Tue, Jan 21, 2020
PeaceGame Venezuela: Pathways to Peace
In October 2019, PeaceGame Venezuela convened global leaders in Washington, D.C. to advance thinking around how Venezuelans and the international community should prepare for the potential of complete state collapse in Venezuela. This undesirable scenario must be considered as the domestic situation and the regional and global implications further deteriorate. This high-level crisis simulation was a collaboration between Foreign […]
In-Depth Research & Reports by Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center
Mon, Jan 13, 2020
Spotlight: Alejandro Giammattei’s first 100 days
Guatemala will begin a new chapter today with the presidential inauguration of Alejandro Giammattei Falla. At the center of the incoming pro-business administration: ushering in a new era of economic growth and job creation. With 59 percent of Guatemalans living in poverty, Central America’s largest and most populous country is also one the poorest and most unequal nations in Latin America. What are the priorities of President Giammattei to address such longstanding challenges? With the termination of the CICIG and ever-present migration challenges, can President Giammattei improve the living conditions for the millions of Guatemalans who seek a better future in their own country?
Issue Brief by María Fernanda Pérez Argüello and Domingo Sadurní
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
Democracy under siege: Advancing cooperation and common values in the Indo-Pacific
“Democracy under Siege: Advancing Cooperation and Common Values in the Indo-Pacific” examines challenges and opportunities for advancing cooperation and common values in the Indo-Pacific as the region faces an increasing challenge from China.
Issue Brief by Dr. Kharis Templeman
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
International grid integration: Efficiencies, vulnerabilities, and strategic implications in Asia
In order to meet growing global demand for electricity, and in response to an increase in renewables, power networks and markets are evolving and becoming increasingly interconnected. South and Southeast Asia have already had some success with interconnections, and China’s vision and Belt and Road Initiative loom large in the region, but there are geopolitical concerns to contend with. Could a US model manage these concerns? What is the state of regional power markets in Asia and investment in regional grid infrastructure, and what responses are we already seeing to emerging trends?
Report by Phillip Cornell
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
Energy sector diversification: Meeting demographic challenges in the MENA region
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is projected to experience significant demographic growth by 2050, growth which will have to be met with commensurate economic expansion and job opportunities, or the region will risk an increase in political instability. To meet this challenge, countries in the region must diversify their economies beyond the energy sector and expand their energy sector beyond hydrocarbons. What are the key trends that MENA countries will have to contend with, what is already being done, and what further steps should be taken?
Report by Bina Hussein
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
Transforming the power sector in developing countries: Geopolitics, poverty, and climate change in Bangladesh
As the South and Southeast Asian region faces increasing energy demand due to both population and economic growth, countries like Bangladesh must meet that demand while facing and overcoming critical environmental and energy security challenges. How is Bangladesh seeking to diversify its energy mix and establish more local and decarbonized power systems, and what are key opportunities for future government and foreign investment?
Issue Brief by Robert F. Ichord, Jr.
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
Transforming the power sector in developing countries: Geopolitics, poverty, and climate change in Pakistan
As the South and Southeast Asian region faces increasing energy demand due to both population and economic growth, countries like Pakistan must meet that demand while facing and overcoming critical environmental and energy security challenges. How is Pakistan seeking to diversify its energy mix and establish more local and decarbonized power systems, and what are key opportunities for future government and foreign investment?
Issue Brief by Robert F. Ichord, Jr.
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
The role of oil and gas companies in the energy transition
Many oil and gas companies have recognized the need to decarbonize the energy system to avoid the impacts of climate change. Initial industry efforts to play a role in the energy transition show sincerity and promise. Yet the urgent need for more oil and gas production for the foreseeable future suggests that a comprehensive framework for the oil and gas industry to support a low-carbon future while simultaneously ensuring the world has enough energy to meet development and economic growth goals has yet to be fully developed. What role can the oil and gas industry play lead the way to an energy-rich, globally prosperous, low-carbon future?
Report by Robert (“RJ”) Johnston, Reed Blakemore, Randolph Bell
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
Election 2020: What’s at stake for energy?
As the US presidential election in November 2020 draws nearer, the energy policy platforms—including domestic energy, climate change, foreign, and trade policies—from the Democratic candidates, as well as the energy policies of a potential second Trump Administration, have become increasingly clear. The competing visions of a Republican and a Democratic administration could hardly be more disparate, and industry and external stakeholders should prepare for a volatile outlook regardless of the outcome in November 2020—what are the salient energy policies under the two scenarios and how will they address the deep and entrenched energy challenges that face the United States?
Issue Brief by David L. Goldwyn and Andrea Clabough
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
International co-financing of nuclear reactors between the United States and its allies
The United States and its allies in civil nuclear cooperation have struggled in recent years to compete against state-owned nuclear enterprise exports. Since nuclear energy agreements establish decades’ long relationships between the vendor and purchasing countries, and the United States and its allies wish to export their high safety and nonproliferation standards along with technologies, it is vital that the United States regains its position of global leadership on nuclear energy exports. As Russia and China seek out third-party countries with demand for nuclear energy, can the United States and its allies determine how to cooperate on co-financing agreements and become greater than the sum of their parts?
Issue Brief by Jennifer T. Gordon
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
European energy diversification: How alternative sources and routes can bolster energy security and decarbonization
The European Union’s efforts to achieve a carbon-neutral economy present a unique and timely opportunity to strengthen European energy security. What is the EU currently doing to meet its decarbonization goals, address the role of natural gas in Europe’s low-carbon future, and explain the potential for new gas sources, alternative gas routes, and clean energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions? And how can this be done while simultaneously increasing European energy security and opportunities for transatlantic cooperation?
Issue Brief by Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Irina Markina
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
The Saudi Aramco-SABIC merger: How acquiring SABIC fits into Aramco’s long-term diversification strategy
Throughout 2019, financial markets have watched the planned Saudi Aramco initial public offering (IPO), which was finally launched in December. A quieter, but no less significant, story was Saudi Aramco’s acquisition of SABIC. Saudi Aramco strove to have a successful IPO, especially through increased transparency and diversification, and the SABIC acquisition was a key element of Saudi Aramco’s diversification strategy. Going forward, what does the merger mean for both companies, what is the new relationship between Aramco and SABIC, and what are the merger’s implications for the intricate relationship between the various bureaucracies and leadership in Saudi Arabia?
Issue Brief by Jean-François Seznec
Mon, Dec 23, 2019
Spotlight: 10 Questions for 2020
Looking ahead at the year 2020 in Latin America, here are our predictions for the top 10 questions facing the region. What’s your take?
Issue Brief by Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center
Fri, Dec 20, 2019
Leading the free world: How America benefits
Americans have been the unconscious beneficiaries of a world order that would not exist without them. Just as we take for granted electricity and plumbing, so to we take for granted the peace and prosperity of our system.
Report by Paul D. Miller
Mon, Dec 16, 2019
US-China collaboration on the Internet of Things safety: What next?
While the Internet of Things offers a range of humanitarian, commercial, and national security benefits, its pervasive nature has many concerned over its impacts on safety and security in society. In a new report by the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Karl Rauscher notes that the world’s two largest powers are at a crossroads with regard to their level and scope of cooperation in continued IoT advances. United States–China Collaboration on the Internet of Things Safety: What’s Next? analyzes possibilities for the United States and China to work together to establish consensus policies and standards to make their societies safer and provide a model for the world.
Report by Karl Frederick Rauscher
Thu, Dec 12, 2019
Managed competition: Meeting China’s challenge in a multi-vector world
Understanding and responding to the challenges China presents requires a broad perspective, recognizing the interaction of economic, diplomatic, and security issues.
Report by Franklin D. Kramer
Wed, Dec 11, 2019
Aviation cybersecurity: Scoping the challenge
The digital attack surface the aviation sector presents to its adversaries continues to grow in such a way that both managing risk and gaining insight on it remain difficult. With emerging technologies like machine learning and fifth-generation (5G) telecommunications seeing wider adoption—alongside electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), autonomous aircraft, and increased use of space—aviation-cybersecurity risk management is on the cusp of becoming more complex.
Report by Pete Cooper, Simon Handler, Safa Shahwan
Tue, Dec 10, 2019
A candle in the dark: US national security strategy for artificial intelligence
AI is expected to have a transformational impact on the future of geopolitics, defense, and security. In this fluctuating environment, where the US is engaged in a high-stakes competition with is near-peer adversaries, and AI is enabling paradigm-shifting changes in public and private sector operations, how should the US respond?
Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series by Tate Nurkin; Stephen Rodriguez
Tue, Dec 3, 2019
Strategic estrangement between South Korea and Japan as a barrier to trilateral cooperation
Demand for trilateral cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Japan is on the rise. However, political willingness and capacity for trilateral cooperation are declining.
Report by Dr. Cheol Hee Park
Fri, Nov 22, 2019
What do we know about cyber escalation? Observations from simulations and surveys
Do cyber operations alter how states respond to international crises in a way that creates incentives for decision makers to cross the Rubicon and use military force to settle disputes? This question is central to current cyber strategy debates and the idea of persistent engagement and defending forward in cyberspace. The answer is surprising: no. Based on the evidence, cyber operations offer a valuable escalatory offramp.
Issue Brief by Benjamin Jensen and Brandon Valeriano