Content

MENASource

Feb 2, 2021

Israel, UAE leap ahead in vaccination drive against coronavirus

By Jonathan H. Ferziger

The efficient manner in which Israel and the UAE have acquired and administered the vaccines contrasts with what has been described as a bumbling process in the United States and some of Europe’s most advanced economies.

Israel Middle East

BelarusAlert

Feb 1, 2021

Belarus protests echo in Russia: Will Putin repeat Lukashenka’s mistake?

By Vladislav Davidzon

The recent wave of anti-regime protests in Russia have taken inspiration from the six-month pro-democracy uprising in neighboring Belarus. Will Putin repeat Belarus dictator Lukashenka's hardline response?

Belarus Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Feb 1, 2021

Free speech and online content: What can the US learn from Europe?

By Frances Burwell

Congress will certainly take on reforming Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, but it should not just focus on the companies and their responsibilities. Legislators should take a good, hard look in the mirror. They must provide the guidelines that are central to reducing violent extremist content online: rules on acceptable versus forbidden online speech.

Digital Policy Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Feb 1, 2021

Speech moderation and militant democracy: Should the United States regulate like Europe does?

By Kenneth Propp

Many Americans’ sunny faith in a robust media “marketplace of idea”’ is being tested. The European historical experience that informs “militant democracy” and speech-invasive privacy laws remains largely alien here. But adjustments at the margins, particularly in the areas of process, are possible and desirable.

Digital Policy Europe & Eurasia

Fast Thinking

Feb 1, 2021

FAST THINKING: A coup in Myanmar

By Atlantic Council

The military is back in control after detaining Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s de facto civilian leader, and senior members of her ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party. Civil-rights activists have been detained as well. How did this happen?

Indo-Pacific Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Feb 1, 2021

Syria: Which way forward under Biden?

By Frederic C. Hof

The default position of President Joe Biden and his team will likely be along the lines of trying to manage the mess.

Middle East Syria

UkraineAlert

Feb 1, 2021

Ukraine embraces openness with new report on Russian hybrid warfare challenges

By Brian Mefford

A new report by Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service explores the threats posed by Russia's ongoing hybrid war against the country and demonstrates a new openness that reflects broader changes in Ukraine.

Conflict Intelligence

MENASource

Feb 1, 2021

How President Biden can tackle the Middle East’s biggest problems

By Kirsten Fontenrose, Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, and Udi Dekel

In a first project of trilateral collaboration, the directors and strategists from leading think tanks in the US, the UAE, and Israel have submitted nine recommendations on issues that deserve priority treatment from the new administration.

Israel Middle East

GeoTech Cues

Jan 31, 2021

Why trust is vital to meet COVID-19 vaccination challenges

By Borja Prado

The rush to vaccination against the COVID-19 virus has highlighted numerous supply and logistic complexities but also the risks of fraud. More than ever, trust is crucial. The situation is evolving and new information on the virus and impact of the vaccine is constantly emerging. The public needs to be sure that information available is trustworthy, authorities and vaccine manufacturers are transparent, and that the vaccines with which they are being injected are genuine.

Coronavirus Resilience

UkraineAlert

Jan 30, 2021

The rejection of reformer Yuriy Vitrenko highlights Ukraine’s broken politics

By Adrian Karatnycky

The Ukrainian parliament's failure to confirm the appointment of veteran reformer Yuriy Vitrenko as Energy Minister raises serious questions over the maturity of the country's political culture.

Corruption Democratic Transitions