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Edited by: James Desio and Hannah Bowen

Happy Thursday! In today’s newsletter, we examine the cost of eggs and the threat of avian flu, the gender divide among young Christians, and China’s economic relationship with Iran. 

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1. Bird Flu’s Impact on Egg Prices

Topline: Consumers should soon see relief from the recent high prices of eggs, as wholesale egg prices have dropped more than 40 percent since late February. However, AEI’s Scott Gottlieb warns this reprieve may be short-lived. The incoming spring season will bring back seasonal migration for wild birds, which may trigger more bird flu outbreaks. 

The Cost of Bird Flu: The virus has wreaked havoc on US egg supplies—leading to a sharp increase in egg prices for consumers. This virus can be spread through wild birds, contaminated farm equipment, and in some cases, airborne dander traveling short distances and contaminating nearby water sources.

The Policy Prescription: The most effective strategy is to prevent flocks from becoming infected in the first place. Strategies for vaccinating egg-laying hens need further exploration and implementation. There are concerns surrounding the technological feasibility of mass vaccinations and trade objections; however, they can be addressed by advancing vaccine innovations and increasing biosecurity.

“The avian influenza strains now in circulation have persisted continuously among birds and mammals for nearly two years, and there’s growing evidence that it could become a permanent feature of North America—part of a new normal to which the poultry industry must inevitably adjust for both the physical and economic health of Americans.” —Scott Gottlieb

2. The Growing Christian Gender Gap

Topline: The growing gender divide appears to be a secular and religious dilemma. AEI’s Dan Cox analyzes the divide between young Christian men and young Christian women on critical issues and concludes that the gender gap has grown among young Christians—just as it has for their secular counterparts. 

• In 2014, 42 percent of young Christian men and 45 percent of young Christian women said abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
• In 2024, 48 percent of young Christian men said abortion should be legal in all or most cases, but now 61 percent of young Christian women believe the same.
  

What's Driving the Divide? There is little evidence to suggest that this gender divide among young Christians is due to how either gender practices faith. Instead, it appears Christians are facing the same cultural divides as secular young people. Differences in friendship communities and social media habits as well as falling marriage rates have impacted the growing gender divide among both Christians and secular individuals. 

“Spending time in a religious or spiritual community, and participating in shared practices is an important way to foster understanding and reduce tensions. It’s not the only way to counteract the social and technological forces pushing men and women apart, but it’s a good place to start.” —Dan Cox

3. China’s Diplomacy and Iranian Oil

Topline: China, Russia, and Iran recently issued a joint statement calling for the end of unilateral sanctions on Iran—with China offering a five-point proposal to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue and calling for the US to return to the negotiating table. AEI’s Dan Blumenthal analyzes the economic relationship between China and Iran and China’s motives for positioning itself in Middle East diplomacy.

Economic Incentives: Beijing has a special interest in stability in the Middle East. China imports about 15 percent of its oil from Iran and supports Iran by purchasing 90 percent of its oil and providing it with some military-use materials like sodium perchlorate.

The Diplomatic Game: Blumenthal suggests that China may be using the Iranian nuclear issue to frame the US as problematic and strategically position itself as a responsible mediator and source of stability in the Middle East. Both the upcoming expiration of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and President Trump’s recent letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei calling to make a deal on the nuclear issue likely incentivized China’s push to be included in the diplomatic conversation.

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