Content

Inflection Points

Dec 20, 2020

China’s Xi rushes to close EU investment deal ahead of Biden inauguration

By Frederick Kempe

President Xi isn’t willing to hit the pause button to provide President-elect Biden time and space to assemble his China team, reach out to allies, and frame his strategy. He won’t do so on trade and investment, nor will he do so in his efforts to crack down on political dissent at home.

China East Asia

BelarusAlert

Dec 19, 2020

US poised to boost support for democracy in Belarus

By Vladislav Davidzon

Belarus looms large on the US foreign policy agenda for 2021. Senators can set the stage for the year ahead by passing the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act of 2020.

Belarus Democratic Transitions

In the News

Dec 19, 2020

Borghard on CBS News: Trump downplays massive cyberattack while Pompeo blames Russia

By Atlantic Council

Erica shares her take on the SolarWinds hack in an interview with CBS News. She explained the national security implications of the incident, discussed why the hack was not an attack and what the incoming Biden administration should do to address the situation. More about our expert

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

EnergySource

Dec 18, 2020

Reinforcing transatlantic ties amidst Nord Stream 2 sanctions: A way forward

By Richard L. Morningstar, Daniel Fried, Olga Khakova

The United States and European Union should develop a comprehensive strategy on deterring and mitigating Russian influence and aggression in Europe, including cooperation on energy infrastructure and the encouragement of competitive and transparent energy markets. This strategy should be the bridge for working through tensions stemming from Nord Stream 2 sanctions and for rebuilding the transatlantic relationship.

Europe & Eurasia Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Dec 18, 2020

Kroenig and Ashford discuss a cyberattack on the US government, top global trends and events in 2020

By Atlantic Council

On December 18, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they discuss the cyberattack on the US government, top global trends and events in 2020, and the US-China rivalry.

China Coronavirus

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

Future of DHS

Dec 17, 2020

Warrick on Newsy Tonight on SolarWinds hack

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense non-resident senior fellow and Future of DHS Project Director Thomas Warrick was interviewed on Newsy Tonight on the implications of the SolarWinds hack of the US government. Warrick commented on the gravity of the cyber espionage and the actions that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security, was taking to mitigate the intrusion.

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

In the News

Dec 17, 2020

Borghard in Conversation Six: The SolarWinds hack

By Atlantic Council

Erica joins Jacquelyn Schneider to discuss the implications of the SolarWinds hack for US cyber strategy in a podcast on Conversation Six. More about our expert

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Dec 17, 2020

How the US and Europe should rethink their economic relationship in the Biden years

By Elmar Hellendoorn

If the Biden administration chooses a conventional approach to trade policy, it will not only deprive itself of a powerful instrument to shape international relations but also put US interests and the Western liberal order at a disadvantage.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Dec 17, 2020

Sanctions against Turkey over Russian arms: Has the United States found a sweet spot?

By Daniel Fried

With its sanctions against Turkey's main defense-procurement entity, the United States may have found a sweet spot: sanctions strong enough to capture Turkish attention but not so sweeping as to shut down bilateral security and arms relations with a NATO ally.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

Experts

Events