Five big questions as America votes

As part of the Atlantic Council’s Elections 2020 programming, the New Atlanticist is featuring a series looking at the major questions facing the United States around the world as Americans head to the polls.

The Middle East

Should the United States withdraw from the Middle East? Will Iran sit down with the United States to renegotiate a new nuclear agreement?

Energy

What are the geopolitical implications of volatility and low prices in oil and gas markets? What domestic choices will the next US president face on energy policy?

South Asia

What does the United States owe Afghanistan? How might the United States work with China to support South Asia’s regional stability and economic prosperity?

Cybersecurity

What will be the most influential force on the shape of the internet that the next administration will face? How will the novel coronavirus pandemic impact the next administration’s approach to digital privacy?

Disinformation

How should we label this problem: Disinformation, misinformation, or “fake news?” What should be done about the spread of political dis- and misinformation within the United States?

The geopolitical impacts of technology

What future does the United States want for data, trust, and increasing resilience across communities and sectors? What future does the United States want in addressing COVID-19 and future outbreaks with better tech?

NATO

How should NATO address challenges from Russia and China? How should we measure success in enhancing NATO and how can we make the case to the American public that NATO is as relevant as ever?

Eurasia

How would US policy towards Russia change under President Trump’s second term, or in a Biden administration? How can the United States best support protestors in Belarus?

Latin America

How can the United States help Latin America to rebuild as COVID-19 continues to disproportionately affect the region? In which ways can the United States support the millions of migrants and refugees fleeing economic and humanitarian crises?

China

How is the COVID-19 pandemic changing US-China strategic competition? How should democratic values shape US strategy for long-term competition with an authoritarian China?

Europe

How can the United States and the EU start a new administration, either under Biden or Trump, on the right foot? How should the United States and EU work together to counter China?