Turbulent U.S. Independence Day, Dramatic Arctic Heatwave, and More

Americans celebrate Independence Day amid a worrisome surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, a dramatic heatwave continues in the Arctic, and Hong Kong reacts to China’s sweeping national security legislation.

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Hosts
  • James M. Lindsay
    Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair
  • Alice C. Hill
    David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment

Show Notes

Americans celebrate Independence Day amid a worrisome surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, a dramatic heatwave continues in the Arctic, and Hong Kong reacts to China’s sweeping national security legislation.

France

France’s governance is at stake as it holds snap elections for its National Assembly, with the far-right National Rally looking to build on its success in the European Parliament elections; the United Kingdom (UK) has its own snap general elections with Keir Starmer and his Labour Party looking to end the fourteen-year rule of the Conservatives; Iran’s snap presidential elections could signal unity of regime hard-liners or glimmers of change; the European Union (EU) plans to impose provisional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles; and Ukraine strikes more than thirty Russian oil refineries.  

Russia

A Russian court moves judicial proceedings for detained U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich to Yekaterinburg for a closed-door espionage trial; the success of far-right parties in the European Parliament elections challenges the power of several incumbent European Union (EU) leaders; the Boeing Starliner "Calypso" spacecraft prepares to return from the International Space Station after delays; and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dissolves his war cabinet. 

Ukraine

Ukraine pushes for wider international support and endorsement of its proposed peace process at Switzerland’s Ukraine peace summit; the UN Security Council deliberates how to assist Sudanese civilians and de-escalate the civil war; diplomatic pressure builds for a U.S.-backed cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip; and Russian ships arrive in Cuban waters for exercises. 

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