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BelarusAlert

Dec 18, 2020

How secure is Belarus dictator Lukashenka’s throne of bayonets?

By Vladislav Davidzon

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka's political survival depends on the continued loyalty of his extensive security apparatus—but just how secure is this throne of bayonets?

Belarus Democratic Transitions

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

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

UkraineAlert

Dec 10, 2020

The EU must help resolve constitutional crisis in Kyiv

By Willem Aldershoff

Ukraine's Constitutional Court has plunged the country into a crisis that threatens its post-2014 progress. The EU can help Kyiv fight back by imposing sanctions on the MPs leading the attack on anti-corruption reforms.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

Press Release

Dec 10, 2020

Atlantic Council Announces Launch of Strategic Litigation Project

By Atlantic Council

New effort from Middle East Programs and the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative seeks to inject fresh thinking into how governments and practitioners can apply legal tools to further foreign policy interests and advance human rights and democracy around the world.

Human Rights International Norms

Report

Dec 10, 2020

Closing the accountability gap on human rights violators in the Islamic Republic of Iran through global litigation strategies

By Gissou Nia

Gissou Nia presents recommendations for new laws, amendments to existing laws, and the creation of enforcement mechanisms to aid in the effort to combat impunity for the IRI’s human rights violations and atrocity crimes.

Human Rights International Norms

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

New Atlanticist

Dec 7, 2020

Belarusian opposition leader’s message to the West: ‘Stay with us and we will win’

By David A. Wemer

Explicit support from Western governments for the Belarusian people and stronger pressure on Lukashenka and his allies will help oust the regime and allow for new elections, Tsikhanouskaya said. “Stay with us and we will win.”

Belarus Civil Society

UkraineAlert

Dec 7, 2020

We will not let the old guard drag Ukraine backwards

By Dmytro Kuleba

The old guard wants to drag Ukraine back to the times when they could siphon public money off with impunity and play Russian-style politics. We will not let them succeed, says Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

In the News

Dec 6, 2020

Manning in The National Interest: These 10 things could help subdue power-hungry China

By Atlantic Council

China Economy & Business

Experts