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Des Browne and Volker Rühe, Former Defense Ministers | May 18, 2012

The NATO summit in Chicago needs to be about more than just Afghanistan. ++ The Alliance must also respond to defense cuts, troubled relations with Russia, and the lessons from Libya. ++ There are three main areas for action. ++ First, NATO must help create the conditions for a world free of nuclear weapons. ++ Second, the summit is an opportunity for the Alliance to reassure Russia on missile defense while also finding ways to cooperate across a range of issues. ++ Third, NATO must pursue more pooling of defense resources.

Editorial, The Washington Post | May 16, 2012

European leaders must pay close attention to the “austerity vs. growth” debate. ++ Although there is much condemnation of Europe’s austerity cure, critics are unsuccessful in finding solutions to fund growth. ++ Debtors must become more competitive in the global market. ++ Spain cut unit labor costs by 8.5%, compared to its European counterparts, between 2008 and 2011. ++ Germany responded by cutting its labor costs by 2%, thereby maintaining its lead. ++ If this continues, debtors will be unable to increase exports and grow.

Jon Kyl, US Senator (R-AZ) | May 15, 2012

Only hours after reassuming the presidency this month, Vladimir Putin called on the United States to provide “firm guarantees” that its missile-defense system in Europe will not be targeted against Russia. ++ President Obama was unable to offer a “legally binding” guarantee, but was more than willing to provide a political assurance. ++ Any such assurance will be a mistake and violate America’s right to defend itself. ++ Putin must be made to understand that although the US is willing to cooperate, it will never sacrifice its right to self-defense.

Brahma Chellaney, Center for Policy Research, New Delhi | May 14, 2012

Asia faces significant roadblocks to continued success. ++ The region must deal with territorial disputes, historical rivalries, and competition over resources. ++ Asia has no proper security architecture. ++ While China is rising, the other Asian nations are rising as well and feel compelled by Chinese actions to work closer with the US. ++ Asia has also neglected comprehensive growth: inequality, corruption, and the environment are all problems. ++ With such challenges, it is not guaranteed that Asia will forge a new world order.

Patrick Jenkins, The Financial Times | May 11, 2012

Spain must be bold in order to reestablish confidence in it banks. ++ Without healthy banks, the Spanish economy will continue downhill. ++ Current measures have been too little, too late. ++ Policymakers have been indecisive and instead of offering solutions are blaming others for unfairly targeting Spain. ++ In reality, the banks need fresh money. ++ Spain has not addressed its problems quickly enough and most likely needs European bailout money. ++ Bailouts are better than half-hearted measures.

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Your Opinion

Accepting Our Limits Makes for a Stronger Alliance

Joerg Wolf  |  May 19, 2012

Atlantic-community.org’s editor-in-chief was part of a group of 59 politicians, scholars, and other observers invited to take part in the Atlantic Council and Foreign Policy Magazine’s survey on the future of NATO. Here he explains why he answered the way he did and offers some thoughts about why NATO needs to focus on building capabilities, not proving its relevance.

NATO and the R-Words: 10 Takes on the Chicago Summit

Joerg Wolf  |  May 20, 2012  | 3 comments

A plethora of op-eds in the US and German media argue that the Alliance needs to be rescued, revitalized, resurrected, and reinvented. …

Putting the Finishing Touches on Chicago

Ramin Daniel Rezai  |  May 18, 2012

Preparations for the Chicago Summit are well underway, as NATO extends formal invitations to its strategic partners, undertakes …

NATO

Improvised Explosive Devices: The War of the Invisible Bombs

NATO  |  May 17, 2012

More than half the casualties among the NATO forces in Afghanistan in 2011 were caused by improvised explosive devices (IED). This is …

Defining Partnerships: Why the "Stability" Critique is Flawed

Josiah Jason Surface  |  May 16, 2012

Stability is a desirable outcome for all parties in the Mediterranean Dialogue. This does not mean returning to the failed policies of …

Andrea Teti

The Dangers of "Stability": A Rebuttal to Atlantic Memo 39

Andrea Teti  |  May 16, 2012  | 3 comments

Western governments need to recognize that authoritarian regimes are often fierce but not strong; that privatization is rarely the …

Hollande and Afghanistan: A Delicate Balance

Vivien Pertusot  |  May 16, 2012

Tensions are already emerging between France’s new President and key partners. The potential for early French withdrawal from …

Your Research

Term Paper:
Anti-Corruption in Afghanistan and Pakistan: What Works and What Doesn't

Ahmad Rashid Jamal  |  May 18, 2012

Corruption is a severe problem in many Asian countries, especially in Afghanistan and …

Term Paper:
Return to the Empire

Gökhan Tekir  |  May 11, 2012  | 2 comments

The paper analyzes how the Russian Federation uses energy as a foreign policy instrument. …

MA Thesis:
Human Security, Peacebuilding, and the Hazara Minority of Afghanistan

Annika Frantzell  |  May 3, 2012

This thesis seeks to examine the lack of investment in the human security of the Hazara in the …

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