The Weekly Leaf
This week, President Joe Biden delivered the State of the Union address, ceasefire and hostage release negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Cairo stalled days before the start of Ramadan, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously approved legislation that could lead to a ban of TikTok, Sweden officially joined NATO, and today we celebrate International Women's Day.
Read more below.
Aspen Strategy Group Programming
The Aspen Strategy Group was pleased to host two high-level dinner discussions on key issues this week in Washington. On Monday, we convened a roundtable discussion on generative AI and national security. On Tuesday, ASG Executive Director Anja Manuel led a conversation about the long-term U.S. strategy and goals for China policy; participants included Thomas Donilon, Stephen Hadley, Elizabeth Economy, Susan Schwab, James Steinberg, Elbridge Colby, Congressman Seth Moulton, Kristen Silverberg, Zack Cooper, Janine Davidson, Kelley Currie, and others.
These events are central to the ASG’s mission to convene decision makers in resolutely non-partisan public and private forums to address key foreign policy and national security challenges facing the United States. Stay tuned for more events like these in our nation’s capital.
This Week's Content Highlights
Features from Aspen Strategy Group Members
Joseph Nye for Project Syndicate: “Is Nuclear Proliferation Back?”
Chris Coons quoted by Farnoush Amiri and Ellen Knickmeyer for the AP: “Biden’s Closest Allies Are Stepping Up Pressure on White House to Do More to Ease Suffering in Gaza”
Mark Esper interviewed by Zain Asher and Bianna Golodryga for CNN
Michael Froman interviewed John Kerry for the Council on Foreign Relations
Susan Glasser interviewed by Christiane Amanpour for CNN: “Donald Trump Putting Supreme Court Under Tremendous Stress, Says Political Analyst”
Kay Bailey Hutchison and Steve Israel interviewed by Becky Quick for CNBC: “More Members of Congress Are Being Elected at the Far Fringes”
David Ignatius for The Washington Post: “The White House Tries to Steer Israel Back Onto a Two-Way Street”
Nicholas Kristof for The New York Times: “Israel, Gaza and Double Standards, Including Our Own”
David E. Sanger and Christopher F. Schuetze for The New York Times: “Now It’s Germany’s Turn to Frustrate Allies Over Ukraine”
Dan Sullivan interviewed by Margaret Brennan for CBS
Tweet of the Week
Rising Leaders in the News
Alma Caballero (‘22) was named to the board of the U.S.-Mexico Foundation.
Mari Manoogian (‘21) was named to the Meridian International Center’s Rising Leaders Council and was named to the Republic of Armenia’s Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs’ 2024 Global Armenian Summit Advisory Board.
Keome Rowe (‘23) was recognized as a Northern Virginia 40 Under 40 honoree by the Leadership Center for Excellence and Leadership Fairfax.
Things to Know
Content Relevant to Aspen Security Forum Discussions
Melanie Burton and Renju Jose for Reuters: “Australia and ASEAN Call for Restraint in South China Sea, Ceasefire in Gaza”
Morgan Chalfant for Semafor: “U.S. Braces for Foreign Interference in 2024 Election”
Samuel Charap and Jeremy Shapiro for Foreign Affairs: “How to Pave the Way for Diplomacy to End the War in Ukraine”
Karen DeYoung and Sarah Dadouch for The Washington Post: “U.S. Announces ‘Emergency Mission’ Port Plan, as Cease-Fire Hopes Fade”
Brian Fung for CNN: “House Panel Unanimously Approves Bill That Could Ban TikTok”
Stephen Hadley and Celeste Wallander interviewed by Matthew Kroenig for Atlantic Council TV: “So What’s the Strategy to Confront Russia’s War in Ukraine?”
W.J. Hennigan for The New York Times: “The Brink”
Kaia Hubbard for CBS News: “Top Israeli Cabinet Official Meets With U.S. Leaders in Washington Despite Netanyahu’s Opposition”
Katrina Manson for Bloomberg: “AI Warfare Is Already Here”
Evan Osnos for The New Yorker: “Joe Biden’s Last Campaign”
Felicia Schwartz for the Financial Times: “U.S. Plans to Establish Port on Gaza Coast to Step Up Aid Deliveries”
Huizhong Wu and Christopher Bodeen for the AP: “China Raises Defense Budget by 7.2% as It Pushes for Global Heft and Regional Tensions Continue”
From the Archives
Revisit our conversation with Israeli Minister Benny Gantz from the
Benjamin Gantz, then Minister of Defense, Israel (current Minister and Voting Member in the War Cabinet, Israel)
Moderator: Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief, The Atlantic
Book of the Week
by Jim Sciutto
“The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 dawned what Francis Fukuyama called 'The End of History.' Three decades later, Jim Sciutto said on CNN’s air as the Ukraine war began, that we are living in a '1939 moment.' History never ended—it barely paused—and the global order as we long have known it is now gone. Powerful nations are determined to assert dominance on the world stage. And as their push for power escalates, a new order will affect everyone across the globe. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a part of it, but in reality, this power struggle impacts every corner of our world—from Helsinki to Beijing, from Australia to the North Pole. This is a battle with many fronts: in the Arctic, in the oceans and across the skies, on man-made islands and redrawn maps, and in tech and cyberspace.
The Return of Great Powers analyzes a historic and visible shift in real time. It details the realities of this new post–post–Cold War era, the increasingly aligned Russian and Chinese governments, and the flashpoint of a new, global nuclear arms race. And it poses a question: As we consider uncertain, even terrifying, outcomes, will it be possible for the West and Russia and China to prevent a new World War?”
Featured Partner Opportunity
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The Bellagio Residency is an unparalleled opportunity for deep exchange among leaders from a wide array of disciplines, geographies, and backgrounds. Rather than a retreat for private reflection, the residency offers an opportunity to advance a specific project while participating in a vibrant community with fellow residents.”
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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.