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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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EnergySource

Jul 16, 2021

Gazprom’s folly: In seeking to deliver Nord Stream 2, it may undermine its own access to EU markets

By Alan Riley

After six years of debate and controversy over Nord Stream 2, the pipeline is now close to physical completion. Gazprom now wants to ensure that it is not just completed, but that it also receives all EU regulatory clearances rapidly, so the pipeline can be brought online. However, issues regarding compliance with existing EU law, prospective legal challenges, and consequences of Russian geopolitical natural gas power plays may complicate that narrative.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Fast Thinking

Jul 16, 2021

FAST THINKING: Biden’s China policy is coming into focus

By Atlantic Council

What do this week's moves on Xinjiang and Hong Kong signal about the Biden administration’s emerging China policy? Our experts on economic statecraft connect the dots.

China Economy & Business

EnergySource

Jul 15, 2021

Fit for 55: Reshaping global climate leadership and transatlantic cooperation

By The Global Energy Center

Global Energy Experts analyze the impact and highlights from the newly released European Union "Fit for 55" climate action package.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

New Atlanticist

Jul 15, 2021

Why China’s digital currency threatens the country’s tech giants

By Jeremy Mark

China's drive to develop technologies fueled by data has given its corporate crackdown a more profound purpose: to expand the data sources available to the government.

China Digital Currencies

UkraineAlert

Jul 15, 2021

Is Kazakhstan experiencing the early stages of a democratic awakening?

By Rustam Kypshakbayev

While it is too early to speak of a democratic awakening in Kazakhstan, current trends suggest that the country may be moving in that direction. This could have major repercussions for the wider region.

Central Asia Civil Society

UkraineAlert

Jul 15, 2021

Putin’s new Ukraine essay reveals imperial ambitions

By Peter Dickinson

Russian President Vladimir Putin has outlined the historical basis for his claims against Ukraine in a controversial new essay that has been likened in some quarters to a declaration of war.

Conflict Disinformation

Fast Thinking

Jul 15, 2021

FAST THINKING: What’s next for space travel

By Atlantic Council

On this episode of Fast Thinking, David Bray and Inkoo Kang of the GeoTech Center discuss the future of space governance, China and Russia's independent missions, and the inevitable commercialization of space travel.

Space Space Security

MENASource

Jul 15, 2021

Empower Syrians Not Warlords: Against the re-branding of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

By Rahaf Aldoughli and Azzam Al Kassir

Currently, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s ambition for complete governance is only lacking external legitimacy. If HTS gains this, it will be to the detriment of civil society groups and Syrians who aspire toward human rights.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 15, 2021

A US-UK hacking probe offers a fresh approach against Russia

By Justin Sherman

The international collaboration underscores the importance of being carefully narrow about scoping cyberspace “red lines” in talks with the Russian government.

Cybersecurity Intelligence

MENASource

Jul 15, 2021

Second Berlin Conference on Libya: Where to from here?

By Karim Mezran and Hafed Al-Ghwell

Libya’s political system prior to the elections is preferred but not imperative. What is essential is giving the Libyans a strong voice on the outcome of their political system.

Libya Middle East