Report

Aug 3, 2023

Gulf engagement in Tunisia: Past endeavor or future prospect? 

By Sebastian Sons

Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar regard Tunisia as an important foreign policy partner within their regional sphere of influence. They also welcome Tunisia’s current autocratization under President Kais Saïed. However, Gulf states no longer pursue strategic goals there. As the region is undergoing a geopolitical shift toward more conflict management and reconciliation, the Gulf states consider Tunisia as a partner of choice in regional stability but no longer as a partner of necessity in terms of economic investment or development cooperation.

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

Report

Aug 3, 2023

The Western Sahara conflict: A fragile path to negotiations

By Riccardo Fabiani

The long-dormant conflict over Western Sahara has resurged in recent years, challenging regional stability. Diplomatic tensions between the main sides, coupled with the collapse of the 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire and US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty in 2020, have complicated the situation. The appointment of UN envoy Staffan de Mistura in 2021 offers hope for the revival of cease-fire talks, while the UN and the United States aim to stabilize the conflict through renewed diplomatic efforts.

Conflict International Organizations

Report

Aug 3, 2023

Libya: Back to the future?

By Karim Mezran and Alessia Melcangi

The current Libyan situation is complex, influenced by numerous factors, including the conditions of the 2011 revolution. The misconception of it being a whole people’s revolution led to a focus on elections instead of national reconciliation, hindering the rebuilding of consensus and a new social contract.

Civil Society Conflict

Report

Aug 3, 2023

Irregular migration from North Africa: Shifting local and regional dynamics

By Matteo Villa and Alissa Pavia

Irregular migration from North Africa to Europe, especially through the Central Mediterranean route connecting Libya and Tunisia to Italy, is increasing once more. Italy has witnessed a surge in irregular arrivals, with approximately 136,000 migrants disembarking between June 2022 and May 2023, almost comparable to the high arrival period of 2014-2017 when around 155,000 migrants landed each year.

Human Rights Italy
a world map of China, 3d rendering

Report

Aug 2, 2023

Chinese discourse power: Capabilities and impact

By Kenton Thibaut

An examination of China’s online and offline channels for the dissemination of “discourse power” and the mechanisms of oversight on which such communications rely.

China Digital Policy

Issue Brief

Aug 2, 2023

Transforming Ukraine into a European energy hub

By Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Paddy Ryan

In this issue brief, Global Energy Center experts explore the potential for Ukraine’s energy sector to strengthen European energy security and decarbonization objectives. The brief explores how Ukraine can reform its energy sector to attract investment and create new revenue streams, and how transatlantic partners in government and the private sector can support Ukraine’s clean energy transformation.

Eastern Europe Energy & Environment
Construction in downtown Cairo

Report

Jul 27, 2023

The North African complex: Regional players, global challenges

By Karim Mezran, Alessia Melcangi, Riccardo Fabiani, Sebastian Sons, Hisham Hellyer, Matteo Villa, Alissa Pavia

North Africa is, once again, the theatre of local and global challenges, which makes it a highly unstable regional complex. Unresolved crises like the ones in Libya and Western Sahara create obstacles to regional security, economic integration, and peaceful coexistence.

Middle East North & West Africa

Issue Brief

Jul 27, 2023

Call for a federal digital twins strategy: Unlocking the potential for digital twins in the federal enterprise

By Solomon Wise

This report explores digital twin use cases, both in the private sector and in the federal government.The intent is to highlight some challenges, benefits, and risks associated with deploying digital twins to help inform government officials and policymakers.

Technology & Innovation
Kenyan workers prepare men's underwear at the Hela intimates export processing zone (EPZ) limited factory in Athi River, near Nairobi, Kenya, July 27, 2017. Picture taken July 27, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

Executive Summary

Jul 11, 2023

In brief: The future of US-Africa trade and investment

By Frannie Léautier

Since 2000, US trade policy for Africa has been the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which gives duty-free access to the US market for eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa. With AGOA due to expire in 2025, policymakers must decide the future of US-Africa trade going forward to build on its previous achievements.

Africa Economy & Business

Report

Jul 10, 2023

Critical infrastructure and the cloud: Policy for emerging risk

By Tianjiu Zuo, Justin Sherman, Maia Hamin, and Stewart Scott

Critical infrastructure increasingly depends upon cloud computing. Policy must adapt its approach to risk management accordingly.

Cybersecurity Resilience

Issue Brief

Jul 10, 2023

We don’t really know which NATO allies are pulling their weight. Here’s how to fix that.

By John R. Deni

As NATO allies gather in Vilnius, there will be much discussion about burden-sharing and who’s living up to the 2014 Defense Investment Pledge. But exclusive statistical analysis by John R. Deni shows that spending more on defense doesn’t necessarily add up to contributing more to NATO missions.

Europe & Eurasia National Security

Report

Jul 7, 2023

Building a navy fighting machine

By Bruce Stubbs

Bruce Stubbs explores the barriers impeding the US Navy’s approach to strategy development and force planning and offers recommendations for reform.

Defense Industry Defense Policy
Cover for Technological and policy pathways to accelerate US industrial decarbonization

Report

Jul 6, 2023

Technological and policy pathways to accelerate US industrial decarbonization

By Joseph Webster

Industrial decarbonization in the United States will be an important element in lowering global emissions. To limit the consequences of climate change, the United States must urgently advance a suite of efforts to guarantee the domestic and international industrial emissions reductions the world needs.

Americas Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Jul 5, 2023

The minilateral moment in the Middle East: An opportunity for US regional policy?

By Jean-Loup Samaan

Jean-Loup Samaan analyzes how regional powers in the Middle East are reconsidering the multilateral balance of their foreign policy arrangements.

Middle East Political Reform

Issue Brief

Jun 29, 2023

How to advance women’s rights in Afghanistan

By Roya Rahmani

Providing Afghan women with rights and opportunities must be at the top of the regional and global security agenda.

Afghanistan Civil Society

Report

Jun 29, 2023

Maximizing US foreign aid for strategic competition

By Patrick Quirk, Caitlin Dearing Scott

A fully developed strategy for using foreign aid across all sectors—economic, education, security assistance, and democracy support—can provide critical reinforcement to the military and economic pillars of strategic competition.

Africa China

Issue Brief

Jun 29, 2023

What policymakers need to know about artificial intelligence

By Philip L. Frana

Behind the hype and fear lies a crucial truth—AI is designed to augment human intelligence, not replace it. This primer explains how developers strive to create systems that mimic human capabilities by finding patterns, making predictions, and generating meaningful and actionable insights using data generated by our information-rich world.

Africa China

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jun 29, 2023

The disinformation landscape in West Africa and beyond

By Tessa Knight, Jean le Roux

A look at West Africa’s information environment, with particular emphasis on local and international disinformation campaigns targeting the region and beyond.

Africa Digital Policy

Issue Brief

Jun 28, 2023

Building a biofuels industry in Africa

By Maia Sparkman, William Tobin, Maxwell Zandi

In numerous African nations, the expansion of the biofuels industry could serve as a solution, albeit a partial one, to support the interlocking imperatives of achieving universal access to modern energy services and attaining a high-growth, low-carbon economy.

Africa Energy & Environment

Report

Jun 26, 2023

Meaningfully advancing the green agenda

By Pepe Zhang

To sustain the ongoing recovery against short-term headwinds and boost inclusive, productive, and sustainable development in the long term, governments cannot, and should not, act alone. Private firms can help advance the green agenda by working to create green jobs, taking measures to promote a transition to a circular-economy model, and partaking in green finance.

Americas Climate Change & Climate Action
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