NOVEMBER 23, 2020
In this edition of Comm(Unity), we discuss the priorities of the National Guard, from civil unrest to diversity in leadership. We also take a deep dive into the largest plurilateral trade agreement, read a Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry book and chronicle what your teddy bears are doing on Thanksgiving with a Toy Story-esque cartoon.
Weekly Episode
Recap the conversation — The National Guard has frequently topped headlines in 2020, sparking debate over the military’s role in domestic affairs. General Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief, National Guard Bureau, joins us to discuss everything from diversity in leadership to cyber warfare, and from civil unrest to the National Guard’s role in the new domain of space.
General Hokanson is a four-star general in the United States Army, 29th chief of the National Guard Bureau, and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Moderated by Major General Francis J. Evon, Jr., Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard.
Stream Now.
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Check out this essay on America’s national security reckoning and how we must broaden our approach to defending our nation
Weekly Article Roundup
Follow along with the CTWAC staff on this week’s article roundup (with some special recommendations!):
On November 15th, fifteen Asian countries signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in a virtual ceremony
Learn more about the largest plurilateral trade agreement
What direction will Kuwait’s new emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, steer towards in matters of foreign policy — continuity or change?
Some scholars hold that stability and continuity will prevail
In the past year, the Ahlu Sunna wa Jama insurgency in northern Mozambique has increased warfighting capabilities
The resolution to this conflict rests with political elites in Maputo
The recession Latin America is dealing with due to the pandemic may unravel two decades of progress in reducing poverty and inequality
Inaction is not an option — the region cannot lose additional time
While most of the world looks to doctors, scientists and economists for predictions on the pandemic, literature offers a different viewpoint
See how literature chronicles pandemics and societies’ responses
Weekly Entertainment
READ
Dive into The Tradition by Jericho Brown, winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, as it asks: why have we become accustomed to terror?
LISTEN
The world is facing its largest displacement crisis since WWII – learn more on how we can tackle this issue
STREAM
What’s the cost of the truth? This film inspects fake news, the threat of disinformation and the impact it has on citizens on the receiving end
PLAY
Bitcoin and Crypto-currency technologies
Take this free online course from Princeton to understand how Bitcoin works & why it’s special
COOK
Use up your leftover Thanksgiving turkey in this unique twist on empanadas. The best part? They’re super versatile, so use whatever fillings you have on hand!
Global Good News
A 12-year-old found a 69 million-year-old dinosaur fossil while hiking
Nathan Hrushkin has wanted to be a paleontologist for as long as he can remember — and he’s off to a great start! While hiking with his dad in Canada, Nathan discovered a 69 million-year-old fossilized humerus bone from the arm of a juvenile hadrosaur.
Read More.
Weekly Cartoon
Check in next week for another CTWAC exclusive cartoon:
A special message from guest host, Se-Min Sohn, in honor of Megan’s national recognition from the World Affairs Councils of America:
The Board of Directors can’t be more excited for Megan and her team for this prestigious award. We’re equally thrilled for the city of Hartford, as well as all the other communities we’ve served since 1924, to be recognized for their commitment to global engagement and investment in global education.
Megan Clark Torrey
CEO
Image Credits: [1] Gen Hokanson & Maj. Gen. Evon: Official USNG photos; [2] RCEP: asean.org; [3] After Truth: documentary cover image; [4] Turkey Empanadas: The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska; [5] Nathan Hrushkin: Nature Conservancy of Canada; [6] Cartoon: Caroline Schaefer; [7] Megan Torrey: Caroline Schaefer
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