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MENASource

Feb 24, 2022

Syria has a water crisis. And it’s not going away.

By Aurora Sottimano and Nabil Samman

The current water crisis wasn’t entirely unexpected. Profound changes to Syria’s hydrology have been taking place for decades due to mismanagement, climate change, economic growth, intensified water use, and heightened competition for water across international boundaries.  

Energy & Environment Middle East

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: Is snatching a seaport Putin’s next move?

By Atlantic Council military fellows

The Kremlin could invade Ukraine beyond the separatist line of control in the Donbas with virtually no unambiguous warning, according to our military experts.

Belarus Conflict

Hybrid Conflict Project

Feb 23, 2022

Today’s wars are fought in the ‘gray zone.’ Here’s everything you need to know about it.

By Forward Defense experts

Our experts help illuminate this shadowy zone of strategic competition—and offer ways for Washington and its allies to begin seizing the advantage. 

China Conflict

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2022

What I heard in Munich: A lot of bold words, but little bold action

By Anna Wieslander

As long as there are doubts about who belongs to Europe (and how), that means weakness and vulnerability for all.

Crisis Management Europe & Eurasia

BelarusAlert

Feb 23, 2022

Belarus joins Putin’s new Russian empire

By Brian Whitmore

Vladimir Putin appears to have succeeded in the unofficial annexation of neighboring Belarus with news that Russian troops deployed ostensibly for military exercises will now remain in the country indefinitely.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Feb 23, 2022

Time to go after the Kremlin’s wallets

By Doug Klain

Going after the Kremlin’s oligarchs who stash their illicit wealth in the West is an essential move that should happen now before Putin goes further in his campaign to end Ukrainian independence and revise Europe as we know it today.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

MENASource

Feb 23, 2022

China and Russia are proposing a new authoritarian playbook. MENA leaders are watching closely.

By Ahmed Aboudouh

It’s on major Western democracies to make democracy appealing again by aggressively filling the gaps China and Russia exploit to make the world more accommodating to their political models and the new trend of rising authoritarianism.

China East Asia

Fast Thinking

Feb 22, 2022

FAST THINKING: The West strikes back against Russia’s Ukraine incursion

By Atlantic Council

Germany canceled Nord Stream 2, while the US and Europe hit Russian banks and elites.

Crisis Management Economic Sanctions

SouthAsiaSource

Feb 22, 2022

Alienating the West is not in Pakistan’s interests

By Syed Abdul Ahad Waseem

Islamabad's foreign policy should focus on maximizing its power–both hard and soft–and that means maintaining good ties with Western countries. It is possible to achieve this without risking relations with the East.

China Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Feb 22, 2022

Russian Hybrid Threats Report: Despite debunking of false flags, Putin recognizes breakaway republics

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Council's open-source researchers break down how the Kremlin is seeking to justify incursions in Ukraine, and where the troops are moving.

Belarus Disinformation