October 23, 2019
Weekly World News Update
Syria: U.S. Steps Out and Russia Moves In; Canada's Complicated Election; Democracy Around the World; A Boris Brexit Struggles; China Challenges; Global Economic Watch; Unrest in Latin America; and Enthroning Japan's New Emperor
Quote of the Week
" I'm not just an overrated general. I am the greatest, the world's most overrated. I'm honored to be considered that by Donald Trump, because he also called Meryl Streep an overrated actress. So, I guess I'm the Meryl Streep of generals. And frankly, that sounds pretty good to me."
-- General James N. Mattis, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, in a Thursday speech at the Al Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, in response to President Trump calling him an overrated general.
Syria: U.S. Steps Out and Russia Moves In

“ Lost in the Furor Over Syria: Alliances Are a Means, Not an End” Doug Bandow and Christopher Preble -- War on the Rocks, October 23, 2019
 
“ U.S., European Lawmakers Swipe Trump and Turkey in New Syria Joint Statement” Joe Gould -- Defense News, October 22, 2019

“ Turkey’s Crackdown on Kurdish Mayors Could Backfire” Umar Farooq -- Foreign Policy, October 21, 2019

“ Putin Is the New King of Syria” Jonathan Spyer -- The Wall Street Journal, October 16, 2019
Canada's Complicated Election
“ Trudeau Survived. Now Stop Pretending Canada Is a Diverse Paradise.” Cheryl Thompson -- New York Times, October 23, 2019


" Analysis: In a Race With Only Losers, Trudeau's Liberals Managed to Lose the Least" Richard Warnica -- National Post, October 22, 2019
Democracy Around the World
“ Why Democracy Couldn’t Prevent Radicalization in Tunisia” Georges Fahmi -- Carnegie Europe, October 22, 2019
 
“ The Survival of Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe” Slawomir Sierakowski -- Balkan Insight, October 16, 2019
 
“ Botswana’s 2019 Election: A Baptism of Fire for Democracy” Clarissa Herrmann -- Deutsche Welle, October 21, 2019

“ Why the Thai King’s Power Grab Could Backfire” Joshua Kurlantzick -- World Politics Review, October 16, 2019

“ As Indonesia’s Widodo Prepares for Second Term, Challenges Await” Kate Mayberry -- Al Jazeera, October 19, 2019
A Boris Brexit Struggles
“ Brexit: Another Day, Another Crisis” John Roberts -- Atlantic Council, October 19, 2019


“ The ‘Messy and Angry’ Prospect of Ireland Reunifying” Ed O’Loughlin -- The Atlantic, October 21, 2019
China Challenges
“ U.S. Trade War Could Impact China’s Ability to Manufacture Rival to Airbus, Boeing, Designer Says” Cissy Zhou -- South China Morning Post, October 22, 2019

“ C an Beijing and Hong Kong Rejuvenate ‘One Country, Two Systems’?” Brian Wong -- The Diplomat, October 18, 2019

“ China’s Worldwide Investment Project Is a Push for More Economic and Political Power” Amitrajeet Batabyal -- The Conversation, October 17, 2019

Global Economic Watch
“ How African Countries Can Benefit from the Trade War” Bogolo Kenewendo -- Real Clear World, October 20, 2019

“ Asia’s Remarkable Economic Transformation” Deepak Nayyar -- The Hindu, October 22, 2019

Unrest in Latin America
“ Chile’s Riots: Frustration at the Gate of the Promised Land” Patricio Navia -- Americas Quarterly, October 21, 2019

“ Unrest Erupts in Bolivia as Opponents Accuse Evo Morales of Trying to Steal Election” Anthony Faiola -- The Washington Post, October 22, 2019

“ Can Uruguay Resist Latin America’s Authoritarian Reflex?” Sebastian Sperling -- International Politics and Society, October 21, 2019

“ Mexico’s Murderous Super-Cartel CJNG Is Winning the ‘Narco Game of Thrones’” Jeremy Kryt -- Daily Beast, October 20, 2019 
Enthroning Japan's New Emperor