Around the World
The Oct. 10 suicide bombings in Ankara, Turkey have drawn attention to patterns of violence that have developed in the country over the past several months. Laurel Jarombek examines the increasingly toxic political climate in Turkey and whether or not elections in November will bring an end to the country’s instability.
In Guatemala, after a wave of political protests, Otto Pérez Molina’s corrupt regime was successfully overthrown. On the eve of the Oct. 25 elections, Ana Davila consulted a panel of experts regarding the prospects of a smooth political transition in Guatemala.
Meanwhile, Russia’s military buildup in the Arctic over the last few years has sparked concern about the potential for conflict in the region. Ekaterina Klimenko argues, however, that the increase in Russia’s military activity should be interpreted as the implementation of a largely defensive regional security policy and long-standing military modernization plans.
Finally, in this week’s episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Senior Fellow Jonathan Cristol explains why calls from rising powers and underrepresented regions to expand membership and transparency within the U.N. Security Council are flawed. He argues that the closed-door debates and veto powers held by the P5 better reflect the geopolitical realities of today than when the Council was first founded.
Around the Institute
World Policy Institute, in partnership with the African Network for Centers of Investigative Reporting and with funds from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, has launched a new podcast, Africa Investigates, which showcases recent exposés into governmental, institutional, and corporate corruption across Africa. In the inaugural episode, host Chris Roper investigates a series of World Bank-financed projects, which have physically or economically displaced thousands in Lagos, Nigeria. Subscribe on iono.fm today, and don’t miss a single episode!
With support from the World Policy Institute and the Carnegie Council on Ethics in International Affairs, the Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program is hosting its next James Chase Lecture on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. Elmira Bayrasli, a World Policy Fellow, will discuss her new book, “From the Other Side of the World: Extraordinary Entrepreneurs, Unlikely Places,” in conversation with social entrepreneur Hazami Barmada. The book looks at the growth of innovation beyond Silicon Valley, focusing on talented individuals around the world who have overcome insurmountable obstacles to lead high-growth businesses. This event is a members-only event. To RSVP, please email: rsvp@worldpolicy.org by Friday, Oct. 23.
Book Releases
William Powers makes the next stop on his book tour for “New Slow City” in New York on Wednesday, Nov. 4. His book documents his sustainable, “slow” living approach to one of the busiest cities in the world: New York. Click here for complete tour listings.
Fellow Updates
Patricia DeGennaro recently spoke at the Iranian-American Council on the Iran Deal.
James H. Nolt writes about income disparity for Polarizing Political Economy.
David Stevens represented the World Policy Institute at Libération’s Forum Citoyen Gabon. He spoke about addressing inequality in Africa. Read his full recap here.
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[Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons]