What Actually Mattered This Week: Chilly US-China Meeting, AstraZeneca Concerns, Foreign Meddling

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WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERED THIS WEEK

My thoughts on some of this week’s biggest news stories:

China and U.S. open Alaska meeting with undiplomatic war of words

US-China: most important bilateral relationship in the world, and among the most dysfunctional.

There’s zero trust. And very limited near-term prospects of improvement.

Major European nations suspend use of AstraZeneca vaccine

The Europeans are making a huge mistake suspending the Astra Zeneca vaccine.

Can’t imagine it lasts for long.

Russian Interference in 2020 Included Influencing Trump Associates, Report Says

ODNI Report on US Election Security this week:

Russia helped Trump.

Iran helped Biden.

China didn’t do anything.

Probably because Beijing realized there was only downside.

Both Biden and Trump are a problem for them, so all they end up with is blame/risk of additional sanctions.

TRUTHS, DAMNED TRUTHS, AND STATISTICS

Feb 2021. % of Americans who consider the following to the be the US’ greatest enemy today:

China 45%

Russia 26%

North Korea 9%

Iran 4%

Iraq 2%

Afghanistan 1%

US itself 1% (big if true)

Mexico 1%

-Gallup

THE GZERO WORLD WE’RE JUST LIVING IN

More from GZERO Media (subscribe here)

GRAPHIC TRUTH

 YOUR GZERO WORLD

"Pivot to Asia." It was the catchphrase floating around Washington DC's foreign policy circles in 2009 when President Obama first took office. And yet twelve years later, the Middle East continues to consume the attention of the United States' military and diplomatic efforts. Now President Biden is determined to change that, and to turn Washington's attention to Asia once and for all as he moves to confront a growing China. But according to Johns Hopkins University Middle East scholar Vali Nasr, President Biden's approach to the Middle East will have to adapt to the once-in-a-generation power grab occurring between Iran, Israel, and Turkey while Arab nations in the region increasingly lose influence.

For a longer, more in-depth version of my interview with Nasr, check out the GZERO World podcast. 

WORLD IN 60 SECONDS

What is going on with the AstraZeneca vaccine?

Why are people protesting in Britain?

Finally, did I read Jared Kushner's op-ed on the middle East? What is the Biden administration's approach to the region compared to his predecessor?

Find out in this week’s World in 60 Seconds!

Do you like what you’ve seen? Subscribe and stay informed. 

BECAUSE THE INTERNET

Coolest. Photobomb. Ever.

(by Rusty Escandell)

WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK

Last Chance U: Basketball

A Netflix documentary series

We normally recommend books and podcasts here, but anyone who wants to better understand the US today needs to watch the latest season of Last Chance U, the Netflex docu-series by Greg Whiteley. Its ostensibly about junior college basketball, and there’s plenty of basketball here to entertain the most ardent fan. The show follows the path of the East Los Angeles College Huskies from pre-season tryouts through the playoffs, focusing on the stories of the players and their coaches. But, like all Greg Whitely’s projects, including previous seasons of Last Chance U and his documentary film “Cheer,” it’s not really about sports. It’s about race, class, economic inequality, the lower rungs of higher education, and today’s winners-take-all American economy. Through the lens of basketball and junior college, it shines a bright light on an economic and political system that feels rigged for those on the bottom. For the kids featured here – many of them remarkable, with personal journeys that leave you both saddened and hopeful – their only real chance at success comes through the lottery of professional sports. 

DEEP THOUGHTS

“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.” – Edwin Land

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Ian Bremmer is president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media and foreign affairs columnist at TIME. He currently teaches at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and previously was a professor at New York University. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.