Iraq’s promised reconstruction funding will lag

Significance The United States and Iran sent their foreign ministers and 74 other countries also participated, along with many multilateral organisations, NGOs and private sector representatives. However, pledges were vague and even the most generous interpretation of aggregated funds -- 30 billion dollars, mainly in credit and investment pledges, not grants -- fell far short of the 60-88 billion dollars estimated to be needed. Impacts The relatively low level of pledges could harm the prime minister’s electoral prospects. Investments could flow to more prosperous areas rather than those worst affected by war. A failure to rebuild the economy in Sunni areas could catalyse future extremism.

Subject Innovation in artificial intelligence-enabled defence systems outside the United States. Significance Besides the United States, China and Russia seek a geostrategic advantage through artificial intelligence(AI)-enabled defence. European governments are also waking up to the potential of such systems, but their efforts are splintered. Impacts The feverish pace of development in China suggests its defence systems may be unreliable or unsafe initially. Western researchers will be more bound by ethical barriers than their Russian and Chinese counterparts. Private sector responses will balance commercial gain and reputational risk.


Significance China’s ability and willingness to build and finance mammoth initiatives of questionable national value has made it a convenient partner for President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi. Impacts Both sides will tout projects that reflect the personal visions of their leaders. Private-sector Egyptian companies will be crowded out of the market by military-led enterprises. Egypt’s main economic partners will remain GCC countries, Europe and the United States for the foreseeable future.


Significance The hacking of emails of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Hillary Clinton’s campaign chair has touched off national discussion in the United States on Russia’s involvement and -- along with other high-profile cyberattacks believed to have been carried out by states such as those on Sony in 2014 and Saudi Aramco in 2012 -- have shone a spotlight on the complexity of attribution in cyberspace. Impacts Companies will increasingly find themselves in the crossfire of disputes between states. Governments will need to not only ramp up their country’s defences but also work with the private sector to ensure their cyber readiness. Societies may experience a challenge to democratic processes as states use cyber instruments to influence foreign elections.


Significance Facing the region’s largest coronavirus outbreak, the authorities belatedly closed schools, banned all religious and social gatherings and asked people to stay indoors. However, since mid-April, they have loosened restrictions, reflecting the difficulties of the private sector as well as the government’s limited capacity to provide relief. Impacts The economic pressure from COVID-19 on top of sanctions may force Tehran to divert assets away from the conflict in Syria. Finance for operations in Iraq will be prioritised as a core Iranian interest as well as an arena to combat the United States. The central bank may be forced to print money to finance increased health spending and social security, risking extremely high inflation.


Significance The countries have historically had strong ties. However, Delhi’s growing partnership with Washington and burgeoning Moscow-Beijing relations are complicating factors, given the rivalry between Russia and the United States, and between India and China. Impacts Russia’s burgeoning ties with India’s enemy, Pakistan, will not undermine the Moscow-Delhi relationship. India’s private sector will remain reluctant to invest in Russia, fearing US sanctions. Delhi will over the next five years initiate 2+2 dialogues with individual ASEAN and EU members.


Significance Kim's departure creates unforeseen turbulence at the institution, whose corporate commitments around climate change, gender and renewable energy are anathema to the current US administration. Impacts If the US nominee is an ideological conservative, World Bank relations with either the United States or other shareholders will be damaged. Short-term impacts on Bank operations will be minimal. Kim’s belief that he can affect “global issues” more in the private sector emphasises the importance of the Bank reviving its global role.


Significance The passenger car market will expand by 2.7% in 2016, according to private sector estimates, with growth evenly spread between the BRICS, Europe and the United States. The industry will focus on three transformations: the push into emerging markets (EMs), exploiting the potential of data and connectivity and managing the regulatory drive towards cleaner fuels. Impacts Diesel will remain a viable fuel in European markets. However, tougher testing and lower filtering margins will strengthen the case for further hybridisation of new models. The limited response from European regulators risks diminishing the incentives for domestic manufacturers to make changes early. Volume manufacturers are squeezed between low-cost manufacturers and the premium brands when it comes to connectivity.


Author(s):  
Fred H. Cate ◽  
Beth E. Cate

This chapter covers the US Supreme Court’s position on access to private-sector data in the United States. Indeed, the Supreme Court has written a great deal about “privacy” in a wide variety of contexts. These include what constitutes a “reasonable expectation of privacy” under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution; privacy rights implicit in, and also in tension with, the First Amendment and freedom of expression; privacy rights the Court has found implied in the Constitution that protect the rights of adults to make decisions about activities such as reproduction, contraception, and the education of their children; and the application of the two privacy exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-126
Author(s):  
Takisha Durm

PurposeThe Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can, written by Dr Tererai, profiles a cultural, yet global experience of the power of believing in one's dream. Through this study of the similarities and differences of how children in the United States and abroad live and dream of a better life, this lesson seeks to enhance students' understandings of the power and authority they possess to effect change not only within their own lives but also in the lives of countless others in world. After reading the text, students will work to create vision boards illustrating their plans to effect change within their homes, schools, communities, states or countries. They will present their plans to their peers. To culminate the lesson, the students will bury their dreams in can and collectively decide on a future date to revisit the can to determine how far they have progressed in accomplishing their goals.Design/methodology/approachThis is an elementary grades 3–6 lesson plan. There was no research design/methodology/approach included.FindingsAs this is a lesson plan and no actual research was represented, there are no findings.Originality/valueThis is an original lesson plan completed by the first author Takisha Durm.


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