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New Atlanticist

May 15, 2019

Here’s what to expect from Germany’s European vote

By Jörn Fleck

The outcome of the election in the European Union’s largest economy and most populous member state will not impact Germany’s broadly pro-European Union (EU) positions and strategy in significant ways.

Elections European Union

IranSource

May 15, 2019

A week of looming conflict between the United States and Iran

By Nader Uskowi

May 8 was the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s exit from the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The Islamic Republic marked the occasion by announcing that it would defy the JCPOA’s limits on the amounts of enriched uranium and heavy water in its inventory.

Iran

SyriaSource

May 14, 2019

‘A slow death’ : Syrians continue to suffer in Idlib

By Tesbih Habbal

An estimated three million people live in Idlib, many of whom have already been forced to leave their homes many times. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimated that the recent escalation has displaced some 152,000 people between April 29 and May 5 to the north. But Turkish forces, occupying areas of northern Syria including the city of Afrin and Azaz, are stopping Syrians from entering into these areas. And Syrians have no place to go.

Syria

UkraineAlert

May 14, 2019

Ukraine’s most urgent need

By Peter Dickinson

Ukrainians have considerable experience of the hope that comes with new beginnings and the disillusionment that often follows. The country has lived through repeated false dawns over the past three decades, only for the same old bad habits to come creeping out of the shadows and reassert their debilitating grip on the nation. The arrival […]

Democratic Transitions Elections

New Atlanticist

May 14, 2019

Europe’s unsettling parliamentary elections: A view from Spain

By Ana Palacio

This is a change year for the Parliament. One hopes that in the next cycle in 2024 things will go from unsettled to focused. But as always with the European Project, hope springs eternal.

Elections European Union

New Atlanticist

May 14, 2019

Italy’s Salvini will be the man to watch in the European parliamentary elections

By Emiliano Alessandri

With European Parliament elections fast approaching, Italy is on the verge of a political crisis—but it has nothing to do with Europe.

Elections European Union

UkraineAlert

May 14, 2019

Even if Ukraine’s reformers unify, so what?

By Melinda Haring

Five years after the Euromaidan street protests, Ukrainians are still waiting for transformative leaders and justice. On May 20, political newcomer Volodymyr Zelenskiy will be sworn in as president. But that won’t necessarily result in a significant change for the country: Ukraine’s next president is inexperienced and his links to oligarchs are troubling. Its parliament, […]

Civil Society Elections

New Atlanticist

May 14, 2019

Attacks on Saudi oil stations raise tensions in volatile Gulf

By David A. Wemer

Drones purportedly flown by Houthi rebels in Yemen attacked Saudi oil pumping stations on May 14, creating a new flash point in a region already on edge over rising tensions between the United States and Iran.

Conflict Energy Markets & Governance

MENASource

May 14, 2019

How climate change could exacerbate conflict in the Middle East

By Sagatom Saha

Global warming will do the Middle East no favors. Evidence abounds it will be the region that climate change will hit hardest. Summer temperatures across the region are expected to increase more than twice the global average.

Climate Change & Climate Action

UkraineAlert

May 13, 2019

Will Ukraine become a giant Moldova?

By James Brooke

Without a red-tape slashing revolution, Ukraine will become a big Moldova—a bedroom country for migrant workers building the dynamic economies of eastern Europe.

Migration Moldova