The Evening: Limited Gatherings, Iraq Pullout, Born on the Bayou and More

March 16, 2020

Outbreak Could Last Months and Gatherings Should be Limited to 10 People

President Trump and his coronavirus task force also recommended that states with evidence of community transmission of the virus should close schools, as well as bars, restaurants, gyms and other gathering spots. Officials warned that the outbreak could go on for months. And as the Washington Post reports, President Trump said it's possible the economy will go into recession.

The WSJ reports, U.S. stocks dropped nearly 3,000 points Monday even after the Federal Reserve slashed its benchmark interest rate to near zero, reflecting investors’ concerns that the emergency measures may not be enough to ward off a coronavirus-induced recession.

And, as the FT reports, Brussels is planning a temporary ban on “non-essential travel” to 31 European countries as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic.

War of Words

A war of words between China and the United States showed no signs of let up on Monday, with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a phone call with a top Chinese diplomat expressing “strong U.S. objections” over what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to shift blame for the spread of the coronavirus, as Reuters reports.

Coalition Pullout in Iraq

The U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State said Monday it will move hundreds of troops out of bases in Iraq, with most redeployed to other locations in the country, as threats from the militants wane and risks to foreign troops elsewhere in Iraq increase, as the Washington Post’s Louisa Loveluck reports.

CSIS Executive Education

We invite you to apply or nominate a high-potential employee for the 2020 CSIS Accelerator Series, a training program designed to help young professionals refine their strengths in leadership, management, communication, and a range of professional skills required in today's competitive work environment.

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

3,400

More than 3,400 people from countries including Italy, Iran and Spain had died from the new coronavirus as of early Monday, compared with around 3,200 in China, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Similarly, the 81,000 total cases of infection in China have been surpassed by the 93,500 outside the country.

Source: WSJ

Critical Quote

“We could be Italy.”

— U.S. Surgeon General, Jerome Adams

iDeas Lab

Nine of China’s provinces and municipalities suffer from absolute water scarcity. All but one of these are in the country’s north. Read the ChinaPower Project analysis of China's water security.

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

Optics

(Photo credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images). Health care staff facilitate a drive through coronavirus test center in a West Palm Beach parking lot.

Recommended Reading

“Will the Coronavirus End Globalization as We Know It?” by Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman of George Washington University for Foreign Affairs.

Video

Back in February, CSIS experts analyzed the roots of the coronavirus and the initial impact it had on China. They also predicted how it could affect the rest of the world. Watch the full video here.

Podcasts

In our first remote episode, Steve and I discuss what’s happening with the U.S. response: the wholesale suspension of work and cultural events, the mixed messages coming from the Administration, and the unknown period we’re currently in as we wait for the worst part of the pandemic.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

In The Truth of the Matter, hosts Bob Schieffer and I breakdown complex policy issues of the day. No Spin, No Bombast, No finger pointing. Just informed discussion.

Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

Let’s start this week off with some happy American music—we all need it. Hopefully we’ll be doing something like this in a couple of months.