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New Atlanticist

May 7, 2020

After months of gridlock, Iraq gets a new government

By Atlantic Council

Iraq’s months-long quest to form a national government reached a major milestone on May 6 when a partial government under new prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was approved by lawmakers. Al-Kadhimi—who previously served as Iraq’s national intelligence chief—was nominated by Iraqi President Barham Salih on April 9 after two previous nominees failed to form a government. Although fifteen of the major cabinet posts were approved by the parliament, several others have not yet been confirmed—including foreign affairs, justice, oil, agriculture, and trade—due to failure to reach an agreement between major parties on their allocation.

Democratic Transitions Iraq

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2020

Achieving supply chain independence in a post-COVID economy

By Michael Greenwald

The United States can no longer remain content with the notion of a Chinese economic threat arising in the distant future. The advent of COVID-19 has made it more apparent than any other time including the US-China trade War that now is the moment for the United States, European Union, and other like-minded countries to diversify supply chains away from China.

China Coronavirus

The future is here

May 7, 2020

Pace of US job cuts eases, Moderna gets go-ahead for coronavirus vaccine trial

By Atlantic Council

US unemployment claims came in at the lowest level since coronavirus was declared a pandemic. Moderna got approval for the next phase in a vaccine trial. Russia overtook France and Germany as cases increased, while the United Nations appealed for billions more to help vulnerable nations cope with the disease and its impact.

Coronavirus

MENASource

May 7, 2020

New Iraqi government must face a pandemic and oil price drop

By Abbas Kadhim

The formation of a fully authorized government provides a chance for Iraq to address its most pressing twin crises.

Coronavirus Iraq

UkraineAlert

May 7, 2020

Putin woos Trump with WWII nostalgia but Russia’s hybrid war continues

By Eugene Czolij

Presidents Trump and Putin recently issued a joint statement praising the WWII meeting of US and Soviet troops as “an example of how our countries can build trust.” However, with Russia waging a hybrid war against the West, trust is in short supply.

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

TURKEYSource

May 7, 2020

How Turkey benefits from global LNG glut

By Eser Özdil

While Turkey’s gas supply security is enhanced, the domestic market benefits from the increasing competition in the global gas market. With LNG, Turkey can further diversify its gas supply sources and the state-owned gas company, BOTAS, can decrease the weighted average cost of imported gas.

Oil and Gas Turkey

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2020

The coronavirus crisis highlights the need to diversify risk sharing in Europe

By Sona Muzikarova

Capital markets have been one of Europe’s policy ‘slow-burn’ issues. The coronavirus crisis rearing its ugly head over Europe, along with Brussels’ slow coming together in formulating a shared rescue package, have reignited the need to balance public and private risk sharing and to diversify funding for European businesses.

Coronavirus European Union

IranSource

May 7, 2020

How the coronavirus is cementing Iran’s tilt towards China

By Ali Dadpay

Tehran cannot do without China, but Beijing can do without Iran.

China Coronavirus
gtc silhouettes of people gathered together

Event Recap

May 6, 2020

Video: Public service remains the essential undertaking that brings communities together

By GeoTech Center

Here at the Atlantic Council, we recognize that working to benefit people, prosperity, and peace for all globally requires committed public servants. Being a committed public servant can be especially hard in today’s world.

Civil Society Resilience & Society

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2020

German court decision complicates ECB coronavirus efforts

By Ole Moehr

“This is time for solidarity and boldness in the European response to this unprecedented crisis. Unfortunately, the [German] Court's decision endangers the ability of the Bundesbank to participate in the ECB's program in the long run. Besides, it undermines the authority of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and could provide a worrying precedent for states asserting their sovereignty with illiberal measures against the rule of law in Europe,” Benjamin Haddad says.

Coronavirus European Union