Category: Blogs

Russian revival in Ukraine: Pro-Kremlin parties tipped to advance in local elections

By Mykola Vorobiov

Ukrainians vote in local elections this weekend. With President Zelenskyy’s ratings in decline, many see the ballot as an opportunity for Ukraine’s pro-Russian forces to regain the political initiative.

What Iran might sell now that the UN arms embargo expired

By Robert Czulda

The end of the UN arms embargo means that Iran can not only import military hardware but can also return to the market as an exporter.

Defense Secretary unveils a new strategy for bolstering allies and partnerships in an era of great-power competition

By David A. Wemer

As the United States prepares for long-term competition with adversaries such as China and Russia, the Department of Defense is unveiling new plans to strengthen America’s network of alliances and partnerships. “Our global constellation of allies and partners remain an enduring strength that our competitors and adversaries simply cannot match,” US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said during an Atlantic Council Front Page event on October 20.

Meet three entrepreneurs creating impact in African markets

By Africa Center

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) invests in companies and projects in lower and middle income countries, including emerging economies in Africa, to address critical global and regional challenges. Mr. Terry Kier, Mr. Ziad Oueslati, and Ms. Sheeba Philip joined Senior Fellow Aubrey Hruby to share about their companies, their models, and how the DFC’s support has impacted their companies’ growth.

Battle for borshch: Ukraine lays claim to soup dish amid identity war with Russia

By Mark Raczkiewycz

Popular soup dish borshch has recently emerged as the latest battleground in Ukraine’s struggle to assert an independent national identity and shake off centuries of Russian imperial domination.

Time for Europe to rethink the Trans-Balkan pipeline

By Sergey Makagon

A strategic asset with a transit capacity of 27 bcm per year, the Trans-Balkan gas corridor can and should be a guarantee of energy security for Southeastern Europe. It is time for the EU to rethink its approach.

Renewed calls for demonstrations on October 25 in Iraq come with hurdles

By Raghad Kasim

Over the course of the coming weeks, protests will break out with calls for reform. This mass mobilization may witness higher incidents of violence than in October of last year.

From cyber to China, here’s what has former US national security advisors worried

By David A. Wemer

Whether current US President Donald J. Trump is re-elected or former Vice President Joe Biden becomes the next occupant of the White House, the next US president will be confronted with a growing challenge from China, the lingering danger of an assertive Russia, and a broad range of threats complicated by the proliferation of new technologies.

Sudan is removed from the terror list. Now what?

After twenty-seven years on the US State Sponsor of Terrorism list, President Trump today announced, via Twitter, that Sudan’s terror designation was at long last being removed. While many details of the deal struck between the Trump Administration and the transitional authorities in Sudan have yet to emerge, the announcement by itself should be welcomed as a major achievement for both Washington and Khartoum.

Soccer for peace in the Middle East and North Africa

By Rabah Arezki

Although uniting around sport might be mainly symbolic, it could also be a confidence-building effort that could reduce tension and increase integration in a region that would mightily benefit from both.