The Evening: Ukrainian Incursion, Arab States Urge Iranian Restraint, Alana Springsteen, and More

Newsletter - August 7, 2024

Ukrainian Incursion into Russia

Ukraine launched an armored incursion into Russia's lightly defended Kursk region in a surprise move early Tuesday that caused panic among civilians and forced Moscow to rush in additional troops as the WSJ reports.

Hamas Leader Can Ensure Cease-Fire

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the newly chosen Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has the power to ensure that a cease-fire deal is reached for the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as the AP reports.

Arab States Urge Iran to Show Restraint

Several Arab countries are encouraging Iran to exercise restraint in responding to the assassination of Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran last week, as fears of an unpredictable regional war expand, as the NYT reports.

Executive Education

As technology evolves, new opportunities and threats emerge. Critical technological advances will shape policy, redefine security, and impact our lives. Explore the evolution of key technologies-including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology. Register for Evolving Technologies: Innovation, Competition, and Change to learn more.

Audio Briefs

CSIS now offers full audio versions of our latest analysis. Listen to CSIS's Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.'s latest commentary, "China's Massive Next-Generation Amphibious Assault Ship Takes Shape."

In That Number

6,000

Some 6,000 specialist public order police officers have been mobilized across Britain amid fears that protests, called for Wednesday night, could lead to further riots.
Source: NYT

Critical Quote

The Kyiv regime has launched another major provocation.

- Vladimir Putin

iDeas Lab

Photo: iLab/CSIS

The U.S. dollar is at the center of the global economy, comprising 90 percent of foreign exchange transactions and 60 percent of foreign reserves. CSIS's new explainer series "Defending the Dollar" dives into the world of global trade and finance to show how currencies and geopolitical power are fundamentally linked.

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

Optics

Photo: CSIS

Today, the CSIS Australia Chair welcomed Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles for a discussion on the future of the U.S.-Australia alliance.

Recommended Reading

"Can Maduro Pull off the Mother of All Electoral Frauds?" by CSIS's Ryan C. Berg and Christopher Hernandez-Roy.

This Town Tomorrow

At 10:00 a.m., the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development hosts a webinar on enhancing U.S. investments in Asia through strategic partnerships.

Then, at 12:00 p.m., the Atlantic Council hosts a conversation with Ambassador Frank Mora, U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States.

Later, at 3:30 p.m., the Wilson Center hosts a discussion on the last year of U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral expanded relations.

Video

Today, CSIS welcomed Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, for a discussion on the future of the U.S.-Australia alliance. Watch the full video here.

Podcasts

The Asia Chessboard

Robert D. Blackwill, Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Richard Fontaine, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for a New American Security, join the podcast to discuss their new book Lost Decade: The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

The folks at NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series keep delivering some of the most interesting artists around. The latest episode features Country music star Alana Springsteen and her superb band.

I invite you to email me at [email protected] and follow me on Twitter @handrewschwartz