Egypt and UN Lay Groundwork for Aid Into Gaza

The United Nations has brokered an agreement that lays the groundwork for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza from Egypt, as the NYT reports.

U.S. Military Downs Attack Drones, Missiles in Mideast

U.S. forces in the Middle East shot down several attack drones in Iraq and Syria, and rebel-launched missile drones near Yemen on Thursday, Pentagon officials said. And, as The Washington Post reports, the Pentagon said it’s not clear whether the drones and missile launches are related to the Oct. 7 attack and its aftermath.

Powell Signals Fed Will Extend Interest-Rate Pause

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggested that he is pleased with inflation’s decline this summer and that the central bank is unlikely to raise interest rates again unless it sees clear evidence that stronger economic activity jeopardizes such progress, as the WSJ reports.

Executive Education

Ready to take the next step towards policy success in Washington? Join CSIS experts November 13-16, 2023, at CSIS Headquarters for "Decoding D.C.: Policy, Power, and People," to unlock the secrets to thriving in the capital's unique policy landscape. Register by November 1 to gain access to interactive seminars and practical tools for success.

Audio Briefs

CSIS experts give short, spoken-word summaries on the biggest takeaways from their latest reports, white papers, and commentaries—in their own words.

Listen here: "What’s Next for Hamas and Israel?" with CSIS's Alexander Palmer.

In That Number

310 Miles

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar claimed in 2021 that the militant group had around 310 miles of tunnels in Gaza, which could force Israeli soldiers to contend with the risk of ambushes and booby traps in the event of a ground invasion.
Source: Axios

Critical Quote

“Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.”

—U.S. Department of State

iDeas Lab

PEPFAR’s long-term investments in strengthening relevant aspects of the health system have delivered significant benefits beyond HIV care and treatment, including preparing countries to respond to outbreaks and health crises. Read the full report here.

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

Optics

(Photo credit: Russian FMA Telegram Channel/Handout/Getty Images.) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, on October 19, 2023.

This Town Next Week

On Monday at 10:00 a.m., the CSIS International Security Program launches its "CISA's Evolving .gov Mission" report, detailing the project's objectives and key findings.

Then, at 1:00 p.m., the CSIS International Security Program and the CSIS Middle East Program host a discussion on Israel’s military campaign against Hamas.

Later on Monday, at 4:30 p.m., the CSIS Bipartisan Alliance for Global Health Security highlights opportunities for the United States to support aligned approaches to HIV and pandemic response.

Video

Earlier today, the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development hosted a discussion on the launch of the new Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Bureau in collaboration with USAID. Watch the full event here.

Podcasts

CSIS’s Seth Jones joins the podcast to discuss Israel’s military objectives and what’s coming next in the war with Hamas.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

Billy Joel has written so many great songs. “Piano Man,” “New York State of Mind,” and “The Stranger,” to name just a few. But I always come back to “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant.”

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 by Lauren Adler, Ava Rose, and the External Relations team.