Despite Russia's announcement on April 22 for a partial drawdown of troops positioned along its border with Ukraine and within Crimea, the equipment and weapons of the 41st Army are to remain at the Pogonovo military training base. The base is located 250 kilometers northeast of Ukraine-controlled territory in Luhansk region, but over 400 kilometers from the northernmost tip of the separatist-controlled Lugansk People’s Republic in Ukraine, creating greater offensive optionality for Moscow.

SOURCE: "Unpacking the Russian Troop Buildup along Ukraine's Border" by CSIS's Cyrus Newlin, Heather Conley, Matthew Funaoile, and Joseph Bermudez. 
 

Africa’s participation in the Leaders Summit on Climate hosted by President Biden reflects the continent’s indispensability as an actor in the world’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions. For instance, the Democratic Republic of Congo's Cuvette Centrale peatlands are estimated to contain 30 billion tons of carbon. Studies suggest that if one-third of the peatlands were to burn, it would raise global temperatures by 5 degrees Celsius.

SOURCE: "What African Leaders Want at Biden's Climate Summit" by CSIS's Judd Devermont. 

The past 10 years of conflict in Syria has demonstrated the need to increase support for local NGOs operating in complex humanitarian environments. Local Syrian NGOs and governance structures received only 0.7 percent of direct funding in the 2018 Syria Regional Resilience and Response Plan, despite their large and growing role in delivering and implementing aid programs.

SOURCE: "Lessons Learned from a Decade of Humanitarian Operations in Syria" by CSIS's Natasha Hall and Will Todman. 

The U.S.—and global—solar panel manufacturing industry is dependent on polysilicon production. However, 82% of polysilicon is produced in Xinjiang, the region of China where the Chinese government has detained and oppressed the Uighur population through methods including forced labor. 

SOURCE: "A Dark Spot for the Solar Energy Industry: Forced Labor in Xinjiang" by CSIS's William Reinsch.