Content

MENASource

Aug 21, 2020

Will nine years of war and deteriorating governance spark a new movement inside Syria?

By Noura Darwish

Unbearable living conditions and a lack of hope in both the Assad regime and the international community have pushed Syrians to a new level of anger and outrage. It would be a mistake to think that this alone will push people to act after nine years of war and so much loss. However, it would be a bigger mistake to let this opportunity slip without trying to seize it in order to bring positive change to the Syrian people who are so desperately in need of it.

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

The future is here

Aug 21, 2020

Spain leads increase in Europe infections, Russia gives first details on large-scale vaccine trials

By Atlantic Council

Infections in Spain are way ahead of the rest of Europe, caused by socializing among young people and families. New cases increased from Ukraine to Slovakia too. Russia gave details for the first time about upcoming large-scale trials of its coronavirus vaccine.

Coronavirus

BelarusAlert

Aug 21, 2020

History beckons but Belarus protests need leadership

By Franak Viačorka

Unprecedented pro-democracy protests in Belarus currently threaten to unseat 26-year dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka, but the protest movement needs leadership to bring about political change.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Aug 21, 2020

Unconventional monetary policy is not a free lunch in Europe or the United States

By Andrzej Rzońca and Grzegorz Parosa

The European Central Bank and the US Federal Reserve responded to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with a similar prescription to the one they used during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), but this time they multiplied the dose.

Coronavirus European Union

IranSource

Aug 20, 2020

Why is Iran concerned about the peace agreement between the UAE and Israel?

By Sina Azodi

Despite the media frenzy over the recent agreement between Israel and UAE, the agreement is unlikely to bring about a fundamental transformation in Arab-Israeli conflict, as long as the fate of the two-state solution remains murky.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

BelarusAlert

Aug 20, 2020

Lukashenka is wrong to use Ukraine as a cautionary tale

By Paul Niland

Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has warned that pro-democracy protests will turn Belarus into another Ukraine - but Ukaine's woes are due to Russian aggression not the country's 2014 revolution.

Belarus Conflict

EnergySource

Aug 20, 2020

Trans-Caspian Pipeline—Still a pipe dream?

By Daniel D. Stein

Although there have been intermittent efforts to revive the Trans-Caspian Pipeline (TCP), the project has largely been dormant in recent years. However, the impending completion of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), a new source and route of gas supply to Europe, has led to renewed interest in TCP.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Aug 20, 2020

Rebounding Asian exports could signal problems for China’s supply chains

By Jeremy Mark

While China is currently providing its neighbors with critical economic lifelines, many in the Asia-Pacific are still looking for alternatives. China’s continued economic power means that any decoupling will carry a cost, as Taiwan is beginning to experience in the Huawei dispute.

China International Markets

UkraineAlert

Aug 20, 2020

Vladimir Putin’s forever war against Ukraine continues

By Taras Kuzio

While geopolitical attention focuses on Belarus, Putin’s hybrid war in neighboring Ukraine continues. It has already sparked the outbreak of a new Cold War, and there is currently no end in sight to the conflict.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Aug 20, 2020

UAE Foreign Minister: Deal with Israel was made to save the two-state solution

By David A. Wemer

The normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was just “a matter of time,” according to UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash, but the UAE finally struck the deal in return for the suspension of the Israeli government’s annexation plans, he said.

Conflict Defense Policy