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MENASource

Aug 18, 2020

UN-backed tribunal: ‘no evidence’ of Hezbollah leadership involved in assassination of Rafik Hariri

By William F. Wechsler, Nicholas Blanford, Jomana Qaddour, Gissou Nia, Joze Pelayo

The Special Tribual for Lebanon announced its verdict after fifteen years. Atlantic Council experts react to the tribunal announcement and what it means for Lebanon.

Lebanon Middle East

New Atlanticist

Aug 18, 2020

Pakistan races to avoid financial watchdog blacklist

By Safiya Ghori-Ahmad

The Pakistani Senate is racing to approve multiple bills to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing—and fulfill a twenty-seven-point plan from global watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF). With thirteen remaining conditions and an eye on the mid-October deadline, Pakistan is hoping to avoid a demotion from the FATF’s grey list to the blacklist, joining countries such as Iran and North Korea.

Financial Regulation International Financial Institutions

The future is here

Aug 18, 2020

Germany cases raise concern of second wave in Europe, South Korea tightens restrictions

By Atlantic Council

Infections in Germany raised concerns of a resurgence in new cases in Europe, while South Korea tightened social distancing restrictions. The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned that new infections are being driven by people in their twenties, thirties, and forties, many of whom have no symptoms.

Coronavirus

IranElections2021

Aug 18, 2020

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former president turned ‘popstar,’ plans to run again

By Holly Dagres

In recent months, there have been talks that the two-term ex-president is planning to run in the 2021 Iranian presidential elections.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Aug 18, 2020

The failed UN Security Council vote on Iran proves why diplomatic engagement matters

By Alma Keshavarz

Should the arms embargo expire—and it likely will—the US faces a tough battle to reimpose snapback sanctions.

Iran Middle East

BelarusAlert

Aug 17, 2020

Alarm bells in Ukraine as Lukashenka calls on Putin to rescue his crumbling regime

By Bohdan Nahaylo

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is on the verge of being swept out of office by a wave of pro-democracy protests. He has called on Putin to save his regime, sparking alarm in neighboring Ukraine.

Belarus Conflict

BelarusAlert

Aug 17, 2020

How the West should respond to Belarus

By Daniel Fried, Brian O’Toole

Belarus is experiencing a democratic awakening that could end 26 years of dictatorship and transform the regional geopolitical landscape. With Russia looming large over the crisis, how should the West respond?

Belarus Democratic Transitions

Elections 2020

Aug 17, 2020

Hillary Clinton: The work awaiting the next US president will be ‘overwhelming’

By Katherine Golden

Just ahead of the Democratic National Convention, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that if Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris were to win the 2020 US presidential election, their administration must be prepared to advance on several domestic and international fronts simultaneously because the work they’ll face is “rather overwhelming.”

China Elections

The future is here

Aug 17, 2020

Italy curbs nightlife, Korea sets quarantine, New Zealand postpones poll to slow virus

By Atlantic Council

From curbs on Italian nightlife to quarantine for churchgoers in South Korea and a postponed election in New Zealand, authorities worldwide stepped in to slow the spread of coronavirus infections. Japan’s economy suffered and in France, riot police will help impose mask restrictions in Marseilles.

Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2020

Death of a Statesman

By Bartholomew Sparrow

Brent Scowcroft's recent passing means the country has lost an outstanding member of the “greatest generation," but it also provides an opportunity to take a fuller measure of his many, valuable contributions.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense