Having trouble? View this email in your browser.

January 24, 2025

Wilson Weekly

Strategic Competition in the Second Trump Administration

“There is no such thing as a private company in China. The CCP’s 2017 National Security Law requires everyone to obey the party and advance what the CCP terms as ‘national security,’ says Rep. John Moolenaar. “The perfect example is Byte Dance, the parent company of TikTok.”

WATCH NOW

MENA360°

From Brydon to Biden: Trump Should Seek a Reset in Afghanistan

The situation in Afghanistan is growing dire. The aversion of Americans to working with the Taliban is holding back opportunities for economic development and advancement of women’s rights. Meanwhile, Russia and China are actively vying for influence in the country. Learn more from Akbar Ahmed and Frankie Martin.

READ

The Russia File

Putin’s 2025 New Year’s Address—and an Anniversary Forgotten

“Putin declared in his New Year’s address that the foundations of Russia were solid. But everyday realities contradict this optimism. The list of economic problems—catastrophic interest rates, labor shortages, inflation, a collapsing ruble—all signal that the economic and social tensions lack easy solutions and most likely will linger even after the war ends.” -William Pomeranz

READ

Winter 2025

In Search of Our Narratives

In a world seemingly mired in disinformation and the minutiae of partisan politics, much of the public’s attention is taken up by what we are against—however “we” is defined. As new and returning governments take shape after a year of historic global elections, the WQ turned to some of the world’s most respected global leaders and foreign policy thinkers to curate a conversation about what they are for. The result: an incredible collection of notable authors writing on some of today's most important topics.

START READING

Video

Serious Games: The Past, Present, and Future with David Miller

In this episode, Dr. David Miller, Program Director at the National Cancer Institute, joins Dr. Elizabeth Newbury to discuss serious games in biomedical research. Miller highlights projects like Eyewire, Foldit, and Eterna, which use crowdsourcing to advance and spread awareness about research and explore how game elements can enhance the usability and training of biomedical tools. He also shares thoughts on making game development a standard expertise in research collaborations.

WATCH

Smart Take

Path to Peace? Ceasefire Offers Moment for Reflection and Rebuilding in Gaza and Israel

“As the ceasefire sustains, hostages are released, and Gazans start to return home and get humanitarian aid, and so on, there will be a kind of, a sweet taste of normalcy. And we know from social psychologists that people really don't want to lose that once they have it.” - Middle East Program Fellow and former IDF Brigadier General, Jonathan Shimshoni

WATCH

Beyond A Single Story

Driving Impact: How Civil Society is Energizing US-Africa Trade

“We have to change narratives. We have to believe that we can source the highest quality products from the African continent that can compete with other world regions. And to achieve that narrative shift is not only telling positive stories but also elevating the quality of the products coming from the continent.” -Ndidi Nwuneli, President and CEO of The One Campaign

LISTEN NOW

Political Turmoil in Canada: What’s Next in the Aftermath of Trudeau’s Resignation? 

In this edition of Wilson Center NOW, Xavier Delgado, Senior Program Associate with the Wilson Center’s Canada Institute, discusses the resignation announcement of Prime Minister Trudeau, the frontrunners for the upcoming federal election, and trade and security implications of a second Trump term for Canada.

Political Turmoil in Canada: What’s Next in the Aftermath of PM Trudeau’s Resignation?

Upcoming Event

25 Years of Women, Peace, and Security in the Middle East

Tuesday, Jan. 28 // 10–11:00 am (ET)

Did the Soviet People Support the Communist Party? The View from Soviet Literature

Wednesday, Jan. 29 // 1–2:00 pm (ET)

Kennan at 50: Honoring Senator Ben Cardin

Wednesday, Jan. 29 // 3–4:00 pm (ET)

Wilson in the News

Trump says China Controls the Panama Canal—But Here's How it Really Works (NBC) 

“That’s what has made the Panama Canal so successful, and why it’s still one of the main commercial arteries of the world—because of this neutrality.” -Beatriz García Nice

Guatemala’s Democracy Still Has a Chance, but It Needs US Support (World Politics Review) 

“US President Donald Trump inherited a lot of headaches in Latin America, from unprecedented migration to metastasizing organized crime. In Guatemala, however, reformist President Bernardo Arevalo presents a chance to shore up Central America’s largest economy, strike a blow against corruption and reduce migration.”-Benjamin Gedan

Can Donald Trump and Claudia Sheinbaum Work Together? (The National Interest) 

“Despite the challenges, Sheinbaum’s proposed security strategy offers a glimmer of hope for the strengthening of bilateral relations. -Lila Abed

How Will Trump’s South Asia Policy Take Shape? (Foreign Policy)

A few of President Trump’s initial moves could provide an early indication of his approach to South Asia; the region is well represented at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland; and Sri Lanka signs a landmark investment deal with China. This and more in this week’s South Asia Brief with Michael Kugelman.

The Week in Westminster (BBC4)

“People still think the war only began in 2022, which is not true. This all began in 2014 when Russia took Crimea and moved into the Donbas. Ever since then we’ve seen people being killed, removed from their homes, and lots and lots of challenges.” -Baroness Catherine Ashton

Support the independent research and open dialogue that leads to policies for a more secure, equitable, and prosperous world.

One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20004-3027

Phone: (202) 691-4000

Follow the Wilson Center

Was this email forwarded? Subscribe now

unsubscribe