Report

Oct 4, 2021

Appendices: Cooperation on maritime cybersecurity

By William Loomis, Virpratap Vikram Singh, Dr. Gary C. Kessler, Dr. Xavier Bellekens

The appendices for key players and an acronym list referred to in ‘Raising the colors: Signaling for cooperation on maritime cybersecurity.’

Cybersecurity Maritime Security

In-Depth Research & Reports

Oct 4, 2021

Raising the colors: Signaling for cooperation on maritime cybersecurity

By William Loomis, Virpratap Vikram Singh, Dr. Gary C. Kessler, Dr. Xavier Bellekens

Few industries are as critical to the global economy as the maritime transportation system (MTS). However, the efficient operation of the MTS is at risk, as the industry is increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. The MTS must work to raise its baseline for cybersecurity and better protect its actors from systemic cyber threats going forward.

Cybersecurity Maritime Security

Issue Brief

Sep 23, 2021

The special role of US nuclear weapons

By Matthew Kroenig

The United States needs to maintain a robust, flexible, and modernized nuclear deterrent. That means that United States needs to continue with nuclear modernization, reject a no first use (NFU) policy, and examine further nuclear capabilities.

China Defense Policy

Report

Sep 17, 2021

Beyond the peninsula: Prospects for US-ROK regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

By Miyeon Oh

This report assesses the prospects of US-ROK regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific under South Korea’s New Southern Policy (NSP) and US Indo-Pacific strategy, providing recommendations for policymakers in Washington and Seoul on enhancing US-ROK economic engagement outside of the Korean peninsula.

Digital Policy East Asia

Report

Sep 16, 2021

International corporate tax reform: Transatlantic cooperation after the OECD-deal

By Ben Judah and Shahin Vallée

As the Biden administration targets tax avoidance, a joint Europe Center-German Council on Foreign Relations report argues the Biden administration will have to rely especially on its partners across the Atlantic to close loopholes and ensure an effective framework on global taxation.

Economy & Business European Union
A top-down view of a workspace including coffee, papers bearing the State Department logo, a laptop, a smartphone, and highlighters

Issue Brief

Sep 15, 2021

Upgrading US public diplomacy: A new approach for the age of memes and disinformation

By Marta Churella, Wren Elhai, Amirah Ismail, Naima Green-Riley, Graham Lampa, Molly Moran, Jeff Ridenour, Dan Spokojny, and Megan Tetrick

A group of current and former State Department officials offer a set of principles and actions the Biden administration can adopt to strengthen US outreach efforts to overseas publics.

Civil Society Internet

Report

Sep 13, 2021

Cyber defense across the ocean floor: The geopolitics of submarine cable security

By Justin Sherman

The vast majority of intercontinental global Internet traffic—upwards of 95 percent—travels over undersea cables that run across the ocean floor. The construction of new submarine cables is a key part of the constantly changing physical topology of the Internet worldwide. However, this dependence is not matched by increased security, leaving our undersea cables—the core of the global internet—at risk.

Cybersecurity Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Sep 1, 2021

Addressing instability in Central America: Restrictions on civil liberties, violence, and climate change

By María Fernanda Bozmoski, María Eugenia Brizuela de Avila, Domingo Sadurní

Citizens across Latin America and the Caribbean are rising up in protest. Political frustration and economic stagnation are fueling social discontent exacerbated by the continued COVID-19 pandemic and the slow health response. In Central America, restrictions on civil liberties, high rates of gender-based violence and extortion, and worsening climate change are compounding the lack of economic opportunities and pervasive corruption seen in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Central America Climate Change & Climate Action

Report

Aug 31, 2021

Extreme heat: The economic and social consequences for the United States

By Adrienne Arsht – Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center

A new report produced by the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center with analysis conducted by Vivid Economics—quantifies the impacts of heat under current and future conditions.

Climate Change & Climate Action Resilience

Issue Brief

Aug 31, 2021

Trusted connectivity: A framework for a free, open, and connected world

By Kaush Arha

As democracies address the global demand for a free, open, and connected world while ensuring that local and global emissions targets are met, they need an organizing framework: the concept of “trusted connectivity.”

China Cybersecurity
International Friendly - United Arab Emirates v Israel

Issue Brief

Aug 30, 2021

Pitching Abraham’s tent: The human dimension of UAE-Israeli normalization

By Yoel Guzansky, Shalom Lipner, Jonathan H. Ferziger, Sarah Feuer, Tomer Fadlon, Ari Heistein, Ebtesam Al Ketbi, and Noura Al Breiki

In the past year, many have written on the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states, focusing on economic interests and emphasizing shared security interests in the region. Case studies, however, indicate that relations between countries are improved when they encompass aspects related to the lives of citizens. Incorporating an element of cultural affinity […]

Economy & Business Israel

Issue Brief

Aug 26, 2021

Countering ransomware: Lessons from aircraft hijacking

By Simon Handler, Emma Schroeder, Frances Schroeder, and Trey Herr

Ransomware has plagued organizations for more than a decade, but the last three years have experienced a surge in both the number of incidents and the ransoms demanded. To more effectively counter ransomware, the US government should develop a strategy that draws on lessons learned from addressing a surge in aircraft hijackings through the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Cybersecurity Terrorism

Report

Aug 17, 2021

The UK, France, and the United States in Sweden’s vicinity: Strategic interests and military activities

By Anna Wieslander, Viktor Lundquist

As a response to the deteriorated security situation, following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and war in eastern Ukraine, the UK, France, and the United States have substantially increased their presence and engagement in Sweden’s vicinity.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Report

Aug 17, 2021

Whither the Arabs: The end of the welfare state and the start of a journey into the unknown

By Hani K. Findakly, Kevin A. Findakly

Arab countries, rich and poor, large and small, are rapidly approaching a moment of reckoning. A confluence of anachronistic governance, economic mismanagement, and disruptive technology, which has changed the dynamics of both the supply and demand for hydrocarbon fuels and raw materials, is pushing the region to a tipping point.

Economy & Business Middle East

Issue Brief

Aug 16, 2021

EU-US Future Forum 2021: A path forward for transatlantic relations

By Benjamin Haddad, Jörn Fleck, Livia Godaert, Michaela Nakayama Shapiro

From May 5 to 7, the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center and the EU Delegation to the United States partnered to organize the first EU-US Future Forum (EUFF), a three-day open conference bringing together policy makers, experts, and the private sector to address the key challenges facing the transatlantic relationship in the coming decades.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Report

Aug 5, 2021

Getting from commitment to content in AI and data ethics: Justice and explainability

By John Basl, Ronald Sandler, and Steven Tiell

There is widespread awareness among researchers, companies, policy makers, and the public that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data raises challenges involving justice, privacy, autonomy, transparency, and accountability.

Digital Policy Future of Work

Issue Brief

Aug 4, 2021

Beyond Pakistan’s 2021-22 budget: The economy and growth

By Uzair Younus

Recently appointed to his position, Shaukat Tarin has positioned the budget as being growth oriented in focus, with significant increases to subsidies, public-sector development, and salaries of government employees.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

Issue Brief

Aug 4, 2021

Hezbollah blames Lebanon’s economic collapse on the United States

By David Daoud

One year from the August 4 Beirut port explosion, Lebanon continues to free-fall into utter dysfunction as it unravels under the pressure of its worst economic crisis in decades, high rates of COVID-19 infections, an indifferent political class, and Hezbollah’s control over critical junctures of the Lebanese state.

Americas Corruption

Report

Aug 2, 2021

The energy transition in the Arab Gulf: From vision to reality

By Dr. Jean-François Seznec; Samer Mosis

The United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have emerged as leaders in the Arab Gulf’s energy transition. But even as the two countries work to decarbonize their economies, challenges remain.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Jul 29, 2021

Xi Jinping’s politics in command economy

By Dexter Tiff Roberts

This issue brief examines the key role of Xi Jinping and the CCP in the development of a new strategy for state capitalism in modern China.

China East Asia