Tue, Jun 30, 2020
Assessing Indian digital trade policies: Will they support a $5 trillion economy?
Trade policy has come to the fore as a growing number of countries restrict exports of critical medical supplies to ensure sufficient availability for patients in-country. In this crisis, international collaboration to keep trade flowing has been limited and has not prevented many countries from imposing new trade restrictions.
In-Depth Research & Reports by Mark Linscott
Mon, Jun 29, 2020
Ukrainian business leaders advocated better economic policy and rule of law: A report card
During his presidency, President Zelenskyy promised to bring major reform to Ukraine. One year on, what reforms have been achieved, and what obstacles remain for Ukraine?
Report by Anders Åslund
Mon, Jun 22, 2020
The European Union and the search for digital sovereignty: Building “Fortress Europe” or preparing for a new world?
When the new European Commission took office under President Ursula von der Leyen, enhancing digital capabilities across the European Union immediately emerged as a top priority. Even in her first statement before being confirmed as European Commission president, von der Leyen called for Europe to achieve “technological sovereignty in some critical technology areas.” Despite the […]
Issue Brief by Frances Burwell, Kenneth Propp
Thu, Jun 18, 2020
An affordable defense of Asia
US military advantages over China are steadily eroding. Therefore, in this inaugural report for Forward Defense, T.X. Hammes crafts a new strategy and corresponding operational concepts which leverage geography and emerging technology to improve the US and allied warfighting posture in Asia.
Report by T.X. Hammes
Wed, Jun 17, 2020
Assessing Saudi Vision 2030: A 2020 review
Executive summary When global oil prices collapsed in summer 2014, Saudi Arabia confronted one of the most daunting economic challenges of its modern history. Upon ascending to the throne the following year, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his son Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (now the crown prince) responded by developing an ambitious […]
In-Depth Research & Reports by Stephen Grand, Katherine Wolff
Mon, Jun 15, 2020
The reverse cascade: Enforcing security on the global IoT supply chain
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the increasing convergence of the physical and digital worlds and it affects us all. Hundreds of “things” are being connected to the Internet and each other, with more than fifty billion devices expected to be connected by 2030. Many IoT devices are manufactured abroad at low cost with little consideration for security. How can we secure these devices, especially those manufactured outside the United States?
In-Depth Research & Reports by Nathaniel Kim, Trey Herr, and Bruce Schneier
Fri, Jun 5, 2020
Operation Carthage: How a Tunisian company conducted influence operations in African presidential elections
A Tunisia-based company operated a sophisticated digital campaign involving multiple social media platforms and websites in an attempt to influence the country’s 2019 presidential election, as well as other recent elections in Africa. In an exclusive investigation that began in September 2019, the DFRLab uncovered dozens of online assets with connections to Tunisian digital communications firm UReputation. On June 5, 2020, after conducting its own investigation, Facebook announced it had taken down more than 900 assets affiliated with the UReputation operation, including 182 user accounts, 446 pages, and 96 groups, as well as 209 Instagram accounts. The operation also involved the publication of multiple Francophone websites, some going back more than five years.
In-Depth Research & Reports by Andy Carvin, Luiza Bandeira, Graham Brookie, Iain Robertson, Nika Aleksejeva, Alyssa Kann, Kanishk Karan, Ayushman Kaul, Tessa Knight, Jean le Roux, Roman Osadchik, Esteban Ponce de Leon
Fri, Jun 5, 2020
New challenges and dwindling returns for Russia’s national champions, Gazprom and Rosneft
As Russia’s economic future is clouded by negative demographic trends, new energy technologies and efficiencies, volatile commodity prices, and the likelihood of continued Western sanctions, Gazprom and Rosneft, Russia’s two natural resource champions face a comeuppance: international competition, global and regional market access, capital investment, and revenue/cost efficiency.
Report by Anders Åslund & Steven Fisher
Tue, Jun 2, 2020
Geometries of deterrence: Assessing defense arrangements in Europe’s northeast
Nations in Europe’s northeast cooperate through a variety of multilateral security and defense arrangements. “Geometries of Deterrence” assesses how these arrangements individually and collectively contribute to deterrence and defense in Northeastern Europe.
In-Depth Research & Reports by Hans Binnendijk and Conor Rodihan
Mon, Jun 1, 2020
Executive summary: The virus and global order
The COVID-19 pandemic is having dramatic effects on everyday life, but its geopolitical implications could prove to be even more profound. The pandemic is exacerbating and unleashing pressure points in the global order, including intensified US-China competition, that could fundamentally reshape geopolitics.
Issue Brief by Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig, and Barry Pavel
Mon, Jun 1, 2020
Taking stock: Where are geopolitics headed in the COVID-19 era?
The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed pressure points in the global order and threatens to unravel the rules-based international system. This paper examines the geopolitical implications of the pandemic by identifying key strategic shocks and tensions exacerbated by the virus. It also identifies uncertainties for the global order and provides policy recommendations for how the United States and its allies should address the pandemic.
Issue Brief by Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig, and Barry Pavel
Tue, May 26, 2020
European energy security and the critical role of transatlantic energy cooperation
Transatlantic cooperation is essential to European energy security, which is and should remain a key national security priority for the United States. European energy security is crucial for the maintenance of a strong European economy and for European political stability, both of which are in the best interests of the United States. This report recommends that the United States and the EU focus their energy cooperation in several areas that will benefit the EU’s efforts to meet climate targets and that, at the same time, will also bolster energy security.
Report by Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Jennifer T. Gordon
Sat, May 16, 2020
Downstream oil theft: Countermeasures and good practices
Downstream oil theft has become a global problem. Since most of the world’s energy systems still rely on oil, fuel smugglers are nearly always able to find markets for their goods. Moreover, as oil is not inherently illegal, it is generally an easy product to move, buy, and sell. Profits from oil theft are frequently used to fund terrorism and other illegal activities.
Report by Dr. David Soud with contributing authors Dr. Ian Ralby and Rohini Ralby
Wed, May 13, 2020
Counting the cost: Avoiding another war between Israel and Hezbollah
The Atlantic Council has released a new report, “Counting the Cost: Avoiding Another War between Israel and Hezbollah,” authored by Nicholas Blanford and Assaf Orion.
In-Depth Research & Reports by Nicholas Blanford and Assaf Orion
Mon, May 11, 2020
Trump’s JCPOA withdrawal two years on: Maximum pressure, minimum outcomes
Two years ago, US President Donald J. Trump walked into the White House Diplomatic Reception Room and announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The Trump administration reimposed sanctions on Iran and has adopted a policy of “maximum pressure” to compel Iran to change its behavior […]
Issue Brief by David Mortlock
Mon, May 4, 2020
Drone attacks against critical infrastructure: A real and present threat
Read the Middle East Program’s new paper on the use of weaponized drones in the Middle East, with recommendations for policymakers.
Issue Brief by Dr. Scott Crino and Conrad “Andy” Dreby
Thu, Apr 30, 2020
Loose cobras: DPRK regime succession and uncertain control over offensive cyber capabilities
Unconfirmed rumors surfaced in mid April 2020 regarding the potential incapacitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, leading to speculation about the ramifications of a sudden transition of leadership in Pyongyang. These rumors raise serious concerns over the stability of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) control of offensive cyber operations capabilities.
Issue Brief by JD Work
Thu, Apr 30, 2020
Sustainable aviation fuel policy in the United States: A pragmatic way forward
Aviation’s reliance on fossil fuels, its expected future growth rates, and the service lifespan of aircraft make it a difficult section of the transportation sector to decarbonize.
Report by Fred Ghatala
Mon, Apr 27, 2020
The future of US-Iraq relations
This Atlantic Council Iraq Initiative report by Nonresident Senior Fellow Dr. C. Anthony Pfaff analyzes the current challenges in the US-Iraq relationship and presents policy recommendations.
In-Depth Research & Reports by C. Anthony Pfaff
Thu, Apr 23, 2020
What world post-COVID-19? Three scenarios
This paper is a preliminary look at the geopolitical implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and sketches three scenarios for the possible direction of the global system post-COVID-19.
In-Depth Research & Reports by Mathew J. Burrows, Peter Engelke