Content

In the News

Dec 9, 2020

Slavin quoted in the Hill on US sanctions hamper Iran’s efforts to buy COVID-19 vaccine

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Dec 9, 2020

The GCC’s digital economy is growing, but risks must be managed

By Dominik Treeck

Gulf Cooperation Council governments need to establish effective protections for the digital economy to gain scale and become sustainable.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Report

Dec 9, 2020

North Macedonia on the threshold of Europe

By Damir Marusic, Dimitar Bechev

This report outlines the myriad challenges that face North Macedonia as it struggles to chart a path forward on EU accession and calls for Western leaders—especially those in Europe—to consider how they can be more productively and strategically engaged.

Democratic Transitions European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 8, 2020

Mo Ibrahim: Why Africa must emerge more resilient from the COVID crisis

By David A. Wemer

A well-known Afro-optimist, Ibrahim has invested in the continent’s democratic progress and has focused on tackling practical governance issues. While the pandemic has exposed such problems across the world, he noted, one of its lessons is that Africa must be “more self-sufficient” and “resilient.”

Africa Coronavirus

Fast Thinking

Dec 8, 2020

FAST THINKING: Biden’s surprise pick for defense secretary

By Atlantic Council

The biggest surprise of the Biden transition so far is here: The president-elect has picked retired general Lloyd Austin as his nominee for secretary of defense. Is he the right person for the job? And what does the historic selection mean?

Defense Industry Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 8, 2020

Fontenrose quoted in Reuters on US-imposed terrorism sanctions on Iran’s envoy to the Houthis

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Dec 8, 2020

Can privatization transform Ukraine’s alcohol industry?

By Sergey Bleskun

In 2019, President Zelenskyy initiated the privatization of Ukraine's state-owned alcohol producers in a bid to reform what is one of the most corrupt sectors of the Ukrainian economy and generate budget revenues.

Corruption Economy & Business

MENASource

Dec 8, 2020

To move forward, US policy on Iraq requires balancing confrontation with Iran

By C. Anthony Pfaff

If Washington wants to shape Iranian behavior relative to Iraq—or anywhere for that matter—it has to give Tehran alternatives it can accept.

Iran Iraq

IranSource

Dec 8, 2020

A history of continuity in Iran’s long nuclear program

By Sina Azodi

Iran’s interest in developing a nuclear deterrent is often attributed to the Islamic Republic. However, in reality, this interest predates the 1979 revolution and reflects a deep-seated desire for national prestige and development, as well as a need to deter regional rivals.

Iran Middle East

Fast Thinking

Dec 7, 2020

FAST THINKING: The next stage of Venezuela’s power struggle

By Atlantic Council

The Trump administration recognized opposition figure Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president and mobilized nations around the world to do the same. But Nicolás Maduro is still in power—and perhaps even more entrenched after winning control this weekend of the National Assembly in an election boycotted by Guaidó and his allies. What does the election mean for the opposition’s future?

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Experts

Events