Atlantic Community:Home

An Auto Bailout Would Damage Free Trade

Matthew Slaughter, Dartmouth College | November 20, 2008

A bailout for the Big Three automotive companies could damage US engagement in the global economy. ++ Foreign investment and job insourcing would take a major hit, costing jobs and devaluing the dollar. ++ By expanding protectionist policies around the globe, the bailout would hinder US multinational businesses, including the Big Three auto-makers. ++ To keep up international competition, the US should not give support failing companies, but rather take care of dislocated workers. ++ In the end, the cost of this bailout would be far larger than the US Treasury can pay.

Don't Poke Badly Behaved Bears

Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times | November 20, 2008

Western oriented, business friendly, and governed by smart, young people, Georgia is a country on the rise. ++ NATO should not be her final resting place, though. ++ Georgia doesn’t meet NATO requirements for full control of its territory and a closer look reveals its media is like Russia’s: state run and laden with propaganda. ++ “Georgia’s future is economic growth,” not NATO – its war with Russia was avoidable. ++ Obama needs to engage Russia like China. ++ After all, “Poking badly behaved bears is no substitute for sober diplomacy.”

"Three Options for Obama to Engage Iran"

Emile Hokayem, The National | November 20, 2008

President-elect Obama has repeatedly stated that he is willing to open talks with Tehran. ++ Obama will continue to contain Iran through multilateral mechanisms as well as greater coordination with Arab allies, should Tehran decide to reject US overtures. ++ There are three options in dealing with Iran. ++ Obama could limit Iran’s engagement to issues of common interest, start a “head-on on engagement addressing the nuclear issue” or offer Iran “the best possible deal in exchange for immediate reciprocation on the nuclear and regional issues.”

Who Needs the G8 Anyway

Carolin Emcke, Die Zeit (in German) | November 20, 2008

In view of the economic crisis that has rocked the international community, the G8 has lost its right to exist. ++ Emerging nations like India took part in the G20 summit, discussing new finance regulation structures. ++ G8 nations have to understand that in a world where the US economy is highly dependent on the Chinese market, the circle of key players has expanded. ++ Including countries like Brazil in the decision-making process could give G8 nations a tool for pressuring them on questions of environmental protection and human rights.

Losing Hearts and Minds

Simon Jenkins, The Guardian | November 20, 2008

The lessons, as well as the history of Iraq, have been ignored and are now being repeated in Afghanistan. ++ The US and the UK have only succeeded to “reduce what should be one of the world’s richest countries to shambles.” ++ If there is one lesson from Iraq it is that “foreign expeditions undertaken in a spirit of jingoist revenge, with a crazed optimism and no strategic plan, are usually a bad idea.” ++ While Hamid Karzai seeks political reconciliation with the Taliban, US and British special forces continue their campaign of losing hearts and minds.

Samiullah Wardak, EC Delegation to Afghanistan

Mr. Samiullah Wardak was born in Kabul in 1976 and migrated to Pakistan at the age of five. In 2002 he returned to Afghanistan where he had been …

Heath Kern Gibson, Editor in Chief at DipNote

Heath Kern Gibson graduated from Denison University and received a master’s in public administration from Harvard. She is the director of …

Open Think Tank

Is the Taliban a Terrorist or an Insurgent Organization?

NATO Review | November 19, 2008 | 1 comment

Ahmed Rashid, author of the seminal book ‘Taliban,’ talks to NATO Review’s Paul King about how terror, tribalism and the Taliban fit together in present-day Afghanistan.