Content

Report

May 18, 2022

Squaring the energy transition circle in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean

By Katerina Sokou

Achieving a smooth energy tradition, where energy security is assured and climate change is addressed, was always going to be a difficult puzzle. Yet in one of the most energy-dependent regions of Europe, Southeast Europe, Greece and the United States have been working closely together to both increase energy security and accelerate the green recovery.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

May 18, 2022

Afghanistan: Where US-Iranian interests may yet intersect

By Borzou Daragahi

Borzou Daragahi's latest report delves into the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and how the swift collapse of the US-backed government in Kabul last summer shocked the United States and its influential neighbor, Iran. 

Afghanistan Iran

Issue Brief

May 11, 2022

China Pathfinder: Q1 2022 Update

By GeoEconomics Center and Rhodium Group

Over the past ten months, teams from the Atlantic Council and Rhodium Group have taken a dive into China’s economy to address a fundamental question: Is China becoming more or less like other open-market economies? 

China Fiscal and Structural Reform

Report

May 11, 2022

China’s faltering “zero COVID” policy: Politics in command, economy in reverse

By Jeremy Mark, Michael Schuman

Could Beijing's doubling down on the "zero COVID" policy undermine the narrative of China’s superiority in responding to the pandemic—and the image and stature of Xi’s rule?

China Coronavirus
Several tiny satellites photographed by an Expedition 33 crew member on the International Space Station. The satellites were released outside the Kibo laboratory using a Small Satellite Orbital Deployer attached to the Japanese module’s robotic arm on Oct. 4, 2012. Source: NASA, “Several tiny satellites,” Wikimedia Commons, October 4, 2012, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ISS-33_Several_tiny_satellites_1.jpg.

Report

May 5, 2022

Small satellites: The implications for national security

By Nicholas Eftimiades

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Nicholas Eftimiades considers how the US government can better leverage commercial satellites to enhance space security.

China Defense Industry

Report

Apr 28, 2022

The future of UK banking and finance

By Panagiotis Asimakopoulos, Christopher Breen, and William Wright

This report provides an ambitious blueprint for the future of UK banking and finance. It emphasizes the need for more rapid reform in three broad areas: enabling the sector to better support the UK economy, improving its international competitiveness, and mapping the role it can play in developing global cooperation and partnerships.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Report

Apr 27, 2022

Iraq: Implementing a way forward

By C. Anthony Pfaff, Ben Connable, Masoud Mostajabi

A new report lays out findings and recommendations to assist the Iraqi government and its international partners in improving political, social, economic, and security conditions.

Economy & Business Iraq

Report

Apr 21, 2022

Climbing the ladder: How the West can manage escalation in Ukraine and beyond

By Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and NATO’s response increase the possibility of purposeful or inadvertent escalation in Europe. Understanding how these dynamics might impact the war and further degrade transatlantic stability is critical.

Cybersecurity Defense Policy
Map of the global south in which China uses discourse power.

Report

Apr 20, 2022

China’s discourse power operations in the Global South

By Kenton Thibaut

An overview of China’s discourse power activities in the Global South, including the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. It outlines the processes through which China leverages its diplomatic, media, and political positions in these regions to gain influence, and assesses the impacts of these activities for democratic resilience worldwide.

Africa China

Issue Brief

Apr 19, 2022

Can China transform its economy to be innovation-led?

By Hung Tran

The ability of the Chinese economy to transform itself will depends on three key areas: input mobilization, R&D, and output implementation.

China Digital Policy

Experts