Category: Timely Commentary & Analysis

What China’s BYD really wants from EV investments in Mexico

By Haley Nelson

BYD, the world's largest EV manufacturer, is moving forward with plans to build a manufacturing plant in Mexico despite the country's ongoing trade friction with the US. This decision signals a wider strategy to embed Chinese influence in Mexico's energy infrastructure, given BYD's potential to dominate the market.

Bigger than the Berlin Airlift: How NATO’s natural gas shut down a key Russian pipeline 

By Simon Lomax, Morgan Bazilian, and Greg Clough

NATO's formidable defense of Europe against Russian energy aggression has shut down one of the last natural gas connections between the EU and Russia. These efforts are reminiscent of the 1948 Berlin Airlift, and mark a moment in geopolitics, energy security, and climate progress that merits celebration.

DOGE should use AI to fix environmental review

By William Yancey Brown

The National Environmental Policy Act's (NEPA) often lengthy process can delay crucial development projects and job creation. To address this, Trump’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency should leverage AI technologies to accelerate environmental reviews, modernizing the administration of NEPA.

Explainer: US tariffs on Mexico

Following President Trump’s announcement around potential 25 percent tariffs on imports from Mexico, what are the possible economic implications for both the United States and its southern neighbor? The measure could go into effect as soon as February 1, 2025. This explainer provides key data and perspectives to understand this topic.

China’s lithium-ion battery exports: Why are US prices so low?

By Joseph Webster

Export prices for Chinese batteries entering the US are lower than for any other market, suggesting that China may be engaging in anti-competitive behavior. As batteries grow in importance for commercial and military applications, the US should increase tariffs on Chinese battery imports to bolster US and allied manufacturing capabilities.

Daleep Singh outlines five principles to guide—and constrain—the use of economic statecraft tools

By Atlantic Council

Speaking at an Atlantic Council event, Daleep Singh said that the world needs common rules of engagement for why, when, and how to use restrictive economic measures.

The world needs a common vision for the responsible use of economic statecraft tools

By Daleep Singh

At an Atlantic Council event, US Deputy National Security Advisor Daleep Singh outlined five principles for restrictive economic statecraft.

Tripling global nuclear energy capacity is in reach—if the world seizes the moment

By Amy Drake

At COP28, nations and corporations committed to tripling global nuclear energy capacity by 2050, underscoring its essential role in achieving net-zero emissions. Looking ahead to COP30, global leaders must strengthen multilateral collaboration, engage the financial sector, and provide support for new partnerships with the nuclear industry to meet this goal.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the Biden record in the Middle East—and what comes next

At an Atlantic Council event, the US secretary of state delivered remarks on the Middle East and the future of US leadership.

A mercenary client collapses

By Alia Brahimi

Host Alia Brahimi sits down with acclaimed author and former CIA analyst, David McCloskey, to discuss the spectacular collapse of a major mercenary client in Syria.