Category: Blogs

The US election was all Iranians talked about for the past week

By Holly Dagres

The Iranian establishment has repeatedly claimed that a Democrat or Republican wouldn’t matter for Iran, but the general Iranian population begged to differ as it watched the vote-counting process with bated breath.

Markets rebound, but what does that mean for America’s long-term economic recovery?

In this first episode of the Atlantic Council’s new Fast Thinking series, Josh Lipsky and Julia Friedlander break down what the US market rebound will mean for the country’s long-term economic recovery (hint: let’s be cautious), the US elections, the imminent G20 finance meetings, and the future of global capitalism. Meet the experts

Eastern Europe’s pivotal run-off: Moldovans go to the polls again

By Andrew D’Anieri

While many are already looking to the January run-off elections in the US state of Georgia, another run-off looms in Eastern Europe. The Republic of Moldova is in the midst of a tightly contested presidential election colored by a frustrated electorate, foreign influence in its politics and economy, and rampant misinformation on social media.

Ukraine will never reform until oligarchs lose power

By Serhiy Verlanov

A counter-revolution is currently underway in Ukraine that highlights the difficulties of achieving genuine change in a society which is still dominated by a small group of extremely wealthy and influential oligarchs.

FAST THINKING: Trump fires his defense secretary

By Atlantic Council

Two days after losing his bid for re-election, President Trump has removed Mark Esper, whose run as defense secretary was marked in its final stages by his defiance of Trump—on the idea of sending US troops to quell protests against police brutality and even on the question of wearing masks during the pandemic. How will his departure contribute to the post-election tumult? And is his successor likely to push back against the president?

LGBTQ rights in Ukraine and the false dawn of Zelenskyy

By Bogdan Globa

Today’s Ukraine finds itself in an increasingly homophobic neighborhood with a president whose approach to LGBTQ issues has so far failed to match his liberal rhetoric on the subject.

Biden victory offers hope for Belarus democratic uprising

By Vladislav Davidzon

As the world prepares for a Joe Biden presidency, there are expectations in Belarus that the coming change in US leadership will mean greater American support for the country’s pro-democracy uprising.

Biden will think globally to solve domestic issues. The post-COVID world will demand it.

By Erica Borghard

The president-elect’s commitment to looking for global solutions to common issues is all the more important as the United States faces a changed and more difficult global landscape.

The Biden administration can both look inward and provide leadership on the global stage

By Christopher Preble

Joe Biden’s victory could have far-reaching implications for America’s global role if he recasts US leadership in a new light. If the United States can demonstrate a capacity and will to tackle the most urgent challenges facing this country, it will be in a stronger position to work with others to solve global problems.

Netanyahu must adapt to the new Washington

By Carmiel Arbit

The 2020 US presidential election may be the splash of cold water needed to chasten Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.