New Atlanticist | Atlantic Council of the United States

Helping Ukraine Help Itself

Nikolas Gvosdev | January 06, 2009

We are seeing a familiar pattern repeating itself. A dispute between Naftohaz and Gazprom leads to an interruption in Ukraine's gas supply. Deliveries to Europe are affected. Russia is criticized for its use of "the energy weapon". Then, everything is patched up, the gas flows again and the West loses interest in the matter until the next dispute flares up.

Polls: Gaza and Sarkozy

James Joyner | January 06, 2009

Our new poll asks, "Who is most to blame for the current violence in Gaza?" Is it Hamas, whose refusal to stop terrorist rocket attacks on Israeli civilians provoked the attacks? Or is it Israel, for swatting at a gnat with a sledgehammer?

Germany's Ever-Changing Stimulus Package

Peter Cassata | January 06, 2009

First it was €40 billion. Then it was €25 billion. Now it may be as high as €50 ($68.1) billion. The changes to Germany's proposed economic stimulus package rival those of TARP. The plan, which will reportedly focus on schools and public works, remains stalled by conflicting domestic political debates over tax cuts within Merkel's governing coalition.

Transatlantic Divide on Israel Attacks in Gaza

James Joyner | January 05, 2009

In a post titled "Transatlantic Differences," Alex Massie muses about how differently Americans would react than Brits to news that two members of the shadow cabinet of the conservative party had entered (separately) into homosexual civil unions.

Energy Independence Fallacy

Robert Manning | January 05, 2009

A smart energy policy is one that successfully integrates energy security (adequate, reliable supplies of energy at reasonable prices), national security and climate change policies so that they are not pulling in opposite directions.

The War in Georgia and Europe's Terrible Silence

David J. Smith | January 05, 2009

Georgian troops on patrol near the de facto border with South Ossetia, December 18, 2008

Four months after the hot phase of Russia’s war on Georgia, Russia continues to violate the European Union-brokered ceasefire agreements of August 12 and September 8. Notwithstanding, the EU on December 2 resumed Partnership and Cooperation Agreement talks with Russia, which it had suspended September 1 in the wake of Russia’s August assault on Georgia.

Taxing Credit Default Swaps

Mark Foley | January 02, 2009

It is common wisdom that the incoming administration cannot possibly increase government tax revenues in these horrific economic conditions. However, this common wisdom is simply wrong. There is a major new source of revenue available to the government – the shadow financial system.

New Year's Déjà Vu: Will Russia Cut Off Gas to Ukraine?

Peter Cassata | December 31, 2008

Russia is threatening to cut off gas flows to Ukraine on January 1 if Kyiv does not fork over $2 billion in late payments and finalize new gas prices for 2009. However, a stop in gas supplies now will be different than it was in January 2006; this time around Ukraine has amassed enough reserves to get it through the winter (as has Germany).

Eastern European Leadership Needed

Peter Cassata | December 30, 2008

In 2009, an Eastern European should fill the top spot of a major international organization, a recent Economist editorial argues. From power players like the EU Commission and NATO to "lesser posts" like OSCE, the Council of Europe, and the EBRD, Eastern Europeans have been noticeably underrepresented at the leadership level.

From Peshawar to Batumi: Time to Realize the East-West Corridor

David J. Smith | December 30, 2008

Hakimullah Mehsud makes an eloquent practical argument for development of the East-West Corridor that runs from the Black Sea to the Caspian, across Georgia and Azerbaijan. His Taliban guerillas are attacking NATO supply convoys traveling from Pakistan to Afghanistan and they recently struck a major logistics depot in the Pakistani town of Peshawar.