JULY 13, 2020
In this edition of Comm(Unity), we share a can’t-miss conversation tackling what you need to know about securing the 2020 election. We also announce an exciting event on negotiating U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, explore how the Dominican Republic changes its ruling party after 20 years, and recommend a refreshing Indian dessert recipe. As always, enjoy!
Weekly Episode
On the latest episode — We talk with Arthur House, Cybersecurity Policy Advisor to Connecticut’s Secretary of the State on elections, cybersecurity and more. What are we doing to secure our electoral systems from foreign actors, disinformation, and cyber threats? How has COVID-19 affected plans for the 2020 elections? What have we learned from the primaries held so far in Georgia, Kentucky and Wisconsin?
Watch and share this timely conversation now on our YouTube channel or website. Moderated by CEO, Megan Clark Torrey.
Stream Now.
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Read this article from The Atlantic if you missed it in last week’s edition on cybersecurity, elections and democracy.
Weekly Article Roundup
Follow along with the CTWAC staff on this week’s article roundup (with some special recommendations!):
In a historic decision, Turkey has revoked the Hagia Sophia’s museum status to convert it back into a mosque, The Washington Post reports
A Turkish court annulled the 1934 presidential decree that made it a museum
Once thought to be the model country for handling COVID-19, Sweden has now become a cautionary tale for other countries
See what went wrong with Sweden’s response and how we can learn from it
The Dominican Republic changes its ruling party, previously in power for twenty years, after a shaky start to its presidential elections
More than half of voters chose businessman Luis Abinader for president
China has had a long history of undermining Hong Kong’s territorial autonomy, but will Taiwan have the same fate?
China continues to use salami tactics and tests the limits of impunity
Why is India banning China’s TikTok? These two Internet superpowers are in conflict and social media might be the newest battleground
Ravi Agrawal reports for Foreign Policy
Weekly Entertainment
READ
A struggling novelist travels the world to avoid an awkward wedding in this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel
LISTEN
Revisionist History brings us a Bolivian political activist that reforms the voting process for student elections…and what else?
STREAM
This 1982 American documentary film combines dark comedy with historical significant moments and news clips
PLAY
In this game, which tries to bring attention to plastic pollution, you are challenged to clean the ocean to save endangered creatures
COOK
Summer is in full swing which means we’re looking for tasty ways to cool down. Enter: Mango Kulfi. Kulfi is a traditional, frozen Indian dessert, similar to ice cream. Add mango to the mix? You can’t go wrong.
Global Good News
Ballet school hopes to inspire kids in Nigeria
A man named Daniel dedicated himself to learning classical ballet through online movies and books. Since 2017, he has been teaching kids the same skills he learned at his studio, the Leap of Dance Academy, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Watch the video.
Weekly Cartoon
Check in next week for another CTWAC exclusive cartoon:
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Caroline Schaefer
Virtual Communications Specialist
Image Credits:
[1] Arthur House: Nick Caito Photography for CTWAC
[2] Aaron David Miller, Ph.D.: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
[3] Hagia Sophia: Adli Wahid for Wikimedia Commons
[4] The Atomic Cafe: Movie still
[5] Mango Kulfi: My Ginger Garlic Kitchen blog
[6] Leap of Dance: Leap of Dance Facebook page
[7] Cartoon: Caroline Schaefer
[8] Caroline Headshot: Amanda Jolly
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