Innovative Proposals for the G20 Summit

This week, Atlantic Community, in collaboration with Policy Innovation e.V., turns its attention to the G8 and G20 summits. We will be publishing policy papers written by members of the German Delegation to the G8 and G20 youth events. Their Final Communiqué will be presented to the real heads of state of all G20 and G8 countries. Help to shape their ideas by commenting on the articles online! View

Transatlantic Policy on Syria: Call for Articles

Our fourth Theme Week is on transatlantic policy on the Syrian conflict. Since the war began in 2011, Western governments have yet to put forth a clear policy on Syria. Meanwhile, Assad continues to wage war on the rebels and the number of casualties is up to 70,000. We invite you to submit articles on how the transatlantic partners should respond to this war. View

Embracing Brazil: Transatlantic Cooperation to Confront Global Challenges

In Atlantic Community's Memo on Brazil, members agree that the transatlantic community must embrace the rising power as a valuable partner in combating  major global challenges, including development issues, climate change, energy policy, and global trade. Existing initiatives established with Brazil should be taken advantage of, and new ones should be created. View

The World Braces Itself As North Korea Flexes Its Muscles

Since the beginning of 2013, North Korea has successfully carried out three nuclear tests and has launched a satellite into orbit. Although the rogue nation has a history of threats and provocative actions, there is growing global concern over what North Korea can and will do. Atlantic Community's Press Commentary provides you with opinions on the subject from around the world. View

Security in the Sahel: Regional Initiatives in Pursuit of Long-Term Stability

In Atlantic Community's Memo. "Security in the Sahel," our members outline their policy recommendations on transatlantic policy in the Sahel region of Africa. Dr. Thomas Bagger, Head of the Policy Planning Staff of Germany's Federal Foreign Office, has now provided his feedback on the Memo. Let us know what you think by commenting online!

Have ideas on foreign policy? Write a 500-700 word op-ed, offering your own policy recommendations on an issue important to the transatlantic community!
The best policy ideas go into our memo workshop, where Atlantic Community members debate the issues and look for consensus.
Recommendations that are supported by Atlantic Community members get collected into Atlantic Memos, our policy papers which we present to decision makers.
The Atlantic Community editorial team works to get our Memos in the hands of top policymakers, who periodically offer their feedback on atlantic-community.org.
By crowdsourcing the best ideas from our members and getting their voices heard by influential players in Europe and North America, Atlantic Community is helping to shape the debate and future policy.

Your Opinion

Editorial Team | May 17, 2013

How to Write a Great Op-Ed

As an open think tank we provide a platform for anyone with good ideas on how to improve transatlantic policy. We encourage students and professionals to develop and share their analyses, commentary, and policy advice on contemporary issues of the economy, international security, and globalization. This text will explain how to: plan your arguments, and structure your piece. Please read the entire text carefully before sending in a submission. View
 
Editorial Team | May 15, 2013 | Comments: 1

Is Syria Like Iraq?

Joshua Landis, Director of the Center for Middle East Studies and Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma, argues in this article, "The US should not lead the way in Syria. Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have a much greater stake in Syria and should lead the way. Their interest will be sustained. They have the money, advanced weapons, and strong religious motivation to help the rebels and defeat Iranian and Shiite influence in Syria." View
 
Scott Firsing | May 13, 2013

Don't Miss the African Opportunities

There has been some warranted concern from the Atlantic Community about the involvement of China and others in Africa. Some Western countries are trying to tackle this issue and gain back lost stature and influence on the continent. This includes United States president Barack Obama, who met with African leaders from Cape Verde, Malawi, Senegal, and Sierra Leone in late March 2013. However, are they doing it right and are they doing enough? View
 
Alma Laiadhi | May 10, 2013

The Three Pillars Leading to Gender Equality

Sheryl Sandberg is right in saying that "we have to admit something that's sad but true: Men run the world." While women represent half of the global population, they are still under-represented in many parts of modern society. Changing this is not just a moral obligation; there is also a correlation between the denial of human rights to a country's female population and that country's level of poverty. It is essential that the G8 and G20 act as leaders in closing this gap. View
 
Irene Adamski | May 09, 2013

The SDR as a Successor to Bretton-Woods

The banking crisis of 2008 and 2009 has shown that an independent currency is necessary. A long-term overhaul of the global financial system could elevate the "Special Drawing Rights" (SDR) of the IMF to a global currency and acting base unit for the international financial framework. The advantage would lie in the strongly reduced dependency on a single national economy for stability and a possibly more objective reflection of economic (power) dynamics. View
 
Michael Borsky | May 09, 2013 | Comments: 1

The Time is Ripe for a New Global Trade Agreement

While talks on a global trade agreement headed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) grind to a halt, it could be an arrangement by the Group of Twenty (G20) that would mark a new milestone in international trade. In times of economic difficulties, such as today, this would be a very welcome development, both for developed and developing countries. The G20 must take the initiative and agree on a framework for a new global trade agreement. View
 
Lea Kliem | May 08, 2013 | Comments: 1

It's Time to Move Beyond Plastic

Around one hundred million tons of plastic float in the world´s oceans and are threatening the health of marine and coastal ecosystems, on which we, as humans, depend. Although various initiatives and international agreements have recently been put in place to prevent the further pollution of the oceans, if the protection of these waters is to really be taken seriously, governments need to commit themselves to reduce plastic production. View
 
Mina Saidze | May 07, 2013

Reflecting Upon Century-long Development Policies and Their Prospects

To ensure that exploitative practices towards developing countries end, the international community must work on three things. First, it must close loopholes in international law which enable the private sector to exploit the resources of the developing world. Second, it must reflect critically upon the implementation of structural instruments for aid, such as reporting obligations. Third, it must implement better methods of evaluation to ensure that aid is used responsibly. View
 
Mirko Woitzik | May 06, 2013

Targeted Killings in International Public Law: Present and Future Challenges

Drones have become a central component of national defense policy agendas. While the use of drones in recognized armed conflicts and war zones can be legitimized as just another means of automatic warfare, their use in relation to inter-state force and subsequent efforts to legitimize them in this context poses a threat to international public law and human rights standards. An independent investigative authority may contribute to limit human rights violations and collateral damages. View
 
Martin Hinkens | May 03, 2013 | Comments: 2

Afghanistan: A Story Untold

Three decades of war have made Afghanistan one of the world’s poorest countries. Military intervention after the 9/11 attacks has fuelled an internal conflict between Islamic extremists and a government struggling for legitimacy. This has led to huge numbers of casualties. However, despite the grim history of the conflict, there is evidence for optimism. Western publics should be made aware of the achievements made in integrating the country back into the region during the past twelve years. View