Content

The future is here

Mar 30, 2020

Trump extends coronavirus restrictions after grim forecast by Fauci

By Atlantic Council

US President Donald J. Trump extended travel restrictions through April 30 after expert Dr. Anthony S. Fauci predicted that the US death toll from coronavirus could be as high as 200,000 people. Cases worldwide continued to rise, albeit at a slower pace. More senior figures in the UK government were affected by the virus.

Coronavirus

MENASource

Mar 30, 2020

The coronavirus crisis highlights the unique challenges of North African countries

By Karim Mezran, Alessia Melcangi, Emily Burchfield, and Zineb Riboua

It is important to monitor the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic, its effects on each North Africa system, and the debate between government elites and masses to better understand the situation in these countries and the long-term implications of the health crisis.

Coronavirus Libya
gtc food empty shelves

GeoTech Cues

Mar 30, 2020

Getting ahead of the crisis: Global food security during COVID-19

By Sara-Jayne Terp

Much has been written about the economic consequences of lockdown policies; less attention, however, has been paid to emerging issues like food security in the age of a global pandemic. A topic that is certainly a crucial issue because COVID-19 is also a crisis of logistics – whether it is with regard to necessary medical equipment, labor availability, or food supplies.

Civil Society Coronavirus

UkraineAlert

Mar 28, 2020

Time for Ukraine to exit Russia’s energy empire

By Bohdan Klid

Energy supplies have helped Russia exert political influence over Ukraine. With Russia's energy sector hit by short-term coronavirus woes and facing long-term decline, now is a good time for Ukraine to reduce dependency.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Russia

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2020

US coronavirus stimulus package offers some relief, but economic pain will remain

By David A. Wemer

US lawmakers are near final passage of an unprecedented stimulus package to help the US economy weather the storm of the coronavirus crisis, but that does not mean that all of the economic damage can be prevented. Jason Furman said he was “impressed by how much Washington has done, how quickly it has done it, how comprehensively it has done it,” but added that he is “worried that all of that won’t be enough for…an economy that is shutting down in such an unprecedented way.”

Coronavirus International Financial Institutions

AfricaSource

Mar 27, 2020

Tanzania’s mild response to COVID-19 and its implications for the 2020 elections

By Neil Edwards

Tanzanian President John Magufuli received widespread criticism as he encouraged the public to continue to attend places of worship, rather than imposing stringent restrictions to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. As the number of cases rise in Dar es Salaam, what will the spread in the city look like? With the upcoming 2020 presidential election, will Magufuli use the COVID-19 outbreak as a pretext for seeking a third term in office?

Africa Coronavirus

MENASource

Mar 27, 2020

Israel is now within striking distance of having a new government

By Shalom Lipner

Political drama in Israel reached a new peak on March 26 when Benny Gantz, chairman of the now ruptured Blue and White alliance, was installed as speaker of the Knesset in Jerusalem.

Israel Middle East

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Mar 27, 2020

Women’s activism in Pakistan: Limits on freedom of choice, speech, and visibility in the public sphere

By Zainab Alam

The crux of this contentious debate does not just hang on freedom of choice. It demands a broader conversation about societal acceptance of women’s visibility in the public sphere and role in politics more broadly. Until Pakistani women are seen as full citizens of the state, and not just national subjects, such seemingly apolitical visual expression will continue to provoke much needed rights-based deliberation.

Pakistan Women

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2020

Russia orders tech platforms to remove coronavirus “fake news”

By Justin Sherman

The Russian government has been actively engaged in spreading disinformation and misinformation around the pandemic. The Kremlin has also been active in ordering internet platforms operating in the country to remove coronavirus “fake news” from their platforms, which follows previous Kremlin efforts to crack down on independent internet sites offering legitimate news.

Coronavirus Disinformation

The future is here

Mar 27, 2020

Coronavirus toll doubles in a week; British prime minister tests positive

By Atlantic Council

The number of recorded coronavirus cases and deaths has more than doubled in the past week, with the death toll approaching 25,000 people. The pace of casualties has been even higher, with hot spots emerging in a handful of states beyond New York, the epicenter of the US outbreak. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson became the first world leader to test positive for coronavirus.

Coronavirus