Content

MENASource

Oct 6, 2021

Why Israeli gas and Syrian sanctions relief may turn on Lebanon’s lights

By Matthew Zais

Before the United States and World Bank throw a lifeline to either Bashar al-Assad or Lebanon, they should demand concessions that reduce Iranian and Russian influence in the region.

Lebanon
Middle East

New Atlanticist

Oct 6, 2021

Trade could transform US-India ties

By Mark Linscott

Washington and New Delhi need a joint vision for a deeper, broader, and more integrated economic relationship.

Economy & Business
India

Blog Post

Oct 6, 2021

Geopolitical change and the emergence of Chinese banking

By Elmar Hellendoorn

Although China's "Big 4" state banks remain focused on supporting domestic Chinese growth and consumption for now, they are also increasingly active across international borders. Their global expansion could seriously challenge the primacy of Western banks and may thus have geopolitical reverberations.

China
Economy & Business

SouthAsiaSource

Oct 6, 2021

Pakistan’s domestic politics following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan

By Dawood Ghazanavi

Though discussions abound about how South and Central Asia might align to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan, the ramifications of the Taliban takeover will also play out in the domestic affairs of Kabul’s neighbors. Looking at the evolving relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan, questions remain as to how Pakistani politics and society will change amid the cessation of conflict but new Taliban regime next door. 

Afghanistan
Extremism

New Atlanticist

Oct 5, 2021

How a misguided Vietnam analogy sealed the Afghanistan disaster

By Paul D. Miller

During Afghanistan, the Vietnam analogy said a lot about the state of mind of those using it—a state of mind that ultimately led policymakers to make decisions based on a faulty view of the war.

Afghanistan
Conflict

UkraineAlert

Oct 5, 2021

Saakashvili arrest overshadows Georgian ruling party’s election win

By Peter Dickinson

Georgia’s ruling party Georgian Dream secured victory in October 2 local elections but the imprisonment of returning ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili leaves little realistic chance of an end to political tensions.

Elections
The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Oct 5, 2021

Kishidanomics: Investing in Japan’s green, digital future

By Alexis Crow

Newly minted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is hoping to kickstart a "virtuous cycle of growth" with public and private investment.

Digital Policy
Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Oct 4, 2021

Time to rethink Ukraine’s fight against corruption

By Bohdan Vitvitsky

The ongoing struggle against corruption in Ukraine would benefit from greater coordination among the country's international partners and a longer term strategy, argues Bohdan Vitvitsky.

Corruption
Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Oct 4, 2021

The Pandora Papers should reinvigorate Biden’s anti-corruption push

By Andrew R. Marshall

An anti-corruption campaign appeals to disparate domestic groups but also is bound up in many of the core objectives Biden has staked out for the United States in the world. 

Corruption
Economy & Business

IranSource

Oct 2, 2021

Iran said nuclear talks will continue ‘soon.’ But how ‘soon’ is ‘soon’?

By Nadereh Chamlou

Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated that Iran plans to return to the negotiations “soon” after internal assessments of the nuclear file are completed by Raisi’s cabinet, but adding that Iran’s notion of “soon” is different from the West’s “soon.” Two factors may be behind these cryptic comments.

Iran
Middle East