Content Type: Timely Commentary & Analysis

Event recap: “The transformative potential of crypto and blockchain for Pakistan”

By Fahim Ahmad

The Atlantic Council South Asia Center's Pakistan initiative, convened a panel discussion on December 13 to discuss the potential of digital currency in Pakistan and how it will benefit the socio-economic situation in the country.

Fintech innovation is critical for business and women in MENA

By Hezha Barzani

On December 14, the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a virtual event on “MENA’s Fintech innovators: Digitizing financial services” in partnership with ABANA.

Inside a new effort to define and promote tech transparency

By Atlantic Council

Our Digital Forensic Research Lab joined with partner organizations to launch the Action Coalition, a group organized under the Danish government's Technology for Democracy Initiative that will spend a year searching for clarity and progress on transparency in tech.

Colombia’s president: The US helped Colombia through COVID-19. Now it’s time for the next phase of cooperation.

By Atlantic Council

Duque listed opportunities for the United States to invest in Colombia and improve economic opportunity in the country—and Cardin and Blunt reiterated the United States’ willingness to continue its two-hundred-year partnership with Colombia.

Are autocrats winning the internet? Leading activists describe the role of big tech on the ground

By Atlantic Council

Glacier Chung Ching Kwong and Leonid Volkov reflect on their experiences defending human rights in Russia and Hong Kong to answer whether authoritarians are winning in harnessing technology.

Impacts of the pandemic on US productivity growth

By Jeff Goldstein

After 45 years of decelerating productivity growth, the pandemic's impact on economic activity has indicated the potential for a reversal of the trend. It remains to be seen whether this is durable or temporary, but the answer will significantly impact the US economy's long-term outlook.

Behind the scenes of the newest hot job in diplomacy: Tech ambassador

By Atlantic Council

Countries have begun appointing tech ambassadors in different forms to elevate technology as a national-security and foreign-policy priority. Here's what their roles mean not just for democracy and human rights in the digital age.

The Great LIBOR Transition

By Hung Tran

Beginning in 2022, the London Interbank Offered Rates (LIBOR) will be replaced by national reference rates. While the changeover will address the problems that led to the demise of LIBOR, the national reference rates will also introduce new problems which will need to be assessed and resolved.

The new German government and Sweden: Implications for European security and defence

On December 2nd, The Atlantic Council’s Northern Europe office in Stockholm and the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) held a breakfast roundtable entitled, “The new German government: Implications for European security and defence.” The discussion was held shortly after the Swedish parliament voted in its first female prime minister and Germany was awaiting the “traffic […]