North America
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact: using the Electoral College against itself
With memories of 2016, the relationship between the Electoral College and the Popular vote is once again set to be thrust into the limelight. With fears of another victory by a president who doesn’t have the popular vote, politicians have begun to seek a way around the system.
Risk to Arctic Energy Exploration
Arctic Exploration remains an exciting prospect for many in the energy sector. According to estimates, the Arctic could be one of the greatest untapped reserves of energy resources in the world. However exciting the proposition of tapping these resources may seem, it is an extremely expensive proposition.
Currencies: Is the Dollar in Danger?
Recent declines in the dollar have once again raised questions about its status as the de facto global reserve currency. But the current depreciation in the greenback is more the result of a perfect short-term storm, as opposed to a permanent global retreat from the dollar.
US: Inflationary pressures are highly unlikely
As a response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the United States unveiled a $2 trillion package in March – the largest of its kind. Aside from the expansion of debt, potential inflation has been a cause for concern. But several factors ensure that broad inflationary pressures will almost certainly be absent during the lockdown, and, likely, in the immediate period after.
Revolution or Regression: The Future US Energy Sector
For the first time in U.S. history, renewable energies briefly generated more electricity than coal in April, 2019. Renewable energy potential merits review of trends and evolving dynamics in a dramatically changing U.S. energy sector.
The Ongoing US Entanglement with Saudi Arabia over Yemen
President Trump’s veto over the Saudi-led war in Yemen represents a sharp divide between Congress and the White House over US foreign policy. This is unlikely to be the last time this divide occurs, raising questions over US leadership and its commitment to human rights.
Bridging the Gap in Emerging Technology: “Overmatch”
Originating in the 2017 National Security Strategy, the United States is underway with its philosophy of “Overmatch” to bridge the gap in emerging technologies with Russia and China.
The Energy Briefing: AMLO’s nationalist agenda clouds future for Mexico’s energy sector
Leftist candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s victory casts a shadow over the future of Mexico’s ongoing energy reform. Will the country’s new preident find the right balance between pragmatism and ideology?
Gene-editing, security, and uncertainty
CRISPR-Cas9, a gene-editing technology that consists of a single-cell immune system that allows for insertion and deletion of DNA, poses risks to U.S. and international security.
New US cyber policy suggests more active response to state threats
US cyber policy is shedding the overly-careful approach favored during the Obama era. While this carries an increased risk of escalation, it’s nonetheless necessary in a cyber arena of bad actors and poorly-defined norms.
