June 23, 2021

Weekly World News Update

China: Trade Wars, Human Rights, and Security; COVID-19 Global Vaccine Distribution; Elections Around the World; U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Quote of the Week

“The tragic history of conflict need not repeat itself — but left to its own and our inertia it just might.” -- The United Nation’s top envoy for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, said Tuesday on pushing the Taliban and the Afghan government back to the negotiating table.

China: Trade Wars, Human Rights, and Security

"Biden Weighs Ban on China’s Solar Material Over Forced Labor" Kelsey Tamborrino; Gavin Bade -- Politico, June 21, 2021  “Biden Opens Sneaky New Front in Trade War Against China” Chris Miller -- Foreign Policy, June 22, 2021  “Australia Embraces U.S. and Pays Price with China as Trade War Hits Bottom Line” Mahalia Dobson -- NBC News, June 20, 2021  “Apple Daily Confirms Shutdown After Arrest of Editorial Writer” Michelle Chan -- Nikkei Asia, June 23, 2021  "Why Imran Khan Continues to Refrain from Criticizing China on Uighur Situation in Xinjiang Province" Firstpost, June 21, 2021  “Disinformation, Annexation, & Deterrence: Why the CCP Is More Likely to Subvert Taiwan Than Invade” Libby Lange; Doowan Lee -- Lawfare, June 22, 2021

COVID-19 Global Vaccine Distribution

“The United States Sends 2.5 Million Doses of Moderna’s Vaccine to Help Taiwan Battle Its First Major Outbreak” Jesus Jiménez; Annie Karni -- The New York Times, June 19, 2021  “Biden Administration Announces Plan to Share 55 Million COVID-19 Doses Abroad” Kate Sullivan -- CNN, June 21, 2021  "U.S., China Vaccine Diplomacy Crucial but Will Fade Away: Analysts” Viet Anh -- VnExpress International, June 22, 2021  “Third Wave of COVID Hits Africa” Martina Schwikowski; Frank Yiga – DW, June 17, 2021

Elections Around the World

"Iran’s Election Reveals a Weakening but Ruthless Regime" The Washington Post, June 21, 2021  "'Slap in the Face' for Macron as His Party Scores Poorly in Regional Vote” Euronews, June 21, 2021  “Embarrassing Defeat as UK PM Johnson’s Party Loses Out at Election” Alistair Smout; Elizabeth Piper -- Reuters, June 18, 2021  “Ethiopia Elections 2021: Abiy Ahmed Faces First Vote Amid Conflict" BBC, June 21, 2021  “The ‘Shadowy Figure’ Behind Peru’s Likely Next President” Brendan O’Boyle -- Americas Quarterly, June 21, 2021  “Armenia PM Wins Majority in Polls Despite Anger Over War” France 24, June 21, 2021

U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Trouble with the Taliban

“Taliban Gains Afghan Territory, May Seek ‘Complete Return Power’ Amid U.S. Withdrawal” Nick Schifrin; Dan Sagalyn -- PBS News Hour, June 21, 2021 “Taliban Captures Afghanistan’s Main Tajikistan Border Crossing” Al Jazeera, June 22, 2021  “Taliban Take Key Afghan District, Adding to String of Gains” Kathy Gannon -- Associated Press, June 22, 2021   “Afghan Translators, Contractors Fear for Their Lives Amid Taliban Offensives, U.S. Withdrawal” Martha Raddatz; Cindy Smith; Conor Finnegan -- ABC News, June 23, 2021