Content

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Jun 12, 2020

Black lives also matter in the Arab World

By Tuqa Nusairat

When it comes to the essence of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests—the call for an end to systematic and systemic racial discrimination—there is less willingness on the part of many people in the Arab world to acknowledge that such issues also afflict the Gulf, the Levant, and North Africa.

Human Rights Middle East

The future is here

Jun 12, 2020

UK economy posts record slump on coronavirus; EU calls for reopened borders

By Atlantic Council

The UK economy posted a record decline in April, the first full month of its coronavirus lockdown. The European Union (EU) urged its members to reopen common borders starting next week, saying previous restrictions did little to halt the spread of the virus.

Coronavirus

UkraineAlert

Jun 12, 2020

Mission accomplished? Vakarchuk quits but his political party lives on

By Melinda Haring

Ukrainian rock legend Slava Vakarchuk has resigned as an MP less than one year after leading his reformist party into parliament for the first time. He claims it is "mission accomplished" - but will his party survive?

Democratic Transitions Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Jun 11, 2020

President Ghani assesses the prospects for peace in Afghanistan

By Larry Luxner

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani stressed on June 11 that a temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban has helped create space for potential peace negotiations, but cautioned that the road to a true peace will be long and difficult.

Afghanistan Conflict

Blog Post

Jun 11, 2020

Sultan Haitham makes a strong start by addressing economic challenges

By Marc J. Sievers

Sultan Haitham and his government have had to contend with the dual impact of the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic and the collapse of world oil prices, which the Omani government depends upon for most of its revenue.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Blog Post

Jun 11, 2020

The Cairo Declaration is a false resolution to Libya’s conflict

By Karim Mezran, Alessia Melcangi

The so-called “Cairo Declaration,” backed by General Khalifa Haftar and Libya's parliamentary speaker Aguila Saleh, proposes an intra-Libyan resolution as a basis for resolving the country’s conflict.

Libya Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jun 11, 2020

Two Chinese telecoms attempt to mollify FCC’s security concerns

By Justin Sherman

The main claim of the Pacific Networks and ComNet response tot he FCC is that “the Companies are not ‘wholly-owned’ by the Chinese government and operate independently and without ‘exploitation, influence, and control’ of the Chinese government.

China Cybersecurity

The future is here

Jun 11, 2020

Coronavirus spreading beyond African capitals, WHO says; Europe hoards cash

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus is spreading in Africa beyond the continent’s capital cities, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, while an uptick in new cases in the United States also caused concern. Europeans, worried about unemployment and a second wave of infections, are hoarding cash, harming recovery prospects.

Coronavirus

GeoTech Cues

Jun 10, 2020

Central bank digital currency can contribute to financial inclusion but cannot solve its root causes

By Nikhil Raghuveera

In Part II of the Central Bank Digital Currency Series series, the GeoTech Center and guest author Nikhil Raghuveera examine how CBDCs can contribute to financial inclusion in a post-COVID-19 world.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

UkraineAlert

Jun 10, 2020

Ukraine’s $7 billion Russian gas transit deal at risk amid claims of political pressure

By Aura Sabadus

Alleged political pressure targeting Ukraine's recently unbundled gas transmission system operator GTSO is threatening to undo Ukraine's energy sector reforms and derail a multi-billion dollar transit contract with Russia's Gazprom.

Corruption Energy Markets & Governance