Implications of Blinken as Secretary of State

THIS WEEK IN DC

Trump pardons former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn; Reema Dodin selected as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs; coalitions forming around VP-elect Harris’ Senate seat replacement; Congress takes recess for Thanksgiving amid height of pandemic without passing a stimulus bill.

IN THIS ISSUE

(1) Feature Story: Implications of Anthony Blinken as Secretary of State; (2) Reema Dodin selected as Deputy Director of White House Office of Legislative Affairs; (3) German Muslim epidemiologists lead the way in COVID-19 vaccine development trials; (4) 35% of Muslims voted for Trump — join us next Wednesday as AP and CAIR National join us to break down the poll results.

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FEATURED ISSUE

Tony Blinken Selected as Biden’s pick for Secretary of State. Adam Beddawi analyzes the implications.

Earlier this week, President-Elect Joe Biden nominated Anthony Blinken to be his administration’s new Secretary of State. What can we expect from a diplomatic operation helped by Blinken?

Both Blinken and the President-Elect have committed to “fighting corruption, countering authoritarianism, and advancing human rights globally,” particularly “in Muslim-majority countries and countries with significant Muslim populations.” As Secretary of State, Blinken would be the man tasked with carrying out this campaign commitment.

We need to consider the extent to which a Blinken-led State Department can follow through on these promises.

Read the full analysis

THIS WEEK AT MPAC'S DC BUREAU

The news that the MuslimPro app was sending user data to the U.S. Military through a third-party sent shockwaves through the American Muslim community. Adam Beddawi, MPAC Policy Analyst, analyzes the issue from a policy perspective in The Morning Consult. Reema Dodin’s appointment as Deputy Director of White House Office of Legislative Affairs is a well-deserved and welcomed change which is helping to set the new normal for women in leadership. Iman Ali, our Policy and Programming Coordinator, explores the significance of this appointment.

The international community has remained silent despite last Thursday’s revelation of Australian special forces committing war crimes against Afghan civilians. Prema Rahman, our Human Security Program Manager, breaks down how this kind of violence is part of a larger cycle of dehumanizing Muslims.

35% of Muslims voted for Trump. Join us next week, as we break down the poll results with guests from the Associated Press and CAIR National.

GOOD TO KNOW

- Earlier this month, China and 15 Asia-Pacific nations announced the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the largest trade deal in modern history. Brookings analyzed its implications here.

- Senator Feinstein is expected to step down as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman in the 117th Congress. R ead more analysis from the Hill.

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

On November 22, 1930, Elijah Muhammad forms Nation of Islam in Detroit. That same day in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

On November 27, 1095, Pope Urban II effectively started the Crusades by calling all Christians in Europe to war against Muslims in order to reclaim the Holy Land, with a cry of “Deus vult!” or “God wills it!”

Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council improves public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities.

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