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Atlantic Council blogs provide short-form analyses from Council experts and a wider community of global voices on the world’s most important news stories.
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UkraineAlert

Jun 8, 2021

Ukrainians fear betrayal over Putin’s pipeline

By Diane Francis

The prospect of NATO and US-Russia summits in mid-June is creating anxiety in Ukraine, which finds itself in the role of bystander despite the nation’s prominent position on the agendas for both meetings.

European Union Geopolitics & Energy Security

MENASource

Jun 8, 2021

Five years of Russian aid in Syria proves Moscow is an unreliable partner

By Jonathan Robinson

After Russia’s first year in Syria, Russia became even more explicit with its intentions about the use of humanitarian aid. In other words, humanitarian aid had become a key soft power instrument.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Jun 8, 2021

Ukraine’s post-2014 public procurement progress is under threat

By Max Nefyodov

An amendment adopted by the Ukrainian parliament on June 3 sets an awful precedent that could pave the way for further exemptions of major construction projects from Ukraine’s public procurement laws and regulations.

Corruption Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jun 8, 2021

Biden is building a doctrine around democracy. Will it work?

By Daniel Fried

It’s a compelling vision. But achieving it will be fraught. As the United States has discovered many times, big plans have a way of breaking down when they meet messy reality.

China International Norms

UkraineAlert

Jun 7, 2021

Ukraine’s new football shirt leaves Russia furious

By Peter Dickinson

Russia has reacted with fury to Ukraine's new national football team jersey featuring a map of Ukraine. Kremlin anger is focused on the inclusion of Crimea, which is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine but has been under Russian occupation since 2014.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Jun 7, 2021

Secretary General Stoltenberg explains why NATO is getting serious about cyber and China ‘is not an adversary’

By Daniel Malloy

Jens Stoltenberg appeared at the Atlantic Council’s Washington headquarters ahead of next week’s NATO summit in Brussels and on a US trip that is also scheduled to include an Oval Office visit with President Joe Biden.

China Cybersecurity

The future is here

Jun 4, 2021

The post-COVID world this week: The Wuhan lab-leak theory and the new way we’re paying for our pandemic purchases

By Andrew R. Marshall

What can we expect from a post-COVID world after a pandemic that has reshaped international affairs? A world in which we may still be paying off our pandemic era purchases.

Coronavirus Education

MENASource

Jun 4, 2021

Libya’s fragile ceasefire: A lost opportunity?

By Wolfgang Pusztai

On April 16, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2570, approving arrangements for a ceasefire monitoring mechanism and the deployment of UN monitors. But will a sixty-person team be sufficient to prevent the renewed outbreak of hostilities in this deeply split country?

Libya Middle East

Event Recap

Jun 3, 2021

Event recap: “Kabul and a peace process divided”

By Atlantic Council

On June 1, 2021, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted former Afghan Minister of the Economy and current Special Representative & Senior Advisor at the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Dr M. Mustafa Mastoor and South Asia Center non-resident senior fellows Ambassador Omar Samad and Dr Nilofar Sakhi for a substantive conversation on developments in Kabul related to the ongoing peace process.

Afghanistan Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2021

China is a present danger to Europe. NATO’s defense plans must respond.

By John R. Deni

In not emphasizing threats from China in the DDA, the Alliance comes up short. China isn’t some challenge of tomorrow or threat that has yet to fully form; even today, it is a clear and present threat to allied security in Europe and beyond.

China Europe & Eurasia