Global leaders react to U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination; France ramps up security measures as the Summer Olympics kick off in Paris; Diplomacy continues over a potential Israel-Hamas cease-fire after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the U.S. Congress; and a Russian court sentences two American journalists. 

Mentioned on the Podcast

Charles A. Kupchan, “Biden’s Legacy: Major Accomplishments but Unfinished Business,” CFR.org

Linda Robinson, “Vice President Kamala Harris’s Real-World School of Foreign Policy,” CFR.org

“Politics and Protest at the Olympics,” CFR.org

Suzanne Lynch and Ben Munster, “‘Invisible’ Kamala Harris Struggles to Win Over Europe,” Politico

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/twnw/world-reacts-biden-withdrawal-summer-olympics-begin-gaza-diplomacy-after-netanyahus-visit   

The world reacts to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the selection of Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as former President Donald Trump’s running mate; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint session of Congress; Cyprus marks fifty years since the Turkish invasion that left the country still split in two; and Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli begins his fourth term in office.   

Mentioned on the Podcast

Steven Cook, “Netanyahu’s High-Stakes Visit to Washington,” CFR.org

Ross Douthat, “What J.D. Vance Believes,” New York Times

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/gop-election-enthusiasm-netanyahu-addresses-us-congress-cyprus-50-years-after-invasion-and 

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) wraps its seventy-fifth summit, pledging to keep Ukraine on an “irreversible” path to membership while concerns grow about the future of U.S. commitment; Japan hosts the tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting to counter China’s influence in the region; France struggles to form a government as party differences intensify; and President-Elect Masoud Pezeshkian raises hopes for possible change in Iran.   

Mentioned on the Podcast

A Conversation With Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark, Council on Foreign Relations

Emmanuel Macron, “A Letter to the French People,” Le Parisien

Pacific Aid Map, Lowy Institute

Ray Takeyh, “What Could Change Under Iran’s New ‘Reformist’ President?,” CFR.org

Washington Summit Declaration, NATO 

Sarah Wheaton, “Orbán’s Humble Pie,” Politico

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/nato-and-ukraine-beyond-75-japan-hosts-pacific-islands-frances-political-gridlock-and-more 

This special episode of The World Next Week features a summerlong feast of reading, watching, and listening treats. Deborah Amos, the Ferris Professor of Journalism in Residence at Princeton University and a former international correspondent for National Public Radio, joins CFR’s TWNW hosts Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins to discuss good reads they recommend, books they are looking forward to reading, and other entertainment they are enjoying this summer.

Mentioned on the Podcast

Bob’s Picks

Elizabeth Kolbert, H Is for Hope: Climate Change from A to Z 

Stefan Zweig, The World of Yesterday: Memoirs of a European

Carla’s Picks

Steve Coll, The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the CIA, and the Origins of America's Invasion of Iraq

Peter Pomerantsev, How to Win an Information War: The Propagandist Who Outwitted Hitler 

Deborah’s Picks

Jayne Anne Phillips, Night Watch

Nathan Thrall, A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy 

Additional Books, Films, Podcasts, Shows and More Mentioned on the Podcast

Books

Russell Baker, Growing Up

Ron Chernow, Grant 

Elizabeth Kolbert, The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History

Roy Stewart, The Places In Between

Films

Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel

James Bridges, The China Syndrome

George Clooney, Good Night, and Good Luck.

Alex Garland, Civil War 

Howard Hawks, His Girl Friday

Roland Joffé, The Killing Fields

Richard Linklater, Hit Man

Sidney Lumet, Network

Alan J. Pakula, All the President's Men

Peter Weir, The Year of Living Dangerously

Podcasts

Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart, The Rest is Politics, Goalhanger

Jon Ronson, Things Fell Apart, BBC Radio 4

Television Shows

Jez Scharf, Bodkin 

David Simon, The Wire

Aaron Sorkin, The Newsroom

Other

The Reckoning Project

“Watch the U.S. Stall on Climate Change for 12 Years,” Vox

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/twnw-special-what-read-summer-2024 

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.  

Mentioned on the Podcast

Amanda Chu, Kenza Bryan, and Lukanyo Mnyanda, “Global Glut Turns Solar Panels into Garden Fencing Option,” Financial Times

Ian Johnston, “French Voters Juggle Democratic Duty and Summer Getaways,” Financial Times

David Lammy, “The Case for Progressive Realism,” Foreign Affairs

Matthias Matthijs, “Pivotal Elections for France—and Europe,” CFR.org

Ray Takeyh, “Does Iran’s Presidential Election Matter?,” CFR.org

Sergey Vakulenko; Michael Liebreich, Lauri Myllyvirta, and Sam Winter-Levy, “Should Ukraine Keep Attacking Russian Oil Refineries?,” Foreign Affairs

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/france-iran-and-uk-hold-snap-elections-eu-pushback-chinese-evs-and-more  

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. 

Mentioned on the Podcast

Silvina Frydlewsky, Georgi Kantchev, and Joe Parkinson, “The Russian Spies Next Door,” Wall Street Journal

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/russias-secret-trial-gershkovich-eus-rightward-shift-boeing-space-and-more   

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. 

Mentioned on the Podcast

Rory Jones and Summer Said, “Gaza Chief’s Brutal Calculation: Civilian Bloodshed Will Help Hamas,” Wall Street Journal

Sorensen Distinguished Lecture: A Conversation With Cindy McCain, Council on Foreign Relations

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at:  https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/ukraine-pushes-peace-summit-sudan-catastrophe-israel-hamas-deal-crossroads-and-more 

All twenty-seven European Union (EU) member states vote in European Parliament elections with polls showing right-wing parties poised to gain more seats; the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrial democracies meet in Italy with a sizable agenda, including support for Ukraine and trade concerns with China; the United States prepares for an above-normal hurricane season; and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and partner exporters, known as OPEC+, extend oil output cuts. 

Mentioned on the Podcast

Europe’s Migration Dilemma, CFR.org

Caroline Kapp and Matthias Matthijs, “What’s at Stake in the EU Elections?,” CFR.org

Nicholas Vinocur, “An American’s Guide to the 2024 European Election,” Politico

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/european-parliament-elections-g7-leaders-50th-summit-powerful-hurricane-season-looming-and 

U.S. President Joe Biden faces increasing international and domestic pressures on his policy toward the Israel-Hamas war amid worsening humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip; Western leaders commemorate the eightieth anniversary of D-Day with Russia’s war in Ukraine front of mind; Mexico holds massive general elections that are likely to usher in the country’s first woman president; and North Korea tests new satellite and missiles.

Mentioned on the Podcast

“Mexico’s Next President Can Reset Relations With the United States,” The Economist

Shannon K. O'Neil, The Globalization Myth: Why Regions Matter

Eli Stokols and Alexander Ward, “White House Not Thrilled by Macron’s D-Day Invite to Russia,” Politico

Sue Mi Terry, “The Coming North Korean Crisis,” Foreign Affairs

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/bidens-gaza-dilemmas-80-years-d-day-mexicos-milestone-election-and-more 

Iran’s regime carefully vets candidates for new presidential elections after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash; Israeli leadership reacts to the International Criminal Court (ICC) request for warrants to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant; South Africa prepares for a general election that could contest the ruling African National Congress’ long-standing majority; and Taiwan inaugurates Lai Ching-te as the new president, aggravating China.

Mentioned on the Podcast

Elbridge Colby, “America Must Face Reality and Prioritize China Over Europe,” Financial Times

Virtual Media Briefing: Iran After Raisi and New ICC Charges, Council on Foreign Relations

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/irans-succession-woes-icc-angers-israel-south-africas-election-and-more 

Ukraine rushes to push back against a new Russian offensive in its northeast Kharkiv region; U.S. President Joe Biden invites Kenyan President William Ruto for a state visit, the first U.S. state visit for an African leader since 2008; London’s High Court decides on whether to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States to stand trial; and tens of thousands protest in Tbilisi, Georgia, after its parliament passes the controversial “foreign agents” bill.

Mentioned on the Podcast

Rachel Chason, “U.S. Threats Led to Rupture of Vital Military Ties, Nigerien Leader Says,” Washington Post

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/ukraine-tries-halt-russian-advance-biden-woos-kenya-fate-assange-and-more