This week, President-elect Biden announced his first round of Cabinet official picks including his choice for Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. Linda Thomas-Greenfield was tapped as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, the U.S. formally withdrew from the Open Skies Treaty, and a third coronavirus vaccine was announced.
Despite the unusual circumstances this year, we hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday. We at the Aspen Strategy Group would like to take this moment to express our gratitude for your support.
This Week's Content Highlights
Features from Aspen Strategy Group Members
Madeleine Albright and Henrietta Fore in Fortune: “Lead Poisoning Affects 1 in 3 Kids Worldwide—But It’s Not Too Late to Act”
Nicholas Burns on PRI’s The World: “The Future of the State Department”
Peter Feaver and Will Inboden in Foreign Policy: “The National Security Risks of Trump’s Temper Tantrum”
Nick Kristof in The New York Times: “Choose A Gift That Changes Lives”
William Perry and Tom Collina in The Washington Post: “Whatever You Think Ails This Nation, a New Generation of ICBMS Is Not the Answer”
David Sanger and Annie Karni in The New York Times: "Biden's National Security Team Offers a Sharp Turn. But in Which Direction?"
Anne-Marie Slaughter and Alexandra Stark in Project Syndicate: “Crafting a Diplomacy-First U.S. Foreign Policy”
James Steinberg on NPR: “Who Is Antony Blinken, Biden's Nominee for Secretary of State?”
Robert Zoellick and John Scanlon for International Institute for Sustainable Development: “We Must Rachet Up the Fight Against Illicit Wildlife Trafficking”
Tweet of the Week
Save the Date
A Conversation with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea
Featuring Kang Kyung-wha
Foreign Minister, Republic of Korea
Moderated by Nicholas Burns
Goodman Family Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and
International Relations, Harvard Kennedy School &
Executive Director, Aspen Strategy Group
Thursday, December 10, 2020
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. ET
Things to Know
Stay Informed with Important Analysis Relevant to Aspen Security Forum Discussions
Daniel Boffey in The Guardian: “EU Threatens to Pull Out of Brexit Talks If UK Refuses to Compromise"
DW: “Pompeo Meets with Taliban Negotiators in Qatar Ahead of U.S. Troop Withdrawal”
Michael Gordon in The Wall Street Journal: “Trump Exits Open Skies Treaty, Moves to Discard Observation Planes”
Danica Kirka for AP News: “3rd Major Covid-19 Vaccine Shown to Be Effective and Cheaper”
Hyonhee Shin for Reuters: “Chinese Minister to Visit South Korea Amid Hopes for Xi Trip, North Korea Talks”
Book of the Week
By Wolfgang Ischinger
The world appears to be at another major turning point. Tensions between the United States and China threaten a resumption of great power conflict. Global institutions are being tested as never before, and hard-edged nationalism has resurfaced as a major force in both democracies and authoritarian states. From the European perspective, the United States appears to be abdicating its global leadership role. Meanwhile, Moscow and Beijing eagerly exploit every opportunity to pit European partners against one another.
But a pivot point also offers the continent an opportunity to grow stronger. In World in Danger, Wolfgang Ischinger, Germany’s most prominent diplomat, offers a vision of a European future of peace and stability. He examines the root causes of the current conflicts and suggests how Europe can successfully address the most urgent challenges facing the continent. The European Union, he suggests, is poised to become a more powerful actor on the world stage, able to shape global politics while defending the interests of its 500 million citizens. This important book offers a practical vision of a Europe fully capable of navigating these turbulent times.
Learn More
The Aspen Institute proudly presents its fifth annual
Aspen Cyber Summit
December 1-3, 2020
The Aspen Cyber Summit brings together top leaders from business, government, academia, and public interest to discuss the most pressing threats and policy questions in cybersecurity and technology. Taking a global view, the 2020 event is a unique opportunity to bring together voices from around the world to look back at an unprecedented year and toward the road ahead. As part of the Cyber Summit, the Aspen Cybersecurity Group will be launching its roadmap for a cyber agenda for the new presidential term and new Congress that will begin in January. In its fifth year, this nonpartisan summit will take place virtually over three days (December 1-3, 2020), running from Noon to 3 p.m. ET each day and featuring daily keynote conversations and panel discussions.
ICYMI
The View from Berlin: A Conversation with Germany's Minister of Health
Featuring Jens Spahn
Federal Minister of Health, Germany
Featuring Jens Spahn
Federal Minister of Health, Germany
Moderated by Anja Manuel
Director, Aspen Strategy Group
Co-Founder and Partner, Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Aspen Institute is nonpartisan and does not endorse, support, or oppose political candidates or parties. Further, the views and opinions of our guests and speakers do not necessarily reflect those of the Aspen Institute.
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