The Evening: Historic Deal, 5 Million Acres Burned, Astral Weeks and More
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** Good Evening,
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It's Tuesday, September 15th.


** Historic Deal
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President Trump presided over a White House signing ceremony today in which Israel established formal ties with two Arab states, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, as the
Washington Post reports ([link removed]) .

Dive Deeper: “The Significance of the Israel-UAE Deal ([link removed]) ,” by CSIS’s Jon Alterman.


** More Than 5 Million Acres Burned
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The wildfires burning on the West Coast became an all but inescapable crisis around the country today, with more than five million acres charred in Oregon, California, and Washington State, tens of thousands of people displaced and at least 27 people dead. A hazardous shroud of smoke over cities in the Pacific Northwest has grounded flights, canceled classes, and smothered neighborhoods with some the dirtiest air on the planet, as the
NYT reports ([link removed]) .


** WTO Finds Some U.S. Tariffs on China Violate Trade Rules
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The World Trade Organization ruled today that some U.S. tariffs against China broke international trading rules, a conclusion that exacerbates U.S.-WTO tensions but likely will have no consequence for American tariff policy because the organization’s appellate system currently doesn’t function, as the
WSJ reports ([link removed]) .


** CSIS Executive Education
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CSIS's Risk and Foresight Group is hosting a new global executive education program that weaves together important issues, trends, and revolutions that government and business leaders must understand as they position themselves for the next 25 years. Register for the course here ([link removed]) .


** Video Shorts
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Check out CSIS’s new series of video shorts: “Testify,” "What's Happening," "Preview," and “High Resolution.” And don’t forget to subscribe to the CSIS YouTube Channel ([link removed]) !


** In That Number
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** $1.52 Trillion
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Fifty House Democrats and Republicans released a $1.52 trillion virus plan in a long-shot attempt to break a months-long deadlock.

Source: Bloomberg ([link removed])


** Critical Quote
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** “After decades of division and conflict, we mark the dawn of a new Middle East”
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— President Donald Trump


** iDeas Lab
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[link removed]
Since 2014, China has substantially expanded its ability to monitor and project power throughout the South China Sea. These include new radar and communications arrays, airstrips and hangars to accommodate combat aircraft, and deployments of mobile surface-to-air and anti-ship cruise missile systems. This map ([link removed]) from CSIS's Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative highlights how these capabilities overlap.

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


** Optics
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CSIS
(Photo credit: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images.) Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan sign the Abraham Accords at the White House today.


** Recommended Reading
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“The Pacific Islands Are a Covid-19 Priority ([link removed]) ,” by CSIS’s Greg Poling and Andreyka Natalegawa.


** This Town Tomorrow
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Tomorrow, at 11:00 a.m. ([link removed]) , join CSIS hosts NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and author Susan Eisenhower to discuss President Eisenhower’s legacy and how it continues to influence space policy and programs today.

And, at 10:00 a.m. ([link removed]) , the Middle East Institute will host a panel discussion on the future of Afghanistan’s constitutionally liberal democratic system, featuring CSIS Burke Chair in Strategy Anthony H. Cordesman.

Then, at 2:00 p.m. ([link removed]) , the McCain Institute hosts former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for a discussion of her newest book, Hell and Other Destinations: A 21st Century Memoir.


** Video
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The CSIS Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative yesterday presented the third session of its 10th Annual South China Sea Conference, featuring a panel discussion on dispute management in the South China Sea. Watch the full event here ([link removed]) .


** Podcasts
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Die Welt
On the latest episode of Defense 2020, host Kathleen Hicks speaks with Tom Karako and Loren DeJonge Schulman to examine national security issues at the 2020 Democratic and Republican conventions and in their party platforms.

Listen on Spotify ([link removed]) & Apple Podcasts ([link removed]) .


** Smiles
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Stop whatever you’re doing. Go sit down someplace where you can enjoy great music. This one is worthy of your full attention. In honor of Van Morrison’s 75th birthday (August 31), Dublin’s Hot Press magazine has asked over 75 of Ireland’s greatest musicians (and they are incredible) to cover Van’s songs. Here’s one of my absolute favorites, Glen Hansard, star of the films “The Commitments” and “Once” and leader of The Frames with a soaring version of “Astral Weeks ([link removed]) .” This is for Colm and Nahmyo. Play it LOUD.
I invite you to email me at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) and follow me on Twitter @handrewschwartz ([link removed])

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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: Emma Colbran, Caleb Diamond, and Kendal Gee.

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Connect w/ H. Andrew Schwartz

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