The Evening: Stimulus Talks U-Turn, EU Russia Sanctions, 7 Walkers and More

October 7, 2020

Stimulus Talks U-Turn

President Trump renewed calls for Congress to pass individual coronavirus relief measures, including more aid for airlines and direct checks for many Americans, after he halted negotiations with Democrats on a larger package until after the election, as the WSJ reports .

Fed Forecasts Gloomy Economy

Federal Reserve officials raised concerns in September that the pace of the economic recovery would slow without more relief from Congress, building on previous warnings from the central bank, according to documents released a day after President Trump said he was ending stimulus talks with House Democrats, as the Washington Post reports.

France and Germany Propose Sanctions on Russia

France and Germany said on Wednesday they would propose European Union sanctions against Russian individuals after receiving no credible answers from Moscow over the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny with a nerve agent, as Reuters reports.

CSIS Executive Education

CSIS's Risk and Foresight Group is hosting a new global executive education program that weaves together important issues, trends, and revolutions that government and business leaders must understand as they position themselves for the next 25 years. Register for the course here.

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

1.6 million

On Wednesday, New Zealand moved to lift the last of its restrictions in Auckland after 10 days with no new cases linked to a cluster that first surfaced in August. The government will now allow unrestricted gatherings, and trips on public transit without social distancing or masks, in the city of 1.6 million people.

Source: NYT

Critical Quote

“When President Trump took office, there were over 10,000 American troops in Afghanistan. As of today there are under 5,000 and that will go to 2,500 by early next year.”

— Robert O’Brien, U.S. National Security Adviser

iDeas Lab

A short video outlines the CSIS Trade Commission's recommendations to make the U.S. workforce more agile, adaptable, and competitive and put the United States in a position to pursue an am­bitious trade agenda.

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

Optics

(Photo credit: Natalia Pescador/AFP/Getty Images.) People walk on a flooded street after Hurricane Delta hit near Cozumel on October 07, 2020 in Cozumel, Mexico.

Recommended Reading

“Providers or Enforcers? The Duality of Security Forces’ Roles in Covid-19 Response Efforts,” by CSIS’s Melissa Dalton.

This Town Tomorrow

Tomorrow, at 8:00 a.m., the CSIS Economics Program in partnership with the OMFIF Digital Monetary Institute holds a panel discussion on recent digital currency developments their impact on international financial and monetary systems.

And, at 9:00 a.m., join the CSIS Korea Chair for its next episode of “Capital Cable” featuring Marc Knapper, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Korea and Japan at the U.S. Department of State.

Finally, at 12:00 p.m., don't miss a conversation between CSIS expert Seth G. Jones and U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Director Christopher Miller spanning Al Qaeda, the Islamic State, Iran, Russia, and more.

Video

The CSIS Economics Program hosted a discussion on major economies’ fiscal support to the crisis, what further support is needed, and the path to long-term economic stability during Covid-19. Watch the full video here.

Podcasts

This week's episode features Gene Dodaro, comptroller general of the United States government and head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Established by Congress as a watchdog, the GAO is the one organization that forces truthfulness and accountability across the federal government.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

“Death don't have no mercy in this land, in this land.”

The 7 Walkers were one of the best bands that most people have never heard of. They were a ragtag collection of rock legends, brilliant sidemen and bayou ramblers. Formed in 2009 by Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzman, New Orleans swamp boogie man Papa Mali, multi-instrumentalist Matt Hubard who is best known for his work with Willie Nelson, and funk legend George Porter Jr. (bassist of the Meters), 7 Walkers put together their own take on some of the greatest American music ever written.

This clip of 7 Walkers performing seminal bluesman Reverend Gary Davis’ “Death Don’t Have No Mercy,” is a stirring sound if not a joyful noise despite the dark lyrics of the tune. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzHemVli8MM.