FEBRUARY 8, 2020
In this edition of Comm(Unity), we bring you a new episode featuring Senator Chris Murphy on the future of U.S. foreign policy. We also cover why America’s strategy has failed in Syria, play a game that combats the spread of misinformation, and share another member micro interview.
Weekly Episode
On our latest episode — Senator Chris Murphy, member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined us to address the foreign policy priorities of the United States – from climate change to racial justice and from Yemen to Saudi Arabia. A new administration means a new foreign policy agenda. Moderated by Megan Torrey, CEO.
Stream Now.
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Read Senator Murphy’s latest article in Foreign Policy about climate change and the Biden administration’s challenges ahead.
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Subscribe: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
Weekly Article Roundup
Follow along with the CTWAC staff on this week’s article roundup (with some special recommendations!):
The United States has long tried to build up nations and governments around the world and in Syria this strategy has been a failure
“Washington must acknowledge that it can’t build a state”
WRITTEN BY AMB. ROBERT FORD (RET.)
The attack on and through SolarWinds, an ongoing Russian spy campaign, highlights the United States’ cyber vulnerabilities
It’s time to face our cyber reality and build effective defenses
WRITTEN BY ARTHUR HOUSE
The African Union just held it’s annual heads of state summit where leaders tackled the pandemic and held AU commission elections
Learn more about the top eight priorities for the African Union in 2021
On February 7, Ecuador held elections for President and VP, National Assembly, Parliament and other seats in the government
Read about the candidates and the issues the next leaders will address
This weekend at Super Bowl LV Amanda Gorman will recite a poem, becoming the first poet to perform at a Super Bowl
Dive deeper into how her poetry proves that spoken word belongs in school
Weekly Entertainment
READ
Noah Feldman argues that the Arab Spring was a failure, but still important for the future
RECOMMENDED BY ESAM BORAEY
LISTEN
Right-wing conspiracy theories and faux-progressive wellness utopianism converge in this weekly podcast
STREAM
This political satire follows Vice President Selina Meyer (female VP…sound familiar?) whose job is nothing like she expected it to be
PLAY
Play this 5-minute game that teaches common strategies surrounding the spread of COVID-19 misinformation and helps you resist them
COOK
These sweet potato cookies are native to Malawi, known as the ‘warm heart of Africa’ due to the friendliness of the Malawian people, and are often cut into hearts as a tribute to the people
Member Micro Interview
Check out our bi-weekly micro interview introducing you to fellow CTWAC community members:
ALDEN LEADER
Formally a Global Fellow, Alden has just rejoined CTWAC as a Project Consultant and Liaison for the Global Security Forum. Please join us in welcoming Alden back to the team!
What global issue are you most interested in at the moment?
A: China’s treatment of the Uighurs continues to interest me. I think it deserves more attention and global action.
What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?
A: I am looking forward to going on my honeymoon to the Amalfi coast, hopefully! And being able to gather with friends and family again safely.
What’s your favorite place in the world and why?
A: There are many beautiful places that I have visited that I loved and want to visit again, like Santorini or Scotland, but my favorite place in the world is at my family lake cottage in northeast Indiana. It’s not very exotic, but I always feel happy and relaxed when I go there. It’s where I got engaged, it’s where my husband and I got married, and it’s where my extended family reunites every year. It holds a very special place in my heart.
Weekly Cartoon
Check in next week for another CTWAC exclusive cartoon:
Thank you to everyone who has been tuning into State of the World during the live event, on our YouTube channel, or on our weekly podcast. We have an exciting lineup of speakers on our upcoming episodes, so I encourage you to check out the full calendar later this week on ctwac.org/events/.
Megan Clark Torrey
CEO
Image Credits: [1] Sen. Chris Murphy: murphy.senate.gov; [2] African Union: USAID; [3] People walking: Veep still image; [4] Mbatata: 196flavors blog; [5] Alden Leader: via Alden Leader; [6] Cartoon: Caroline Schaefer; [7] Megan Torrey: Caroline Schaefer
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