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Mar 24, 2020

Six reasons the Kremlin spreads disinformation about the coronavirus

By Jakub Kalenský

Fabrications about COVID-19’s origins are meant to stir up anti-U.S. sentiment and fuel discord.

Coronavirus Disinformation

Press Release

Mar 24, 2020

Sina Azodi joins the Middle East Programs as Nonresident Fellow

WASHINGTON, DC – March 24, 2020 – The Atlantic Council is pleased to welcome Sina Azodi as a nonresident fellow with the Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council where he will focus on a range of issues including Iran’s foreign policy, Iran’s nuclear program, nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear weapons, and regional security issues. Mr. Azodi is a PhD […]

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Mar 24, 2020

The Islamic Republic is preparing for a second Trump term

By Maysam Behravesh

The Iranian leadership is bracing itself for a second Trump victory in the US presidential elections, in which case his administration’s “maximum pressure” policy against the Islamic Republic will probably continue in one way or another for the foreseeable future.

Iran Middle East

SouthAsiaSource

Mar 23, 2020

Social Justice and Activism in Pakistan with Jibran Nasir

By South Asia Center

With an exceedingly shrinking space for civil society and an emboldened right-wing, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Naya Pakistan is turning out to be the same-old Pakistan. Pakistani lawyer and civil rights activist Jibran Nasir helps us detangle some of Pakistan’s toughest contexts surrounding the country’s citizen empowerment, legal reforms, and social justice.

Civil Society Elections

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2020

Russia is out of control: The dangerous Mr. Sechin

By Anders Åslund

Russia is out of control. All of a sudden, it has launched an oil price war, even though it is unrealistic that the Kremlin can defeat Saudi Arabia and the United States in such a contest. Saudi Arabia’s population is one-fifth of Russia’s, while holding equivalent international currency reserves. The United States is still a net oil importer, meaning that its economy benefits from low oil prices. Russia, by contrast, is a major oil exporter and is utterly dependent on high oil prices.

Corruption Oil and Gas

IranSource

Mar 23, 2020

A loan for Iran and a tragedy of a different kind

By Ali Dadpay

It is time for Iranian authorities to dismantle the barriers they have created to interact with the global business community.

Coronavirus Iran

In the News

Mar 23, 2020

Ullman quoted in Foreign Policy Research Institute on the effects of COVID-19 on NATO

By Harlan Ullman

Coronavirus Europe & Eurasia

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Mar 23, 2020

Mr. and Mrs. Zelenskyy trip up on gender roles again

By Melinda Haring

Why does everything in the private sphere depend on Ukraine’s amazing women yet again?

Democratic Transitions Ukraine

MENASource

Mar 23, 2020

Amid US uncertainty in Syria, Kurdish YPG eyes bolstering ties with Russia

By Matthew Ayton

The YPG leadership is said to be reassessing the strategic importance of its ties with what is an increasingly unreliable Washington, and is looking to further diversify its portfolio of international partners, with an eye toward strengthening ties with Russia.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 22, 2020

Haring and Klain in The National Interest: Why Autocrats Love Coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

Authoritarian leaders are constantly searching for scapegoats, working to rile up the fears of their populace, and trying to tighten their grips. To them, the coronavirus pandemic is a bonanza—the liberal democracies that would typically call them out for their violence and repression are distracted with the necessities of stopping the virus in their home […]

Central Asia Coronavirus

Experts