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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 Attacks in Pakistan Must Continue

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 terrorist threats. ++ The US must find a way to balance its relations with President Zardari of Pakistan, and also continue its attacks against the Taliban on Pakistani soil, where they are accepted by many locals. ++ Pakistan needs US support to overcome its economic problems as well.

Moscow Carefully Eyeing Afghanistan

Russia is convinced that it can deal with the West, but worries about the dangerous Afghanistan. ++ The well-being of the Russian economy and a good relationship with its domestic Muslim population depend on a stable Afghanistan. ++ Therefore, the announcement to conduct military maneuvers with Kazakhstan could be a sign that Russia is deciding to take responsibility there. ++ The US was not able to fight the Taliban successfully, but maybe Russia can be a viable protector against the possible "Talibanization" of the region.

US Should Reduce its Dependence on Oil

McCain's campaign is turning everything into a cultural wedge issue - including energy policy. ++ Republicans who favor the exploitation of more and more oil ignore the need for an energy policy that diminishes the US dependence on this resource. ++ Dependence reduces the US ability to compete in the age of globalization and endangers its economic and military power. ++ McCain had better understand that "there is no strong leader without a strong country" if he does not want to look like he is putting "lipstick on a pig."

Waiting for the New, New, New, New World Order

This time, the declaration of a new world order does not depend on the next US president. ++ Now, it is the new economies that are shaping geopolitics, not the US. ++ Moreover, the complex matrix of various actors hinders global governance and, right now, any possible order is regional. ++ The successful policy of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the reorientation of the Persian Gulf states towards Asia, however, indicate who has the ability to be the next global power: China. ++ So if there will be a new world order, Beijing will lead it.

Wake up and Smell the Multilateralism

The unipolar moment after the Cold War passed as quickly as it emerged. ++ The new US president will suddenly see some decisions also being made in Beijing, Moscow, and Europe. ++ A league of democracies would be nonsense in the current geopolitical mess. ++ A "for-or-against"-the-US view would bring some definition to new poles but it would be more flexible than Bush depicted. ++ America's mistake was to disdain multilateralism and to overreach itself. ++ Europe's was to assume the rules-based system is a model to the world.

Mexico Could be the New China

Due to high oil prices that make transport more expensive, US companies might stop outsourcing to Asia and give Mexico another chance. ++ China's export taxes are rising, its workers are demanding higher wages and the Chinese currency is rapidly appreciating against the USD. ++ Therefore, Mexico is the better choice, but it also has to cope with challenges such as high raw material costs and expensive labor. ++ Mexico's ability to train qualified technicians and engineers will be the key in the competition with China.

"The Russians Aren't Coming"

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 worthwhile allies and efforts to woo China have largely failed. ++ Capitalism requires Russia to behave and if energy prices continue to slide, Medvedev may have to be less arrogant. ++ It needs the West much more than the West needs Russia and it can ignore that fact only at its own peril.

Learning to Act Like a Nuclear Power

The domestic political culture in India determines whether India will work out in its new role as a nuclear power. ++ So far, suspicion and accusation among the politicians hindered India's democratic institutions to produce a coherent notion of national purpose. ++ External actors such as China and the US have again and again manipulated the preferences of India's politicians. ++ But now it is about time to develop a strong and independent national agenda which takes the responsibilities of a nuclear nation-state into account.

Questioning Candidates' Security Ideas after 9/11

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 new government refuses to cooperate in the war against terror. ++ Other questions concern the candidate's plans to authorize the use of force or to collaborate with Israel to stop the Iranian nuclear program. ++ As 9/11 painfully reminds everyone, security "challenges insistently reassert themselves."

Growing Concerns About Russia

A poll revealed that Americans and Europeans were troubled over the growing power of Russia even before the attack on Georgia. ++ Respondents in Europe and the US were united in concern about the Kremlin providing weapons to the Middle East, Russia's energy monopoly, and its behavior toward its neighbors. ++ What they don’t agree upon is how to respond to the Kremlin's new assertiveness; the EU is more willing than the US to assist Georgia and Ukraine, but less willing to restrict cooperation with Russia in international organizations.