Content

Report

Sep 26, 2017

The MADCOM future

By Matt Chessen

Emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools will provide propagandists radically enhanced capabilities to manipulate human minds. Human cognition is a complex system, and AI tools are very good at decoding complex systems. Interactions on social media, browsing the Internet, and even grocery shopping provide thousands of data points from which technologists can build psychological profiles on nearly […]

Americas Civil Society

Issue Brief

Sep 21, 2017

Using citizen-based observations to plan for climate change

By Sarah Abdelrahim

As a global challenge with profound implications at the local level, climate change provides new opportunities for individual engagement. Communities around the world have their own unique experiences with the effects of climate change, as well as drastically different climate adaptation needs. This gives individuals an unprecedented role to play in sharing information and guiding […]

Issue Brief

Sep 21, 2017

Using citizen-based observations to plan for climate change

By Sarah Abdelrahim

As a global challenge with profound implications at the local level, climate change provides new opportunities for individual engagement.

Report

Sep 14, 2017

The Euro’s Difficult Future

By Luigi Bonatti

In The Euro’s Difficult Future – Competitiveness Imbalances and the Eurozone’s North-South Divide author Luigi Bonatti, a professor of economics at the University of Trento in Italy, stresses that the existing North-South competitiveness divide creates growing tensions between member countries and fuels hostility towards European Union institutions. The paper illustrates why this competitiveness divide is […]

European Union Fiscal and Structural Reform

Report

Sep 14, 2017

Revolution unveiled: A closer look at Iran’s presence and influence in the Middle East

By Phillip Smyth, Tim Michetti, and Owen Daniels

Revolution Unveiled: A Closer Look at Iran’s Presence and Influence in the Middle East, by Phillip Smyth, Tim Michetti, and Owen Daniels, pieces together snapshots of Iran’s influence in the region using photographic analysis, geolocation, social media monitoring, and other methods. Through four case studies, this report systematically examines new or lesser-known methods Iran employs […]

Iran Middle East

Report

Sep 13, 2017

Transforming the power sector in developing countries: Indonesia’s diversification challenge

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Although often overshadowed by significantly larger energy systems in India and China, Indonesia is assuming an increasingly important role in international energy markets and global efforts to address climate change. What challenges does Indonesia face in the energy sector and what can be recommendations can be made for policy makers and other stakeholders on strategic priorities?

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions
President Xi Jinping of China addresses the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Business Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Established in 2000, the Summit, which takes place every three years, facilitates large-scale investment deals between China and Africa. Photo credit: Republic of South Africa/Flickr.

Issue Brief

Sep 7, 2017

Escaping China’s shadow

By Aubrey Hruby

China’s major financial commitments to Africa, coupled with its double digit returns, have discouraged American companies from breaking into African markets. Amid growing concerns regarding China’s expanding economic influence on the continent, a reassessment of America’s business edge and overall competitiveness is past due. Rather than engaging in a fist-fight for influence with Chinese competitors, […]

President Xi Jinping of China addresses the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Business Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Established in 2000, the Summit, which takes place every three years, facilitates large-scale investment deals between China and Africa. Photo credit: Republic of South Africa/Flickr.

Issue Brief

Sep 7, 2017

Escaping China’s shadow

By Aleksandra W. Gadzala

China’s major financial commitments to Africa, coupled with its double digit returns, have discouraged American companies from breaking into African markets.

Africa China

Issue Brief

Sep 7, 2017

Capturing the African consumer market

By Aleksandra W. Gadzala

For America’s consumer goods companies, the latest shifts in African consumer trends hold much promise. Africa’s population is growing at an outstanding rate and spending by consumers and businesses on the continent is forecast to grow significantly over the next decade. However, US investors often oversimplify and misunderstand African markets, which remain highly segmented, fluid, […]

Africa East Africa

Issue Brief

Sep 7, 2017

Capturing the African consumer market

By Aleksandra W. Gadzala

For America’s consumer goods companies, the latest shifts in African consumer trends hold much promise. Africa’s population is growing at an outstanding rate and spending by consumers and businesses on the continent is forecast to grow significantly over the next decade.

Africa East Africa