January 4, 2023
Weekly World News Update
2023 Forecasts; Russia-Ukraine War; Global Covid Travel Bans; Taliban Bans Women Aid Workers;
New Israeli Government Spark Outrage; House Speaker Votes
Quote of the Week
2023 Global Forecasts
What in the World Will Happen in 2023?” Richard Haass, Councin on Foreign Relations – January 3, 2023

Eight Wars and Peace Deals That Could Happen in 2023” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post – January 4, 2023

Five Things to Watch in 2023” Center for Strategic & International Studies – December 20, 2022

Looking Ahead to 2023 by Looking Back” Stephen M. Walt, Foreign Policy – January 4, 2023
Russia-Ukraine War: New Year, Similar Tactics
Putin Is Preparing for a Long War” Alexander Motyl, Atlantic Council – January 3, 2023



Ukraine Sees Signs of Russia Shifting Front-Line Firepower Away From Bakhmut” Alistar MacDonald, Wall Street Journal – January 4, 2023
Photo: RFERL
Heightened Travel Restrictions as Zero-Covid Ends
China Is Paying a High Price For Opening Up” Cindy Yu, The Spectator – January 3, 2023

Countries Split on Restrictions for Travelers From China” Shoichiro Taguchi, Nikkei Asia – December 31, 2022 


Photo: Reuters
Taliban Ban on Female NGO Staff Jeopardizes Millions of Afghan's Health
First Moves of New Israeli Government Spark Outrage
Netanyahu Unbound: Israel Gets Its Most Right-Wing Government in History” Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs – January 3, 2023

A Thousand Fires?” Michael Young, Carnegie Middle East Center – January 4, 2023

How Far Will Israelis Go to Protest Netanyahu's Far-right Government?” Anat Peled, Haaretz – January 4, 2022 


Photo: AP
The Vote for House Speaker
House Speaker Election Explained: What to Know” Emily Brooks, The Hill – January 3, 2023


Behind the Humiliation of Kevin McCarthy” John Cassidy, The New Yorker – January 3, 2023
Weekly World News Update is a collection of sources to help readers better understand what is happening around the world and the policy implications of these developments. Any opinions expressed in the above articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the World Affairs Councils of America, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.