Content

GeoTech Cues

Jan 12, 2021

Smart partnerships for global challenges

By Mathew Burrows, Julian Mueller-Kaler

In order to give the global AI competition a different spin and emphasize the “technology for good” approach, it would be wise to highlight organizations that focus on AI applications in healthcare, education, food security and agriculture, or infrastructure endeavors, particularly in a post-Covid-19 recovery.

Africa China

GeoTech Cues

Jan 12, 2021

Europe’s hurdles

By Mathew Burrows, Julian Mueller-Kaler

Economists and technologists worried about Europe’s ability to reconcile privacy restrictions with a thriving tech economy. The logic is simple: In order to keep up, companies must be able to train AI systems with accessible data, which is why the EU has become more attuned to the need to facilitate data flows.

China Cybersecurity

GeoTech Cues

Jan 12, 2021

China’s ambiguity

By Mathew Burrows, Julian Mueller-Kaler

Speaking more broadly, interlocutors in Beijing emphasized that international cooperation has always been important to China’s economic development, alluding to the fact that the most successful innovations and AI advances often come from international research collaborations.

Africa China

UkraineAlert

Jan 12, 2021

Climate change may prevent Ukraine from becoming an agricultural superpower

By Anna Ackermann

Kyiv's record-breaking weather in 2020 was further evidence of a changing climate that threatens to undermine Ukraine's emergence as an agricultural superpower and key player in global food security.

Climate Change & Climate Action Ukraine

MENASource

Jan 12, 2021

Oman designates a crown prince, a first for the country

By Marc J. Sievers

January 11 marked the first anniversary of Sultan Haitham bin Tareq’s selection as the successor to Sultan Qaboos bin Said. While there were no official celebrations, the government marked the event with a series of announcements and many Omanis congratulated the Sultan on the first anniversary of his rule.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Fast Thinking

Jan 12, 2021

FAST THINKING: What’s next for the insurrectionists?

By Atlantic Council

For weeks on far-right networks across the web, extremists discussed their plans for violence. Is it happening again?

Elections National Security

UkraineAlert

Jan 11, 2021

US sanctions Giuliani-linked Ukrainians over Russian bid to influence 2020 election

By Anders Åslund

The US Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on seven Ukrainians who stand accused of meddling in the recent American presidential election campaign on behalf of Russia.

Elections Russia

MENASource

Jan 11, 2021

Experts react: The United States designates Houthi rebels as a Foreign Terrorist Organization

By Atlantic Council

On January 11, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States is designating Yemen’s Houthi rebel group Ansar Allah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Atlantic Council experts react to the designation and what it means for the wider region.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Fast Thinking

Jan 11, 2021

FAST THINKING: A diplomat to lead the CIA

By Atlantic Council

The choice is conventional and unorthodox at once: but Bill Burns has thirty-plus years of experience. Can he make it work?

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jan 11, 2021

The Assad regime faces a Rubik’s Cube of challenges in 2021

By Nizar Mohamad and Abdulrahman al-Masri

The coming year will likely present the Bashar al-Assad regime with a perplexing stalemate as it attempts to navigate a political, economic, and security landscape beset with a Rubik’s Cube of challenges.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy