The Weekly Leaf
This week, President Joe Biden announced $1.3 billion in aid to Ukraine, Vice President Kamala Harris declared an end to U.S. anti-satellite missile testing, and across the Atlantic, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen prepared for the second round of the French national elections, which will take place on Sunday.
Read more below.
The Aspen Strategy Group will be hosting the 13th annual Aspen Security Forum on July 19-22, 2022 in Aspen, Colorado.
This Week’s Content Highlights
Features from Aspen Strategy Group Members
Robert Blackwill, David Rubenstein, et al on the Bloomberg Surveillance podcast
Chris Coons on CBS’ Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan
Susan Glasser on CNN: “This Underscores Putin's Terrible Miscalculation”
Michael Green moderated a CSIS discussion: “Can America Lead in Asia?”
Kay Bailey Hutchison in a University of Texas at Austin KBH Energy Center for Business, Law, and Policy discussion: “The Ukraine War: What Comes Next on Energy and Security”
David Ignatius in The Washington Post: “As Ukraine War Shifts, the Russians Have Every Advantage But One”
Meghan O’Sullivan on MSNBC: “Since the War Started, Europe Has Paid ‘Almost $40 Billion’ to Russia for Oil, Gas”
David Petraeus was interviewed in The Spectator “‘Putin Still Has A Lot Left to Lose’: Niall Ferguson and David Petraeus in Conversation”
Condoleezza Rice and Mike McFaul in a University of Montana discussion: “Fostering Freedom at Home and Abroad”
Dan Sullivan and Harry Brower in Anchorage Daily News: “Interior Secretary Deb Haaland Is Visiting Alaska. Here’s What We’d Like Her to Say.”
Philip Zelikow and Simon Johnson in Foreign Affairs: “How Ukraine Can Build Back Better”
Rising Leaders in the News
"The United States will ban Russian ships from its ports in an effort to further alienate Russia from the world, President Joe Biden announced Thursday...The move is more symbolic than impactful: Russian-flagged ships account for less than 1 percent of cargo that arrives at American ports."
–ASG Rising Leader Daniel Lippman ('22) with Oriana Pawlyk for POLITICO: "U.S. to Ban Russian Ships From Ports"
Tweet of the Week
Things to Know
Content Relevant to Aspen Security Forum Discussions
Roger Cohen for The New York Times: "Macron and Le Pen Trade Punches in Pivotal Debate on France's Future"
Brian Eckhouse for Bloomberg: "Russia's War in Ukraine Puts Global Energy Transition at Crossroad"
John Hudson, Adela Suliman, and Bryan Pietsch for The Washington Post: "Biden Vows $1.3 Billion in Ukraine Aid as Mariupol Standoff Worsens"
Maria Martin and Robbie Griffiths for NPR: "Ex-Honduran President Hernández Is Extradited to the U.S. on Drug Charges"
Michael Sheetz for CBNC: "U.S. Commits to Ending Anti-Satellite Missile Testing, Calls for Global Agreement"
Book of the Week
By Fiona Hill
"Fiona Hill grew up in a world of terminal decay. The last of the local mines had closed, businesses were shuttering, and despair was etched in the faces around her. Her father urged her to get out of their blighted corner of northern England: 'There is nothing for you here, pet,' he said.
The coal-miner’s daughter managed to go further than he ever could have dreamed. She studied in Moscow and at Harvard, became an American citizen, and served three U.S. Presidents. But in the heartlands of both Russia and the United States, she saw troubling reflections of her hometown and similar populist impulses. By the time she offered her brave testimony in the first impeachment inquiry of President Trump, Hill knew that the desperation of forgotten people was driving American politics over the brink—and that we were running out of time to save ourselves from Russia’s fate. In this powerful, deeply personal account, she shares what she has learned, and shows why expanding opportunity is the only long-term hope for our democracy."
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As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Aspen Institute is nonpartisan and does not endorse, support, or oppose political candidates or parties. Further, the views and opinions of our guests and speakers do not necessarily reflect those of the Aspen Institute.