Category: Timely Commentary & Analysis

How ‘artivism’ can change society—in Afghanistan and beyond

By Kabir Mokamel and Omaid Sharifi

Art can be used as an outlet for self-expression, but also as a tool to advocate for human rights. Through art, we can share the untold stories of the civil society, win back the hearts and minds of our fellow citizens, and send a clear message that activism in South Asia is vigorous and flourishing, and—in a region that continues to face many challenges—demonstrate that change is possible.

Trade is the key to US energy security, which trumps US energy independence

By Emily Burlinghaus, Jennifer T. Gordon

The incoming Biden Administration offers an opportunity for the United States to shift from its pursuit of energy independence and the fiction of a US energy market insulated from the vagaries of global market shocks and geopolitics. Instead, the new administration should strengthen US relationships with partners and allies to ensure import security for energy products and materials and guarantee export markets for US energy.

#DFRLabCoffeeBreak with Investigative Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono

Investigative journalist Hopewell Chin'ono sat down with the DFRLab to discuss media freedom in Zimbabwe.

A plea to the president-elect

By Harlan Ullman

Beginning with legal challenges to the election raised by the incumbent, to the COVID-19 pandemic that will worsen, to the economic crisis, the forty-sixth president’s challenges are daunting.

Nuclear energy policy represents a bipartisan path forward on climate for the Biden Administration

By Jennifer T. Gordon

With former Vice President Joe Biden now the President-elect of the United States, enthusiasm on the left is tempered by the likelihood that Republicans will keep the Senate. However, while the full scope of Democratic policies may not be realized by the next Congress, legislation that encourages the rapid deployment of nuclear energy technology represents an area where Democrats and Republicans can continue to work together—as they have over the last four years—on advancing technologies with the potential to decarbonize power systems at home and abroad.

State of the Order: Assessing October 2020

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

A plea to the next president: Lay out a plan for getting beyond the pandemic

By Harlan Ullman

The nation faces three crisis. The first is the COVID-19 pandemic that is worsening on a frightening and possibly vertical trajectory. The second is the most divisive, partisan, and septic political environment in memory. Third is a government that is failing—and some argue has failed dismally—in responding to the pandemic.

Event recap | The global impacts of democratized tech and remote work

By GeoTech Center

This episode of the GeoTech Hour, which takes place every Wednesday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm Eastern, will highlight the democratization of technologies and what it means for entrepreneurs and investors. This discussion addresses how more remote work affects communities, organizations, nations, and the planet and identifies the action steps to ensure these two trends are forces for good in the world.