Category: Content Series

How Beijing gains from Trump’s COVID struggles and US electoral dysfunctions

By Frederick Kempe

Chinese officials will embrace this period as additional, welcome “breathing space” to escalate their ongoing efforts across a range of fronts to build upon their momentum – from tightening party control over the Chinese private sector, to the accelerated development of a digital currency, to closing remaining technology gaps with the United States.

Aviso LatAm: COVID-19 October 2

On September 30, health ministers across the Americas committed to maintain and expand sustained actions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. According to PAHO, the continent will most likely experience recurring epidemic waves and outbreaks of COVID-19 interspersed with periods of low-level transmission over the next 24 months, pending a safe vaccine.

The surprise debate topic: Climate change

By Margaret Jackson

Chris Wallace unexpectedly deviated from his agenda to ask pointed questions about the science and economics behind each candidate’s respective climate plans, reflecting a recognition that, more so than in 2016, public pressure is forcing climate action to be a central issue in this year’s election.

How Pete Buttigieg sees the US restoring its credibility in the world

By David A. Wemer

“America cannot move forward in the way that we need to without cooperation with our partners and allies around the world,” Buttigieg maintained, especially with the pressing challenges of a rising China, climate change, and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

US Economy: V shape or K shape recovery?

By Josh Lipsky, Nitya Biyani

At last night’s presidential debate moderator Chris Wallace asked the candidates if we are in a ‘V’ shape or ‘K’ shape recovery. What does that mean exactly? A ‘V’ means a rapid rebound bringing economic activity back to its pre-COVID levels. A ‘K’ means an unequal recovery – wealthier Americans do well but poorer Americans remain stuck in recession.

The global climate crisis and the clean energy transition in the Asia-Pacific region: Implications for the next US administration

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Even with major emissions reductions in the United States and EU, the world has little chance of achieving global net-zero emissions by 2070, much less 2050, without significant changes to the Asia-Pacific energy mix. The next US administration should pursue a well-funded “whole of government” presidential initiative to work with Asia-Pacific countries on viable clean energy strategies and projects within a revived US multilateral trade, aid, and investment approach.

Making sense of foreign interference claims on the eve of the 2020 US election

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The DFRLab launches an interactive, open-source database that captures allegations of foreign interference relevant to the 2020 election. It assesses the credibility, objectivity, evidence, transparency, and impact of each claim.

Three Seas Initiative could help jumpstart Europe’s post-COVID recovery and green economy transformation

By David A. Wemer

Buoyed by a new commercially managed investment fund and a $1 billion pledge from the United States, leaders from the Three Seas Initiative will convene for a summit on October 19 to move the project into its next stage.

#AlertaVenezuela: September 29, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Following a visit to the Latin America region by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Nicolás Maduro’s attacks directed at the secretary and also at current Colombian President Iván Duque gained traction on social media, with an article from dubious website Al Punto receiving the most engagement on Facebook, in particular via a post by a Colombian influencer.