Bush Center
At the Bush Center, we're concerned about the challenges to the health of democracies around the world. Populism is on the rise. Media and other independent institutions are under pressure. Human rights violations are ignored. Isolationism and authoritarianism are growing. And now democracies are faced with containing a pandemic while at the same time cherishing their longstanding freedoms.
P. Treble, Maclean's
As Canada ramps up its vaccination program, a growing list of countries in Europe are scaling theirs down—at least, for now. Last week, Austria, Denmark, Norway and Iceland temporarily halted their use of the AstraZeneca vaccine amid reports that some people developed blood clots after getting that particular vaccine. As of now, nearly 20 European nations, including Germany and France, have suspended use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
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Justus Haucap, Worldcrunch
BERLIN — Suspending use of the AstraZeneca vaccine is a major blow for Germany's vaccination program. Over the past few weeks, AstraZeneca made up around 40% of vaccines administered in the country.
Eline Schaart, Politico EU
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is on course for a fourth term that could make him the Netherlands' longest-serving head of government after a commanding general election victory.
Milan Vaishnav, Foreign Affairs
Why India No Longer Ranks Among the Lands of the Free
Crisis Group
Last week the U.S Department of State designated two armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique, as well as their leaders. U.S. officials allege that these two groups - the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the DRC, and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jammah (ASWJ) in Mozambique - have become Islamic State (ISIS) franchises. It refers to them as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - Democratic Republic of the Congo (ISIS-DRC) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - Mozambique (ISIS-Mozambique). Читать дальше...
Mathew Burrows & Robert Manning, WOTR
In his Senate confirmation testimony, Secretary of State Tony Blinken remarked, "Humility and confidence should be the flip sides of America's leadership." Why? "Because we have a great deal of work to do at home to enhance our standing abroad." Indeed, sifting through the Trump legacy, the cumulative social, political, and cultural decay,...
Michael Spence, Project Syndicate
The accelerating rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in many advanced economies has set the stage for rapid recovery in the second half of this year and into 2022. Although growth in digital and digitally enabled sectors will level out somewhat, high-employment service industries will ride a wave of pent-up demand.
Eli Fuhrman, 1945
The 1988 Seoul Olympics represented a watershed moment for South Korea that had dramatic implications for the future of the country both domestically and in the international arena. The games were not, however, without controversy, and they became yet another battleground in the larger cold war on the Korean Peninsula between the North and the South. The years leading up to the games would see North Korea attempt to secure at least some of the...
Melanie Amann et al, Der Spiegel
Shameless deals for medical equipment, dubious foreign contacts and corona crisis mismanagement: Angela Merkel's conservatives are in bad shape as the election campaign looms. How did they lose their way?
Economist
FOR DECADES Britain has boasted of its diminutive nuclear status. Of the five nuclear-armed powers recognised by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Britain's arsenal is the smallest and the only one with a single means of delivery—submarines. Successive British governments pruned nuclear forces by more than half between the 1980s and 2000s, eager to show progress towards disarmament. Yet buried in a 114-page...
Judy Dempsey, Carnegie Europe
Germany is struggling to contain a pandemic that has laid bare intrinsic weaknesses of Europe's largest economy and its once indomitable leader. The next German chancellor won't have much time to repair the damage.
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Sebastian Strangio, The Diplomat
Myanmar's ruling junta has declared martial law in parts of the country's largest city as crackdowns by security forces began to take the contours of an internal counterinsurgency war. At least 39 people were killed by police and soldiers in Myanmar on Sunday, a harrowing crescendo to the six weeks of protests that have followed the military's seizure of power on February 1.
S. Hakemy, National
If there is one saying that presages all of the violence that has plagued Afghanistan for decades, it is the seemingly innocuous one inscribed at the entrance to the Kabul Museum. The English version reads "A nation stays alive when its culture stays alive".
Anders Aslund, Japan Times
But now, a new wave of protests is sweeping the country, and there are good reasons to think this time might be different. Putin has become ever more repressive and nonresponsive to public opinion. Cloistered in isolated palaces, he has become what opposition leader Alexei Navalny calls a "grandpa in his bunker." Despite the Kremlin's attempt on his life last year, Navalny recently released a damning documentary alleging that Putin has funneled his ill-gotten gains... Читать дальше...
Khalid Hassan, Al Monitor
CAIRO — Egypt announced March 10 its intention to sign an agreement with Libya and Chad to establish a new road...
Ian Bremmer, Nikkei
Biden administration needs to develop a comprehensive strategy
Gorana Grgic, EA Forum
Much like the famous rhyme for marital success, Biden has decided to opt for ‘something old' and surround himself with people he has had a track record working with. His foreign policy team comprises long-time practitioners and experts, many of whom were integral to the Obama administration and the Clinton cabinet.
Matthew Knott, Sydney Morning Herald
Washington: Almost two months into his presidency, Joe Biden has plenty to feel pleased about. Coronavirus cases in the US have plummeted, the pace of vaccinations has increased dramatically and last week he signed a giant $2.5 trillion economic recovery package into law.