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In the News

Jan 10, 2021

Ashford quoted in The Atlantic: How can the United States spread democracy or act as an example for others if it barely has a functioning democracy at home?

By Atlantic Council

On January 10, Emma Ashford’s was quoted in Thomas Wright’s article in The Atlantic entitled “The U.S. Must Now Repair Democracy at Home and Abroad.” More about our expert

Democratic Transitions Political Reform

In the News

Jan 9, 2021

Ashford quoted in Bloomberg: Ambitious foreign-policy goals are completely out of step with the realities of the country’s domestic political and economic dysfunction

By Atlantic Council

On January 9, Emma Ashford was quoted in Hal Brands’ article in Bloomberg entitled “Turning its back on the world won’t help America heal”. The article referred to Emma’s blog published following the attack on the Capitol in Foreign Policy on January 7, entitled “America can’t promote democracy abroad. It can’t even protect it at […]

Democratic Transitions Political Reform

Event Recap

Jan 8, 2021

Future of DHS Project examines the role of Congressional oversight in department reform

By Julia Siegel

On Thursday, December 17, the Scowcroft Center’s Forward Defense practice and the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) hosted a panel of former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials to discuss why now is the time to streamline congressional oversight of DHS.

Coronavirus Cybersecurity

BelarusAlert

Jan 7, 2021

Is Russia preparing to replace Belarus dictator Lukashenka?

By Vladislav Davidzon

As Moscow works to create an advantageous outcome in Minsk, are there plans to replace Lukashenka with a pro-Kremlin movement of Belarusians?

Belarus Political Reform

NATO 20/2020

Jan 5, 2021

End the Russian veto on Georgian accession: NATO 20/2020 podcast

By Transatlantic Security Initiative

Admitting Georgia to NATO without extending an Article 5 guarantee to the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Regions can fulfill the promise of the Bucharest Summit.

Europe & Eurasia International Norms

Issue Brief

Dec 29, 2020

The Future of DHS Project: Key Findings and Recommendations: Congressional Oversight

By Thomas Warrick & Mark J. Massa

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is overseen by more than ninety committees and subcommittees--an oversight burden far greater than any other cabinet department. This issue brief proposes that Congress streamline its oversight of DHS to increase its effectiveness as a department with national security responsibilities.

Defense Policy Infrastructure Protection

In the News

Dec 23, 2020

Nooruddin in The Hindu: COVID-19 and limits of political accountability

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Political Reform

GeoTech Cues

Dec 18, 2020

Pretrial risk assessment tools must be directed toward an abolitionist vision

By Nikhil Raghuveera and Hannah Biggs

The United States criminal justice system is increasingly turning to risk assessment tools in pretrial hearings—before a defendant is convicted of a crime—as well as in sentencing procedures. Risk assessment tools give judges a numerical metric that indicates a pretrial defendant’s risk of failing to appear in court, or threat to the community prior to their pretrial hearing. Judges set bail based on this tool. Facing an incredibly high volume of pretrial detainees, risk assessment tools are designed to help quickly and effectively determine pretrial detention and ease courts’ burdens. To truly address the failures of the criminal justice system, however, public sector leaders must:

Digital Policy Inclusive Growth

In the News

Dec 17, 2020

Power Vertical Podcast: Ukraine’s Third Revolution

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Eastern Europe

Issue Brief

Dec 17, 2020

Countering China’s crackdown on Hong Kong

By Anna Downs and Ash Jain

The implementation of the national security law has stifled the democratic movement in Hong Kong. This action sparked a series of democratic protests that China quickly attempted to dismantle—alarming observers worldwide. Can democracies mitigate the impact of the new national security laws on Hong Kong? Should Chine face penalties from the international community? Or will aligned democracies fail to defend other vulnerable democratic nations against Chinese malign influence?

China Civil Society

Experts