CYBERWARUkraine-Russia: The First Shots Have Already Been Fired – in Cyberspace By Robert M. Dover Published 2 February 2022 Wars always used to begin to with the softening up of an enemy – with artillery fire, strategic bombing, missile launches. It is different now: The opening salvos in the latest chapter of hostilities are being

FLOODSGermany needs to invest in nature to defend against floods By Jane Madgwick Published 2 February 2022 Wednesday, 2 February, is the first international World Wetlands Day. It should prompt action to restore these vital ecosystems to protect communities, biodiversity, and prevent future disasters One evening in mid-July 2021, close to the German-Belgian border, the tiny

CRIMEWhy Homicide Rates Spiked 30% During the Pandemic By Dora Mekouar Published 2 February 2022 The number of homicides in the United States spiked almost 30% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a phenomenon seen in both cities and rural areas, and in Republican and Democratic-leaning states. While there have been calls from

INFORMATION WARAre Russia and China Teaming Up Against America in a Global Information War? Yes and No. By Clint Watts Published 2 February 2022 Are Russia and China coordinating information campaigns, or is their symbiotic relationship merely reflective of messaging opportunism and interest alignment? The Kremlin is the unquestioned leader in the dissemination of global

FLOODSWhen Water Is Coming from All Sides Published 2 February 2022 When hurricanes hit, it is not solely the storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean that led to flooding. Inland sources, like rain-swollen rivers, lakes and suburban culverts, also contributed significantly. Researchers have developed and tested the world’s first 3D operational

MIGRANTSBiden Is Restarting the Trump-Era “Remain in Mexico” Program. Why? By Diana Roy Published 1 February 2022 Tens of thousands of migrants were sent back to Mexico under the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” program. President Biden calls it inhumane but has been legally forced to resume it. President Donald Trump created the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP),

CHINA WATCHEuropean Union Supports Lithuania in Trade Fight with China By Natalie Liu Published 1 February 2022 In a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Lithuania alleges that that China has violated the trade body’s rules by carrying out against Lithuania coercive actions that also interfered with the EU’s all-member-inclusive single market and supply chain.

FORECASTINGNobody Saw It Coming: How Scenarios Can Help Us Prepare for the Future in an Uncertain World By Mann Virdee and Megan Hughes Published 1 February 2022 The problem with planning for the future is that it is fundamentally uncertain, and predictions often fall flat when compared with reality. This gap—between the limits of what

NUCLEAR SAFETYThe Resilience and Safety of Nuclear Power in the Face of Extreme Events By Matthew Fisher Published 1 February 2022 As the prospect of extreme global events grows — from natural disasters and intensifying climate change-driven weather patterns that could affect a nuclear plant, to a rise in infectious diseases that could affect its

ENERGY SECURITYCan the U.S. Find Enough Natural Gas Sources to Neutralize Russia’s Energy Leverage Over Europe? By Amy Myers Jaffe Published 31 January 2022 The prospect of conflict between Russia and NATO countries over Ukraine has raised fears of an energy crisis in Europe. To weaken Russia’s leverage, the Biden administration is working to secure