RSS

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.

US Misinterprets Asian Power Equilibrium

With its focus on China, the Obama administration loses sight of India's importance as a strategic partner in Asia. ++ The US' Asia policy "lacks a distinct strategic imprint." ++ Obama looks at India primarily in terms of India-Pakistan engagement even demanding that New Delhi "come to aid of terror-exporting Pakistan." ++ Asian geopolitical transitions are vital for international strategic challenges. ++ "America saves too little and borrows too much from China" and lacks appreciation for India.

Obama Must Approach Turkmenistan and Belarus

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 aims to include Belarus in a military pact. ++ "The longer the West stays on the sidelines [...] the harder it will be to achieve anything in the region." ++ Obama has to learn to manage "the vagaries of geopolitical push-and-pull" and grasp the opportunity of collaboration with the countries' leaders.

North Korea: As Truce Ends, Ships Must Be Searched

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 of the truce with South Korea, it allows the US, a combatant in the conflict and leader of the UN Command, to use force. ++ Risk of war is low, the danger of proliferation high. ++ The US must act to stop North Korea from proliferating weapons, including nuclear ones, and intercept and search its ships.

World Must Condemn Honduran Coup

The coup against Honduran President Zelaya should be reversed. ++ There must be united international condemnation with heavy pressure from the US, a crucial trade partner. ++ Yet, the crisis opens the way to address a regional problem. ++ Zelaya has worked to undermine democratic institutions, including Congress and the Supreme Court. ++ The world must condemn the abuses that prompted his removal - abuses prominent in Latin American countries and endangering democracy there.

Africa is a Role Model for Climate Catastrophes

In the face of uncertainty as to when the impacts of climate change will begin to hit harder, developed societies must improve their ability to adapt to the crisis. ++ Poor southern countries are expected to be the first struck, yet northern countries might not cope as well as them. ++ "Despite material and technological advantages... developed countries are culturally constrained when it comes to the inevitable reduction of living standards." ++ In matters of adaptation, the north must learn from Africa.

Afghan Balance Sheets Will Show Western Mistakes

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 will not be won with weapons, inadequacies such as "deficits in international coordination, unkept promises and rivalry among governments" must be addressed. ++ "There are manifold reasons for the EU's failure." ++ The next step must be stronger cooperation among governments.

Iran Gives the US Another Chance at Israel Peace

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 Bank and even East Jerusalem. ++ This approach of "raising the stakes" even though Israel is making an effort is flawed because it is politically unnecessary. ++ "The best course nevertheless lies in striking a quick deal with Ehud Barak this week under cover of the tumult in Tehran" and press for a regional settlement.

Strong UN Agreement on Crisis a Step Forward

A landmark agreement by all 192 UN states on the financial crisis last week was a small but important step forward as it acknowledges our global interdependence. ++ The UN said "we have allowed economic globalisation to outpace political globalisation - we do not have the institutions or the mindset to respond collectively in ways that advance the wellbeing of all" in a communiqué more forceful than that of the G20. ++ The G192 were willing to raise key issues that the internal politics of the G20 may have made too sensitive, like corruption.

Germany in Afghanistan: Go Big, or Go Home

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 respect, empathy and support. ++ Finally, they must admit that wars are not won half-heartedly:  keeping the number of troops low increases the necessity for air strikes, which increases the number of civilian casualties, intensifying Afghan sympathies towards the Taliban, and thus danger to the troops. 

Peace in Gaza: Principles, Not Preconditions

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 and must be valuable parties in peacemaking. ++ During my interviews with Hamas, they stated their desire to heal rifts with Fata and establish a state alongside Israel - under their conditions. ++ This pragmatic shift represents a key opportunity; preconditions should be substituted with negotiated principles for all actors.