Content

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

UkraineAlert

Jun 10, 2020

Ukraine’s worst move yet

By Alan Riley

The Ministry of Finance “dismissed” Walter Boltz, the chair of the Ukrainian gas transmission system operator MGU. If that independence is undermined, Gazprom may pull the transit contract and with it the guaranteed fees that Ukraine needs.

Economy & Business
Geopolitics & Energy Security

New Atlanticist

Jun 10, 2020

Why the George Floyd protests went global

By Borzou Daragahi

Rarely if ever has one incident inspired such a broad global movement. Attention has focused not just on the United States and its abuses but also on entire systems of power, racism, and oppression, which have come under scrutiny and criticism in what amounts to a global teach-in.

Human Rights
Resilience & Society