The Cosmopolitics Edit
Evan Gershkovich's year in a Russian prison, an American foreign service office resigns over the war in Gaza and the China’s Xi Jinping woos American CEOs.
hi all: I’m starting a weekly roundup, which will include my take on the week’s top foreign policy news, some other stories that resonated with me and a few things I’m watching for the week ahead. I’ll also offer some lighter fare to enjoy over the weekend. Let me know what you think!
#I stand with Evan
Today marks one year since Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was wrongfully detained by the Russian FSB while on a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg. Gershkovich, who was accredited as a journalist by Russia's Foreign Ministry, has been charged with espionage and is currently held in detention awaiting trial, with his detention recently extended for three more months.
The Wall Street Journal and the State Department strongly deny the charges. To mark the day, the Wall Street Journal newsroom held a 24-hour public reading of his reporting by his colleagues and peers and dedicated a section of its front page to Evan with a large hole and the headline "HIS STORY SHOULD BE HERE."
The coverage included a letter from Gershkovich's family thanking supporters and highlighting the constant ache they feel and their hope for his release. I encourage you to read some of the WSJ coverage, which will give you a sense of the talented, curious man Evan is and how he is remaining hopeful throughout his captivity. Playbook Deep Dive podcast spoke with WSJ publisher Almar Latour this week about the inside story of the Journal’s considerable role in the legal and diplomatic efforts to free Evan.
The United States considers Evan and Paul Whelan, another American detained in Russia, as "wrongfully detained," but there's a call to extend this status to others, particularly Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist detained in Russia, whom I’ve written about here and whose family the WSJ features here.
On Gaza
Another State Dept. resignation This week, Annelle Sheline, a foreign affairs officer with the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, resigned from her position over the war in Gaza. In a CNN op-ed, she said credibly representing the U.S. as an advocate for human rights had become “almost impossible.” Her departure follows the resignation in October of Josh Paul, a senior State Department official involved in arms transfers, over concern about U.S. weapons being used against Palestinian civilians, and the recent self-immolation of an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force outside the Israeli embassy in Washington. There have been a number of internal cables on Gaza signed by hundreds of State Department and USAID officials through the dissent channel, a Vietnam War-era mechanism for internal protest. Officials have also challenged Secretary of State Antony Blinken during department town halls.
Where the public is A new Gallup poll finds a majority of Americans now disapprove of Israeli actions in Gaza. Approval has dropped from 50% to 36% since November. One particularly disapproving group of Americans recently left bags of manure in front of the homes of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in protest of the war.
Where the ICJ is After ordering Israel in January to refrain from any acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza, the world court added this week that Israel must take action to ensure unhindered provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance, including food, water, and electricity, as well as medical supplies and medical care to Palestinians throughout Gaza. Israel continues to deny it is limiting aid to Gaza and said it would offer new initiatives to expand assistance.
Israel’s diplomatic offensive During a visit to Washington, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant sought to smooth over tensions with the Biden administration after it allowed Monday's passage of a UN Security Council resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release without explicitly conditioning the two on each other. Gallant emphasized the importance of the relationship, saying “Israel shares 100 percent of the values and 99 percent of the interests with the United States.” That one percent disagreement is likely to come into sharper focus next week when another Israeli delegation visits Washington to discuss U.S. opposition to Israeli offensive into Rafah. Netanyahu canceled the visit after the UN resolution, but his top aide Ron Dermer and Israel’s National Security Adviser visit Washington to discuss what the US says are “alternatives” to the incursion.
Not a good look Photos and videos posted by Israeli soldiers of themselves toying with lingerie found in Palestinian homes have gone viral.
Let’s not forget the hostages Currently 134 hostages are still being held in captivity by Hamas. But in their daily newsletter, Jewish Insider rightly points out global coverage of the Israeli hostages has dropped off, as attention has focused on the war in Gaza. This recent New York Times interview with Amit Soussana, a former hostage who says she was tortured and sexually assaulted by her captors, was gut-wrenching and is a poignant reminder of the plight of the remaining hostages.
The heat up North This week Israel conducted its deadliest strikes in months in northern Syria's Aleppo province, targeting Iran's proxies, while also claiming to have killed a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. In retaliation, Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, targeting civilian areas for the first time, though there were no reported Israeli casualties. The increased violence has raised concerns in Washington and the United Nations, with efforts underway to restore calm and prevent further escalation. White House envoy Amos Hochstein has been workinjg been working on a diplomatic accord between Israel and Lebanon to stop the fighting and, ultimately, demarcation of the thorny border between the two countries. Despite these efforts, the situation remains volatile, with the risk of a broader conflict on a hair’s trigger.
Xi: China’s salesman-in-chief
On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping rolled out the red carpet for top American business leaders in Beijing, serving up a cocktail of charm and economic optimism amid simmering tensions. Sporting his best diplomatic grin, Xi wooed the likes of Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone, flashing promises of further market reforms and economic growth. As China grapples with its own economic woes, including a property market meltdown and dwindling foreign investment, Xi's pitch aimed to lure back wary investors while sending a not-so-subtle message to Washington: Let's make deals, not disputes.
Baltimore and the human face of immigration
The six road workers who tragically lost their lives in the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge Tuesday hailed from Central America and Mexico. They were drawn to Maryland in pursuit of better opportunities for themselves and their families and serve as a poignant reminder of the vital contributions immigrants make to our country. Their stories are those of millions of immigrants who seek to build better lives in the United States, often undertaking tough jobs that keep the country running while going unnoticed by many. As the Francis Scott Key Bridge is reconstructed, it is likely to be the hands of immigrants once again shaping its future,
On the Radar
U.S. headed back to Libya The Biden administration is poised to reinstate its diplomatic presence in Libya, a decade after the evacuation of the US Embassy in Tripoli amidst unrest in the North African nation. With a proposed budget of $57.2 million for FY 2025, the administration aims to establish a robust diplomatic presence in Libya, citing the need to counter Russia's growing influence on NATO's southern flank. Al-Monitor reports negotiations are underway for an interim facility in Tripoli to facilitate this presence. The reopening of a U.S. diplomatic compound follows the suspension of operations in 2014 due to civil unrest, exacerbated by the attack on US facilities in Benghazi. Initially functioning as a base for diplomats based in Tunisia, the facility will enable more frequent and extended visits to Libya, signaling a renewed commitment to US engagement in the region.
Haiti’s Barbecue speaks out Sky News landed an exclusive interview with the head of one of Haiti's most powerful gangs, and the de-facto head of a consortium of gangs that have seized the capital Port-au-Prince. Jimmy Cherizier, known universally as "Barbecue" told the network the gangs are ready for talks, but if any international troops or police move into the streets of Haiti he would "consider them as aggressors.”
Did the Qatari Royal Family Buy Favorable Coverage from pro-Trump media? A member of the Qatari royal family invested about $50 million in Newsmax, a pro-Trump news network, in exchange for favorable coverage, according to the Washington Post. The investment allegedly occurred during heightened tensions in the Middle East during the Trump administration, with Qatar seeking allies amidst a diplomatic blockade led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Despite denials from Newsmax representatives, leaked documents shown to the Post suggest senior leaders in the newsroom reportedly urged staff to soften coverage of Qatar.
Extreme sports the Gulf way The race between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to become premier esports destinations in the region is heating up, with both countries seeking the lucrative gaming market to diversify their economies amidst youthful populations. Saudi Arabia just announced plans to unveil the world's first-ever Dragon Ball-themed theme park, a 500,000 square meters space inspired by the iconic franchise with rides, 5-star hotels and fine dining. Not to be outdone, the UAE is also making strides with the development of an esports island in Abu Dhabii and high profile events in Dubai that pair extreme sports champions with luxury brands like Prada.
🍇 Grapes of nature’s wrath Oh no! Scientists warn that 90% of some of the world's traditional wine regions – from Europe to California - are at risk of almost completely disappearing within decades as conditions to produce grapes grow more unfruitful due to climate change.
Lighter Weekend Fare
📺Watch If you liked “Downton Abbey” or “The Crown” you will love A Gentleman in Moscow, the new Paramount+ series based on Amor Towles' 2016 novel about a Russian Count, played by Ewan McGregor, who lives under house arrest in a luxury hotel for more than thirty years. NPR media critic John Powers calls it a light series about dark things.
🎙️Listen Sebastian Modak, who spent the past year as The New York Times’ “52 Places” reporter, (possibly the coolest job ever and one that I definitely want) sat down with The Atlas Obscura Podcast to discuss the ups and downs of traveling for an entire year.
📚Read: I’m not always a fan of memoirs by journalists because they tend to be a bit self-aggrandizing. But two journalists for whom I have great respect have written books that stand apart. Hala Gorani, my former colleague and CNN anchor now at NBC News recently came out with But You Don't Look Arab: And Other Tales of Unbelonging, which details her search for identity as the daughter of Syrian immigrants. Another excellent book on foreign war reporting is No Ordinary Assignment, PBS Correspondent Jane Ferguson’s heartfelt look at her 15 years covering conflict which brings home the human impacts of war and why conflict reporting is necessary.
One and done! This was my first weekly new roundup. Please let me know what you think in the comments below!
Elise,
I don't know how I found your Substack (I think it was a recommendation). I have really been enjoying it over the past few weeks and I really appreciate your non partisan voice/work etc. It is very refreshing. Thank you!
This is a great roundup of the news stories that matter most. And introducing some lighter fare is much needed in our “everything is so important” news environment. Great job!