America Must Rise to China’s Challenge, But Not in the Manner Donald Trump Imagines By Robin Mills - May 24, 2020

Almost nothing is bipartisan in US politics today – except confronting China. Despite the very different styles and worldviews of Donald Trump and leading Democrats,… Continue readingAmerica Must Rise to China’s Challenge, But Not in the Manner Donald Trump Imagines

Syria Turns on the Man Who Bankrolled the War By Faisal Al Yafai - May 20, 2020

Pity Rami Makhlouf. Syria’s richest man and a first cousin of the president. He posted two videos this month on social media in which he… Continue readingSyria Turns on the Man Who Bankrolled the War

While the World’s Eyes Are on the Pandemic, ISIS Has Eyes on a New ‘Caliphate’ By Omar Lamrani - May 19, 2020

Attention has shifted away from ISIS and the extremists are taking advantage, as they rebuild and intensify attacks in Syria. Practically all the key players… Continue readingWhile the World’s Eyes Are on the Pandemic, ISIS Has Eyes on a New ‘Caliphate’

After the Pandemic: What Will the Movies Be About? By Effie-Michelle Metallidis - May 16, 2020

“What’s the next Covid movie gonna be?” the barista asks me through her mask as she slides a cup of iced matcha tea over a… Continue readingAfter the Pandemic: What Will the Movies Be About?

After the Pandemic: It’s a Myth that Covid-19 will Save the World from Environmental Catastrophe By Jonathan Gornall - May 11, 2020

When clouds gather, it’s natural for human beings to look for silver linings. There’s nothing wrong with that – it boosts morale. But the growing… Continue readingAfter the Pandemic: It’s a Myth that Covid-19 will Save the World from Environmental Catastrophe

Governments Should Get Honest About the Price of a Human Life By Joseph Dana - May 9, 2020

In March, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his state would never put a price on human life when considering how and when to reopen… Continue readingGovernments Should Get Honest About the Price of a Human Life

The Global Pandemic Has Erased the Difference Between the West And ‘The Rest’ By Faisal Al Yafai - May 7, 2020

For all the “We’re all in this together” rhetoric that many political leaders have adopted as a rallying cry during the coronavirus pandemic, each passing… Continue readingThe Global Pandemic Has Erased the Difference Between the West And ‘The Rest’

Erdogan’s Predicament: Can Populism Survive the Pandemic? By Ömer Taşpınar - May 6, 2020

Populist leaders like Turkey’s strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan are by nature insecure creatures. They govern by demonizing their political rivals and their worst nightmare is to… Continue readingErdogan’s Predicament: Can Populism Survive the Pandemic?

In Fighting Covid-19, Examples from the UAE Show Why Functioning Globalized Networks Are Important By Afshin Molavi - Apr 30, 2020

Imagine you are a US state governor or senior public health official amid the Covid-19 pandemic. You are short on masks, on testing equipment, on… Continue readingIn Fighting Covid-19, Examples from the UAE Show Why Functioning Globalized Networks Are Important

Propaganda and Perception: New Tactics for Iran and Its Allies? By Hussain Abdul-Hussain - Apr 28, 2020

The killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani by the Americans in January has brought a change in tactics for Iran and its proxies. Tehran’s allied… Continue readingPropaganda and Perception: New Tactics for Iran and Its Allies?

As Trump ‘Suspends’ Immigration and Funding for the WHO, Forget About Free Trade By Christian Le Miere - Apr 26, 2020

Donald Trump’s announcement that he was “suspending immigration” into the US to “protect jobs,” together with his administration’s earlier decision to withhold funding from the… Continue readingAs Trump ‘Suspends’ Immigration and Funding for the WHO, Forget About Free Trade

The Long-Term Strategy of Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds By Joseph Dana - Apr 22, 2020

The world’s largest sovereign wealth funds are sensing the moment is ripe for bargain-hunting. The Covid-19 pandemic has produced perfect conditions for cash-rich funds, such… Continue readingThe Long-Term Strategy of Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds

After the Pandemic: Confluence of Two Crises Heightens Danger of Climate Change By Jonathan Gornall - Apr 22, 2020

When historians look back at the impact of Covid-19, will they record only a temporary diversion in the world’s direction of travel, or a moment… Continue readingAfter the Pandemic: Confluence of Two Crises Heightens Danger of Climate Change

After the Pandemic: The Middle East Embraces Technology It Previously Worried Over By Faisal Al Yafai - Apr 19, 2020

Middle East governments long have had a complicated relationship with technology, and in particular with Western tech companies. Deeply interested in innovation but unwilling to… Continue readingAfter the Pandemic: The Middle East Embraces Technology It Previously Worried Over

After the Pandemic: The Middle East Won’t Break Out in Peace By Emily Hawthorne - Apr 16, 2020

National boundaries mean nothing to the coronavirus, which has reached just about every country across the globe. This makes Covid-19 a truly shared deadly enemy… Continue readingAfter the Pandemic: The Middle East Won’t Break Out in Peace