Content

Report

Nov 6, 2024

Iraq’s 2024 budget: Not what it appears when it first meets the eye

By Ahmed Tabaqchali

Iraq’s budget update seems straightforward but holds hidden complexities. A closer look uncovers discrepancies between appearances and realities, offering insights into Iraq’s fiscal strategy and the structural challenges shaping its economic future.

Economy & Business Iraq

Issue Brief

Nov 5, 2024

How Sweden and Finland’s membership in NATO affects the High North

By Anna Wieslander

This issue brief explores the impact of Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership on the High North. Having Sweden and Finland in NATO strengthens the influence of the Alliance in the High North, as it responds to Russia's military buildup and China's regional interests. Deterring aggression while maintaining Arctic stability amidst rising geopolitical tensions will require new defense priorities and enhanced Nordic collaboration.

NATO Northern Europe

Report

Nov 4, 2024

NATO needs a ‘hellscape’ defense at ‘Replicator’ speed

By Franklin D. Kramer, Kristen Taylor

To enhance deterrence, the NATO Alliance should adopt a 'hellscape' approach designed to acquire and field low-cost, highly effective massed armaments, prepositioned on the forward lines of conflict, within a two-to-three year timeframe.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Issue Brief

Nov 4, 2024

Reducing US industrial emissions under budgetary uncertainty

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

The pathway to deep decarbonization remains unclear for "hard to abate" sectors in the United States. By addressing three key challenges, US industry can decarbonize despite financial constraints and political uncertainty.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Issue Brief

Oct 25, 2024

Global DPI models: Lessons from India, Brazil, and beyond 

By Barbara Kotschwar and Colin Colter

The concept of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is gaining momentum globally, as countries seek to digitize essential services like identification, payments, and civil registration.

Brazil Digital Currencies

Report

Oct 22, 2024

The economic and social costs of the war in Gaza

By Perrihan Al-Riffai

After a year of war, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and neighboring countries need a permanent ceasefire. But with development gains erased, billions of dollars in infrastructure damaged, and skyrocketing unemployment, the Middle East also urgently needs a solid reconstruction plan.

Conflict Israel

Issue Brief

Oct 21, 2024

Finding security in digital public infrastructure

By Justin Sherman

As governments worldwide adopt Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), the need for robust cybersecurity and privacy protections has never been greater. This paper delves into the critical risks and opportunities associated with securing DPI systems. With examples from India, Ukraine, and other nations, it explores how governments are managing data privacy, addressing cyber threats, and building trust in digital services. The paper highlights key considerations for policymakers, including the balance between openness and security, the role of encryption, and the importance of resilience in digital systems. As more nations turn to DPI, ensuring the safety and privacy of citizens' data is essential to creating sustainable, trustworthy digital infrastructures.

Cybersecurity India

Issue Brief

Oct 21, 2024

How digital public infrastructure can support financial inclusion

By Katherine Hadda and Anit Mukherjee

As digital transformation accelerates, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is at the forefront of the global push for financial inclusion. This paper examines how DPI frameworks, particularly those pioneered in India, are bringing financial services to previously underserved populations.

Digital Policy Financial Regulation
Virtual creative lock symbol and microcircuit illustration on flag of China and blurry cityscape background. Protection and firewall concept.

Report

Oct 18, 2024

Capture the (red) flag: An inside look into China’s hacking contest ecosystem

By Dakota Cary and Eugenio Benincasa

China has built the world’s most comprehensive ecosystem for capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions—the predominant form of hacking competitions, which range from team-versus-team play to Jeopardy-style knowledge challenges.

China Cybersecurity

Report

Oct 17, 2024

Information warfare in the South Caucasus and Moldova

By Eto Buziashvili, Sopo Gelava, Givi Gigitashvili, Ani Mejlumyan, and Victoria Olari

The four countries that are the focus of this report— Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Moldova—navigate a complex geopolitical landscape. This complexity is reflected in their information spaces. Their collective legacy bears the indelible imprint of Soviet imperi­alistic rule, yet each is marked by a distinct identity and national trajectory that defy collective general­izations as mere […]

Conflict Disinformation

Experts