January 9, 2019

Weekly World News Update

Trump Border Speech; U.S.-China Trade Talks; Kim Travels to China; The Race to Space; Pompeo Reassures in the Middle East; Latin American Politics; World Bank Resignation; EU Diplomatic Shift and the Euro 20 Years On

Quotes of the Week

“All human beings long for a better and more prosperous life, and the challenge of migration cannot be met with a mindset of violence and indifference, nor by offering merely partial solutions.”

-- Pope Francis, in an hour-long speech to diplomats at the Holy See on Monday.

“It is obvious there is no security crisis at our southern border justifying a wall or the government shutdown. There is, however, a looming near-term crisis resulting from the shutdown—and a more distant crisis stemming from the failure to enact a comprehensive immigration policy.”

-- CFR President Richard Haass in a tweet on Monday.

Whipping Up the Border Crisis

“The Crisis at the Border” Editorial Board -- National Review, January 8, 2019

“Trump Declares Border Crisis, Democrats Say He Has "Chosen Fear"” CBS News, January 9, 2019

“Trump's Border Wall Speech Blamed Democrats for the Shutdown. Polls Show Americans Blame Him” Natasha Bach -- Fortune, January 9, 2019

"Letter from National Governors Association Leadership Calling for Swift Resolution to Government Shutdown" National Governors Association, January 7, 2019

"Which Side of the Wall of Decency Are You On?" Richard Cohen -- Real Clear Politics, January 8, 2019

U.S.-China Trade Talks Resume

“Let the U.S. and China Trade Punches, Then Let the Dust Settle” Christine Loh -- South China Morning Post, January 9, 2019

“Seven Issues to Decide Success of U.S.-China Trade Talks” Miao Han; Yuan Gao; Shuping Niu -- Bloomberg, January 6, 2019

"Why Haven't U.S. Exports of Manufactures Kept Pace With China's Growth?" Brad Setser -- Council on Foreign Relations, January 8, 2019

“U.S.-China Trade Talks End. Now High-Level Talks Can Begin.” Keith Bradsher -- New York Times, January 9, 2019

Kim Jong Un’s China Trip

“Kim Jong Un's China Visit Shows Trump He's 'Not the Only Game in Town'” Alexander Smith -- NBC News, January 9, 2019

"In Visiting China, Kim Jong Un Makes Good on New Year’s Speech" Jung Pak -- Lawfare Blog, January 9, 2019

"Stakes Grow for Possible Trump-Kim Summit" Kelsey Davenport -- Arms Control Association, January/February Issue

“Kim Jong Un Leaves Beijing After Brief Visit” Voice of America, January 9, 2019

The New Space Race

“Fly Me to the Moon” James Lewis -- CSIS, January 3, 2019

"Will China’s Moon Landing Launch a New Space Race?" Wendy Cobb -- The Conversation, January 4, 2019

“Astronaut: What China's Moon Landing Means for U.S.” Leroy Chiao -- CNN, January 8, 2019

"Why China Is the Country to Watch in Space" Nicole Mortillaro -- CBC News, January 8, 2019

Pompeo’s Placation Tour

“Amid Confusion Over Syria Withdrawal, Pompeo Heads to Middle East to Reassure U.S. Partners” Conor Finnegan -- ABC News, January 7, 2019

“Erdogan'sTurkey Is NoAmerican Ally” Michael Rubin -- National Interest, January 8, 2019

"The Strategy Washington Is Pursuing in the Middle East Is the Only Strategy Worth Pursuing" Michael Doran -- Mosaic Magazine, January 7, 2019

"History Proves Syria's Strategic Importance Should Not Be Underestimated" Michael Young -- The National, January 9, 2019

"The Gulf Scramble for Africa: GCC States’ Foreign Policy Laboratory" Will Todman -- CSIS