Content

Feature

Jul 2, 2020

South Asia midyear pause: Taking stock of 2020

By South Asia Center

The specific events of the year’s first six months might have taken us by surprise but the political-economic dynamics that have shaped South Asia’s response to these new challenges did not. Across the region democracy and freedom of expression are challenged, and protectionist impulses are indulged in flailing response to calamitous economic strife. And the United States continues its slide into strategic irrelevance, exercising little leadership or interest in building stronger ties to this vital region.

Afghanistan Bangladesh

New Atlanticist

Jun 29, 2020

How revelations of Russian bounties in Afghanistan could escalate the US-Russia feud

By David A. Wemer

"The United States and its democratic allies have options," to push back against Moscow, but they must "think through the challenge with care and in context of the larger challenge Putin poses for us," Daniel Fried says.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Jun 29, 2020

A divided Taliban could unleash a new proxy war in Afghanistan

By Jared Schwartz and Yelena Biberman

The shift in the balance of power within the Taliban has the potential to upend Afghan security, India-Pakistan relations, and the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Conflict

UkraineAlert

Jun 27, 2020

Russia is quietly occupying Ukraine’s information space

By Taras Kuzio

Viktor Medvedchuk is Ukraine's leading pro-Kremlin politician and a personal friend of Vladimir Putin. Medvedchuk's expanding media empire is sparking concerns over Russian influence in Ukraine's information space.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Jun 25, 2020

How Russia weaponizes the language issue in Ukraine

By Iryna Matviyishyn

Critics of Ukraine's 2019 Language Law claim that it goes too far in promoting the Ukrainian language at the expense of Russian. Others claim attempts to politicize language policy will only help Putin.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Jun 23, 2020

McFate joins PRI’s Things That Go Boom to discuss how mercenaries are changing the nature of war

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

Jun 19, 2020

Robert Manning in The Hill on the dangers posed by an increasingly desperate North Korean regime

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Economic Sanctions

In the News

Jun 19, 2020

Robert Manning quoted in VOA Korea on the reasons behind recent North Korean aggression

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Korea

In the News

Jun 18, 2020

Robert Manning quoted in Chosun Ilbo on the US and ROK response to the bombing of the inter-Korean contact office

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Economic Sanctions

MENASource

Jun 18, 2020

Libya’s crisis is a tough puzzle to solve for Egypt

By Alessia Melcangi and Giuseppe Dentice

Two elements are certain in this complex scenario. Firstly, Cairo will not fall into the trap of being drawn into an open proxy war in Libya, since it might have serious repercussions on the security of its porous borders, especially in the south. Secondly, Haftar’s next moves will effectively define whether the relations have cooled between him and Cairo or whether Libya is facing yet another aftershock in a marriage that is more tactical than strategic.

Conflict Crisis Management

Experts