Global Engagement: News Review | Apr 7, 2020 | Episode 041

“Global Engagement” A Review of News and Issues in World Affairs Presented by the “Global Tennessee” project of the Tennessee World Affairs Council [www.TNWAC.org] April 7, 2020 With Amb Charles Bowers, USFS(Ret) LCDR Patrick Ryan, USN(Ret) This week in the news: 1 - Covid-19 Update 2 – United Kingdom 3 - US-Iran Developments 4 - Global Governance and Democracy 5 - Afghanistan and America’s Longest War Welcome to Global Engagement. This is a World Affairs Council global affairs awareness project that connects you with current events. We’re starting this during the “stay at home” period of the pandemic response especially as students are working from home and can find this conversation useful in knowing the world. Each week we’ll share five important topics from the news and provide background, context and analysis. And we’ll get you involved through the Webinar’s interactive features. Global Engagement will be broadcast live every Tuesday at 2pm Central Time as a Webinar on Zoom where you can participate with your questions and comments. The series will be archived by video on the Tennessee World Affairs Council’s Youtube Channel and by audio on our “Global Tennessee” Podcast. You can find links to all of the episodes on our web site, TNWAC.org. Timeline 00:30 Introduction. Ryan 02:01 Discussing TNWAC pivot to Webinars. “Going Zoom.” Bowers 04:50 Discussing TNWAC Educational Outreach Program: WorldQuest, Tennessee Global Scholar Certificate Program, “What in the World?” Weekly Quiz. Ryan 07:52 On to the news Japan – Olympics/Paralympics postponed Emergency conditions in some cities What are you doing in response to Covid? 15:45 Italy – European epicenter Infections “plateau” European Union not much of a union Universal healthcare responds to pandemic 20:15 What’s going on in Russia? What about China? POTUS dropped “China Virus” talk Which countries are doing well against Covid? 22:39 Stay Calm and Carry On – What about the UK? Queen Elizabeth talks to her nation PM Boris Johnson, an early Covid-denier, infected, in ICU Who’s going to pick the crops? Migrant issues. 25:40 New leader of the UK Labor Party “Competence vs Charisma” Who’s in charge? 28:20 Iran and the pandemic Distinguished leaders sign statement favoring easing limitations on medical supplies to Iran during pandemic Holy city of Qom epicenter of Covid infections 33:40 Reliability of data. How many actual infections? 35:46 Iran-backed militias in Iraq Trump will “go up the food chain” if more attacks on US forces Time for a humanitarian gesture to lessen tension? Tough sell 38:27 Global Governance and Democracy “You are living in historic times” Now in a fight to save our democracy… and how our way of life will be. Side note: take a look at think-tank newsletters and reports, good content in their studies and reports. e.g. CFR, CSIS, Carnegie Endowment Carnegie Report: “How will the Coronavirus Reshape Democracy and Governance Globally” Concern about breakdowns, civil wars, riots as people become desperate Bottom up pressure, top down pressure Pandemic as cover to seize power Viktor Orban in Hungary – indefinite rule by decree. End of checks/balances. 46:50 Brazil – Bolsonaro another Covid-denier Any countries remain without Covid? 48:40 Afghanistan Endgame Who are the Taliban? 9/11 terrorist safe haven America’s longest war Afghan government – two heads? US-Taliban agreement. Government not onboard. 53:05 Dick’s Book Picks “Prisoners of Geography” by Tim Marshall Pat’s Book Pick “A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide“ by Samantha Power 55:40 Calendar of TNWAC video broadcasts Sign Off