The Evening: Biden National Security Team, Israeli Saudi Meeting, Althea and More
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** Good Evening,
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It's Monday, November 23rd.
** Biden National Security Team
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President-elect Joe Biden formally announced a slate of Cabinet nominations on Monday including Antony Blinken as secretary of State, Jake Sullivan as national security adviser, and Linda Thomas-Greenfield as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. In addition, Biden’s selections include Alejandro Mayorkas as secretary of Homeland Security, Avril Haines as director of national intelligence and John Kerry as special presidential envoy for climate, as
Politico reports ([link removed]) .
And, as the WSJ reports ([link removed]) , Biden plans to nominate former Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen, to become the next Treasury secretary. If confirmed by the Senate, Ms. Yellen would become the first woman to hold the job
** Contradictory Reports of Netanyahu-MBS Meeting
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A covert meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia would be a historic first, suggesting that the two countries were making progress toward establishing formal diplomatic relations. But there were contradictory news on Monday about such a meeting—with unsourced Israeli media reports saying it had taken place clashing with a denial from the Saudi foreign minister, as the
NYT reports ([link removed]) .
** Ethiopia says Tigray capital encircled after surrender ultimatum
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Ethiopian federal forces were encircling the Tigray region’s capital from around 50 km (30 miles) on Monday, the government said, after giving the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) a 72-hour surrender ultimatum, as Reuters reports ([link removed] ) .
** Coronavirus Crisis Update
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The Coronavirus Crisis Update podcast brings you the latest updates and analysis from CSIS experts and the leaders directing the global response. Past guests include NIAID Director Anthony Fauci, White House Chief of Staff-designate Ron Klain, IHME Director Chris Murray, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Representative Tom Cole (R-OK), Former FDA Comissioner Peggy Hamburg, and more. Listen on Apple Podcasts ([link removed]) & Spotify ([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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** 90%
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AstraZeneca and Oxford said their vaccine was as much as 90% effective in preventing the infection without serious side effects in large clinical trials, though they said the vaccine’s efficacy varied widely based on dosage.
Source: WSJ ([link removed])
** Critical Quote
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** “Let me be very clear: A Thanksgiving gathering this year may very well lead to a funeral.”
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**
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— Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico (D)
** iDeas Lab
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In the first episode of Data Unpacked, host Matthew Funaiole unpacks expert reactions to China's rising assertiveness and SVP of Asia and Japan Chair Mike Green uses CSIS poll data to illustrate measures the U.S. can take to shore up its capabilities. Watch here ([link removed]) .
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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(Photo credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images.) U.S. first lady Melania Trump receives the White House Christmas Tree November 23, 2020 in Washington, DC.
** Recommended Reading
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“Rebuilding a More Resilient Cultural and Creative Economy after Covid-19 ([link removed]) ,” by CSIS’ Dan Runde and Margarita Seminario.
** This Town Tomorrow
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Tomorrow, at 9:00 a.m. ([link removed]) , tune in to Debate Two of the China Power Project’s five-debate series. The second debate features the proposition: “One country, two systems” in Hong Kong is dead.
Then, at 10:00 a.m. ([link removed]) , Brookings Institution examine recent developments in Ethiopia and the options to prevent a burgeoning civil war.
And, at 12:30 p.m. ([link removed]) , the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute holds a conversation on the future of cooperation between Scotland, Europe, and the Arctic.
** Video
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Last week, Seth G. Jones, director of the Transnational Threats Project testified before the House Armed Services Committee on "The US military mission in Afghanistan and implications of the peace process on US involvement." Check out the three key takeaways in CSIS's “Testify” series. Watch the video here ([link removed]) .
** Podcasts
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Legendary ESPN reporter Wright Thompson joined me on TOTM to discuss his new book, Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon and the Things That Last. In this episode, you’ll learn that “Pappyland” is “barely a book about bourbon,” but rather, about so many other facets of American life. Among them: tradition and legacy, family and relationships, our public discourse and the power of brand.
Listen on Spotify ([link removed]) & Apple Podcasts ([link removed]) .
** Smiles
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Before the pandemic struck, on Friday nights in just about every town in America you could find a Grateful Dead cover band performing in a live music venue. That’s one reason why there is now a third generation of Deadheads out there, many of whom were born after Jerry Garcia died.
In 2015, the website Jambase launched a Grateful Dead covers project called “Songs of Our Own” to mark the Dead’s 50^th anniversary. They asked some fantastic musicians to cover the Dead’s original songs in celebration and the results were a joyful noise indeed. Take this cover of “Althea” by two members of the Vermont jam-band Strangefolk
[link removed].
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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