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EnergySource

May 18, 2020

Coronavirus emergency measures should persuade Ukraine, Romania, and Turkey to legitimize energy reform, not reverse it

By Dr. Aura Sabadus

For years, Eastern European governments and Turkey have bought into a global trend, arguing that long-term strategies in the energy sector should revolve around market deregulation. In light of the coronavirus outbreak and the emergency measures implemented worldwide to contain it, the energy industry may now face an increase in interventionist policies such as price controls and consolidation of state-owned enterprises as governments push to mitigate the shockwaves of expected consumer impacts. Such measures would be detrimental to economies, and there are compelling arguments that suggest governments should remain committed to their initial market goals.

Coronavirus Eastern Europe

UkraineAlert

May 18, 2020

Ukrainians reject modern Russia’s WWII victory cult as geopolitical divide deepens

By Victor Tregubov

A nationwide survey conducted on the eve of this year's WWII anniversary events found that a clear majority of Ukrainians now blame the USSR together with the Nazis for sparking the Second World War.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

TURKEYSource

May 18, 2020

“Our Humanity Brings Us Together”: A Syrian woman entrepreneur in Gaziantep launches an intercommunal campaign to support families economically touched by COVID-19

By Pınar Dost

Lobna Helli formed a ten-person team consisting mostly of women and started a movement called "Our humanity brings us together." They facilitate connections between Syrian and Turkish families who either want to offer financial support or need financial help. With the funds they collect, they buy grocery cards worth one hundred Turkish lira and distribute them to those in need. They have reached more than one hundred families, so far.

Entrepreneurship Migration

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2020

India’s new COVID MSME package: Critical assistance or symbolic gesture?

By Ketki Bhagwati

The plan's centerpiece, the loan guarantee program, which transfers the full liability of loan losses of eligible borrowers to the exchequer, however, appears ill-conceived at a time when the government is scrambling to contain the fiscal deficit. Structuring the program to cover the credit and performance risks of MSME loan portfolios of financial institutions through risk participation or risk sharing would have been a wiser choice for the government.

Coronavirus India

IranSource

May 18, 2020

Oil price drop brings more economic challenges for Iran

By Ebad Ebadi

he sharp oil price drop on April 20 was the worst thing that could have happened to Iran’s fragile economy.

Coronavirus Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2020

Partial Eurobond not the answer to Europe’s coronavirus economic downturn

By Bart Oosterveld

Some have argued that a partial Eurobond instrument, backed for example by France, Italy, and Spain, could be set up as a risk sharing and/or solidarity tool to partially finance the recovery out of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. This is a truly awful idea as such an instrument would deliver none of the potential benefits of a Eurobond, while simultaneously creating asymmetric risks on capital markets.

Coronavirus European Union

The future is here

May 18, 2020

China calls for WHO probe, defends own performance; signs of recovery seen in Germany

By Atlantic Council

China called for an independent review of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) handling of the coronavirus outbreak while defending its own performance. Germany’s central bank sees signs of economic recovery as European nations continued a cautious and gradual reopening of daily life.

Coronavirus

UkraineAlert

May 17, 2020

From Stalin to Putin: The Crimean Tatars face a new era of Kremlin persecution

By Polina Sadovskaya and Veronika Pfeilschifter

As the Crimean Tatar community marks the seventy-sixth anniversary of their Soviet deportation, an entire generation faces the prospect of another year living in terror at home in Russian-occupied Crimea or forced into exile.

Conflict Human Rights
gtc new york city cityscape from above at night

GeoTech Cues

May 16, 2020

We can more rapidly respond to future waves of COVID-19 and pandemics: Here is how

By David Bray

The world needs a global Pandemic Prevention Board focused on building an "Immune System for the Planet", as described in early April by the GeoTech Center by Dr. David Bray and then highlighted in a CNBC article by Atlantic Council CEO Fred Kempe on why tech companies can -- and should -- build a global quick response system to prevent future pandemics.

Civil Society Coronavirus

UkraineAlert

May 15, 2020

Why I’m optimistic Georgia’s reforms can change Ukraine

By Mikheil Saakashvili

Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili explains why he believes his experience reforming Georgia can help Ukraine accomplish its own post-Soviet transition towards European prosperity.

Democratic Transitions Political Reform
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