Atlantic Council blogs

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.
View all
of our blogs
Subscribe to our
newsletters

Latest from across our blogs

The future is here

Mar 27, 2020

Coronavirus toll doubles in a week; British prime minister tests positive

By Atlantic Council

The number of recorded coronavirus cases and deaths has more than doubled in the past week, with the death toll approaching 25,000 people. The pace of casualties has been even higher, with hot spots emerging in a handful of states beyond New York, the epicenter of the US outbreak. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson became the first world leader to test positive for coronavirus.

Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2020

US cuts Afghan aid: Will it bring peace closer?

By South Asia Center

Recent weeks have seen Afghanistan politically paralyzed with both Ghani and Abdullah setting up parallel governments in Kabul, after both claimed victory in the September 2019 presidential elections. Secretary Pompeo attempted to push the Afghan government(s) towards talks with the Taliban and failed.

Afghanistan Conflict

MENASource

Mar 27, 2020

Coronavirus is exacerbating the precarious situation of Syrian refugees and IDPs

By Pınar Dost

As the countries across the world attempt to grapple with the unfolding pandemic, there is a real risk of overlooking the situation of refugees, who due to their living conditions are among the most vulnerable to a serious outbreak. The pandemic comes at a particularly precarious time as the future of Idlib and the EU-Turkey migration deal are in doubt.

Coronavirus Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2020

Leading through the mud

By Daniel Fried

The sacrifices required to defeat the coronavirus do not require mass death. Loose talk of allowing coronavirus to kill people—young as well as old—to advance a politically-driven schedule for an early announcement of success is morally abhorrent.

Coronavirus Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Mar 26, 2020

Russo-Ukrainian War: Putin must be held accountable

By Olena Zerkal

Russia is seeking to legitimize the Kremlin-created separatist republics in eastern Ukraine as a way of distancing itself from the ongoing conflict, but if Putin is not held accountable, other countries may share Ukraine's fate.

Conflict Russia

Elections 2020

Mar 26, 2020

US strategy in Iraq and the coronavirus plot twist

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Tehran is betting that the world is too consumed with managing a pandemic to hold them accountable—and that the US administration is unwilling to stay the course in Iraq because it is too gun shy in an election year and too financially strapped by the coming burden of US unemployment. The implications of a global pandemic make that a risky bet.

Conflict Coronavirus

EnergySource

Mar 26, 2020

Stimulus bill’s lack of funding for the SPR and clean energy is a lose-lose for the country

By Randolph Bell

Not including $3 billion for purchase of crude for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) or support for clean energy initiatives in the soon-to-be passed $2 trillion stimulus package is a missed opportunity and a lose-lose for US energy security and leadership on climate action.

Coronavirus Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2020

Dual demand and supply shocks have created historic oil crisis, IEA executive director says

By David A. Wemer

Dramatically lower oil demand due to the coronavirus pandemic and an emerging supply glut caused by the failure of major oil producers to cut production has slammed the global oil market with a crisis “unique in history,” according to Dr. Fatih Birol.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance

AfricaSource

Mar 26, 2020

A rough road ahead for Nigeria

By Aubrey Hruby

Africa’s giant, Nigeria, is awakening to a new economic and social reality as a result of the coronavirus crisis. The country of two hundred million has already recorded over fifty cases and its first COVID-related death. News of high-profile infectees is starting to drive social change and spur calls for stronger government action.

Africa Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2020

Coronavirus crisis sends shockwaves through US labor market

By Bart Oosterveld

The US Department of Labor’s unemployment release on March 26 gave fresh numbers to display the shocking and historic impact of the spread of the coronavirus and the resulting economic collapse in the United States. Initial weekly unemployment claims through March 21 came in at 3.28 million, a historic high surpassing all but the most pessimistic forecasts as well as the experiences in prior sharp downturns such as the oil crisis and global financial crisis.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics