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UkraineAlert

Dec 26, 2019

Russia-Ukraine War: Is peace possible in 2020?

By Peter Dickinson

The Russia-Ukraine War enters its seventh year in 2020 with no sign of a compromise that could end the conflict. Could recent efforts to restart the peace process produce results during the coming twelve months?

Conflict
Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Dec 25, 2019

McFate quoted in the Washington Post on US cyber efforts to counter Russian interference

By Atlantic Council

Cybersecurity
Defense Policy

SyriaSource

Dec 24, 2019

The relentless assault on Idlib

By Reema Hibrawi

The relentless airstrikes campaign on Idlib by the Syrian regime and Russia air forces predicted by many analysts, including this author, remains a defining battlefield to the regime in the Syrian conflict, nine years later. Seen as a last opposition stronghold populated by extremists and a millions of civilians and internally displaced people (IDP), Idlib province and its surroundings are a deadly place.

Conflict
Corruption

MENASource

Dec 24, 2019

Israel and the Gulf states continue a tepid dance to improve relations

By Seth Frantzman

There is interest from both the Gulf states and Israel to develop better relations especially concerning the threat of Iran, but neither side has a vision for the next major public step.

Israel
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Dec 23, 2019

US-Palestinian relations and aid cuts, impact Israel’s security

By Carmiel Arbit

The consequences of deteriorating US-Palestinian relations and aid cuts are likely to continue to negatively impact security in Israel.

Crisis Management
Israel

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2019

2019: A year in the world

By Om Arvind and David A. Wemer

2019 was a year full of diplomatic breakthroughs, dramatic elections, and daunting new challenges on the global stage. Here is a look back at the biggest moments of 2019 and what our Atlantic Council experts had to say about them:

Africa
Americas

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2019

The Korea conundrum

By Robert A. Manning, Patrick O’Reilly

Imminent missile, and possibly nuclear, tests will heighten tensions and war fears on the Korean Peninsula. To keep Pyongyang’s capabilities in perspective, this graphic, updated as developments warrant, shows that North Korea still has additional work to do before it has a reliable, operational ICBM that can reach the United States.

Korea
Nuclear Nonproliferation

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Dec 22, 2019

Six reasons for an optimistic 2020

By Frederick Kempe

Tis the season to be gloomy, when the world’s prognosticators provide their competing lists of the coming year’s top risks. And there are plenty of candidates, from Iran to North Korea, and from American elections to global warming. But acting on the advice of Winston Churchill, here are six sources of optimism for 2020.

Climate Change & Climate Action
Conflict

MENASource

Dec 20, 2019

Staff cuts at US embassy Baghdad will not counter Iran

By Thomas S. Warrick

The planned US staffing cuts at the embassy in Baghdad is likely to undermine US efforts to counter Iran and will leave a gap Iran is happy to continue to fill through economic, security, and political means.

Iraq
Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2019

Top ten risks of 2020

By Robert A. Manning, Mathew Burrows

2020 will likely bear more resemblance to the 1930s, as some of the developments which did not reach a denouement in the past year cross the finish line. Several simmering conflicts, symptoms of a global system under strain from US President Donald J. Trump’s “anti-globalist” America First doctrine, could well reach breakpoints in 2020. This may include a shift from the mere corroding of multilateral institutions and US alliances toward total dysfunction.

China
International Norms

Experts

Events