Fed Holds Steady

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady for the first time in more than a year following 10 consecutive increases but signaled its intention to implement further rises this year, as the FT reports.

U.S. Launches Quiet Diplomatic Push With Iran to Cool Tensions

The Biden administration has quietly restarted talks with Iran in a bid to win the release of American prisoners held by Tehran and curb the country’s growing nuclear program, as the WSJ reports.

Europe Moves Ahead on AI Regulation

European Union lawmakers on Wednesday took a key step toward setting unprecedented restrictions on how companies use artificial intelligence, putting Brussels on a collision course with American tech giants funneling billions of dollars into the technology, as The Washington Post reports.

Executive Education

The Breakthrough Leadership Program is a collaboration between CSIS and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University designed to accelerate the advancement of mid-career professionals from historically marginalized communities. This unique program blends leadership and communication coaching with seminars on pressing global issues to enhance the skills and insights that high-potential employees need to take on bigger roles within their organizations.

Video Shorts

Check out CSIS’s new series of video shorts: “The Recap,” “Data Unpacked,” “Testify,” “What's Happening,” “Preview,” and “High Resolution.” And don’t forget to subscribe to the CSIS YouTube Channel!

In That Number

3

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said his country has started taking delivery of Russian tactical nuclear weapons, some of which he said were three times more powerful than the atomic bombs the US dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Source: Reuters

Critical Quote

"While Big Tech companies are sounding the alarm over their own creations, Europe has gone ahead and proposed a concrete response to the risks AI is starting to pose."

—Brando Benifei, Member, European Parliament

iDeas Lab

Misinformation has spread online about China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, with netizens posting images that purportedly show large cracks in the vessel’s deck. The CSIS ChinaPower Project uses satellite imagery to debunk these claims.

The Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab at CSIS enhances our research with the latest in cutting-edge web technologies, design, and multimedia.

Optics

(Photo by Frederick Florin/AFP/Getty Images.) Members of the European Parliament take part in a voting session about Artificial Intelligence Act during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on June 14, 2023.

This Town Tomorrow

At 9:30 a.m., the CSIS Korea Chair hosts a discussion on semiconductor and sensitive technology issues for the U.S.-ROK alliance.

And, at 9:45 a.m., the CSIS Southeast Asia Program and US-ASEAN Business Council co-host the second day of the U.S.-Indo-Pacific Conference 2023, with welcome remarks by Ambassador Ted Osius.

Later, at 2:30 p.m., Brookings evaluates NATO's enlargement since the end of the Cold War.

Video

Today, the US-ASEAN Business Council and the CSIS Southeast Asia Program co-hosted the first day of the U.S.-Indo-Pacific Conference 2023, with keynote remarks from Senator Bill Hagerty. Watch the full event here.

Podcasts

CSIS's Kathleen McInnis is joined by Ashley Davis to discuss Davis' experience in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, including her role in the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

I received a very cool note from Santa Cruz yesterday where an Evening reader remarked on last night’s clip that the Grateful Dead had one of their stellar years in 1991—I was there and couldn’t agree more. Following Brent Mydland’s death, the band grieved deeply, but Bruce Hornsby brought their music once again to a high level. There are so many eras in the Dead’s career that contained brilliant performances. 1983 wasn’t a particularly celebrated year in Dead-ology, but check out this incredible clip of “The Other One.”

I invite you to email me at [email protected] and follow me on Twitter @handrewschwartz

The Evening is my daily guide to key insights CSIS brings to the events of the day. It is composed with the External Relations team: Paige Montfort, Claire Dannenbaum, and Ava Rose.