Slow Vaccine Rollout in Poor Countries Poses Economic Threat

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday called for speeding up the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine in poorer nations, arguing the U.S. and global economies are threatened by the impact of covid-19 on the developing world. And as the Washington Post reports, Yellen also pushed for an agreement through the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development on a new global minimum tax.

Free Covid Tests and Status Certificates for England

Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered the UK their first detailed glimpse of what a post-pandemic society might look like on Monday, announcing free twice-weekly coronavirus tests in England and Covid status certificates that would allow people with immunity into crowded nightclubs and sporting events, as the NYT reports.

China Creates Digital Currency

China’s version of a digital currency is controlled by its central bank, which will issue the new electronic money. It is expected to give China’s government vast new tools to monitor both its economy and its people, as the WSJ reports.

Executive Education

Global Foresight: Preparing for Future Trends is a new, comprehensive program offered by CSIS’s Risk and Foresight Group. This virtual course weaves together important issues, trends, and revolutions that government and business leaders must understand as they predict and prepare for threats in the next 25 years. Register here.

Mexico Matters

The Mexico Matters podcast series highlights key developments in Mexico and their impact on the United States. Hosted by Mariana Campero, each episode brings in-depth analysis, commentary, and conversations on an array of subjects ranging from economics, trade, and energy to national security, foreign policy, and business. Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

Video Shorts

Check out CSIS’s new series of video shorts: “Data Unpacked,” Testify,” “What's Happening,” “Preview,” and “High Resolution.” And don’t forget to subscribe to the CSIS YouTube Channel!

In That Number

5

At least five U.S. colleges and universities have announced plans in the last few days to require Covid-19 vaccinations for students who will be on campus in the fall.

Source: NYT

Critical Quote

“America first must never mean America alone.”

— Janet Yellen, Treasury Secretary

iDeas Lab

A new ChinaPower feature analyzes the foreign diplomatic travels of top Chinese officials, revealing unique insights into China’s foreign policy priorities.

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

Optics

(Photo credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images.) U.S. President Joe Biden, alongside First Lady Jill Biden and the Easter Bunny, look on after Biden spoke about the Easter holiday and traditional White House Easter Egg roll, which was not held this year due to Covid-19.

This Town Tomorrow

Tomorrow, at 9:30 a.m., CSIS's Jude Blanchett will host an in-depth conversation on the future of the U.S.-China relationship with Ryan Hass, senior fellow and the Michael H. Armacost Chair in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution.

Then, at 10:00 a.m., the Wilson Center will examine the last 30 years of Ukraine’s economic and energy sector development and how the growth of the private sector has influenced economic and political developments in Ukraine over time.

Later, at noon, the Hudson Institute’s Japan Chair H.R. McMaster and expert panelists will discuss the state of the U.S.-Japan alliance ahead of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s visit to the White House this month.

Video

The CSIS Humanitarian Agenda hosted a panel to discuss the history of civilian protection in U.S. military operations and steps the Biden administration can take to improve policy and practice on this crucial humanitarian mandate. Watch the recording here.

Podcasts

The latest Russian Roulette episode features CSIS Japan Chair Michael J. Green to explore Russia’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific and opportunities for the U.S. to maintain a regional dialogue with Moscow.

Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

HUGE smile from Sting performing for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert from home. In this great segment, Sting performs three of his classics. Enjoy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87_1W4P1F2A.

I invite you to email me at [email protected] and follow me on Twitter @handrewschwartz

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.