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MENASource

Aug 7, 2020

Ammonium nitrate didn’t belong to Hezbollah, but they knew about its dangers

By David Daoud

Hezbollah is acutely aware of the danger that such chemicals—even if not of a military grade—pose to nearby civilians, perhaps more so than any other entity in Lebanon.

Lebanon Middle East

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2020

The Atlantic Council remembers Brent Scowcroft

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council experts react to the passing of Brent Scowcroft and reflect on his legacy as a statesman, strategist, and public servant.

The future is here

Aug 7, 2020

Infections exceed two million in India; signs of possible slowdown in US infections

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus cases exceeded two million in India, where community volunteers quit, saying they can’t respond to infections in rural areas. Signs emerged that the spread of the virus may be slowing in the United States, while Latin America’s economy faces a long recovery from the pandemic.

Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Aug 6, 2020

De-escalating tariff threats could jumpstart US–EU trade ties and support post-COVID 19 economic recovery

By Ole Moehr

Instead of imposing additional tariffs now, the Trump administration should attempt to ease the trade tensions with the EU ahead of the WTO’s ruling this fall on US subsidies, which will likely entitle the European Commission to impose tariffs on a similar magnitude of US products.

European Union International Markets

New Atlanticist

Aug 6, 2020

Argentina reaches key debt deal amid COVID-19 downturn

By Valentina Sader

Avoiding its ninth default, this deal opens avenues for renewed confidence in the government’s ability to continue to safeguard the economy while establishing a necessary long-term macroeconomic plan for Argentina.

Coronavirus Fiscal and Structural Reform

AfricaSource

Aug 6, 2020

Innovating around infrastructure: An interview with Africa50 CEO Alain Ebobissé

By Aubrey Hruby

Watch Africa Center Senior Fellow Aubrey Hruby's interview with Mr. Alain Ebobissé, CEO of the Africa50 infrastructure fund, on the role of infrastructure investment in post-COVID recovery, Africa50's own efforts to support African markets during this period, and reasons for optimism in light of African digitization efforts.

Africa Coronavirus

The future is here

Aug 6, 2020

Green shoots emerge on economy while infections rise in Europe, Asia

By Atlantic Council

From US unemployment benefit applications to German factory orders and Japanese car sales, signs emerged of a gradual economic recovery, even as infections rose in Europe and Asia.

UkraineAlert

Aug 6, 2020

Can new legislation revive Ukraine’s defense reforms?

By Serhiy Piontkovsky

Ukraine's defense industry has become a major source of state spending since the onset of hostilities with Russia in 2014, but corruption allegations have been a problem. Can new legislation revive reform efforts?

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

BelarusAlert

Aug 5, 2020

From dictatorship to democracy: Can Belarus make history on Sunday?

By Nicolai Khalezin

Belarusians go to the polls on Sunday in a presidential vote that is being billed as the biggest challenge to President Lukashenko for 26 years. Will the international community back the country's democratic opposition?

Belarus Democratic Transitions

MENASource

Aug 5, 2020

Jordan protests met with repression as government changes tactics

By Tuqa Nusairat

The Jordanian government must make a concerted effort to address the serious economic challenges and disparities that have marginalized a majority of Jordanians with little options left but to strike or protest the conditions they face.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy