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A view shows buildings behind a street of the Gombe area, ahead of the announcement of provisional results of the December presidential election, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo December 30, 2023.

Issue Brief

May 23, 2025

Beyond critical minerals: Capitalizing on the DRC’s vast opportunities

By Dave Peterson, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Rabah Areki, Thomas De Dreux-Brézé, Nicole Namwezi Batumike, and Calixte Ahokpossi

As major powers contend for access to Kinshasa’s mineral wealth and Washington seeks to broker a peace deal with Rwanda, the DRC and its partners have a chance to aim high, and channel the country’s resource wealth into good governance, infrastructure, and more.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy & Business

Econographics

May 23, 2025

Can the EU leverage economic pressure to broker a Gaza cease-fire?

By Lize de Kruijf

As diplomatic efforts falter, attention is turning to economic statecraft—the strategic use of trade and economic leverage to influence state behavior. The European Union (EU) and United States are Israel’s largest and second-largest trading partners, and any economic pressure they apply could have severe consequences for Israel’s economy.

Conflict Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 22, 2025

Gold’s geopolitical comeback: How physical and digital gold can be used to evade US sanctions

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze

The rise of gold-backed currencies that circumvent the US banking system could create a massive blind spot for US sanctions enforcement efforts.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 22, 2025

The case for a Three Seas Defense Innovation Hub

By Justina Budginaite-Froehly

Because of increasing threats to critical energy, transport, and digital infrastructure, the Three Seas Initiative should add defense innovation as another pillar of its mission.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2025

Europe is striking back at Russia’s shadow fleet. Here’s what to know about the latest EU and UK sanctions.

By Atlantic Council experts

This week, Brussels and London unveiled new sanctions against Russia and the fleet of oil tankers and other vessels covertly trading in Russian oil. Atlantic Council experts assess the moves.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

In the News

May 21, 2025

Kumar quoted by AFP on how Trump is shaping US ties with G7 countries

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Economy & Business European Union

Report

May 20, 2025

The European Union Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: A reality test for EU enlargement

By Valbona Zeneli, Richard Grieveson, Isabelle Ioannides, Dimitar Bechev

EU enlargement faces a test case in the Western Balkans. The current plan offers real benefits before accession, creating incentives for reform, but questions of enforceability and the relatively low amount of financial support threaten the success of the EU's political influence in the region.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

May 20, 2025

US-Ukraine minerals deal creates potential for economic and security benefits

By Svitlana Kovalchuk

The recently signed US-Ukrainian minerals deal places bilateral ties on a new footing and creates opportunities for long-term strategic partnership, writes Svitlana Kovalchuk.

Conflict Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

May 20, 2025

How to prevent Ukraine’s booming defense sector from fueling global insecurity

By Vitaliy Goncharuk

With the Ukrainian defense sector experiencing years of unprecedented growth in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion, it is important to prevent Ukraine’s innovative military technologies from fueling a new wave of international instability, writes Vitaliy Goncharuk.

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

May 20, 2025

Kumar quoted by AFP on how Trump’s tariffs are weighing on the G7 finance ministers’ summit

Read the full article here

Economy & Business European Union

Experts

Events