Category: Blogs

Event recap | At the crossroads of emerging technologies and security during the pandemic

By Henry Westerman

On Thursday, December 3, the Embassy of Finland and the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center convened a partially public, partially private roundtable to discuss the impact technology on contemporary society, politics, and transatlantic relations. The roundtable sought to consider specific policy steps that could build trust in governments, corporations, and technologies alike, both in the United States and Europe, so as to overcome the numerous technological challenges of the present and issues poised for the future.

Remittances show promise in the face of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic

By Gabriella Cova

With a projected 9 percent contraction in regional gross domestic product (GDP) for this year, experts fear that the heightened economic uncertainty and lower foreign demand brought on by the health crisis might signify yet another lost decade for Latin America. There is one factor, however, that paints a particularly promising picture for the outlook of the region: remittances.

Belarusian opposition leader’s message to the West: ‘Stay with us and we will win’

By David A. Wemer

Explicit support from Western governments for the Belarusian people and stronger pressure on Lukashenka and his allies will help oust the regime and allow for new elections, Tsikhanouskaya said. “Stay with us and we will win.”

Ukraine’s community spirit on display as businesses rally to counter COVID crisis

By Andy Hunder

Ukraine's business community has demonstrated an admirable sense of corporate social responsibility during this year's COVID crisis, says American Chamber of Commerce President Andy Hunder

We will not let the old guard drag Ukraine backwards

By Dmytro Kuleba

The old guard wants to drag Ukraine back to the times when they could siphon public money off with impunity and play Russian-style politics. We will not let them succeed, says Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Can Biden bring Republicans on board with his climate plans?

President-elect Biden’s big plans to address the climate crisis could run up against the reality of a Republican-controlled Senate. But there’s still hope for action. The Atlantic Council’s Kathy Baughman McLeod and Randy Bell see enough room for compromise to get things rolling. What kind of climate moves could bring Republican senators on board? What’s […]

Is it time for a US-EU alliance on tech?

The EU is getting ready to propose a tech alliance with the United States. The outreach to the incoming Biden administration comes after a decade of US-EU tensions on issues like data privacy and security. Can the two sides work together? What would it mean for China? And should a new tech alliance be a […]

Iranian reformists decry the assassination of a leading nuclear scientist

By Sydney Martin

The assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has caused reformists to rally behind their government in a way not seen for several years.

Boats over troubled waters: Caribbean nations struggle with response to Venezuelan migration crisis

By Angela Chávez Keri and Beatriz Godoy Rivas

Given the small territory and population size of these island nations, the flow of migrants is disproportionately impacting their societies, and it is testing the weight of their institutions and resources, while also enhancing domestic issues like inequality and poverty.

Biden administration should act fast to bolster people-to-people exchanges with the Middle East

By Richard LeBaron and Dan Sreebny

While US policy toward individual MENA countries will be hammered out in the interagency process through the first year of the new Joe Biden administration, we recommend action in the first months employing existing Public Diplomacy programs to reinforce support for unlocking human potential.