Category: Timely Commentary & Analysis

Transcript: Central banks from Stockholm to Beijing are about to change the way the world uses money

By Atlantic Council

The International Monetary Fund joined up with our GeoEconomics Center to launch a new paper on central bank digital currency trends, insights, and policy lessons.

The hyper-charged appeal of hydrogen in the Arctic

By Julia Nesheiwat

It was a good summer for those hedging their bets on hydrogen as the next big thing in energy production, storage, and conservation. But while hydrogen looks to be an important part of net-zero energy mixes globally, its potential is especially exciting in low-density communities and fragile ecosystems like the Arctic, where the harsh effects of fossil fuel-induced climate change are most acute.  

State of the Order: Assessing January 2022

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

Modi faces a critical test in India’s most populous state

By Adnan Ahmad Ansari

2022 will witness one of the most critical Indian elections in recent memory–for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and for India’s democracy.

Global Sanctions Dashboard: Groundhog edition

By Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese, Maia Nikoladze and Castellum.AI

Who sanctions Russia and why, Colombia’s narcotics trafficking, Iran’s balancing act, and Chinese military sanctions.

Navigating Pakistan’s Afghanistan conundrum 

By Syed Ali Zia Jaffery

While Pakistan is rightly highlighting the need for the international community to engage with the Afghan government, it must ensure that the Afghan Taliban do not ignore Pakistan’s vital security interests.

Event recap: Women’s role in the future of Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

On January 19, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and the US-Afghan Women’s Council co-hosted a conversation on women’s role in the future of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan needs a political roadmap to reduce economic hardship

By Omar Samad

Afghans in general are aware that inside the country the Taliban are in the driver’s seat, but the vehicle cannot go far without having other major constituencies onboard as part of a new social contract.

India takes a major step towards regulating crypto

By Adnan Ahmad Ansari

Through the budget, the Indian government has thrown a lifeline to the crypto and Web 3 ecosystem. The ecosystem now needs to build on this opening further as the government prepares to introduce legislation in parliament to regulate crypto assets.