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BelarusAlert

Dec 19, 2020

US poised to boost support for democracy in Belarus

By Vladislav Davidzon

Belarus looms large on the US foreign policy agenda for 2021. Senators can set the stage for the year ahead by passing the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act of 2020.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

EnergySource

Dec 18, 2020

Reinforcing transatlantic ties amidst Nord Stream 2 sanctions: A way forward

By Richard L. Morningstar, Daniel Fried, Olga Khakova

The United States and European Union should develop a comprehensive strategy on deterring and mitigating Russian influence and aggression in Europe, including cooperation on energy infrastructure and the encouragement of competitive and transparent energy markets. This strategy should be the bridge for working through tensions stemming from Nord Stream 2 sanctions and for rebuilding the transatlantic relationship.

Europe & Eurasia Geopolitics & Energy Security

BelarusAlert

Dec 18, 2020

How secure is Belarus dictator Lukashenka’s throne of bayonets?

By Vladislav Davidzon

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka's political survival depends on the continued loyalty of his extensive security apparatus—but just how secure is this throne of bayonets?

Belarus Democratic Transitions

GeoTech Cues

Dec 18, 2020

Reimagining a just society pt. 2 | The end of an era

By Carol Dumaine

This blog post series will explore the meaning of a “just society” through multiple lenses and in the context of today’s challenges, including but not limited to the coronavirus pandemic. With contributions from multiple authors, it aims to stimulate thinking and questions that distill the prerequisites and responsibilities for “just societies” in our times. COVID-19 spotlights […]

Coronavirus Inclusive Growth

GeoTech Cues

Dec 18, 2020

Pretrial risk assessment tools must be directed toward an abolitionist vision

By Nikhil Raghuveera and Hannah Biggs

The United States criminal justice system is increasingly turning to risk assessment tools in pretrial hearings—before a defendant is convicted of a crime—as well as in sentencing procedures. Risk assessment tools give judges a numerical metric that indicates a pretrial defendant’s risk of failing to appear in court, or threat to the community prior to their pretrial hearing. Judges set bail based on this tool. Facing an incredibly high volume of pretrial detainees, risk assessment tools are designed to help quickly and effectively determine pretrial detention and ease courts’ burdens. To truly address the failures of the criminal justice system, however, public sector leaders must:

Digital Policy Inclusive Growth

The future is here

Dec 18, 2020

The post-COVID world this week: More vaccines bring more problems, Australia and China’s trade ‘beef’ intensifies, and the rise of resilient power

By Atlantic Council

What can we expect from a post-COVID world after a pandemic that has reshaped international affairs? A world in which COVID-19 is redefining national power

Coronavirus Politics & Diplomacy

GeoTech Cues

Dec 18, 2020

Silicon Valley’s role in foreign policy and what others can learn from it, Part II: Ecosystem building advice and policy recommendations

By Alexandre Lazarow (Guest Author)

In the last twenty years, one of the United States’ key exports has been the technology coming out of Silicon Valley—and along with it, its particular brand of innovation culture. Unsurprisingly, innovation has risen to the top of policy makers’ agendas around the world. Yet, creating carbon copies of Silicon Valley is not the answer. To compete in the increasingly global innovation arena, countries and companies are writing a new playbook.

Economy & Business International Markets

GeoTech Cues

Dec 18, 2020

The West, China, and AI surveillance

By Kaan Sahin (Guest Author)

AI surveillance tools in various forms are spreading globally, from facial recognition and early outbreak detection to predictive policing and gait recognition. Despite different legal restrictions, authoritarian and democratic states alike are increasingly employing these instruments to track, surveil, anticipate, and even grade the behavior of their own citizens.

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

MENASource

Dec 18, 2020

President-elect Joe Biden can help end the war in Yemen

By Khaled H. Alyemany

If President-elect Joe Biden commits to putting an end to the war in Yemen, he can prevent Yemen from falling into the hands of warlords and Iran’s proxy network—namely the Houthis and Lebanese Hezbollah—as well as other terrorist groups like al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS.

Middle East Yemen

UkraineAlert

Dec 17, 2020

Why East European gas markets should integrate

By Aura Sabadus

To meet the four key gas sector challenges facing them, regional countries including Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey will need to work in unison to satisfy mutual interests.

Eastern Europe Energy Markets & Governance