JUNE 15, 2020
In this edition of Comm(Unity), we recap last week’s event on the protests in Lafayette Square (featuring a special CTWAC guest!), look at the opportunities presented by COVID-19 for integration in Israel, and challenge you and your kids to build climate-resilient cities in an online game.
Weekly Episode(s)
On our fourteenth episode — Recap our conversation with Steven Cook, Ph.D., Council on Foreign Relations, discussing whether Lafayette Square is analogous to Egypt’s Tahrir Square and what implications these events have on U.S. global power and leadership. Moderated by Megan Clark Torrey, CEO.
With special guest! Esam Boraey, youth leader of the Egyptian Revolution. Stream Now.
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Read Steven Cook’s original piece on this topic in Foreign Policy titled, “Yes, Lafayette Square is Tahrir Square.”
Weekly Article Roundup
Follow along with the CTWAC staff on this week’s article roundup (with some special recommendations!):
U.S. diplomats are finding it more difficult to defend democracy abroad, as America’s moral authority is questioned
Lara Jakes and Edward Wong explore this challenge further in the NYTimes
Coronavirus may present an opportunity for integration in Israel, according to Fahed Hakim, MD
See Dr. Hakim discuss this topic live this Wednesday, June 17
The unexplained disappearance of North Korea’s Chairman earlier this year reminds us that stability doesn’t last long in the Korean Peninsula
CFR explores the future of North Korea’s nuclear development and more
Many companies have binged on cheap corporate debt in the past decade, and now they might pay for it, according to Frank Partnoy
Is the U.S. banking system on the brink of collapse? The Atlantic investigates.
What are Latin American countries doing to confront the coronavirus? See how these countries’ leaders are stepping up
David Wemer reports for the Atlantic Council
Weekly Entertainment
READ
Rhina P. Espaillat, born in the Dominican Republic and schooled in the U.S., explores how language is tied to identity in this poem
LISTEN
Things You Should Know podcast revisits the deadly ‘race riot’ in Tulsa, OK in 1921 that was almost lost to history
STREAM
Take an inside look at the 1986 nuclear reactor meltdown in the Soviet Union with this (relatively) accurate mini-series
PLAY
Planning Climate-Resilient Cities
Try to make good decisions to increase your city’s resilience to climate change in this online game
COOK
This tomato-onion salad is traditionally made in East African countries like Kenya, Tanzania and neighboring countries. Serve it on its own or with your favorite grilled dish this summer!
Global Good News
For Colombia’s Quarantined Poor, Lunch is Served
Two of Colombia’s trendiest restaurants, El Chato and Chicheria Demente, have teamed up to provide nutritious meals to its poor and vulnerable populations renting beds in the country’s capital.
Read more.
Weekly Cartoon
Check in next week for another CTWAC exclusive cartoon:
Our virtual Model United Nations Summer Institute is coming up quickly — we are excited to see our students improve their debate and leadership skills in this three day workshop. As we always say, our Model UN students provide hope as our country, and world, moves through myriads of challenges. They truly are our future global leaders, and we are proud to see the work they do for the betterment of our local community and broader world.
Nicole Struth
Education and Special Projects Director
Image Credits:
[1] Steven A. Cook: CFR / [2] Dr. Fahed Hakim: Consulate General of Israel in New England / [3] US protests: SounderBruce / Wikimedia Commons / [4] Chernobyl: Chernobyl mini-series cover image / [5] Kachumbari: Meals by Mavis / [5] Chef from El Chato: Reuters / [6] Cartoon: Caroline Schaefer / [7] Nicole Headshot: Caroline Schaefer
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