Content

Issue Brief

Sep 15, 2022

Democratic institutional strength before and beyond elections: The case of Brazil 

By Valentina Sader

Brazil—Latin America’s largest economy and the fourth-largest democracy in the world—will elect its next president, governors, congress, and state-level assemblies in October 2022. This is one of the most momentous elections in recent years, a result of the inflection point that Brazil faces.

Americas Brazil

Issue Brief

Sep 14, 2022

Sand in the silicon: Designing an outbound investment controls mechanism

By Sarah Bauerle Danzman and Emily Kilcrease

The stakes for rethinking the investment relationship between the United States and China are high. An outbound investment mechanism must be narrowly targeted, clearly defined, non-duplicative of existing tools, scoped proportionately to administrative capacity, and paired with meaningful multilateral engagement with allies and partners. 

China Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Sep 13, 2022

Alternative battery chemistries and diversifying clean energy supply chains

By Reed Blakemore, Paddy Ryan, William Tobin

In an ecosystem of growth for batteries for grid storage and electric vehicle applications, alternatives to the lithium-ion battery chemistry may play an increasing role in alleviating supply chain woes and enabling deep decarbonization.

Australia China

Issue Brief

Sep 9, 2022

Supporting Afghan refugees: A case for cultural sensitivity and humility in resettlement practices

By Halima Ahmadi-Montecalvo, Amanda Terry, Belquis Ahmadi

In recognition of the one-year anniversary of the Taliban retaking control of Afghanistan, the authors of this publication seek to raise awareness of the whole person needs of settled refugees in the United States by highlighting experiences of a number of newly resettled Afghan refugees.

Afghanistan Politics & Diplomacy

Issue Brief

Sep 9, 2022

Unlocking SME potential in Latin America and the Caribbean

By Eva Lardizábal, Pepe Zhang

This publication outlines practical, forward-looking policy recommendations needed for SMEs to fully become engines of socioeconomic prosperity.

Americas Fiscal and Structural Reform
NATO, Finland and Sweden

Issue Brief

Aug 22, 2022

Sweden and Finland are on their way to NATO membership. Here’s what needs to happen next.

By John R. Deni

In response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden took the historic step of applying to join NATO. Both nations will bring modern capabilities that will help defend against malign actors. As Finland and Sweden's membership is forthcoming, Alliance leaders, NATO watchers, and transatlantic security experts need to consider how to fully integrate the new allies, include them in operational plans, and best enhance defense of a longer border with Russia.

Europe & Eurasia National Security

Issue Brief

Aug 15, 2022

Beyond munitions: A gender analysis for Ukrainian security assistance

By Cori Fleser

Allies need to incorporate human security into their bilateral military assistance to Ukraine.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Aug 11, 2022

China Pathfinder: Q2 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

Issue Brief

Aug 2, 2022

Space traffic management: Time for action

By Mir Sadat, Julia Siegel

Mir Sadat and Julia Siegel highlight challenges to and opportunities for addressing space traffic management in this Forward Defense issue brief.

China National Security

Issue Brief

Aug 2, 2022

Behind the rise of ransomware

By John Sakellariadis

Between 2016 and 2019, cybercriminals shifted from automated ransomware campaigns that emphasized scale to targeted extortion operations against organizations. This adaption made ransomware more disruptive and more profitable, culminating in the 2021 surge in ransomware. Though the US government has devoted more attention to ransomware since 2021, ransomware remains a significant and long-term threat to the US economy.

Cybersecurity

Experts