her second term, Angela Merkel is receiving poor reviews from both the German public and the media. ++ The new “political dream team” of the Christian Democrats and the Free Democrats is quickly turning into a nightmare. ++ Many argue that the Christian Democrats’ vague campaign has translated into a dull second term agenda. ++ “She has been stung by critics who say she isn’t so much leading her new government as moderating it.” ++ Conditions for Merkel are expected to worsen before they improve.

EU-US: the One Way Love

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 treaty has not yet answered Kissinger’s question: "If I want to call Europe, who do I call?" ++ The EU seems more interested in the US than the US in the EU. ++ If diplomacy is really about signs and symbols, the EU has reasons to be worried. 

Realist Idealism in Iran

Iran’s well known nuclear ambitions prove American diplomatic engagement wrong. ++ There is a clear need for reconciliation between both realist and idealist approaches. ++ A balance can be reached by supporting the Green Revolution to ensure a democratically appeased regime on the one hand and by expressing solidarity instead of military commitment on the other hand. ++ Promoting ways to consolidate the various anti-government minorities into a sustainable and organized opposition looks like such a way.

London Conference Exposes Contradictions

Last week’s London conference has reached two major consensuses: there needs to be a 5 year plan to shift security responsibilities to the Afghan people and Taliban members need to be lured out their ranks and into the mainstream. ++ The summit exposed a number of contradictions between goals and strategy, namely between the US troop surge and political reconciliation with the Taliban. ++ “Until coalition forces are able to bolster their position militarily and talk from a position of strength the Taliban will have no incentive to negotiate.”

US Deficit Projected to Shift World Order

President Obama has projected that it will take at least ten years to eliminate America’s budget deficit. ++ The US could face a situation similar to the one Japan did—as its debt rose, its influence worldwide declined. ++ “How long can the world’s biggest borrower remain the world’s biggest power?” ++ For this reason, Obama hopes to wind down the war in Afghanistan as soon as possible. ++ Obama will have to balance short-term spending on job creation with long-term cuts in domestic programs.