Weekly Round-Up

Quincy in the news

October 11, 2020

UPCOMING WEBINARS

The regional impact of intra-Afghan talks
DATE: Wednesday, October 14
TIME: 12:00 pm ET

 
REGISTER

On September 12, 2020, long awaited intra-Afghan talks began between the Taliban and the elected Afghan government. Pakistan helped facilitate earlier talks between the United States and the Taliban, which it has historically supported to varying degrees. India also maintains a significant footprint in Afghanistan, and both view the other’s Afghanistan policy as hostile. A surge in US troops thawed relations between Iran and its traditional Taliban enemy, but Tehran opposes the re-establishment of a Taliban-led Islamic Emirate. The outcome of Intra-Afghan talks will prove consequential for the region as a whole, especially as the American public increasingly desires the withdrawal of remaining US troops from Afghanistan. How will a drawdown of US troops, combined with potential outcomes to the intra-Afghan talks influence regional actors going forward?

Join a discussion between Dr. Barnett Rubin of the Quincy Institute and New York University, Elizabeth Threlkeld of the Stimson Center, and Adam Weinstein of the Quincy Institute. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Sahar Khan of the Cato Institute.

FEATURED

Where does American foreign policy go from here?
By Andrew Bacevich, President
The New York Times, 10/6/20

Barring some variant of an “October surprise,” the upcoming presidential election seems unlikely to turn on questions of foreign policy. Not without reason, Americans are preoccupied with challenges here at home: the coronavirus pandemic, an economy in shambles and turmoil stemming from a reawakening to the persistence of endemic racism. Then there is the daily circus-cum-outrage of the Trump presidency. Given all of this domestic tumult, America’s role in the world figures as something of an afterthought.

READ HERE

After Trump, the GOP can still be saved from itself
By Andrew Bacevich, President
The American Conservative, 10/5/20

How shall we describe the prevailing American temperament as the presidential election of 2020 approaches?

“In a funk” might work. Or “totally perplexed.” Or perhaps “highly pissed.” “Verging on despair”? Stephen Sondheim once wrote a bluesy number that wondered “God-why-don’t-you-love-me-oh-you-do-I’ll-see-ya-later.” This past week’s dismal and discouraging presidential debate—or whatever you want to call it—has certainly left me with a case of the blues.

READ HERE

Trump’s promise to bring all troops home for Christmas is divorced from reality
By Adam Weinstein, Research Fellow
Responsible Statecraft, 10/9/20

Washington squandered multiple opportunities for a responsible departure at various junctures throughout the war in Afghanistan. But President Trump’s recent announcement via Twitter to bring the remaining troops home by Christmas is detached from logistical realities, appears motivated by catchy headlines, and does little to actually bring the troops home.

READ HERE

In debate, Harris signaled a sharper break with Trump administration over China
By Rachel Esplin Odell, Research Fellow
Responsible Statecraft, 10/8/20

During last night’s vice presidential debate in Salt Lake City, Vice President Mike Pence predictably touted the Trump administration’s confrontational approach toward China on issues related to trade and the coronavirus pandemic. Senator Kamala Harris’s remarks on China, meanwhile, represented a positive shift in the way Democrats are approaching strategy toward China, though they were framed in unduly partisan terms. 

READ HERE

Out of touch, incoherent foreign policy on display in Harris-Pence showdown
By Kelley Beaucar Vlahos, Contributing Editor
Responsible Statecraft, 10/8/20

Anyone expecting to get a sense of where the vice presidential candidates stood on the most pressing national security and foreign policy issues of the day were left head shaking and empty handed last night, a testament to how low a priority our overseas wars have become — and how out of touch our elites are with the American people.

READ HERE

Delayed justice at Guantanamo and the militarization of counterterrorism
By Paul Pillar, Non-Resident Fellow
Responsible Statecraft, 10/8/20

Last week the judge of the military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba that is supposed to try five men accused of planning and supporting the 9/11 terrorist attacks withdrew from the case. Marine Corps Colonel Stephen F. Keane based his recusal, after having the opportunity “to review certain aspects of this case,” on previous legal work he had done to support terrorist manhunts in Iraq and on family connections in the New York City area. 


READ HERE

Watching American exceptionalism die in my Cleveland hometown
By Adam Weinstein, Research Fellow
Responsible Statecraft, 10/5/20

It is fitting that the first presidential debate which for so many symbolized a decline in our political discourse and America’s position in the world occurred in Cleveland. The city is a microcosm of much of the United States and growing up there I witnessed the unraveling of American exceptionalism. Now a divided United States finds itself collectively focused on the problems at home while an aloof Beltway still looks abroad. 


READ HERE

MORE. MORE. MORE.
 
 
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