Perspectives from International Organizations in New York and Washington, D.C.

Atlantic Perspectives Interview Report, nº. 18

The conventional dynamics of pan-Atlantic relations and North-South dichotomy have changed dramatically over the past ten to twenty years, with Southern countries rising to greater economic and political prominence. Fundamental changes are taking place within and between Atlantic countries, yet many of these are eclipsed by, or ultimately part of, growing globalization and multipolarity. These may be accompanied by the relative decline of the European Union as it turns inward to meet internal challenges and as political and economic gravities shift. Historical and cultural ties provide a deep foundation for interregional cooperation between Atlantic countries on issues such as trade, drug trafficking, and governance of shared commons. Yet whether these ties can form the basis for a new “Atlantic Rim,” or whether instead the dynamics and trends within the Atlantic herald an increasingly interconnected and globalized world whereby the relevance of these linkages weakens, remains to be seen.