The Evening: Rwandan Election, Concerns of Venezuelan Exodus, Dead Kennedy Center, and More

Newsletter - July 18, 2024

Rwandan President Wins New Term

President Paul Kagame, who has dominated Rwanda's politics since the 1994 genocide, won more than 99% of votes in this week's general elections, the country's electoral commission said Thursday, as the WSJreports.

Netanyahu Makes Surprise Gaza Visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprise visit to troops in southern Gaza on Thursday, saying it was essential that Israel keep control of a strip of territory along the territory's border with Egypt, just days before he was set to give a speech to the U.S. Congress, as the AP reports.

Concerns of Venezuelan Exodus

More than 7 million Venezuelans-about a quarter of the population-have already fled Maduro's authoritarian rule in the past decade. Of those who remain, more than 1 in 3 tell pollsters that if Maduro remains president after the July 28 vote, they'll consider leaving the country themselves, as TheWashington Postreports.

Executive Education

Looking for a deeper read on the Capitol's centers of influence? From staffers to Senators, explore the key decisionmakers in the policy process with experienced D.C. insiders. Registration closes October 1-register here to join CSIS experts for "Decoding D.C.: Policy, Power, and People" virtually or in person October 15-18, 2024.

Audio Briefs

CSIS now offers full audio versions of our latest analysis. Listen to CSIS's Ben Cahill and Adi Imsirovic's latest commentary, "Oil Market Interventions and Consequences."

In That Number

477

Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter falsely accused of spying, attended a Russian court Thursday, his 477th day of detention, for a closed-door hearing in an espionage trial that the U.S. government has described as a sham.
Source: WSJ

Critical Quote

The next five years will define Europe's place in the world for the next five decades. It will decide whether we shape our own future or let it be shaped by events or by others.

- Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

iDeas Lab

Image

The Dnipro River has helped power Ukraine's development in the 21st century, but its significance has now made it a battlefront in Russia's war. CSIS's Emma Dodd reflects on how the Dnipro has served as a weapon and suffered as a victim of the ongoing conflict. Watch the full video here.

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

Optics

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Smoke rises from burning vehicles after protesters set them on fire during the ongoing anti-quota protest in Dhaka, Bangledesh, on July 18, 2024.

Recommended Reading

"House of Cards? Nuclear Norms in an Era of Strategic Competition" by CSIS's Heather Williams and Doreen Horschig.

This Town Upcoming

On Monday, at 9:00 a.m., the CSIS Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics, Freeman Chair in China Studies, and China Power Project discuss China's Third Plenum.

Also on Monday, at 9:00 a.m., the Atlantic Council hosts a launch of "Venezuela: A Playbook for Digital Repression."

On Tuesday, at 9:00 a.m., the Wilson Center holds a conversation on the power of U.S.-Japan economic security cooperation.

Video

Yesterday, the CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies hosted a discussion of public perceptions of U.S. credibility in Taiwan, and China's growing threats to peace and stability. Watch the full video here.

Podcasts

Image

CSIS's Dr. Victor Cha joins the podcast to discuss his major takeaways from the June 2024 Putin-Kim summit and the significance of North Korea and Russia's new mutual defense clause for the international community.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

Big smile from The Kennedy Center who today announced that the Grateful Dead will be among the recipients of 47th Kennedy Center Honors. Reportedly the announcement left Bobby Weir speechless. I am too and I NEED A TICKET!!!