The "Global Atlanticists" Network
The "Global Atlanticists" Network, initiated by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in 2003, is a bipartisan transatlantic network of German and U.S. lawmakers and key policy advisors. It was established to promote a mutual understanding of key interests, and to further the US-EU strategy debate on crucial issues like migration, nuclear proliferation, Iran and Middle East policy. The "Global Atlanticists" network aims at "globalizing" the transatlantic debate and cooperation: We want to broaden the transatlantic agenda and provide a dependable basis for effective European-American cooperation.The Network's Goals:
- Provide an environment for a straightforward transatlantic dialogue on German, American, and transatlantic foreign, security, and development policy after September 11, 2001;
- Deepen the understanding of the internal political and social framework on both sides of the Atlantic, which underpins foreign policy and national security decisions;
- Improve the transatlantic framework for managing different economic, political, and military capacities;
- Build up and strengthen personal networks.
The "Global Atlanticists" network has already met in nine conferences and exchange visits since 2003 in the U.S., Germany, Russia, and Morocco.
9th Meeting: April 13-16, 2010 in Washington, DC and New York City
- The Fallout from the Financial Crisis: Unemployment and Labor Market; Regulation of the Financial Sector
- Confronting International Security Challenges with Hard and Soft Power: Nuclear Non-Proliferation, Disarmament, Security and Development/Smart Power, Security Policy (U.S., EU and Russia)
- Devising a Joint International Security Strategy and Mobilizing Resources in Times of Fiscal Distress
- European-American Responsibility and Cooperation in a Multipolar World
- New York: Managing the Global Economic Crisis: The Role of the UN in Global Economic Governance; Testing the UN's Security Role in a Multipolar World: Afghanistan
New York program organized in cooperation with the FES New York Office and the Century Foundation.
8th Meeting: May 16-19, 2009 in Moscow, Russia
Organized in cooperation with the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO).
- Coping with the Global Financial Crisis: From National Crisis Management to Sustainable Multilateral Solutions?
- Iran, Afghanistan, Middle East: Common Strategies to Address Challenges in the "Arc of Conflict"?
- European Security Governance and NATO-Russia-Relations: Window of Opportunity for a New Strategic Partnership?
- Event Report (Russian)
7th Meeting: April 13-16, 2008 in Washington, DC
- Confronting Threats Beyond National Boundaries: The Need for Transatlantic and Multilateral Cooperation
- On the Eve of a US Recession: Implications for the Transatlantic Partners and the World Economy
- The Future of Transatlantic Relations in a Global Context
Thorsten Benner (Global Public Policy Institute, Berlin) is a member of the group and has written an article as a result of this year's meeting on the need for a German/European Iraq strategy. The article has been published in German in the Financial Times Germany on May 5th, 2008 FTD Artikel Benner and in English in the Guardian on May 14th, 2008.
6th Meeting: October 31st - November 4, 2007 in Rabat, Morocco
- Political Islam
- Regional Security Cooperation
- Economic Development in the Middle East
5th Meeting: September 14-18, 2006 in San Diego/Anaheim, California
- Conflict Transformation: The Six-Party Talks with North Korea – What Lessons Can be learned for other States with Nuclear Ambitions like Iran?
- Comprehensive Strategies for the Reaction of Democratic States to Terrorism
- Tour of the U.S.-Mexican Border
- Tour of Long Beach Port: Discussion with Officials of the Port of Long Beach, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and the Joint Terrorism Task Force on Harbor Related International Security Issues
4th Meeting: October 13-16, 2005 in Berlin
- The Future of German-American Cooperation on Global Issues
- Migration and Religion: Integrating Immigrants with Different Religious and Cultural Backgrounds
- World Order 2020: European-American Strategies for Dealing with Emerging Powers and Reforming the UN
- Turkey's Place in Europe: The EU Crisis and the Debates on Enlargement and Neighborhood Policies
3rd Meeting: January 30 - February 2, 2005 in Washington, DC
- A Common Strategy for the Broader Middle East
- The Challenge of Dealing and Trading with Emerging Economies
- Demography and Immigration
- The Meaning of Values and Religion in American Domestic and International Politics
2nd Meeting: April 3-5, 2004 in Washington, DC
- Common Security
- Democracy Promotion: Different Approaches - Joint Responsibilities?
- Social Justice in a Free Market Economy
1st Meeting: November 8-10, 2003 in Berlin
- New Threats, Old Threats, and How to Deal with Them
- New Forms of Transatlantic Cooperation
- Practical Questions of Cooperation: Iran