Content

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Jan 9, 2026

Singapore must shift from state-led expansion to productivity-led growth

By Linda Y.C. Lim

Singapore’s GDP has tripled since the 1990s. Now the city-state needs a new social compact that matches its high-income status. Creating space for productivity, entrepreneurship, and open debate will decide whether Singapore’s prosperity benefits more Singaporeans—or becomes increasingly fragile.

Economy & Business
Freedom and Prosperity

Dispatches

Jan 9, 2026

Neither free nor fair: What Myanmar’s ‘sham’ elections mean for the country and its neighbors

By Rudabeh Shahid

The ongoing election staged by the ruling junta in Myanmar is structured less as a democratic exercise and more as a managed performance of legitimacy.

Conflict
Elections

Dispatches

Jan 8, 2026

Delcy Rodríguez’s untenable balancing act

By Iria Puyosa

Venezuela’s new acting president must choose between accommodating the Trump administration’s demands and preserving unity among the regime’s Chavista base.

Conflict
Democratic Transitions

In the News

Jan 8, 2026

Bayoumi in Foreign Policy on Trump’s lack of Arctic strategy

By Atlantic Council

On January 8, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, published an article in Foreign Policy titled "Trump’s Greenland Threats Paper Over a Lack of Arctic Strategy," arguing that instead of threatening Greenland, the US should work to increase Arctic security burden sharing.

Northern Europe
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jan 8, 2026

As Iran protests continue, policymakers should apply these key lessons

By Abram Paley and Nate Swanson

The Iranian people are bravely leading the current protests. It is essential to keep the focus on them.

Civil Society
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

MENASource

Jan 8, 2026

Iraq’s pathway to stability relies on transfers of power

By Yerevan Saeed

The key question is not whether Sudani is like al-Maliki but whether a second term would reduce competition and weaken institutions.

Elections
Iraq

In the News

Jan 8, 2026

Bayoumi quoted in CBC News on Trump’s approach to Greenland

By Atlantic Council

On January 8, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, was quoted in a CBC News article titled "With Trump's Venezuela move and Greenland threats, are Canadians vulnerable?" discussing Trump's renewed focus on the Western hemisphere. He argues that US threats of military action against Greenland are unproductive, urging for bolstered cooperation without threats.

NATO
Northern Europe

Dispatches

Jan 8, 2026

What it takes to revive Venezuela’s oil and gas industry

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

International oil companies are unlikely to make major new investments in Venezuela without greater legal and regulatory certainty.

Latin America
Oil and Gas

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Kroenig interviewed in the New Yorker on military action in Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed in The New Yorker on the ousting of Nicolás Maduro. He contends that in using military force, President Trump showed that US threats are credible, and draws a distinction between targeted, limited uses of military might and long-term wars.

Americas
Latin America

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Gray in National Interest on US Indo-Pacific strategy

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Alexander B. Gray, a GeoStrategy Initiative nonresident senior fellow, wrote an article in National Interest titled "How the UK Is Undermining US Indo-Pacific Security," discussing the UK transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius.

Indo-Pacific
Politics & Diplomacy

Experts

Events