China and Argentina

November 17, 2023 - The Biden-Xi meeting and Argentina's election on Sunday

Nov 17, 2023

Happy birthday dear Robin! 🥳

FYI, we’ll send out an abbreviated newsletter next Wednesday, instead of Friday - it’s Thanksgiving in the US.

No column this week. Just didn’t have it in me. (Yeah, sorry couldn’t come up with a clever title either….) I did jot down some thoughts about this week’s APEC meeting and Sunday’s elections in Argentina. — Elmira

The leaders of the two largest economies met this week. US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) taking place in San Francisco. It’s the first meeting in over a year; the second meeting for Biden since he became president.

Expectations for the meeting were low. The two leaders agreed to resume military contacts, which had been cut off following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022. They also agreed to crack down on companies that produce the chemicals that go into fentanyl; companies that are largely in China, expand exchanges in education, business, and culture, (Maybe we can have some pandas back?) and establish a “dialogue” on artificial intelligence. The biggest takeaway: Xi indicated that while Taiwan was important to China, there were no immediate plans to invade the island. 😰

Overall, the summit helped bring the two powers back to the table and talk, which in the world of foreign policy, is always a win. Both leaders appear to understand that while each wants to reign supreme, they need one another. Ah, great power romance.

Fun fact: APEC's 21 member economies now represent 40 percent of the world's population. They generate half of global trade. They produce 60 percent of the world's goods and services.

Agathe Demarais breaks down why it’s unlikely the Biden-Xi meeting will yield results. She breaks down both sides’ perspectives – and what each has to gain. (Foreign Policy)
What is APEC? Colleen Long and Aamer Madhani explain. (The Diplomat)
When Biden meets Xi, he should press China’s leader on human rights, says Elaine Pearson. But, as she points out, Biden’s record on human rights is mixed (to say the least). (HRW)

Argentina elections

Argentinians head to the polls this weekend for the second round of presidential elections. With inflation at 140 percent, well, they ain’t happy. It would make sense that they would vote out the incumbent responsible. In this case, it literally is the person responsible, the Economic Minister Sergio Massa. Massa is a member of the ruling leftist Peronists, a party created by Juan Perón in the 1940s. Yes, his wife was don’t-cry-for-me Evita.

Yet, Massa’s rival, Javier Milei, has raised concerns among Argentines. A former shock jock and rock musician, Milei, who calls himself an “anarcho-capitalist,” is a far-right libertarian. He denies climate change and has said that between the state and mafia, he would chose the mafia. 👀 In that vein, he would not only scale back gun regulations, but swap out the country’s currency, the peso for the US dollar and look to abolish the central bank. Ecuador, Panama, El Salvador, Zimbabwe, and a number of US territories use the dollar. On Sunday, Argentines will decide whether they’ll opt for the candidate that would like the country to join them.

For a serious lo-down on Sunday’s election, Jordana Timerman, who writes the Latin America Daily Briefing, has you covered. This one will be a nail-biter. (Latin America Daily Briefing)
Javier Milei and Peronist Sergio Massa have used AI to promote themselves and attack one another. Lucía Cholakian Herrera and Jack Nicas wonder: is this the first AI election? (NYT)
Argentina holds runoff elections this Sunday. Verónica Gago and Luci Cavallero explain how ‘feminist politicization’ is slowing far-right momentum ahead of the runoff. (NACLA)

On our radar...

Israel-Palestine

Israel has surrounded Al Shifa hospital in Gaza. The country claims, backed by US intelligence, that Hamas uses it for military operations. Under the Geneva Convention, hospitals come under special protection. Who is violating international law? Sarah Yager joined Steve Cook and David Scheffer to discuss. (CFR)
Palestinians are being asked to condemn Hamas. That’s a trap, argue Nicki Kattoura and Geo Maher. “It’s designed to ensnare the already condemned.” (Middle East Eye)
When Palestinians tell the world what is happening to them they shouldn’t have to provide “proof” or be met with disbelief, especially in the West, says Yara Hawari. (The Guardian)
In Gaza and Israel, a foreign passport is a golden ticket to safe escape. Yet, as Lisa Goldman points out, many holding that ticket are opting to stay. They include doctors and journalists. (New Lines)
Hamas took 240 hostages from Israel. Holly Yan, Katherine Grise, and Gabe Cohen talk to the families of victims at a march in DC. (CNN)
Listen: What do Palestinians think of their leaders? Not what you think, says Amaney Jamal. (Foreign Affairs)

Technology and the war

AI fakes are widespread in the war between Israel and Hamas. How can you spot a fake? Ines Eisele and Uta Steinwehr teamed up to make a guide to help us spot what’s real and what’s not. (DW)
How effective are social media platforms at combating disinformation regarding the war in Gaza? 👀 Not very, says Mona Shtaya. Meta, in particular, makes it harder for people to access Palestinian content. (Middle East Institute)

Africa

Gender inequality is a reality worldwide. In Nigeria, the struggles women face, particularly when it comes to violence, are rooted in inadequate laws, writes Oluwabukola Adimula. (International Policy Digest)

The war in Sudan continues. Seven months on, millions have been displaced and mass killings persist. There is fear of a genocide of the Massalit tribe in the Darfur region. Mallory Moench outlines ways we can take action. (Time)

Asia

Since the start of the month, Pakistan has been deporting Afghans illegally living in the country. Susan Hutchinson argues that the West shares the blame for the plight of 1.7 million Afghans. (The Conversation)

As China expands militarily, there is concern about its nuclear arsenal. The US is engaged in arms control talks with Beijing. Except, it is expanding its own stockpile. If the US wants China to negotiate, it has to address the country’s concerns, says Asma Khalid. (South China Morning Post)

The Americas

As Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador enters the final year of his term, what will his legacy be? Lila Abed, Arturo Sarukhan, Omar García-Ponce, Rodrigo Abud, and Alejandro Diaz Dominguez discuss his ability to maintain approval ratings despite leaving campaign promises unfulfilled. (The Dialogue)

Europe

David Cameron is back…as the UK’s 17th foreign secretary in seven years. Bronwen Maddox suggests that Cameron will have to navigate a few obstacles, including his stance on Brexit and his relationship with China, to prove himself for the position. (Chatham House)

Imogen West-Knights is not impressed with Cameron’s return. (Slate) Frankly, neither are we.

A volcano is expected to erupt in Iceland. 😳 Juliana Kim reports. (NPR) Remember Eyjafjallajökull - Elmira does! She got stuck in London.

How are Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines holding up as the war with Russia wages on? Katie Livingstone weighs in, noting both fatigue and determination within the ranks. (Byline Supplement)

In 2022, Ukraine forced Russian troops to withdraw from Kyiv and Kherson. This year isn’t looking so good for Ukraine – economic shifts have benefited Russia, while Ukraine faces challenges. Yulia Latynina explains the war's political impact, amid a stalemate. (The Hill)

Middle East

While the world watches Israel in Gaza, the US is conducting airstrikes on Iranian-backed targets in Syria. Nadine Yousif has more. (BBC)

Nine years after ISIS committed genocide against the Yazidi community in Iraq, survivors are still seeking accountability. Kinga Ewa Nastal on the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for past crimes. (Inkstick Media)

Science and Climate Change

Women are outliving men by six years. What accounts for the growing gap? Covid and increased drug use, says Lori Youmshajekian. (Scientific American)

The committee for the Loss and Damage Fund for COP28 has reached key agreements. Olivia Rumble writes that developed countries are urged to contribute while developing countries are encouraged to, causing concerns about the fund's weak financial commitments. (African Arguments)

Air quality in New Delhi is (literally) off the charts, and while the post-monsoon season has something to do with it, human behavior is largely to blame. Dyani Lewis thinks through potential solutions for New Delhi, and the world. (Nature)

Technology

China is not the AI superpower the world feared, says Nina Xiang. When looking at AI threats, one should consider the quality of AI innovations rather than quantity. Xiang points out that Chinese policy makes it difficult for AI companies to be authorized. (Nikkei Asia)

Do you like the way birds dance? You don’t want to miss out on this documentary on how birds flaunt their feathers.
Winter blues starting to settle in? Here are six tips for how to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder
National Geographic’s best photos of 2023 are out (are we really ready for best of lists?)
Why are people putting TOILET PAPER IN THE REFRIGERATOR? 🤔

Opportunities

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is seeking applicants for its 2024–25 Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowship.

In DC, The Emerson Collective is hiring a Director for its Migrant Host Community Stabilization program.

Refer a friend

Editorial Team

Elmira Bayrasli - Editor-in-Chief

Editors:

Pin-Shan Lai
Catherine Lovizio
Maya Scott
Emily Smith