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SouthAsiaSource

Dec 16, 2021

The world must pay attention to Pakistan’s air pollution crisis

By Dawar Butt

In 2021, Lahore was dubbed “the second megacity with the worst air quality” – only second to New Delhi. But air quality is a country-wide, perennial problem in Pakistan, which as a whole has also been ranked as the second worst country in the world in terms of air quality.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2021

Is the EU about to build its own military capacity? Thanks to Germany, the jury’s still out.

By Francis Shin

Supporters of increased European military integration have taken the new coalition’s interest in an assertive foreign policy as a sign that EU military capacity may one day be feasible. But they should temper their hopes.

Defense Policy European Union

EconoGraphics

Dec 16, 2021

Global Sanctions Dashboard: Holiday edition

By Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese, Maia Nikoladze and Castellum.AI

Coordinated actions against Belarus and global human rights abusers, sanctions on African states, and anti-kleptocracy reform.

Africa Belarus

MENASource

Dec 16, 2021

Libya’s elections are on December 24. But should they be postponed?

By Karim Mezran

While electing representative governments may seem to be the most effective way to achieve greater freedom to many Western democracies, there are reasons to believe that holding elections in Libya now may create more violence after a decade of civil war.

Elections Libya

SouthAsiaSource

Dec 16, 2021

US sanctions on Bangladesh’s RAB: What happened? What’s next?

By Ali Riaz

On December 10, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Bangladesh’s elite paramilitary force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), as well as seven of its current and former officers due to serious human rights violations. This has created a stir in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Human Rights

UkraineAlert

Dec 15, 2021

Learning the lessons from Ukraine’s post-Maidan reform experience

By Anton Yashchenko

Learning the lessons from Ukraine’s post-Maidan reform experience: the country's Reforms Delivery Office team has shared ten key insights based on the past five years at the heart of the country's ambitious reform agenda.

Civil Society Corruption

BelarusAlert

Dec 15, 2021

Belarus joins Vladimir Putin’s Russia behind Europe’s new Iron Curtain

By Brian Whitmore

Europe’s new Iron Curtain runs along the western frontiers of Russia and Belarus. Over the past year, Putin has successfully solidified Moscow's dominance over Belarus. The Kremlin leader now appears determined to subdue Ukraine by force.

Belarus Conflict

Fast Thinking

Dec 14, 2021

FAST THINKING: What the US-UAE arms dispute reveals about influence in the Gulf

By Atlantic Council

Can these partners resolve their differences? Our defense insiders swooped in with their insights.

Defense Technologies Security & Defense

IranSource

Dec 14, 2021

What happens if Iran nuclear talks collapse?

By Masoud Mostajabi

On December 9, the Atlantic Council’s Future of Iran Initiative (FOII) held a virtual public event on whether a ‘Plan B’ exists in the event the nuclear talks fail.

Iran Middle East

SouthAsiaSource

Dec 14, 2021

Will Afghanistan become another Somalia, Yugoslavia, or Medellin?

By Javid Ahmad

With no regional consensus on the way forward, the mixed dangers of Afghanistan morphing into another Somalia, or breaking into a loose confederacy of statelets like the former Yugoslavia, or becoming the next drug-replete Medellin is not a distant possibility.  

Afghanistan Economy & Business