New Video Shows Two Iranian Missiles Hit Ukrainian Plane

The New York Times has verified security camera footage on Tuesday that shows, for the first time, that two missiles hit Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 on January 8.

Iran Warned by Europe

Britain, France and Germany on Tuesday formally accused Iran of breaking the 2015 agreement that limited its nuclear program, taking the first step toward reimposing United Nations sanctions, as Reuters reports.

Dive Deeper: “Iran is not one crisis, but three, for the U.S.,” by CSIS’s Jon Alterman for The Hill.

U.S. Trade Deficit with China Shrank

President Trump’s trade war with Beijing reduced the U.S.’s trade deficit with China last year, although Chinese manufacturers still export far more to the U.S. than vice versa, as the WSJ’s Chao Deng reports.

Meanwhile, as the FT’s Jim Brunsden reports, The U.S., EU and Japan today ramped up pressure on Beijing over its model of state-sponsored capitalism, calling for tougher World Trade Organization curbs on government subsidies.

Dive Deeper: “Critical Questions: Nothing to See Here: China No Longer 'A Currency Manipulator',” by CSIS’s Stephanie Segal.

CSIS Executive Education

Join CSIS March 11-13 for our course, Belt, Road, and Beyond. Work with leading experts and the Reconnecting Asia Project to explore what the BRI is, what it is not, and how it is impacting commercial and strategic realities on the ground.

Video Shorts

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

In That Number

$296 billion

Chinese customs data on Tuesday showed that the country had a trade surplus with the United States of $295.8 billion last year, compared with a record $323.3 billion in 2018.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Critical Quote

“We hope that the Europeans will continue to hold Iran accountable. We’d like them to join our diplomatic efforts, of diplomatic isolation and economic pressure which are the conditions to get to a new and better deal.”

— Brian Hook, U.S. special representative for Iran

iDeas Lab

Satellite imagery from Beyond Parallel shows a new facility in Ippul-tong that is speculated to be a storage facility for ballistic missile transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), mobile-erector-launchers (MELs), or transporter-erectors (TEs).

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

Optics

Minister of Defense Taro Kono of Japan delivered keynote remarks at the 26th Annual U.S.-Japan Security Seminar at CSIS today.

This Town Tomorrow

At 10:00 a.m., CSIS will host a conversation with Andrey Baklitskiy, visiting fellow with the CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program, on the future of U.S.-Russia arms control mechanisms after the demise of the INF Treaty.

And, at 8:30 a.m., the Wilson Center will host a conversation with Chairman Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Francis Rooney (R-FL) of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere to discuss U.S. policies and priorities in Latin America.

Later, at 11:30 a.m., the Hudson Institute will host a conversation with Reza Pahlavi, former crown prince of Iran, on the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.

Video

CSIS today hosted the 26th Annual U.S.-Japan Security Seminar, featuring keynote remarks from Minister of Defense Taro Kono of Japan. Watch the event here.

Podcasts

Brookings' Amanda Sloat joined host Beverly Kirk to discuss the latest Brexit updates in the latest episode of Smart Women Smart Power.

Listen on SoundCloud & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

I’m so happy for Joe Burreaux, Grant Delpit, Ja’Marr Chase, Coach O, the LSU Tigers, and the whole state of Louisiana. It really put a smile on my face—especially for them to win in New Orleans…

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 Brad Honigberg.