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Larrabee, Johnson, Gordon, Wilson et al., RAND | November 2012 Abstract provided by RAND: "In the coming decade, NATO faces growing fiscal austerity and declining defense budgets. This study analyzes the impact of planned defense budget cuts on the capabilities of seven European members of NATO - the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland - that together represent more than 80 ...More

Stephen M. Walt, Harvard University | November 12, 2012 Five paramount issues exist in shaping the US foreign policy agenda. ++ Managing America’s Asian alliances means a competition for influence in the Asia-Pacific. ++ In dealing with the Arab Spring US leverage will be limited. ++ With regard to the Israel-Palestine conflict a two state solution will not be applicable. ++ The administration will have to ...More

Damien Ma, Eurasia Group | November 9, 2012 Political, economic and societal inconsistencies have increased during Hu's tenure in office. ++ In foreign policy, China has made progress with regard to the Taiwan issue, but has worried Asian states and the USA with growing "hawkish" assertiveness. ++ The next administration of Xi Jinping and the CCP must close the credibility gap on issues like political ...More

Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger, FAZ (in German) | November 8, 2012 America's s polarization is not only an academic and media notion, it is real. ++ Obama must engage in overcoming this societal and party chasm. ++ The country needs a bipartisan approach to consensus given increasing domestic and international challenges. ++ A prerequisite is: the Republicans have to acknowledge their defeat. They must act responsibly ...More

Editorial, New York Times | November 7, 2012 Obama’s re-election victory was not a sign that a fractured nation had finally come together on Election Day. ++ “Richer Americans supported Mr. Romney, while poorer Americans tended to vote for Mr. Obama. There also remained clear divisions among voters by gender, age, race and religion.” ++ “Midwestern voters seemed to endorse the ...More

Martin Feldstein, Harvard University | November 2, 2012 "Recent events at the European Central Bank, in Germany, and in global financial markets, make it worthwhile to consider a favorable scenario for the common currency’s future." ++ Interest rates on Italian and Spanish bonds decreased on the international bond market. ++ If the euro were to depreciate and be at parity with the US dollar, Spain, Italy and ...More

Doug Bandow, Cato Institute| October 31, 2012 America does not need a military presence in Europe. ++ In the past, collecting allies served as a means to an end, namely security. ++ Today it is an end in itself. ++ The objects of multilateral training and “partnerships” are unclear. ++ The burden continues to remain on Washington to provide foreign charity, while American security is not being ...More

S. Müller-Kraenner & S. Langsdorf, Böll Foundation | October 2012 The report "A European Union For Renewable Energy - Policy Options for Better Grids and Support Schemes" is written by Sascha Müller-Kraenner and Susanne Langsdorf and commissioned and published by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung: "The European Union needs a common vision for its energy future. A shift towards renewable energy sources will increase ...More

David Pilling, The Financial Times | October 29, 2012 Asia has many overlapping organizations, but none have the depth required for the complex area. ++ Pax Americana has traditionally filled the vacuum and enabled Asian nations' economic ascendency, but this becomes less tenable with each passing year as China rises. ++ The region must develop a strong institutional framework to deal not only with economic issues ...More

Geneive Abdo, Stimson Center | October 26, 2012 In celebration of Iran's "Ten Years of Nuclear Resistance," Deputy Secretary Bagheri depicted Obama's dual strategy as counter-productive, doing little to change behavior. ++ And he may be right. ++ Despite pressure from the West, 87% of the Iranians still consider their nuclear program important. ++ At the same time, 65% blame the economic hardships on ...More