The Evening: Europe’s Second Wave, Stimulus, Lennon 80 and More

October 14, 2020

Europe’s Second Wave

Europe has reached a tipping point in its fight to contain a second wave of the coronavirus, overtaking the United States in new confirmed cases of Covid-19, as the WSJ reports.

Mnuchin Says He Does Not Expect a Stimulus Bill before Election

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said today that he does not expect an economic relief package to be enacted before the November 3 presidential election as he and Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California have continued to struggle to reach an agreement on a broad package to support the economy, as the NYT reports.

Israel, Lebanon Discuss Disputed Maritime Border

Lebanese and Israeli officials today held talks for the first time on their disputed maritime border that lies in Mediterranean waters that are potentially rich in natural gas. The U.S.-mediated meeting, which was hosted by the United Nations in southern Lebanon, lasted less than an hour, but the two sides agreed to meet again in two weeks, as the FT reports.

CSIS Executive Education

Apply today to Understanding Washington, a virtual course designed to give business leaders, embassy officials, and nonprofit professionals the tools to master Washington’s complex policy ecosystem. Led by top CSIS experts and veteran Washington insiders, participants will hone their ability to engage key players, navigate crises, and assess breaking developments.

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

$25 billion

The World Bank is calling for $25 billion in further Covid-19 emergency financing to help the world's poorest countries grapple with the massive challenges of the global pandemic

Source: Reuters

Critical Quote

“At this point, getting something done before the election and executing on that will be difficult.”

— Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin

iDeas Lab

An interactive microsite charts the possible contours of an enduring strategy on China.

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: Manuel Balce/CENETA/POOL/AFP.) Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, walk towards the Treaty Room at the State Department, October 14, 2020, in Washington, DC.

Recommended Reading

“Vladimir Putin Has a Vaccine, and He’s Rushing to Share It,” by CSIS nonresident Judyth Twigg for the New York Times.

This Town Tomorrow

Tomorrow, at 3:00 p.m., join CSIS for a conversation with Representative Jim Hines (D-CT) to analyze the findings of the Subcommittee on Strategic Technologies and Advanced Research’s (STAR) recent report on how the U.S. government can promote innovation in the intelligence community.

Then, at 3:30 p.m., tune in for the tenth installment of Economy Disrupted, featuring Dr. Heather Boushey, President & CEO of Washington Center for Equitable Growth.

And, at 9:00 a.m., the United States Institute of Peace and Embassy of Afghanistan discuss how current negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban can draw lessons from the Colombian peace process.

Video

Last week, CSIS hosted an event to celebrate the women who have led the space community through a period of rapid technological change. Watch the full video here.

Podcasts

Dana Chipman, former judge advocate of the U.S. Army, discusses the role of the Judicial Center and how America supports and nurtures a professional judiciary.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts .

Smiles

“I was the Walrus
But now I'm just John
And so dear friends
You just have to carry on
The dream is over”

Another tribute for what would have been John Lennon’s 80^th birthday comes from Wilco front man Jeff Tweedy who took on one of Lennon’s most personal, haunting songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf0TK_E1l0U.