Content

UkraineAlert

Jul 15, 2021

Is Kazakhstan experiencing the early stages of a democratic awakening?

By Rustam Kypshakbayev

While it is too early to speak of a democratic awakening in Kazakhstan, current trends suggest that the country may be moving in that direction. This could have major repercussions for the wider region.

Central Asia
Civil Society

UkraineAlert

Jul 15, 2021

Putin’s new Ukraine essay reveals imperial ambitions

By Peter Dickinson

Russian President Vladimir Putin has outlined the historical basis for his claims against Ukraine in a controversial new essay that has been likened in some quarters to a declaration of war.

Conflict
Disinformation

Fast Thinking

Jul 15, 2021

FAST THINKING: What’s next for space travel

By Atlantic Council

On this episode of Fast Thinking, David Bray and Inkoo Kang of the GeoTech Center discuss the future of space governance, China and Russia's independent missions, and the inevitable commercialization of space travel.

Space
Space Security

MENASource

Jul 15, 2021

Empower Syrians Not Warlords: Against the re-branding of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

By Rahaf Aldoughli and Azzam Al Kassir

Currently, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s ambition for complete governance is only lacking external legitimacy. If HTS gains this, it will be to the detriment of civil society groups and Syrians who aspire toward human rights.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

Conflict, Risk, and Tech

Jul 15, 2021

A US-UK hacking probe offers a fresh approach against Russia

By Justin Sherman

The international collaboration underscores the importance of being carefully narrow about scoping cyberspace “red lines” in talks with the Russian government.

Cybersecurity
Intelligence

MENASource

Jul 15, 2021

Second Berlin Conference on Libya: Where to from here?

By Karim Mezran and Hafed Al-Ghwell

Libya’s political system prior to the elections is preferred but not imperative. What is essential is giving the Libyans a strong voice on the outcome of their political system.

Libya
Middle East

Fast Thinking

Jul 14, 2021

FAST THINKING: The geopolitics of Iran’s kidnapping plot

By Atlantic Council

How should the United States respond to a kidnapping plot on American soil? And what do the revelations mean for sensitive nuclear negotiations with Tehran? Our Iran experts are on the case.

Human Rights
Iran

BelarusAlert

Jul 14, 2021

Putin and Lukashenka are locked in a dysfunctional axis of autocrats

By Brian Whitmore

Vladimir Putin and Alyaksandr Lukashenka are bound together in an axis of autocrats but the two dictators are also locked in a game of cat and mouse over Kremlin efforts to expand Russian influence in Belarus.

Belarus
Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

Jul 14, 2021

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on how the WTO can tackle vaccine scarcity and global recovery

By Katherine Golden

The unequal global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is fragile, warned World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and “there’s one thing behind that all: The issue of vaccine equity.”

Africa
Coronavirus

Event Recap

Jul 14, 2021

Event recap: “REVIVING India’s informal workforce and entrepreneurs”

By Ayra Khan

Overall, the pandemic transformed how we look at the needs of micro-entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs, and those within the informal sector. It amplified the need to address the inequality within communities while also pushing various sectors, including commercial and non-profit, to push the boundaries on what recovery means. COVID-19 gave businesses opportunities to stand up for the most vulnerable. In doing so, the REVIVE alliance has helped set the stage for a new, resilient normal.

Coronavirus
Economy & Business