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February 16, 2024

Wilson Weekly

US Secretary of State and Canadian Foreign Minister on Hostage Diplomacy Security Threat

“Together we’re sending a clear message: our citizens are not human bargaining chips. They are not political pawns. If any country wrongfully holds any of our people, we will hold them accountable.” -US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who joined Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly for a special event on a growing international security threat: hostage diplomacy.

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Analysis

360° View of Policies Needed to Secure Shipping Chokepoints

Security concerns in the Red Sea and drought-induced constraints limiting the Panama Canal are forcing shippers to reroute, resulting in delays and higher shipping costs. Tensions in the Turkish Straits and the South China Sea have polar shipping routes getting more attention. Amidst this backdrop, Wilson Center experts weigh in on what actions the US should take to ensure supply chain resilience and the foundation of secure shipping corridors.

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Event | Video

What's Next for Pakistan, Post-Election?

Pakistan has been embroiled in multiple major crises for months, including severe economic stress, a resurgence in terrorism, growing border tensions, and serious political instability. These difficulties raised the stakes for last week’s election. Current and former Wilson Center fellows discuss the election outcome and what it might mean for Pakistan’s politics, society, economy, security, and foreign affairs, including relations with the United States.

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Remembering Alexei Navalny

Russian media reported the death of the leading opposition politician Alexei Navalny today. He was imprisoned since returning to Russia in January 2021, following an assassination attempt in 2020. Learn more about Navalny’s work for the Russian opposition and his legacy in domestic politics in this collection of Wilson Center analysis and events.

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Asia Dispatches | Blog

Indonesia's 2024 Election and Its Implications for US Foreign Policy

“Washington views Indonesia as a key battleground for influence in great power competition,” writes Lucas Myers. "Across the ocean, many in Indonesia are quietly exasperated with aspects of US policy.” Read more in this Asia Dispatches blog.

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Sources and Methods | Blog

The Helmut Kohl Transcripts: The Middle East and Iran

In this recent blog post, Stephan Kieninger writes that Helmut Kohl showed a commitment to peacefully resolving the endlessly complex Middle East diplomatic landscape. It’s part of a series about the Helmut Kohl Transcripts, a new Wilson Center Digital Archive resource featuring hundreds of Helmut Kohl’s foreign policy meetings with world leaders.

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Event | Video

Our Ocean Countdown, Greece 2024: An Ocean of Potential

“At the rate that we’re now heading folks, you can probably tag the moment when blue tuna will be extinct. That’s what’s happening. Too much money chasing too few fish. And it continues,” said US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, who along with Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis spoke at a special dialogue in advance of the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens, Greece.

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The New Multilateralism: Reinventing Security and Cooperation in Europe

In this edition of Wilson Center NOW, we discuss the new issue of the Wilson Quarterly, The New Multilateralism, with the magazine’s editor Stephanie Bowen. Also joining us are contributors Robin Quinville and Philip Reeker whose article, Reinventing Security and Cooperation in Europe, asserts that by taking lessons from NATO, the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) could be more effective in responding to today's complex challenges.

Upcoming Events

Ten Years of Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity: Stakes and Consequences

Tuesday, Feb. 20 // 10–11:00 am (ET)

Venezuela at a Crossroads: Is the Barbados Agreement on Life Support?

Tuesday, Feb. 20 // 2–3:00 pm (ET)

Beneath the Ice: Navigating Legal Frameworks and Collaborative Solutions for Subsea Infrastructure Protection in the Arctic

Wednesday, Feb. 21 // 11–11:45 am (ET)

Book Launch | American Diplomacy Toward Lebanon: Lessons in Foreign Policy and the Middle East by Ambassador David Hale

Thursday, Feb. 22 // 11:30 am–12:30 pm (ET)

A Brazilian Perspective on the G20: Debriefing the First Ministerial Meeting

Friday, Feb. 23 // 11:00 am–12:00 pm (ET)

Wilson in the News

Russia Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny Has Died in Prison (KNX News)

“It’s what happens after Putin that is ultimately the fate of Russia and hopefully the example of Navalny and his principled support of democracy and anti-corruption will serve as an important touchstone for the Russian people.” -Joseph Dresen

Can President Biden Broker a Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas? (KNX News)

“The pressure is mounting internationally. The war in Gaza is practically streamed live to households all across the North Africa Middle East region. But this also resonates across the Muslim world.” -Merissa Khurma

Marc Fogel, My American Teacher, Is the Kremlin’s Political Pawn (The Moscow Times)

“His commitment to his students and family prevailed over his chronic pain. But, as his family rightfully said, a 14-year prison term in a maximum-security Russian penal colony is like a death sentence to a 62-year-old with chronic back pain.” -Elinor Harty

Mexico Needs to Send “Red Signals” to Migrants to Curb Border Surge (Fox News)

“What they try to do is intercept people as they are passing through Mexico at different key crossings and on key roads, but they do not consistently do that.” -Wilson Center Public Policy Fellow Earl Anthony Wayne

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