New Atlanticist

Crisis in the Sahel: Transnational Terrorism

Rudolph Atallah — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:31:32 -0500

While some suggest the threats in the Sahara and Sahel are local or regional in scope, their impact is global. Even a cursory overview of the involvement of North Africans as itinerate jihadists linked to al-Qaeda demonstrates this.

Syrian Opposition Strategy: Negotiate in Geneva and Keep Fighting

Hussein M. El-Amach — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:19:59 -0500

The recent joint statement from US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov set events into motion to end the Syrian tragedy by revisiting the June 2012 Geneva Communiqué.

Overcoming Obstacles to Russia-West Cooperation

Julian Lindley-French — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:33:31 -0500

The Moscow River flows through this ancient seat of Russian power like a timeless reminder of a timeless country and its seemingly endless space. The Moscow European Security Conference at which I yesterday spoke is a jewel in the crown of Russia’s Ministry of Defense.

Crisis in the Sahel: Mali Terrorism Threat Growing

Rudolph Atallah — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:11:12 -0500

Over the past year, things have escalated dramatically in Mali, causing further instability in the Sahara and the Sahel. Many skeptics underestimated the Islamist threat and claimed that the Saharan branch of Al-Qaeda in the Magreb (AQIM) was only focused on kidnappings for ransom and illicit trade, rather than jihadist activities.

Mapping a New Era for Latin America, the United States, and Europe

Gabriel Sanchez Zinny — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:58:55 -0500

President Obama's trip to Mexico and Costa Rica has put Latin America back at the center of Washington's foreign policy debate, for a few days at least. The visit comes at a time when Secretary of State John Kerry has not yet visited the region nor given any important speech on Latin American affairs.

Crisis in the Sahel: Overview

Rudolph Atallah — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:29:06 -0500

North Africa and the intertwined Sahel, from Egypt to Mauritania, is a region that has undergone profound and destabilizing political and social change in the last several years, especially since the “Arab Spring” of 2011. Nascent political systems, newly empowered non-state actors, and underlying structural problems in the region contribute to an increasingly volatile mix, the implications of which—especially terrorism—are global in scope.

Remember That Historic Arab Spring Speech?

Amy Hawthorne and Michele Dunne — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:40:41 -0500

"We have the chance to show that America values the dignity of the street vendor in Tunisia more than the raw power of the dictator ... America must use all our influence to encourage reform in the region ... we need to speak honestly about the principles that we believe in, with friend and foe alike."

Which prominent American spoke these words?

Three Benghazi Myths

R. Nicholas Burns — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:30:27 -0500

The Benghazi controversy’s return to Washington’s raging partisan wars continues to portray our political culture at its worst.

Algeria: A Powder Keg Ready to Explode?

Karim Mezran — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:35:41 -0500

Algeria may be teetering on the brink of a crisis, with the three pillars of the regime’s stability—its powerful military, abundant revenues from hydrocarbons, and the façade of a democratic political system—beginning to crumble. Despite the lack of attention in Western media, Algeria is undergoing what could be viewed as a pre-revolt stage, as the state faces simultaneous security, social, and political challenges.

Hollande's Europe

Julian Lindley-French — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:02:12 -0500

“It is my responsibility as a leader of a founder member of the European Union...to pull Europe out of this torpor that has gripped it, and to reduce people’s disenchantment with it. If Europe stays in the state it is in now, it could be the end of the project.” Europe owes French President Francois Hollande a deep debt of gratitude.