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Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2018

China Shifts into Top Gear on Electric Cars

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Beijing’s strategy seen likely to have a global impact China’s heavy investment in electric cars will have a significant global impact, panelists said at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi on January 12. China has “put all of their R&D bet on mobility in electric vehicles, not one dime in internal combustion […]

The Gulf

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2018

OPEC President Sees Oil-Cut Deal Sticking Through 2018

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The United Arab Emirates’ minister of energy and industry said on January 12 that a deal that cuts oil output with the goal of pushing prices higher will stick through the end of December 2018—despite rumblings in Russia for an early exit. Speaking at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi, Suhail Mohamed […]

The Gulf

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2018

Atlantic Council Kicks Off Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The Atlantic Council kicked off its second annual Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, on January 12. Atlantic Council President and Chief Executive Officer Frederick Kempe said that the forum, which marks the start of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, convenes the world’s energy leaders to “take stock of the challenges we […]

The Gulf

New Atlanticist

Jan 11, 2018

How North Korea Went from Testing Missiles to Figure Skating in the Winter Olympics

By Rachel Ansley

The most recent example of sports diplomacy between North and South Korea will not solve all problems between neighbors on the divided peninsula, but it certainly marks a step in the right direction. During a meeting between negotiators from Pyongyang and Seoul in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the border between North and South Korea […]

Korea

UkraineAlert

Jan 11, 2018

Why Are We Letting Russia Destroy a 16th Century Palace in Crimea?

By Halya Coynash

There are compelling grounds for fearing that Russia’s restoration work on the world-renowned Khan’s Palace in Bakhchysarai could forever destroy this vital monument of Crimean Tatar cultural heritage. While Russia denies the accusations, photos smuggled off the site are alarming, as are the construction company’s and architectural firm’s lack of experience in restoration work. The […]

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Jan 11, 2018

Trump is Upset with Pakistan. Here’s What You Need to Know.

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The Trump administration has cut off what is expected to be as much as $1.3 billion in annual security aid to Pakistan in an effort to compel this South Asian nation to end its support for terrorists. Is this a winning strategy? Unlikely. The United States has a longstanding relationship with Pakistan. However, in recent […]

Afghanistan Pakistan

UkraineAlert

Jan 10, 2018

Ukraine’s Got Plenty of Young, Principled, Genuinely European-Oriented Politicians

By Melinda Haring

Bloomberg columnist Leonid Bershidsky recently claimed that “it’s not easy to find younger, more principled, genuinely European-oriented politicians in Ukraine, but they exist.” In fact, Mr. Bershidsky, it’s really not that hard. In 2017, we profiled the promising and idealistic Olena Sotnyk and Sergiy Gusovsky, a Ukrainian MP and a member of the Kyiv city […]

Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jan 10, 2018

Ukraine: What to Expect in 2018

By Ruslan Minich

One should not have wild expectations for Ukraine this year. Although the country is more than a year away from the March 2019 presidential election, structural reforms won’t be a focus, international donors are getting impatient, and a large amount of debt is coming due.   What should we expect and follow in Ukraine this […]

European Union International Organizations

SyriaSource

Jan 9, 2018

Syria: In the Hands of Russia and Iran

By Michel Duclos

On December 11, Vladimir Putin declared the beginning of the end of Russia’s involvement in Syria, and proclaimed his “victory” from the Russian base of Hmeimim. In the same speech, he indicated that the conditions have been met for a political settlement of the Syrian war.

Syria

IranSource

Jan 9, 2018

How #IranProtests Compare with the 2009 Green Movement

By Holly Dagres

The latest protests that shook Iran seemingly came out of nowhere. What surprised many is that the some 40,000 protesters didn’t come from the perennially disgruntled middle class but were Iranians who hadn’t taken to the streets en masse since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. They had—and have—very real grievances about the economy, rampant corruption and […]