Content Type: Timely Commentary & Analysis

State of the Order: Assessing June 2022

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

From crypto winter to crypto spring: The challenges and opportunities of cryptocurrency in MENA

By Alexandra Kaiss

On June 28, the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a virtual event on "Will the crypto winter cool the Middle East?" in partnership with ABANA.

How Africa is responding to the war in Ukraine

For the 2022 Africa Day, the Atlantic Council was happy to host top top DC think tank voices for a discussion on Africa and the new geopolitical order.

The WTO Ministerial Agreement – Problematic Progress

By Barbara C. Matthews

Ministers at the World Trade Organization (WTO) triggered headlines proclaiming an historic trade agreement on e-commerce, fishing, and vaccines. In reality, their accomplishments are far more mundane. Many are relieved that the WTO even continues to exist amid deepening geopolitical splintering.

State of the Order: Assessing May 2022

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

Experts: Long neglected, the Black Sea is now a crucial piece of strategic puzzle

By Alvina Ahmed

On June, the Scowcroft Center's Transatlantic Security Initiative hosted a public conference discussing the importance of securitizing the Black Sea Region and US-Romanian bilateral relationship in light of the war in Ukraine.

A new transatlantic relationship for the Middle East and North Africa

By Alexandra Kaiss

On June 7, the Atlantic Council’s (AC) North Africa Initiative hosted an event, “New Transatlantic Relations for the Middle East and North Africa,” in collaboration with US Embassy Rome and Centro Studi Americani. Moderated by Karim Mezran, director of the AC’s North Africa Initiative and resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, the event explored […]

The Middle East and North Africa in the New Geopolitical Disorder

By Otto Lanzavecchia

While the US seems to be disengaging from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), which is rife with lingering tensions and subject to geopolitical turmoil, other external actors fill the void. All while the European Union (EU) mostly ignores the wider Mediterranean until it becomes impossible to ignore. An expert panel held by the Atlantic Council and the Med-Or Foundation in Rome delved into the drivers and strategic reasons behind the region’s newfound centrality on May 31, 2022.

Promoting more women in leadership is “a business imperative” and key to unlocking economic prosperity, say top executives

By Allison Holle

On June 7, the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a workshop on "Balance of power: Promoting more women in leadership."

These organizations are on the front lines of internet equity—and countering China’s influence

By Atlantic Council

Will democracies make the investments in digital equity needed to expand access to health and education, political participation, and economic opportunity?