New Lines Institute

🎓 Education is one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools of global influence. In this New Lines Lens video, @DaniaArayssi explains how higher education can shape alliances, and why the U.S. risks losing ground in Central Asia as China expands its reach.

@HuasoBB 🎥 Watch the recording of the two panels of the #Mafiacracies launch event here. youtube.com/playlist?list=…

@NewlinesInst Will a recording of the event be posted?

🔴 [#Live] Join us now for the launch of the #Mafiacracies Project, a deep dive into relationships between criminal networks and state/non-state governance. Register here: bit.ly/4bwxHTN

🌍 Weekly Forecast | Mar. 14–20, 2026 🇮🇷 Middle East escalates as U.S./Israel strike Iran; Hormuz tensions deepen energy risks. 🇨🇳 Indo-Pacific steady amid delayed U.S.-China summit. 🇨🇺 Cuba crisis worsens. 🇵🇰🇦🇫 Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict intensifies. 🔎 Listen to the full Weekly Forecast Podcast:newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/globa…

🎙️ [#InTheNews] @faysalitani joined @WarOnTheRocks’ WarCast with @EvansRyan202 to discuss the expanding war on Lebanon, its regional implications, and what to watch next. Listen here ⤵️ warontherocks.com/episode/warcas…

I sat down with Al Ghad TV this week to share my thoughts about the ongoing war in Iran. @NewLinesInst

🌍 Western Balkans Roundup | March 13–19 🇷🇸 Aleksandar Vučić ramps up defense rhetoric and military posture. 🇽🇰 Vjosa Osmani faces political deadlock and rising ethnic tensions. 🇦🇱 Edi Rama clashes with courts, fueling protests. ⚖️ Takeaway: Security posturing and executive overreach are becoming normalized political tools, increasing the risk of clashes. Read more: westernbalkanscenter.org/article/serbia…

🌍 Central Asia Round-up (February 2026) 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan: A constitutional referendum could reshape the political system as Astana balances ties with Washington and Moscow. 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan: Tashkent is using diplomacy to push connectivity, investment, and global standing. 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan: EU sanctions pressure is putting Bishkek under growing scrutiny. 🇹🇯 Tajikistan: Strong growth continues, but big infrastructure spending raises sustainability questions. 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan: New formats with the U.K. and international bodies signal cautious diversification. Read here: bit.ly/4sWxL6k

📣Two years of impact. From South East Asia to Latin America, New Lines Institute is bringing regional expertise to Washington, informing US foreign policymakers to promote more inclusive and peaceful societies. Explore the full report to see how New Lines is leveraging regional expertise to drive global change.⤵️ newlinesinstitute.org/who-we-are/

🗓️ [#Reminder] It's TOMORROW - Join us for the launch of the #Mafiacracies Project, a deep dive into relationships between criminal networks and state/non-state governance. 🔹 Panel 1 (10:00 AM EST) hosted by @rlipschitz01: Organized crime & governance in Latin America 🎙️ Featuring: @artoriastech, James Bosworth, @GCorreaCabrera, and @WillGFreeman. 🔹 Panel 2 (12:00 PM EST) hosted by @Robert_Kremzner: Russian gray zone criminality in Europe & beyond 🎙️ Featuring: @kloosha, Dr. Elena Davlikanova, and Julian Lanchès. 🗒️ Register here: bit.ly/4bwxHTN

TOMORROW: we launch the @NewLinesInst's Mafiacracies Project, a deep dive into relationships between criminal networks and state/non-state governance. As part of the launch, we’ll be hosting two panels on cartels in #LatinAmerica and #Russia's grayzone criminality on Thursday, March 18, from 10 AM - 1:15 PM EST. An event you won't want to miss if you are following criminality, security, and political systems. RSVP for the event here: newlinesinstitute.org/event/mafiacra…

With the launch of the Mafiacracies Project, @NewLinesInst will be hosting a series of panels exploring the thin line between criminality and governance in fragile states across the globe. Moderated by @rlipschitz01 and @Robert_Kremzner, the panels will bring together leading experts with cutting-edge insight. Join us at 10AM on Wednesday, March 18. Register for the launch here: eventbrite.com/e/new-lines-in…

In a new episode of #GenderingGeopolitics, Emily Prey speaks with Caroline Rose about the escalating U.S.–Israel war on Iran. In this clip, Caroline discusses the U.S. bombing of a girls’ school that killed more than 170 civilians. 🎧 Watch the full episode: youtu.be/eLrwGdhCpgs?si…

🔎 [#Analysis] Could Kurdish opposition groups play a role in the war with Iran? @Zara___f and @LaraKarwanJalal explore the growing speculation around Kurdish involvement, the strategic risks for Iraqi Kurdistan, and what this means for the conflict. mepc.org/commentaries/w…

I had the opportunity to speak with Al Araby News this week about the conflict unfolding in #Iran. @NewLinesInst

🌍 Weekly Forecast | Mar. 7–13 🇮🇷 U.S. and Israel escalated strikes on Iran and Lebanon as Tehran threatened regional oil exports. 🇨🇳 China signaled its Trump summit will proceed. 🇺🇦🇷🇺 Russia-Ukraine talks stalled amid backchannel discussions. 🔎 Weekly Forecast Podcast: newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/globa…

🎙️ [#Podcast] Why does the U.S.–Kazakhstan partnership matter for the future of Central Asia? @DaniaArayssi sits down with Richard Spooner from the @caspiancenter to discuss geopolitics, energy, and the region’s growing strategic importance. Watch ⤵️ youtu.be/L6W8AgfkMeo

🌍 Western Balkans Roundup (Mar 3–10) 🇽🇰 Kosovo: Vjosa Osmani dissolved parliament after a failed presidential vote. 🇷🇸Serbia: Reciprocal travel warnings escalate rhetoric. 🇲🇪 Montenegro: Security laws spark opposition backlash. 🇦🇱 Albania: Edi Rama’s party blocks lifting Belinda Balluku’s immunity. ⚖️ Institutional rules are becoming tools of political competition. Read more: westernbalkanscenter.org/article/politi…

[#Event] New Lines’ Crime-Conflict team is launching the Mafiacracies Project, examining how state & nonstate criminal behavior shapes governance, conflict, and security worldwide. 🗓 Mar 18 | 10 AM EST | Online Two expert panels: • Organized Crime & Governance in Latin America • Russian Gray Zone Criminality in Europe & beyond Register: eventbrite.com/e/new-lines-in…

#QuickTake Last month, President Trump held the inaugural meeting for his new “Board of Peace,” which aims to act as a stabilization force in Gaza. Supporters say it could speed up diplomacy, but critics warn it may sideline existing legal frameworks. What would this body actually do, and how might it disrupt the international legal system as we know it? Susanna Kelley breaks it down. ⤵️