Category: Timely Commentary & Analysis

Distributed solar and batteries will power a more inclusive economic recovery in developing countries

By Sandra Chavez

A reliable supply of electricity is crucial for responding to the COVID-19 health crisis and boosting economic activity. Governments in many developing countries already struggle to provide their citizens with enough high-quality electricity to satisfy demand. The additional constraints the COVID-19 crisis places upon utilities, and national economies in general, can make the delivery of reliable electricity even harder. However, distributed solar energy and battery storage can provide reliable, affordable, and pollution-free power globally, while also creating jobs that incorporate local talent—especially from groups underrepresented in the labor market such as women and low-income workers.

Ambassador Fried testifies to House Committee on Foreign Affairs on exposing and demanding accountability for Kremlin crimes abroad

Exposing and demanding accountability for Kremlin crimes abroad

Event recap | Actionable steps in turbulent times

By Henry Westerman

On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center hosted a panel discussion moderated by David Bray, PhD, to discuss potential solutions to the supply chain threat.

Research and development still key to competitiveness: But for whom?

By Robert A. Manning, David Bray

The decade ahead must be spurred on by a new “Sputnik moment” for the United States to inspire new focus on research and development funding and initiatives to bolster the STEM workforce, while understanding the changing market dynamics connecting funding, innovation, and competitive advantage for open societies.

South Asia midyear pause: Taking stock of 2020

By South Asia Center

The specific events of the year’s first six months might have taken us by surprise but the political-economic dynamics that have shaped South Asia’s response to these new challenges did not. Across the region democracy and freedom of expression are challenged, and protectionist impulses are indulged in flailing response to calamitous economic strife. And the United States continues its slide into strategic irrelevance, exercising little leadership or interest in building stronger ties to this vital region.

We can increase public participation in data and avoid surveillance states: Here is how

By David Bray

The world needs a collective effort to gather and share data to steer society and nations back to full operations, and to provide early indicators and warnings of future pandemics. Current methods for accessing data owned by public and private institutions and private citizens today are not able to guide COVID-19 recovery. The new data access frameworks in this initiative can succeed while strengthening societal welfare, prosperity, and peace around the world.

Can AI and emerging tech boost African development?

By Julian Mueller-Kaler

The final roundtable of the Smart Partnerships Series focused on the African continent and how AI as well as other emerging technologies can be harnessed there for good.