Content

New Atlanticist

Jun 23, 2020

Putin and the ‘real lessons’ of World War II

By Mark N. Katz

Putin pins the blame for Moscow’s most notorious foreign-policy action—signing a 1939 Nazi-Soviet pact—on the West and distorts the historical record. Even if some of Putin’s criticisms of Western behavior are justified, his failure to acknowledge the USSR’s World War II-era misbehavior makes it impossible to trust him.

Disinformation
Russia

EnergySource

Jun 23, 2020

How can Portugal’s Port of Sines play a bigger role in assuring energy security in the European Union?

By Dr. Ricardo Silvestre

The European Union (EU) currently relies on a small number of external suppliers to meet its energy needs. To minimize reliance on foreign gas imports, the EU should increase liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports to Europe, expand gas storage capacity, and further develop energy distribution mechanisms across Member States. As a potential alternative energy hub, Sines, Portugal is in an excellent position to become an important continental European LNG entrance point as well as a key gas distribution and bunkering center. If the pieces fall into place, Sines, and Portugal writ large, may become key guarantors of European energy security.

Energy & Environment
Energy Markets & Governance

Blog Post

Jun 23, 2020

The United States needs an Iran strategy, not a ‘campaign’

By Alma Keshavarz

The United States’ policy towards Iran has reached an impasse. The Trump administration will have gone a full term without a meaningful strategy towards this historic rival.

Iran
Middle East

UkraineAlert

Jun 23, 2020

What John Bolton tells us about President Trump’s Ukraine policy

By Anders Åslund

Former White House national security advisor John Bolton's new book “The Room Where It Happened” is an extraordinary read that portrays President Trump as being deeply hostile towards Ukraine.

Politics & Diplomacy
Russia

The future is here

Jun 23, 2020

England lifts restrictions, pubs to reopen; Beijing ramps up testing capacity

By Atlantic Council

England will lift many of its coronavirus restrictions next month, including the reopening of pubs, restaurants, and museums. Beijing ramped up testing capacity following a new outbreak in the Chinese capital, while Saudi Arabia curtailed this year’s Hajj on virus concerns.

Coronavirus

Blog Post

Jun 23, 2020

Iranian officials’ hypocritical support of #BlackLivesMatter

By Rebecca Stryer

Over the past few weeks, Iranian officials have not shied away from condemning the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed African American man, by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25.

Iran
Middle East

UkraineAlert

Jun 22, 2020

What could the prosecution of Petro Poroshenko mean for Ukrainian democracy?

By Peter Dickinson

Escalating efforts to prosecute former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko are sparking concerns over the country's continued commitment to democracy under new president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Corruption
Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Jun 22, 2020

The 5×5—Baseball and cybersecurity: Stealing insights from America’s pastime

By Simon Handler

Whether you have played, watched, hated, or never heard of baseball, lessons from the sport can be applied to many things in life—including cybersecurity. Cyber Statecraft Initiative experts go 5×5 to draw parallels between America’s pastime and today’s cybersecurity issues.

Cybersecurity
Technology & Innovation

Blog Post

Jun 22, 2020

IAEA mildly reprimands Iran over suspect nuclear sites

By Mark Fitzpatrick

The board on June 19 issued a mild rebuke, echoing IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s expression of “serious concern” that Iran has not provided access to two locations where unreported nuclear activity allegedly took place nearly two decades ago.

Politics & Diplomacy

The future is here

Jun 22, 2020

Brazil, US spur record increase of global daily cases; South Korea enters second wave

By Atlantic Council

Brazil, India, and the United States contributed to a global record one-day increase in coronavirus cases, now approaching nine million worldwide, while South Korea said that it’s contending with a second wave of the virus. Overdue talks between China and the European Union may be frosty in tone after relations deteriorated.

Coronavirus