New Mask Guidelines Outside

President Biden and federal health officials said today that Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus no longer need to wear masks outdoors in most situations except for large gatherings, as the NYT reports.

Global Covid Rise

India reported more than 300,000 new confirmed Covid-19 cases for the sixth day in a row today, and the
World Health Organization warned that many countries in the world “are still experiencing intense transmission,” with more new cases globally in the past week than in the first five months of the pandemic, as the Washington Post reports.

Dive Deeper: “The COVAX Advance Market Commitment ‘One World Protected’ Investment Opportunity Launch,” by CSIS’s Katherine Bliss.

India Variant Found

A variant of the coronavirus first spotted in India has been detected in the United States and 18 other countries and territories, adding to a growing roster of evolutionary spinoffs of the virus that scientists and health authorities are keeping under close observation, as the WSJ 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

1 in 4

One in every four people tested in India on Monday were reported positive for Covid-19.

Source: Business Standard

Critical Quote

“As long as you are vaccinated and outdoors, you can do it without wearing a mask.”

— President Joe Biden

iDeas Lab

COVAX has secured approximately $6 billion in funding from governments, foundations, and the private sector as part of its campaign to make Covid-19 vaccines available at low cost for lower- and lower-middle income countries.

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: T.J. Kirkpatrick/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.) Zalmay Khalilzad, special envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation, testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

This Town Tomorrow

Tomorrow, at 11:00 a.m., CSIS welcomes General Sir Nick Carter, chief of the UK Defence Staff for a discussion of the UK Integrated Review and military modernization.

And, at 9:00 a.m., the Wilson Center hosts a discussion on Africa-UK relations after Brexit.

Last, at 2:00 p.m., the Center for Global Development holds a conversation with Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX) on U.S. development policy priorities and challenges.

Video

The CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program earlier today hosted a discussion on how NATO allies can revitalize the alliance’s political cohesion and transatlantic engagement under the new administration. Watch the full event here.

Podcasts

This week's episode of Energy 360 hosted by CSIS senior fellow Jane Nakano covered whether the Department of Energy is set up to meet the new climate and energy goals set out by the Biden administration.

Listen on Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

For everyone who is missing the routine of Jazz Fest during this two week period, WWOZ, the listener supported radio station in New Orleans offers "Jazz Festing in Place” to listen to archival sets from past performances. It’s all streamed on the web too.

Here’s my version of Festing in Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTP7HbFSFOA&t.

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.