Shaping the post-COVID-19 world together

Issue briefs and reports

Jul 7, 2020

What world post-COVID-19? Three scenarios

By Mathew Burrows, Peter Engelke

A preliminary look at the geopolitical implications of the pandemic and possible directions for the global system after the still-unfolding crisis.

Coronavirus G20
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about the series:

Shaping the post-COVID-19 world together Scenario 1:
Great accelerator downwards Scenario 2:
China first Scenario 3:
New Renaissance

Taking stock: Where are geopolitics headed in the COVID-19 era?

Taking stock: Where are geopolitics headed in the COVID-19 era? The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed pressure points in the global order and threatens to unravel the rules-based international system. This paper examines the geopolitical implications of the pandemic by identifying key strategic shocks and tensions exacerbated by the virus. It also identifies uncertainties for the global order and provides policy recommendations for how the United States and its allies should address the pandemic.

A global strategy for shaping the post-COVID-19 world

The COVID-19 pandemic is an acute public health and economic crisis that is further destabilizing an already weakened rules-based international system. With cooperation, determination, and resolve, however, the United States and its allies can recover from the crisis and revitalize an adapted rules-based system to bring about decades of future freedom, peace, and prosperity.

What World Post-COVID-19

This paper is a preliminary look at the geopolitical implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and sketches three scenarios for the possible direction of the global system post-COVID-19.

Defense, survival, and fiction: Implications of COVID-19

Max Brooks joins the Scowcroft Center for a virtual ‘fireside chat’ on the lessons of fiction for disaster preparedness, pandemic prevention, and national defense in the era of COVID-19.

China’s COVID-19 statistics resemble horrific past

The curious spikes in confirmed cases in China following changes in leadership or policy events evokes the terrible statistical manipulation and suffering of the Great Leap Forward.
Atlantic Council’s Coronavirus coverage

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world.

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Content

In the News

May 23, 2020

Mathew Burrows and Bob Manning in The Hill about a global “Manhattan Project” to end pandemics

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus English

New Atlanticist

May 20, 2020

How the coronavirus impacts Japan’s prospects for constitutional revision

By Mirna Galic

Whether or not the Japanese public will face a choice on revising the constitution in the near future now seems inextricably tied with the coronavirus; either it will scuttle efforts to hold a constitutional referendum before the end of Abe’s term or it will be the impetus for an accelerated effort.

Coronavirus Japan

In the News

May 16, 2020

Anca Agachi in Defense One on the rise of non-traditional security threats

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus English

In the News

May 15, 2020

Robert Manning in Foreign Policy on China’s control of the South China Sea

By Atlantic Council

China Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

May 13, 2020

Forging national renewal from the wreckage of coronavirus

By John Raidt

As we mourn the lives lost from pandemic, the United States is presented with a new and profound national mission—to emerge from crisis better and stronger. Perhaps the lessons learned and reforms spurred by COVID-19 can help unify the nation and make our public institutions more cohesive, functional and agile, propelling American excellence in this still young century. Perhaps history may even record that seizing this opportunity prevented disasters more destructive than coronavirus.

Coronavirus Resilience & Society

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

In the News

May 6, 2020

Steve Levine in Medium about pandemic’s impact on American cities

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 5, 2020

Beating coronavirus requires curbing United States’ political virus

By John Raidt

Without superb teamwork and cooperation across society, including our elected leadership, the country can’t possibly meet national challenges.

Coronavirus Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 1, 2020

Kroenig and Ashford in Foreign Policy: What is the potential fallout from regime collapse in North Korea?

By Atlantic Council

On May 1, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center Deputy Director Matthew Kroenig and the Cato Institute’s Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they debate the potential fallout from regime collapse in North Korea, with Kroenig arguing that this scenario opens the door to a denuclearized […]

China Coronavirus

In the News

Apr 30, 2020

Pavel and Engelke in Euronews: Irresponsible wet market practices led to COVID-19. China hasn’t learned its lesson

By Atlantic Council

If another country accidentally unleashed a weapon of mass destruction, and it killed almost 200,000 people worldwide (including 60,000 Americans), there would be international outrage and urgent calls for that country to cease any and all activities related to that weapon and to conform to new, strict, immediate measures for transparency and constraints. Unfortunately, despite […]

China Coronavirus
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