Biden Push to Cut Emissions

President Biden sought to assert U.S. leadership in global climate talks, committing to a sharp reduction in the nation’s greenhouse-gas emissions at a summit Thursday that drew promises from other world leaders to take action and calls for rich nations to shoulder more responsibility, as the WSJ reports.

Russia Orders Partial Pullback

Russia’s Defense Ministry ordered a partial pullback of troops from the border with Ukraine on Thursday, signaling a possible de-escalation in a military standoff that had raised alarm that a new war in Europe could be looming, as the NYT reports.

Dive Deeper: “Unpacking the Russian Troop Buildup along Ukraine’s Border,” by CSIS’s Cyrus Newlin, Heather Conley, Mathew Funaiole and Joseph Bermudez Jr.

J & J May Resume with Warning

Federal health authorities are leaning toward recommending that use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine resume, possibly as soon as this weekend—a move that would include a new warning about a rare complication involving blood clots but probably not call for age restrictions, as the Washington Post reports.

Executive Education

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.

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

314,835

India today recorded the world’s highest number of new coronavirus infections in a 24-hour period since the beginning of the pandemic, reporting a staggering 314,835 cases.

Source: Washington Post

Critical Quote

“The countries that take decisive actions now will be the ones that reap the clean energy benefits of the boom that’s coming.”

— President Joe Biden

iDeas Lab

Recent analysis from CSIS breaks down Russia's deployment of 100,000 troops along its border with Ukraine and within Crimea.

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: Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images.) President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a virtual Leaders Summit on Climate with 40 world leaders at the East Room of the White House today.

This Town Tomorrow

Tomorrow, at 9:00 a.m., CSIS’s Energy Security and Climate Change Program discusses a recent report on the geopolitics of rare earth and critical minerals supply chains.

Also, at 9:00 a.m., the Atlantic Council hosts a panel of experts for a conversation about the future of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S. troops, featuring former secretary of state Madeleine Albright.

And, at 12:00 p.m., the Hudson Institute holds a webinar discussion with leader of the Venezuela interim government, Juan Guaidó, on crime and corruption in the country.

Video

CSIS's Energy Security and Climate Change Program and the Department of Energy yesterday co-hosted 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. Watch the full event here.

Podcasts

On the latest episode of Pekingology, CSIS's Jude Blanchette is joined by Jérôme Doyon to discuss his research on the evolving role of the Communist Youth League as a "path to power" within China's elite political networks.

Listen on Spotify, Google Play, & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

Jazz Fest in New Orleans is always the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May. Last year it was canceled and this spring it has been moved to October. But I can’t help feeling in the spirit of things…

Lots of people ask me who my favorite working musicians are today in NOLA. I always have a quick answer for that. It’s Aaron Neville’s son Ivan and Art Neville’s son Ian and their band Dumpstaphunk. Ivan is on keyboards and Ian on guitar. Ivan’s friend Nick Daniels is on guitar and vocals in this clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qErattkSsEc.

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.