March 17, 2021
U.S. Agenda in Asia; What About the Quad?; Myanmar Ablaze; Altercations Across Africa; Syria, 10 Years On; and A Look at Vaccine Diplomacy
Quote of the Week
“We take this opportunity to warn the new U.S. administration... If it wants to sleep in peace for (the) coming four years, it had better refrain from causing a stink at its first step.”
 
-- Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, said in a statement to the U.S. on Tuesday.
U.S. Agenda in Asia
"America’s Partnerships Are ‘Force Multipliers’ in the World" Antony Blinken; Lloyd Austin -- The Washington Post, March 14, 2021

China, North Korea Top Agenda as Blinken Begins First Asian Tour” Frank Smith -- Al-Jazeera, March 15, 2021 

North Korea’s Message to Biden: ‘Refrain From Causing a Stink’” Choe Sang-Hun -- The New York Times, March 16, 2021 

Will the New U.S.-South Korea Deal Boost East Asian Security?” Scott Snyder -- Council on Foreign Relations, March 11, 2021 
 
"U.S. and Japan Express ‘Serious Concerns’ Over China Coast Guard Law” Rurika Imahashi; Andrew Sharp -- Nikkei Asia, March 16, 2021 
 
China and U.S. Appear Set for a Frosty Alaska Summit” Natasha Bertrand; Nahal Toosi -- Politico, March 16, 2021 
What About the Quad?
Our Four Nations Are Committed to a Free, Open, Secure and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region" Joe Biden; Narendra Modi; Scott Morrison; Yoshihide Suga -- The Washington Post, March 13, 2021

"America’s Indo-Pacific Folly” Van Jackson -- Foreign Affairs, March 12, 2021 

"The Future of the Quad is Bright” Jeff Smith -- Real Clear World, March 11, 2021 

A Story for Quad” The Indian Express, March 15, 2021 
 
Quad Summit 2021: Why is China Rattled?” Shashi Asthana -- Modern Diplomacy, March 15, 2021 
Myanmar Ablaze
Altercations Across Africa
Fear and Loathing in Senegal” Abdoulaye Ndiaye -- Project Syndicate, March 15, 2021 

"When Will the World Respond to Jihadi Violence in Africa?" Lela Gilbert -- Newsweek, March 17, 2021
 
U.S. Will Not Resume Assistance to Ethiopia for Most Security Programs” Daphne Psaledakis -- Reuters, March 13, 2021 
 
Gunmen Kill at Least 58 in Attack on Niger Market Sellers” Dalatou Mamane -- The Associated Press, March 16, 2021 
 
“The Promises and Perils of Africa’s Digital Revolution” Nathaniel Allen -- The Brookings Institute, March 11, 2021  
Syria, 10 Years On
Biden leaves Syria on Back Burner as War Marks 10 Years” Elizabeth Hagedorn -- Al-Monitor, March 15, 2021  
 
Ten Years of War Have Broken Syria Into Pieces” The Economist, March 13, 2021 
 
"After Ten Years of War, Conflict Still Paralyses Syria” International Crisis Group, March 15, 2021 
 
Turkey, Russia, Qatar to Push for Political Resolution in Syria” Maher Chmaytelli; Tuvan Gumrukcu; Tom Balmforth -- Reuters, March 11, 2021 

"An Entire Archive of Our Life.’ Saving the Record of Syria’s War” Frederick Deknatel -- World Politics Review, March 15, 2021 
A Look at Vaccine Diplomacy
Beijing Hasn’t Won the Soft-Power Stakes, but It Has an Early Lead” Yanzhong Huang -- Foreign Affairs, March 13, 2021 

How Many of America’s Coronavirus Deaths Were Unnecessary?” Graham Allison -- The National Interest, March 12, 2021  
 
EU’s UK Ambassador Denies ‘Vaccine Nationalism’ Amid Export Row” Andrew McDonald – Politico, March 11, 2021 
 
AstraZeneca Concerns Throw Europe’s Vaccine Rollout Into Deeper Disarray” Jason Horowitz -- The New York Times, March 15, 2021 
 
Africa CDC Reviewing Use of AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine” Anna Edwards Janice Kew -- Bloomberg, March 16, 2021