The Evening: J & J Europe Rollout, Russia Ukraine Buildup, Bat Out of Hell and More
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** Good Evening,
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It's Tuesday, April 20th.


** J & J to Resume European Rollout
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Johnson & Johnson said today that it would resume its coronavirus vaccine rollout in Europe after the European Union’s drug regulators said a warning should be added to the product indicating a possible link to rare blood clots, but that the shot’s benefits outweigh the risks, as the
NYT reports ([link removed]) .


** Satellite Images Show Russia Expanding Ukraine Buildup
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Russia has moved warplanes to Crimea and bases near Ukraine to an extent greater than has previously been disclosed, adding to its capability for political intimidation or military intervention, according to commercial satellite photos of areas being used for the military buildup, as the
WSJ reports ([link removed]) .


** Iran’s Rouhani Says Nuclear Talks 60% Done
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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said negotiations on how to the revive the 2015 nuclear deal were 60% to 70% complete and could be resolved quickly if the United States acts with “honesty,” according to a statement on his official website, as Bloomberg reports ([link removed]) .


** Executive Education
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Join leading CSIS experts for an upcoming course on Economic Statecraft and explore the wide range of tools U.S. policymakers use to support U.S. economic and strategic objectives.
Register now ([link removed]) .


** Mexico Matters
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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 ([link removed]) & Spotify ([link removed]) .


** Video Shorts
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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 ([link removed]) !


** In That Number
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** $3.4 Billion
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A dozen megadonors and their spouses contributed a combined $3.4 billion to federal candidates and political groups since 2009, accounting for nearly one out of every 13 dollars raised, according to a new report by Issue One, a nonpartisan group.

Source: Issue One ([link removed])


** Critical Quote
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** “We in Ukraine have learned one thing about Putin’s actions. This lesson is that anything can be expected from the Russian leadership.”
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— Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba


** iDeas Lab
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[link removed]
Satellite imagery of the Nampo Navy Shipyard ([link removed]) collected on six dates during April 2021 shows that during the previous four weeks North Korea has been working on a cylindrical object mounted on the central position of its submersible missile test stand barge. This object could be a launch tube for an SLBM, but this cannot be confirmed yet based on available imagery.

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: Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images.) Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is inoculated with the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.


** Recommended Reading
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“Déby’s Dead. What’s Next for Chad and the Sahel? ([link removed]) ” by CSIS’s Judd Devermont.


** This Town Tomorrow
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Tomorrow, at 9:00 a.m. ([link removed]) , the CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program and U.S. Department of Energy will co-host a panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges for workers and communities worldwide as they transition from fossil fuels and emissions-intensive industries, featuring Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.

Then, at 10:00 a.m. ([link removed]) , the Wilson Center and RAND Corporation will convene a roundtable to explore whether new U.S. policy directions are possible in the Middle East.

Later, at 4:00 p.m. ([link removed]) , the Atlantic Council will host global finance sector leaders to discuss accelerating the energy transition through increased investments in clean energy technologies.


** Video
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The CSIS Scholl Chair in International Business recently hosted Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX) for a conversation on the Republican Party's trade agenda. Watch the recording here ([link removed]) .


** Podcasts
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Die Welt
The latest episode of Into Africa explores the true value of UN peacekeeping missions and the effectiveness of U.S. financial contributions.

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


** Smiles
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“And we were glowing like
A metal on the edge of a knife”

The genius songwriter Jim Steinman died at 73 yesterday. Steinman, as I am sure many of you know, is the composer/lyricist of Meat Loaf’s seminal debut album, “Bat Out of Hell” (1977).

“Bat Out of Hell” has sold over 50 million albums, making it one of the best-selling records in history. Produced by Todd Rundgren, the record almost didn’t get pressed because the major labels passed on it. Clive Davis famously rejected it, asking Steinman, “Do you know how to write a song? Do you know anything about writing?”

I heard a bunch of these stories first-hand from the record executive who did sign Steinman and Meat Loaf, a classic Clevelander named Steve Popovich who owned Cleveland International Records, a subsidiary of Epic. The late Popovich, who also worked with Dylan, Springsteen, The Jacksons and others, was one of rock’s legendary characters—a “do it my way” kind of guy if there ever was one. In his later years he was the champion of a polka band called Brave Combo that won a Grammy for their album “Polkasonic.” I spent hours on the phone with Steve learning all about the history of polka music and polka gurus like Eddie Blazonczyk and Frank Yankovic—all told in Popovich’s west side Cleveland accent that oozed perogies, beer and the Browns.

Popovich thought that Steinman and Meat Loaf were two of rock and roll’s originals, and that their music was a unique American sound. Rock and Roll is an American invention after all, and record men like Steve Popovich worshiped the roots of the invention. It’s no wonder that Popovich recognized that there was something primal, yet distinctly new and ahead of its time contained in “Bat Out of Hell.”

One of the best shows I have ever seen was Meat Loaf’s performance of “Bat Out of Hell ([link removed]) ” at Tipitina’s in New Orleans in ‘89. Watching Meat Loaf perform from the front row in America’s best rock club… I’ll never forget it. Thank you Jim Steinman.
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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