Atlantic Council

Chief Al Qaeda ideologue Ayman al-Zawahiri gave a good indicator of the current status of his organization’s ideological appeal when Al Qaeda released a video last week.

Speaking to the Atlantic Council last Thursday, CIA director Michael Hayden declared that, "although Al-Qaeda has suffered serious setbacks, it remains a determined and adaptive enemy" and vowed that, while the American people have grown naturally complacent about the threat, he and his colleagues remain vigilant every day, motivated by the fact that the country "never faced an enemy so committed to our destruction."

One of the more provocative projections in the NIC's "Global Trends 2025" report is a prediction of the end of U.S. dominance in world affairs.

"What can be done about the growing threat of Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden?" seems to be the question of the week.  Saturday's seizure of the Saudi ship Sirius Star, an oil tanker carrying about $100 million worth of cargo, set off a wave of pirate activity this week, culminating with news that an Indian frigate sank a pirate vessel late Tuesday.

Thomas Fingar, the chair of the National Intelligence Council, spoke to the Atlantic Council tonight on the release of "Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World."

The latest seizure of a Saudi oil tanker by Somali pirates presents an opportunity to improve relations between Russia and NATO.

Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, speaking at the Atlantic Council today, declared that Russia's justification for invading Georgia, that it was defending its friends abroad, is one that has been used by Russian autocrats for centuries to justify a doctrine of imperialism.

During his address this evening to the Atlantic Council, ISAF commander General David McKiernan emphasized the many positive trends in Afghanistan, noting that he preferred a "Glass Half Full" view. 

Last week's remarks by CIA director Michael Hayden at the Atlantic Council continue to draw widespread comment.

After several days of speculation, it is being reported that Hillary Clinton has been offered the post of Secretary of State and will accept it. While intrigued by Barack Obama's "team of rivals" concept, my initial reaction was unease with Clinton's credentials for the office.