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Sefi Rachlevsky, Haaretz | February 22, 2012

Defense Minister Ehud Barak has three conditions for war: it must delay Iran’s nuclear program; there must be minimal harm to Israel; and it must receive US and international support. ++ The Netanyahu government has had 20 months to prepare the home front but has not even built a respectable fire service. ++ Netanyahu is seen by Obama as seeking to ruin the Democrats’ reelection bid with an Iran war. ++ He is also endangering the US relationship by undermining democracy and increasing the size of the illegal outpost in Migron.

Thomas Wright, Brookings Institution | February 21, 2012

Europe’s most powerful leaders are now aligned with the Republicans on major international issues. ++ European states disagree with Obama on the appropriateness of his stimulus package. ++ In opposing the quantitative easing program, Romney and Gingrich align with a tight European monetary policy. ++ Europe would benefit from Mr Romney’s opposition to reducing America’s military footprint anywhere. ++ The question of how to deal with the recession is a European question that the American people will also vote on in November.

Richard Clarke, Middle East Institute | February 20, 2012

Arab-Israeli tensions are being played out by citizen hacktivists on both sides. ++ If a hacker causes real physical damage to critical systems it could quickly involve governments in the real world. ++ There is no operations center that a nation can call to compel another nation’s citizens to stop online attacks. ++ Washington and Moscow are beginning to explore using their direct channels to discuss cyber concerns. ++ Any international cooperation could encourage financial damages or outside monitoring of internet traffic for non-compliance.

Dmitri Trenin, Carnegie Moscow Center | February 17, 2012

Russia hopes to gain benefits from mediating the Iran dispute. ++ Historically, there has always been conflict between Russia and Iran. ++  Due to this past animosity, the notion of Russia being Iran’s ally sounds strange to most Russians. ++  Russia views Iran as a former empire reaffirming itself as a regional player. ++ Being close neighbors, Russians do not wish to see Iranian nuclear weapons. ++ Russia believes that diplomacy and integrating Iran into the international system is the only way to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.

Dennis B. Ross, Former Middle East Envoy | February 16, 2012

Isolated and struggling from devastating sanctions, Iran is now giving signs of renewed interest in diplomacy. ++ The regional balance of power has shifted since Arab countries are unafraid to condemn Iran, and Syria is weakened from within. ++ Iran cannot obtain credit for critical investment in its energy sector, and its currency is hugely devalued. ++ Israel is more likely to give sanctions and diplomacy a chance due to Iran’s position. ++ This is the moment to engage Iran and seek a diplomatic solution.

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Building Partnerships: Q&A with NATO's James Appathurai

Editorial Team  |  February 22, 2012  | 1 comment
Editorial Team

Join Atlantic Community for our first Question & Answer session of 2012. NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy James Appathurai will be taking your questions on NATO partnerships and regional initiatives, and answering in a video response.

Opening a Novel Chapter in US-Russian Arms Control

Tomas A. Nagy  |  February 21, 2012  | 1 comment

Close to a year ago, the New START Treaty took effect. While the treaty extends beyond 2012, there is further room for activity this …

Entrepreneurial Foreign Aid

Kevin Dean  |  February 20, 2012

Congress and the State Department should create an online marketplace that allows entrepreneurs and small businesses in developing …

Transatlanticism: From a Political to a Social Identity

Kristin Durant  |  February 17, 2012  | 7 comments

Most important for the transatlantic relationship is the education and engagement of younger populations in debates which will affect …

Your Ideas, Your NATO: A Closer Look at the Issues

Joshua Clapp  |  February 14, 2012

In conjunction with the “Your Ideas Your NATO” competition, we are providing an overview of the three categories of the contest: …

atlantic-community.org

Your Ideas, Your NATO: Policy Workshop Competition

atlantic-community.org  |  February 13, 2012

We are excited to announce our newest policy workshop! We want you to tell us your ideas for promoting NATO values, building …

Amrit Deecke Naresh

Iranian Oil: Out of Ideas and Out of Cash

Amrit Deecke Naresh  |  February 13, 2012  | 1 comment

Western sanctions are just one reason Iran’s oil industry is facing a crisis of output and sustainability. Eventually, Iran’s leaders …

Your Research

BA Thesis:
Responsibility to Protect: Far From a Neo-colonial Project

Amal Varghese  |  February 16, 2012  | 1 comment

This paper will oppose the arguments put forward by Mahmood Mamdani and others that the …

Mohammad  Saber

Term Paper:
Ethnic Conflict and Language Rights

Mohammad Saber  |  February 9, 2012

The Afghan conflict has ethnic and language roots. A long term resolution of the conflict …

MA Thesis:
The Yemeni Question

Dave Roddenberry  |  February 9, 2012  | 2 comments

As Yemen continues its downward trajectory, its strategic position means a multinational …

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