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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.

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.

Israel and Palestine Do Better on Their Own

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 region, there has been progress made in the last year. ++ Violence in both territories has decreased, there have been no suicide attacks against Israel, and there is a strong economic outlook for both areas. ++ Much of this success can be attributed to Israel and Palestine tuning out world leaders.

Davos Reveals Unexpected Gap

The Davos Economic Forum 2010 reaches very little outcome regarding the current economic and financial challenges. ++ Still, what strikes most is the surprisingly widening gap between fast-recovering emerging economies and old struggling transatlantic economies. ++ As opposed to Europe and the US spending 25% of their GDP on refunding the financial sector, 75% of the world growth has been achieved on a Mumbai-Shanghai axis. ++ Davos questions the relevance of the G20 nowadays.

3 Step Survival Kit for the Eurozone

The EU will bail out one of its fellow members for the first time in its 11 year-long honeymoon with the euro. ++ After Greece and Portugal, Spain is likely to ask for support as well. ++ What should be done in order to prevent the eurozone from faltering?++ First, a transparent crisis-management system to impose string-attached bail-out plans; second, a strong political leadership from the Eurogroup; and third, more financial European integration . ++ Lack of political will is again more to be feared than monetary difficulties themselves. 

Arms Race Replaces Détente in Iran

The United States boosts missile defence in Gulf States, sweeping away Obama’s renewed strategy towards Iran. ++ Washington’s foreign policy goes back to basics: military containment. ++ This move is also meant to deter Israel from taking any pre-emptive action. ++ Confidence is the final expected result, but it may not have the awaited outcome, for Iran is both a strong regional power and a weakened authority fearing its own people at home. ++ This inherent duality makes the results of the restraining plan virtually unpredictable.

Google-China Fight: Second Round in Davos

The up-coming Davos Forum is the perfect place to have a real debate about the limits to global information freedom. ++ The Google vs. China fight is not a David vs. Goliath-like struggle, for technologies do not side with freedom and progress, but profit. ++ Hilary Clinton, advocating the American position, invites Mr. Hu to "tear down this Great Firewall". But this goes far beyond a sheer digital cold war. ++ The human right to information is at stake and "googlistas," supporters of Google, want this controversy to happen. 

Gulf States Remain Silent on Iran

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 who will win and whether it will make a difference." ++ Arab states need to be more pro-active in shaping a stable outcome for Iran and its subsequent regional integration. ++ These countries should use economic interdependence in the region as a leverage point with Iran.

To Ban or Not to Ban the Burqa? That is the Question

It is a violation of human rights when a government either mandates or prohibits women from wearing a burqa or niqab. ++ The government in France is trying to do just that by making it illegal for women to wear the garments in public. ++ “People must be free to make these decisions for themselves, not have them imposed by governments or enforced by the police.” ++ Of the 5 million Muslims in France, less than 2,000 wear both garments. ++ The issue is being used by politicians as a way of deflecting public anger over rising unemployment.

Taliban to Be Part of the Post-war Government

The international coalition involved in Afghanistan is seriously considering negotiating a peace process with the Taliban in the next international conference in London. ++ The deal is the following one: “renounce violence in order to be part of the democratic process.” ++ This option comes shortly after the recent increase in foreign troops meant to put pressure on Taliban leaders and force them into accepting a truce. ++ Karzai had already reviewed that strategy but had not been backed up by his international allies.

Southern and Northern Sudan Likely to Divorce in 2011

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 amicable divorce. ++ The US and the UK need to “stop pretending that the marriage can be saved, accept the reality, and help broker an agreement that prepares for the breakup by insuring that both parties' needs are met.” ++ Advocacy groups are urging the Obama Administration to monitor the upcoming election more closely.