Category: Content Series

COVID-19 provides China a historic chance to tilt the world in its favor, but it may not last long

By Frederick Kempe

COVID-19 has provided a clarifying force revealing more clearly than ever before both the nature and relentlessness of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s ambition to place itself at the center of global power and influence. At the same time, the U.S. response to China has been inconsistent, lacking in long-term strategy and close coordination with allies.

The “shadow pandemic” of gender-based violence

By Joanne Chukwueke

While lockdowns and social distancing measures have been essential in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, they have also produced unintended consequences: increased rates of domestic violence. As COVID-19 spreads in African countries, demand for support services for victims of gender-based violence continues to rise.

Zelenskyy’s foreign policy: One year in

By Atlantic Council Eurasia Center

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swept into office with three key promises. A year after his administration began, how has Zelenskyy done?

Loose cobras: DPRK regime succession and uncertain control over offensive cyber capabilities

By JD Work

Unconfirmed rumors surfaced in mid April 2020 regarding the potential incapacitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, leading to speculation about the ramifications of a sudden transition of leadership in Pyongyang. These rumors raise serious concerns over the stability of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) control of offensive cyber operations capabilities.

Building Virtual Communities: The Power of Technology to Connect People

Today’s technology has become the connective tissue of our physically distant lives and positioned us to quickly learn about and respond to COVID-19.

Coronavirus has exposed the United States’ own political virus

By John Raidt

Well before COVID-19 upended the world, another kind of virulence was seizing the United States by the throat—a lethal strain of division and dysfunction infecting the nation’s body politic. Though US economic indicators had been climbing to new heights, the public perceived the danger in political indicators tumbling to alarming new lows.

#AlertaVenezuela: April 28, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

False diets, cures, and homemade recipes to treat or prevent COVID-19 have appeared on Venezuela’s news outlets, social media, and Maduro regime announcements since February 28, 2020.

Infrastructure interdependence a threat to upcoming elections

By Nicholas Cunningham

Recent developments indicate that Russia could exploit the interdependent nature of our critical infrastructure to disrupt our elections via well-timed cyberattacks. How prepared are we to address election interference that goes beyond information operations?

Here’s how the U.S. could lead energy rethink post-COVID-19

By Frederick Kempe

U.S. role as the world’s leading oil and gas producer doesn’t feel as empowering as it recently did, with oil prices heading into negative territory for the first time ever this week. Yet there is an opportunity in the oil industry’s unprecedented crisis – and in the further months of market volatility that will come with it. This period presents a chance for the United States to forge a better and more sustainable path to global energy leadership than can be found even within the vast riches of U.S. shale.

Design choices of Central Bank Digital Currencies will transform digital payments and geopolitics

By Nikhil Raghuveera

In this analysis, the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center examines the geopolitical implications of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and calls for the United States to lead on setting standards for CBDC and financial technology.