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EnergySource

Jun 25, 2020

The European Commission’s hydrogen industrial strategy and COVID-19

By Mary-Rose de Valladares

As COVID-19 enveloped Europe and the Americas, Ursula van der Leyen declared clean hydrogen energy “a pillar” of the European Union (EU)’s new industrial strategy. While COVID-19 will likely have significant effects on hydrogen’s success in Europe, it has nevertheless become a top EC energy priority.

Coronavirus
Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Jun 25, 2020

Can Pakistan handle the double crisis of COVID-19 and a struggling economy?

By South Asia Center

While critics argue that the 2020-2021 budget released by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s administration will result in a greater deficit and allocates excessive funding to the defense sector, supporters have defended the budget and praised its introduction of the rationalization of custom duties as well as the advance ruling system, which would ease trade and minimize costs associated with cross border trade—a domain that Pakistan has historically struggled to contend in.

Economy & Business
Pakistan

Event Recap

Jun 25, 2020

Can technology help build a shock-resistant planet?

By Henry Westerman

On June 17, 2020, Columbia University’s Earth Institute gathered a panel to discuss ideas for building a shock-resistant planet as part of the Sustain What series.

Digital Policy
Internet of Things

UkraineAlert

Jun 25, 2020

How Russia weaponizes the language issue in Ukraine

By Iryna Matviyishyn

Critics of Ukraine's 2019 Language Law claim that it goes too far in promoting the Ukrainian language at the expense of Russian. Others claim attempts to politicize language policy will only help Putin.

Conflict
Disinformation

The future is here

Jun 25, 2020

US cases in record increase; France, India, Australia step up testing efforts

By Atlantic Council

States hardest hit by coronavirus eased off on reopening plans as the United States posted a record daily increase in cases. From France to India and Australia, officials took steps to boost testing to contain the spread of the virus including localized cases.

Coronavirus

Blog Post

Jun 25, 2020

Mapping Russia’s soft power efforts in Syria through humanitarian aid

By Marika Sosnowski and Jonathan Robinson

By mapping where Russia’s Center for Reconciliation of Conflicting Sides in Syria has delivered aid over an 18-month period (between 2018 and 2020), a picture of Russia’s soft power tactics in Syria can be formed.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

EnergySource

Jun 24, 2020

Rapid response: The SABIC-Aramco merger

By Private: Jean-François Seznec

Saudi Aramco’s acquisition of the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) finalized on June 16, 2020, provides a window into the Saudi strategy to become a world-scale chemicals producer. However, the structure of the deal also offers an interesting look into the Saudi financial position amid low oil prices and a global pandemic.

Energy & Environment
Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Jun 24, 2020

Automaker electric vehicle plans ‘progressing at a rapid pace’ despite pandemic, economic downturn

By Julia Pyper

The global electric vehicle (EV) market is going through a rough patch amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic led to economy-wide lockdowns and supply chain disruptions across the automotive industry. Coupled with a historic decline in oil prices that brought down gasoline prices, these factors are likely to put a significant dent in EV sales in the near term. But automakers are not turning away from the EV market despite recent setbacks. To signal their intent, several major auto industry executives have taken steps to underscore their commitment to vehicle electrification coming out of the pandemic slump.

Climate Change & Climate Action
Coronavirus

AfricaSource

Jun 24, 2020

Pandemic policing: South Africa’s most vulnerable face a sharp increase in police-related brutality

By Katie Trippe

South Africa is one of several nations facing an international outcry over increases in COVID-19 related violence against civilians by security forces bent on enforcing quarantine measures. Since South Africa instituted a country-wide lockdown on March 27, the number of violent incidents by police against civilians has reportedly more than doubled with poor and vulnerable populations most affected.

Africa
Coronavirus

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Jun 24, 2020

German defense minister responds to US plans for a troop drawdown

By Larry Luxner

German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has warned that the US President Donald J. Trump administration's planned withdrawal of 9,500 American troops from her country—a move announced by the US president earlier this month—must not send Russia the signal “that the US is less interested in Europe.”

Germany
NATO
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