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Inflection Points

May 10, 2020

Here’s why the EU project, age 70, must win the pandemic test

By Frederick Kempe

On this week’s 70th anniversary of the European Union’s beginnings with the Schuman Declaration, the project that was launched to end centuries of war is in an existential struggle with a pathogen that knows no borders. It’s however not too late for the EU to demonstrate its resilience and relevance at this time of crisis. On this 70th anniversary, it’s also worth remembering the common global and transatlantic interest in European stability and success.

Coronavirus European Union

In the News

May 9, 2020

Dr. David Bray in the Financial Times on the risks of new technology crowd-sourcing propaganda

By Atlantic Council

Dr. David Bray discussed the role of social media platform business models in propagating misinformation online in an interview for the Financial Times.

Resilience & Society Security & Defense

EnergySource

May 8, 2020

The COVID-19 crisis and US and EU emissions in the new decade: Opportunities for a clean energy recovery

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sudden decline in global electricity demand of up to 20-25 percent in some countries, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects global electricity demand for 2020 will fall by 5-10 percent, contributing to an 8 percent overall drop in energy sector CO2 emissions. This piece updates evaluates the performance of the US and EU power sectors in 2019 within the context of the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

May 8, 2020

WFP’s David Beasley warns of dire famines in Africa, Mideast if COVID-19 supply chains damage continues

By Larry Luxner

Up to 300,000 people could starve to death every day if the COVID-19 pandemic ruptures global food supply chains—even more than the roughly 275,000 people who have died of the disease worldwide so far.

Coronavirus International Markets

New Atlanticist

May 8, 2020

COVID-19 is increasing strategic uncertainty in Southeast Asia

By Adam Schwarz

Nothing that’s happened on COVID-19 yet—including China’s much commented-on ‘mask diplomacy’—is going to sway opinions or foreign policy alignments in Southeast Asia in fundamental ways. But that could change depending on what steps China and the United States take as their relationship moves—as it now seems likely to do—in a sharper, more antagonistic direction in the months and years to come.

Coronavirus East Asia

The future is here

May 8, 2020

US jobless rate worst since Great Depression, UN head decries “tsunami of hate”

By Atlantic Council

The United States lost more than 20 million jobs in a single month, taking the jobless rate to the highest since the Great Depression. Celebrations to mark the end of World War II were canceled or at best muted, while the head of the United Nations (UN) flagged up “a tsunami of hate and xenophobia” fueled by the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

May 8, 2020

A war will not beat coronavirus

By Harlan Ullman

What are the strategy and plans today for dealing with the coronavirus? And what lessons has the United States drawn from other countries that appear to have been successful in stemming the disease?

Coronavirus United States and Canada

In the News

May 7, 2020

Bruton quoted in Voice of America on concerns over Madagascar’s alleged herbal cure for COVID-19 due to lack of scientific testing

By Atlantic Council

Africa Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2020

Nicaragua’s response to COVID-19 endangers not only its own people, but also its neighbors

By Maria Fernanda Perez Arguello and Isabel Kennon

Nicaragua’s reckless response to COVID-19 puts an already fragile Central America at risk and should worry the international community. In the fight against this global pandemic, Nicaragua and Costa Rica provide a clear example of how one country’s flawed response to the virus can drastically impact its neighboring countries

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

May 7, 2020

Putin has hijacked WWII to justify Russian aggression

By Solomiia Bobrovska

Under Vladimir Putin, Russia's annual Victory Day holiday has morphed from a solemn WWII memorial honoring Soviet losses into a grandiose nationalistic celebration of Russia's return to the world stage.

Nationalism Russia

Experts

Events