Content

Issue Brief

Sep 19, 2023

Less freedom, weaker states, more conflict: can that cycle be broken?

By Patrick W. Quirk and Owen L. Myers

Why and how advancing freedom (political, economic, and judicial components) is the surest way to advance sustainable stability and associated prosperity.

Democratic Transitions
Freedom and Prosperity

Issue Brief

Sep 18, 2023

Guarantees 2.0: Meeting climate finance needs in the Global South

By Ian Callaghan, George Frampton, Ken Berlin, and Frank Willey

Transforming global energy, manufacturing, and transportation systems for a net-zero future requires a huge investment, but current financial flows toward these goals are vastly insufficient.

Energy & Environment
Energy Markets & Governance
A man rides a boat past toll plaza amid flood water on main Indus highway, following rains and floods during the monsoon season in Sehwan, Pakistan.

Issue Brief

Sep 15, 2023

Empowering Pakistan’s youth to address climate change risks

By Omaer Naeem

Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts like flooding and heatwaves. Empowering Pakistani youth in climate adaptation is critical as they will face intensified effects. This brief advocates for greater involvement of youth through grassroots organization, policy advocacy, innovative solutions, and strengthening international cooperation on climate action.

Civil Society
Pakistan

Issue Brief

Sep 11, 2023

The draft ended fifty years ago. Can the all-volunteer force survive another fifty?

By James L. Jones, Jr., Arnold Punaro

Retired Marine Corps Generals James L. Jones and Arnold Punaro argue that in its current form the United States' all-volunteer force is on an unsustainable path.

Civil Society
Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Sep 6, 2023

Strengthening financial inclusion in the Caribbean: Treating correspondent banking relationships as a public good

By Wazim Mowla

To bolster financial inclusion in the Caribbean, the United States must treat corresponding banking relationships as a public good.

Caribbean
Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Sep 6, 2023

Alternative security futures in the High North

By David Auerswald

Climate change, combined with increasing geopolitical competition and hostilities, has focused renewed attention on national security interests in the Arctic. By 2035, how will those variables combine to influence the High North?

China
Climate Change & Climate Action

Issue Brief

Aug 24, 2023

Transitioning to the clean energy grid: A deep dive into the levelized cost of electricity

By Ken Berlin, Frank Willey

To benefit fully from the lower cost of generating renewables and to achieve a transition to a clean energy system as rapidly as possible, the United States must implement a more efficient planning and permitting process.

Energy & Environment
Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Aug 23, 2023

The case for seizing Putin regime assets

By Kristina Hook and Yonah Diamond

A coordinated asset-seizure program connected to Russian aggression and atrocities can build international consensus—increasing the effectiveness of economic responses to Russia's war, eighteen months in.

Economic Sanctions
International Financial Institutions

Issue Brief

Aug 16, 2023

Biases blind us to the risk of Chinese military intervention in Korea

By Jonathan Corrado

This paper examines the historical record of cognitive biases, focusing on the US intelligence community’s failure to forecast PRC intervention in the Korean War, despite collecting information and evidence indicative of that outcome.

Arms Control
China
People hold a Venezuelan flag and placards as union workers, members of political opposition parties, and others participate in a protest against the government of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro during May Day, in Caracas, Venezuela May 1, 2023

Issue Brief

Aug 11, 2023

Getting Venezuela’s historic humanitarian accord up and running

By Geoff Ramsey, Ignacia Ulloa Peters

Venezuela's crisis has generated a large and complex global emergency. Recent negotiations have resulted in agreements between the Maduro regime and the opposition, including a $3.2 billion Social Agreement. This issue brief highlights five key recommendations for leaders in the United States and abroad to help shape the way for its successful implementation.

Democratic Transitions
Latin America