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EconoGraphics

Feb 26, 2018

Are Italians giving the establishment the boot?

By Alexatrini Tsiknia and Ole Moehr

Italians go to the polls on March 4th to elect a new government. Under a new electoral system, the outcome is uncertain. The Global Business and Economics program looks at some key economic indicators that could influence the election.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2018

The Curious Case of Latvia’s Banking Scandal

By Bart Oosterveld and Graham Brookie

Two developments have rocked the Latvian banking system in recent days. Last week, the country’s third-largest bank, ABLV Bank, was accused by the United States Treasury Department of systematic money laundering and aiding in the circumvention of the sanctions imposed on North Korea. Separately, Latvian Central Bank Governor Ilmars Rimsevics, one of the longest-serving central […]

Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2018

Trump’s New Sanctions Hit North Korea Where it Hurts Most

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump on February 23 announced that his administration has imposed what he described as the “largest-ever” set of new sanctions on North Korea. The US Treasury Department later announced measures to cut off sources of revenue and fuel that have helped North Korea advance its nuclear program. Treasury said the action […]

Korea

MENASource

Feb 23, 2018

From the front lines of Yemen’s lawless Taiz

By Afrah Nasser

With one hand holding the hose for hookah and the other his beeping cell phone, a conversation with Mohammed al-Qadhi is constantly interrupted. He swiftly takes a glance at his cell phone and says, “Excuse me, it’s breaking news I must send this to my editors.” He grabs his phone and he begins tapping. As […]

Yemen

Trade in Action

Feb 23, 2018

TRADE IN ACTION February 23, 2018

By Global Business & Economics Program

HEADLINESGlobal: The final version of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was released on Wednesday, signalling the pact was a step closer to reality even without involvement by the United States. 

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Feb 22, 2018

US Army’s ‘Teacher Corps’ Faces an Uphill Battle Providing Instruction to Foreign Troops

By Elisabeth Braw

Supply teachers are not to be envied. While they may be highly qualified in a particular subject, they re often sent in to teach classes they are not familiar with and doing so without the necessary training. Over the past several years, similar scenes have been repeating themselves in Iraq and Afghanistan, where Western troops […]

Afghanistan Iraq

New Atlanticist

Feb 22, 2018

Nicolás Maduro is About to Steal Venezuela’s Election

By Rachel Ansley

Jorge Quiroga does not believe that the presidential elections scheduled to be held in Venezuela on April 22 will be free or fair. In fact, he contends, “they’re not elections.” The former president of Bolivia is not alone in that opinion.

Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Feb 22, 2018

I Spy A North Korean at the Olympics

By Ashish Kumar Sen

North Korean Gen. Kim Yong-chol is believed to have orchestrated a deadly attack on a South Korean warship, the bombardment of a South Korean island, and, possibly, the cyberattack on Sony Pictures. Now, the former North Korean spy chief is on a different mission. Kim Yong-chol will lead his country’s delegation to the closing ceremony […]

Korea

New Atlanticist

Feb 22, 2018

Future Tense: Putin’s Re-Election a Given, But What Comes Next?

By Stephen Blank

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s re-election on March 18 is a foregone conclusion. Why, then, does this elaborately staged charade garner such attention abroad? Perhaps that is because the election is not important in itself as much as for the question it poses of what comes next. This election’s importance resides not in its occurrence or […]

Russia

UkraineAlert

Feb 22, 2018

Ukraine Is Not an Afterthought

By Stephen Blank

One of the Russians attending the Munich Security Conference last week tweeted that based on the speeches he had heard, Ukraine was an afterthought in Europe. Nothing would comfort Moscow more than to believe that for the West, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is merely a minor concern. That would make the tasks of obstructing the […]

Russia Ukraine