Content

AfricaSource

Dec 4, 2020

Data remains a weak spot for African elections, but Ghana can lead the way

By Luke Tyburski

Ghana, with elections slated for December 7, may be the most robust environment for domestic election monitoring on the African continent. But fieldwork conducted in January 2020 confirmed that most stakeholders still find that data is a “weak spot.” This is not to say that peace and credibility are in doubt in Ghana’s election, but by better leveraging existing data resources, Ghana has an opportunity to champion transparency and set an example for regional peers.

Africa Elections

New Atlanticist

Dec 4, 2020

Moldova’s diaspora flexes its political muscles

By Sabrina Hernandez

Maia Sandu owes her victory in part to a new dynamic force in Moldovan politics: the diaspora, which has kept the Moldovan economy afloat for years and is now making its political voice heard, even as the oligarchs and their allies attempt to keep the diaspora on the sidelines.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

The future is here

Dec 4, 2020

The post-COVID world this week: UK vaccine approval increases pressure on US, the economic-recovery rollercoaster, and Africa’s great-power predicament

By Atlantic Council

What can we expect from a post-COVID world after a pandemic that has reshaped international affairs? Africa seated in the middle of a heated competition. But it isn't such a bad seat for pan-Africanism.

Coronavirus Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Dec 3, 2020

Event recap | Food system sustainability in 2021 and beyond

By GeoTech Center

During this episode of the GeoTech Hour, panelists highlighted what they believe should be agriculture and food systems priorities in 2021 and beyond.

Climate Change & Climate Action Digital Policy

Event Recap

Dec 3, 2020

GeoTech vlog | Co-commissioners and their outlook for the future

By Borja Prado

Teresa Carlson (AWS) and John Goodman (Accenture) inaugurate the first episode of the GeoTech Vlog by describing their work as co-chairs of the GeoTech Commission, and as they find ways to navigate this era of significant change while leveraging the infinite possibilities offered by technology and data.

Future of Work Inclusive Growth

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2020

A budget roils a nation. What’s happening in Guatemala?

By María Fernanda Bozmoski

The Guatemalan Congress went up in smoke, literally, on November 21, when massive protests broke out against a draft budget that was negotiated behind closed doors, with limited input from civil society, and that proposed cuts in funding for COVID-19 and human rights agencies as the country battles the virus, unemployment, and corruption.

Coronavirus Corruption

MENASource

Dec 3, 2020

Limited and constrained: The Biden administration and the prospects of a Syria policy

By Abdulrahman al-Masri

While any departure from the Trump administration’s transactional and inconsistent leadership is welcomed, the hopes surrounding the incoming Biden administration’s return to engagement in Syria requires more in-depth scrutiny.

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

TURKEYSource

Dec 3, 2020

How Joe Biden can put US-Turkey relations back on track

By Pinar Dost and Grady Wilson

Turkey and the United States need to work to establish a fresh dialogue, compromise on their outstanding issues, and prepare the way for an active and beneficial partnership in the future.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Dec 3, 2020

Netanyahu and MBS are not done with Trump just yet

By Shalom Lipner

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are circling their wagons. Like other Donald Trump fans, they are hunkering down now to meet the challenges of the impending post-Trump era.

Israel Middle East

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2020

Reconciling ends and means in US national security

By Christopher Preble

The next National Defense Strategy should recognize that the American people’s unwillingness to spend considerably more money on the military necessitates a serious reconsideration of what is needed to secure the nation’s truly vital interests

Defense Policy National Security