We’re coming to you from Prague and Berlin this week, where Elmira has dived deep into the importance of gender in press freedom. Ironically, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who represents an administration that actively attacks both women and the press, is just next door in Poland. On his agenda: a summit on Middle East peace. Originally, it was meant to strong arm the Europeans on Iran. Nah-ah said the Euros. We ain’t gangin’ up on the Iranians. (You do that so well on your own…) Washington took note and pivoted. Still, the snubs poured in, namely from Federica Mogherini, the EU external affairs chief, and the French and Germans, who are sending low-level reps. We’re guessing that hurt Jared Kushner, who gave a speech about “peace” between the Palestinians and Israelis on Valentine’s Day. Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in attendance, swooned.
Sigh. Remember the days when the U.S. and its central European allies, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Germany saw eye-to-eye on most things? #GoodTimes. The current occupant of the White House sees the world much differently — as do the “strongman” leaders that have popped up in Poland and Hungary. All see walls and ways to keep the “other” out. They also see women as a threat. As a result, they have become targets, to be controlled.
Perspectives on Pompeo’s visit, along with thoughts on other items out of Eastern Europe:
- Poland and the U.S. hold controversial Middle East conference in Warsaw, reports Monika Sieradzka. (Deutsche Welle)
- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s plan to rival China and Russia by re-engaging with Central Europe could backfire, Emily Tamkin argues. (Washington Post)
- How should NATO react to Hungary’s cozy relationship with Moscow? Debra Cagan suggests it may be time for NATO to re-examine which allies get to be part of which discussions. (The Hill)
- So this happened: Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, announced that “any Hungarian woman with four or more children will no longer pay income tax.” On cue, everyone made this out to be a story about Hungary’s population and taxes. Hello people this is about strongmen controlling women’s bodies, as Afua Hirsch notes. (The Guardian)
- It’s not xenophobia that links the ‘new populists.’ It’s hypocrisy, says Anne Applebaum. (Washington Post)
84 million Nigerians go to the polls on Saturday to elect a new legislature and a new leader. On the ballot is the incumbent, 76-year-old general Muhammadu Buhari. He won in 2015 on a platform that promised jobs and ending corruption. Against him is 72-year old businessman Atiku Abubakar.
- Africa’s most populous democracy has the lowest proportion of female lawmakers on the continent. (Bloomberg)
- Nigeria elections: Eating, not voting, on minds of displaced millions in north-east. Mayeni Jones reports. (BBC)
The U.S. and China have been locked in talks over trade this past week. Trump and China’s leader, Xi Jinping, agreed to try to work out a deal before March 1. If they can’t, the U.S. will slap tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports.
- A U.S.-China trade deal is coming, but how big will it be? Kimberly Ann Elliott dives in. (World Politics Review)
- The WTO as a smooth arbiter of world trade is being challenged by the rise of China, Valbona Zeneli and Michael R. Czinkota argue. (The Diplomat)
- Asian markets were subdued as investors wait for concrete developments in US-China trade talks, reports Eustance Huang. (CNBC)
- Markets should take heed and realize the conflict between the US and China echoes Europe’s past, Rana Foroohar argues. Lessons of what happened the last time de-globalization occurred must therefore be noted. (FT)
Another week, another parliament rejection. Yesterday, British MPs voted down Theresa May’s negotiation strategy. Gulp.
- What’s next for May after latest Brexit fail? Jane Merrick answers. (CNN)
- Meanwhile, Karen Adler dishes on why EU leaders are not ready to budge on Brexit. (BBC)
- The Venezuelan government continues to deny the country’s humanitarian crisis, despite hyperinflation, severe food shortages and looting, reports Susan Schulman. (Irin News)
- Can the US get it ‘just right’ in Venezuela? Indira A.R. Lakshmanan weighs the odds. (Boston Globe)
- The crisis in Venezuela is not about the U.S., say Marixa Lasso and Tomás Straka. (Washington Post).
- This is an interesting one from Ana Palacio: What Venezuela tells Europe about Russia. (Project Syndicate)
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