The Wilson Quarterly

08/14/2024

"The current climate and environmental crises mean we must plan for a net zero world that provides healthy and safe lives with low environmental impact for 10 billion people by 2050. At the same time, the world’s economy will double or possibly even triple. Managing these situations simultaneously is the challenge of our age."

So write Earth System Science professor Mark Maslin and environmental journalist Shooka Bidarian. They paint a stark picture but provide policy solutions to help ensure everyone can live healthy, fulfilling, sustainable, and secure lives.

Out now in the summer ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: The Great
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/the-great-population-shakeup/the-challenge-of-our-age-managing-climate,-population,-and-migration

08/13/2024

"Fertility, along with mortality and migration, is central to population and its importance to demographers, policymakers, economists, and a country’s development is without question. But focusing on population trends without considering the experiences of the billions of individuals who make up those trends—each with a unique life course, personal aspirations, and individual potential—establishes an unhealthy and dangerous tension that can strip women of their rights and leave them socially disenfranchised."

So write Sarah B. Barnes and Jay Gribble, who, in the new issue of the Wilson Quarterly put life experiences behind the data to bring context and nuance to around the world. They also examine policies past and present to understand what works—and what doesn’t--when it comes to and .

Learn more in the summer issue of the Wilson Quarterly: The Great .
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/the-great-population-shakeup/moving-beyond-fertility-targets

08/13/2024

"In the coming decades, populations will shrink in regions that for the past half century have provided workers who have fueled the greatest spurt of global economic growth, technical innovation, and prosperity humankind has ever known. Rapid drops are expected in Asia and Latin America, while declines already underway in North America and Europe will persist.

"Economists and sociologists believe that to support current levels of global growth, the workforce needed to take us to the next level must come from a region expected to provide nearly the entire net increase of the world’s working age population over the next 20 years: the low- and middle-income nations of Africa."

So write journalists Stephanie Bowen and Tyler Marshall, who talked with those charged with preparing the workforce of the future.

Out now in the summer ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: The Great .

https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/the-great-population-shakeup/the-workforce-of-the-future

08/12/2024

The population boom in the Middle East and North African shows no signs of slowing. This increasingly young population can lead to regional innovation and sustainability. But if job creation cannot keep up with the growing educated workforce, then unemployment will reign and bring with it economic instability.

Journalist Clément Gibon talks with entrepreneurs and policymakers who are working to provide an environment where young people can flourish.

Out now in the Wilson Quarterly’s summer issue: The Great

https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/the-great-population-shakeup/youthquake-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa

08/12/2024

Much has been written about Africa’s young population and how Nigeria represents the continent's potential. We explore the promise of Africa’s youth with a photo essay that peers into the lives of young Nigerians, not through an outsider's gaze, but through the intimate lens of young Nigerians themselves.

Taiwo Aina, a visual storyteller known for documenting societal issues, focuses her photography on women, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. Ifebusola Shotunde, drawn to the human experience, captures the beauty and resilience found in everyday lives. Ugochukwu Emebiriodo, a curator with a keen eye for detail, showcases the bustling energy of Lagos and the diverse landscapes of West Africa. These photographers offer a unique perspective on the hopes, struggles, and triumphs of their peers.

Amarachi Nwosu—herself a Nigerian-American visual storyteller—guides the reader through the imagery with a narrative that delivers more than facts.

Out now in the summer 2024 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: The Great

https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/the-great-population-shakeup/nigerian-youth-in-focus-africas-future-in-a-single-nation

08/10/2024

"International migration is one of the most controversial issues for policymakers worldwide. Yet data show that global migration provides unequivocal economic benefits to receiving and sending countries, and to the migrants, with few if any of the cultural, criminal, or other alleged costs often cited against it."

So opens Jack Goldstone’s essay, The Case for International Migration, now available in the summer issue of the Wilson Quarterly, which tackles policy implications for rapidly shifting global demographics. He dives into common misperceptions surrounding immigration, and necessary preparations that are needed to accommodate the growing migration surges that are not showing any signs of slowing down.

Learn more in The Great .
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/the-great-population-shakeup/the-case-for-international-migration

08/10/2024

With declining fertility rates and an aging population, faces challenges in generating future income. Journalist Helder Marinho reports productivity, gender inequalities, and perception and policies towards migration must fundamentally shift to ensure the region's economic stability in the foreseeable future.

Out now in the summer ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: The Great .

08/09/2024

China’s current demographic downturn is deep and long-lasting. The country's demographic downturn arrived at the same time as its hyper-economic growth began to taper off, and it is easy to assign population as a major culprit.

However, sociologist Feng Wang argues that it is too simplistic and premature to spell China’s economic doom purely based on its demographics. Demography is now grouped as one factor in the “three-Ds” that summarize China’s present economic predicament: debt, deflation, and demography.

Learn more in the summer issue of the Wilson Quarterly: The Great .

08/08/2024

India is now the most populated country at 1.45 billion people, expected to grow to 1.67 by 2050. It has a young population, providing it with a potential economic and developmental advantage.

But there is work to do.

Leela Visaria argues that India must educate their youth, reduce the gender inequity in the workforce, and ensure religious and cultural nationalism does not prevent social or entrepreneurial growth.

Learn more in the summer issue of : The Great .
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/the-great-population-shakeup/indias-people-power

08/08/2024

When we started planning for the summer issue The Great Population Shakeup, we knew there would be a good opportunity to visualize intersecting demographic characteristics that affect a country's social, economic, and political development. We called on demographer Richard Cincotta to help with the data and put it in perspective, and the designers and programmers at Marquee Studio to bring it to life.

What we ended up with is an interactive map where you can take a deep dive into country age structures worldwide and see how they affect what's called the Human Development Index, which integrates three of the most fundamental indications of development: life expectancy at birth, education, and per-capita income.

It's not only fun to interact with, it shows a history of linkages that helps us understand what the future might hold.

Check it out: https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/the-great-population-shakeup/a-countrys-age-distribution-and-its-path-to-development

08/07/2024

As Earth’s population continues to climb, simple statistics of rising and falling population numbers do not capture the more intricate interplay between the coexistence of powerful economies that are shrinking as they age, and fast-developing regions characterized by rising youthful populations striving for political empowerment and economic advancement. This unique "demographic moment" brings challenges and opportunities.

Lauren Herzer Risi of the Wilson Center's Environmental Change and Security Program sets the stage for our summer issue in her introduction, which provides vital context to current global demographic shifts.

Learn more in The Great

Lauren Herzer-Risi, director of the Environmental Change and Security Program at the Wilson Center, sets the stage for the issue and explains how global demographic shifts affect many US foreign policy issues.

08/06/2024

OUT NOW: As the global population surpasses 8 billion, the world is facing a critical demographic moment with two defining characteristics. Many of the world’s largest economies, whose populations are aging and shrinking, are looking for ways to sustain productivity and growth. On the other hand, several regions have younger, often fast-growing populations eager for long-sought economic development and social advancement.

If the US and the West fail to consider these changing population dynamics in decision-making, they raise the risk of economic and political instability at home and abroad, while missing vital opportunities for growth.

As the world settles into this new demographic moment, the summer 2024 issue of the Wilson Quarterly goes beyond the “too many” or “too few” arguments that the media latches onto and examines the power and limits of population as it relates to foreign policy.


https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/the-great-population-shakeup

05/09/2024

Though the Soviet and post-Soviet landscape has significantly evolved over the last five decades, the Kennan Institute continues informing policymakers and audiences about the region's challenges and opportunities. Presently, the Institute hosts a diverse array of scholars, publishes a Russian-language blog, and broadcasts globally to engage with leaders and the public on Eurasian affairs.

Director William Pomeranz introduces the issue by exploring the Kennan Institute’s historical legacy with its distinctive research and collaborations. With the dwindling optimism among Eurasia scholars, the Institute focuses on its foundational principles, which are especially relevant today.

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: .
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/introduction-understanding-russia

05/07/2024

Amb. Mark A. Green lays out just what is at stake and why the Kennan Institute is as important than ever in his foreword to the spring issue:

https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/foreword-the-work-of-the-kennan-institute-has-never-been-more-important

05/06/2024

Since the publication of the “Long Telegram” and the “X Article,” the international politics arena has witnessed numerous transformations. More than eight decades later, George F. Kennan’s diagnoses remain highly relevant in the current political landscape, providing guidance on diplomatic intricacies and strategies.

In his essay, Chair of the Kennan Institute Advisory Council Michael Kimmage discusses the lasting lessons of Kennan’s legacy and how his insights can help decipher Putin’s Russia. In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kennan’s documents have become increasingly indispensable in informing US policy and “containment.”

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: Understanding Russia.
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/kennans-x-marks-the-spot

05/06/2024

As one of the founding pillars of the Kennan Institute, scholarship and academic exchange stand are essential to fostering deeper understanding and partnerships in international affairs. Throughout the Institute’s history, scholars have played a vital role in advancing research and informing perspectives.

In their article, Program Associate Victoria Pardini and Coordinator and Academic Liaison Nina Rozhanovskaya, who together manage the Kennan Institute fellowship and alumni program, highlight the opportunities and challenges of scholarly exchange. And while Russian geopolitical dynamics shift and these exchanges are getting more difficult, they are finding new ways to keep the collaborations strong.

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: Understanding Russia.
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/building-trust-between-nations,-one-scholar-at-a-time

05/05/2024

Since its founding in 1974, the Kennan Institute has maintained a multidisciplinary, culturally diverse, and unparalleled approach to research on Russia and Eurasia. From fostering contact between Western and Soviet scholars to leading US Congressional visits to Moscow, the Institute has continuously been at the forefront of promoting collaboration and understanding.

Reflections and insights from former Kennan Institute directions, including S. Frederick Starr, Peter Reddaway, Blair Ruble, and Matthew Rojansky, elaborate on their distinctive tenures and the Wilson Center’s permanent influence within foreign policy. The leadership of these directors not only shaped the trajectory of the Kennan Institute but also its enduring legacy in scholarship.

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: .
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/navigating-russian-research-through-volatile-times

05/05/2024

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the growing tensions between Russia and the West, energy security and access to critical minerals have been severely affected. Before the war, the European Union was a primary customer of Russian oil and natural gas exports, but the EU-Russian energy trade has declined 84% since the conflict’s onset. Despite successful sanctions, Russia has redirected its resources to new markets.

A discussion with Theresa Sabonis-Helf, Chair of the Science, Technology, and International Affairs concentration at Georgetown University and former Kennan Institute scholar, and Lauren Herzer Risi, director of the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program, considers the implications of the first war of the energy transition, including the world’s efforts to go green.

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: Understanding Russia.
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/the-first-war-of-the-energy-transition

05/04/2024

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has precipitated one of the largest forced displacements of our time, with 6.5 million Ukrainian refugees and 3.7 million displaced individuals. With the influx of asylum seekers, the US has developed its migration policies to assist Ukrainians fleeing the conflict; however, these asylum and migration opportunities have remained out of reach for Russian citizens.

Kennan Institute Deputy Director Jennifer Wistrand explores the various implications of the Russia-Ukraine war on US migration policy, displaced peoples, and the rebuilding of homelands.

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: .
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/fleeing-war,-fleeing-putin

05/04/2024

With violence and legal charges associated with dissent steadily on the rise, it’s clear that Russia is tightening its grip on political opposition. Though Russian authorities claim citizens can exercise their democratic rights and freedoms, repression is persistent.

Russian journalist and writer for the Kennan Institute’s The Russia File blog, Maxim Trudolyubov (), details the extensive history of the Kremlin’s persecution of dissidents. From misapplications of the law to flagrant human rights violations, plausible deniability protects Putin and his regime.

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: .
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/political-repression-in-disguise

05/03/2024

Understanding the fluctuations and intricacies of global antisemitism can shed light on the numerous conspiracy theories targeting Jewish populations and advancing political agendas. Particularly, Russian manipulation of the media and use of antisemitic rhetoric is evident, with instances including attacks against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In this piece, Kennan Institute Senior Advisor on Regional Partnerships and Programming Izabella Tabarovsky argues that Russia’s disinformation tactics and propaganda campaigns weaponize antisemitism and anti-Westernism. As a result, they destabilize democratic institutions and incite discord within society for the benefit of authoritarian regimes.

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: .
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/antisemitic-propaganda-and-disinformation-in-putins-war-against-democracies

05/03/2024

As Russian global influence accelerates, Latin America has become a primary target of the Kremlin’s destabilization efforts to reshape the region. Putin has long viewed this region as a critical piece in its foreign policy puzzle and has sought to divert US attention from Europe.

In this piece, former Venezuelan Ambassador to the US examines decades of Russian intervention and “unrestricted warfare” in Latin America. Echoing the Soviet Union’s grip on Cuba, he says Venezuela has become a mere tool in advancing the Kremlin’s geostrategic interests.

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: .

05/02/2024

Throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there have been reports of war crimes, including sexual violence, child deportation, civilian attacks and disappearances, disproportionate force, and more. Although Ukraine has an established justice system and the support of the International Criminal Court, numerous legal obstacles hinder progress in achieving justice.

In this Q&A, Kennan Institute Director William Pomeranz and Lead Coordinator of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine Clint Williamson discuss the complexities of holding Putin and Russia accountable.

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: .

05/02/2024

Situated strategically between Russia and the West, Ukraine was seen as a potential bridge for fostering dialogue and collaboration. Instead, with shifting policy focuses and excessive concessions by Western leaders and governing bodies, Ukraine was misled and left vulnerable to growing Russian revanchism.

Revisiting his experiences during the 2014 Russian invasion and annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, former Kennan Institute fellow Lucian Kim traces back the origins of the Russia-Ukraine war. Throughout this analysis, Kim considers the conflict’s impact on US-Russia relations and questions why the US did not prioritize Ukraine.

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: .
https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/sleepwalking-into-conflict-with-the-kremlin

05/01/2024

With the Russia-Ukraine war raging on and the developing dynamics between Moscow and Beijing, the trajectory of US-Russia relations is increasingly concerning.

In this Q&A, former US Ambassador to the Russian Federation John Sullivan and Senior Program Officer of the Kennan Institute Joseph Dresen discuss how diplomats can navigate the growing tensions between Russia and the West, drawing on history and research to lead the way.

Read more in the spring ‘24 issue of the Wilson Quarterly: .

https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/the-united-states-relationship-with-russia

05/01/2024

Though the Soviet and post-Soviet landscape has significantly evolved over the last five decades, the Kennan Institute continues informing policymakers and audiences about the region's challenges and opportunities.

One way that the Institute is meeting today’s challenges is through its work with the Russian diaspora and journalists in exile, by helping to connect them in a language they can understand.

Find out more from Kennan Institute Director William Pomeranz in his introduction to the new issue:

https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/introduction-understanding-russia

04/30/2024

In his foreword to the spring 2024 issue, Wilson Center CEO, Ambassador Mark A. Green shares insightful analysis about why it is so important that US policymakers and global leaders as he showcases the work of the Wilson Center's premiere program, the Kennan Institute, which is celebrating its 50th year.

Find out more: https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia/foreword-the-work-of-the-kennan-institute-has-never-been-more-important

04/30/2024

At a time when the US is arguably facing the most challenging times with Russia since the end of the Cold War, the Wilson Quarterly dedicates its spring 2024 edition to US-Russia relations as part of the Kennan Institute’s 50th anniversary year. Hitting the virtual newsstands more than two years into Russia’s war with Ukraine, this special issue also comes at a time when US is arguably facing the most challenging times with Russia since the end of the Cold War. Drawing upon the Kennan Institute’s deep bench of experts, it sheds light on US-Russia relations, Russia’s anti-democratic tactics at home and abroad, the far-reaching impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war—including human migration, energy security—and more.

Read it at https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/understanding-russia