May 2021 – The Diplomatic Envoy

The Convergence of U.S. Exceptionalism and Climate Diplomacy

May 8, 2021January 27, 2022 Judy Koren 0 Comments U.S., Diplomacy, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions, Biden

Politicians have long wielded American exceptionalism – the idea that the United States’ identity, values, and culture must be protected at all costs – for citizen mobilization throughout the country’s history. It has been used during foreign interventions, the war on terror, President Donald Trump’s 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, and, more recently, mass vaccination campaigns. President Biden now has an opportunity to arm climate policy with American exceptionalism to achieve ambitious climate goals.

2021 World May 2021 Analysis

Vaccine Diplomacy: Who is Leading the Race?

May 5, 2021January 27, 2022 Luisa Chainferber 0 Comments China, Russia, U.S., Diplomacy, Geopolitics, COVID-19

As countries across the globe are racing vaccinate their populations, vaccine diplomacy has now become a key component of geopolitics. Several countries such as China, Russia, and India are engaging in vaccine diplomacy. This new diplomacy tool will have a substantial impact, given the unequal global distribution of vaccines.

2021 May 2021 Analysis Americas

COVID-19 Exposes Labor Informality in Latin America

May 4, 2021January 27, 2022 Daniela Maquera Sardon 0 Comments labor, politics, education, Latin America, Coronavirus, COVID-19

For years, informal work has sustained nearly a third of Latin America’s growing economies. With the economic slump created by the COVID-19 pandemic, informality is a big driver behind the expected two-decade economic regression in Latin America.

2021 May 2021 International News Americas Europe

The European Union Lifts Travel Restrictions on Fully Vaccinated Americans

May 3, 2021January 27, 2022 Marie Diawatan 0 Comments vaccine, travel, U.S., EU, COVID-19

On April 25, the head of the European Union announced that American tourists who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be permitted to visit the bloc’s countries over the summer, reports The New York Times.

2021 May 2021 International News Americas Europe

Russian Troop Withdrawal from Ukrainian Border Carries Significant Weight

May 3, 2021January 27, 2022 Joshua Powanda 0 Comments Putin, Biden, tensions, Ukraine, Russia

The Russian Defense Ministry has announced the withdrawal of its troops from the Ukrainian border following a massive military buildup last week. According to Euronews, Moscow called for all troops to return to their permanent bases, signaling the potential end to a massive escalation of tensions with the West.

2021 May 2021 International News Asia

UK Declares China is Committing Genocide Against Uyghurs

May 3, 2021January 27, 2022 Madeline Field 0 Comments Genocide, U.K., Uighur, China, sanctions

On April 22, the UK Parliament unanimously declared that China has been committing genocide and crimes against humanity in the Xinjiang region, CNN reports. Xinjiang is home to the Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, and other minorities.

2021 May 2021 International News Africa

Chad President Idriss Déby Killed by Rebel Group

May 3, 2021January 27, 2022 Joseph MacKenna 0 Comments Africa, Death, President, AU, Chad, Protests

The newly re-elected president of Chad, Idriss Déby, was pronounced dead on Tuesday, April 20, after being attacked by Front for Change and Concord rebels (otherwise known as FACT). Déby, who was 68 years old, was visiting the front lines when he was shot. The details of the events leading up to Déby’s death are uncertain, with the Chadian Military and FACT stating different timelines leading up to the incident. CNN reports that FACT troops had overrun a military garrison, and Déby was shot while fleeing. The Chadian government has denied these claims.

2021 May 2021 International News Middle East

Hospital Fire Kills 82 People in Baghdad

May 3, 2021January 27, 2022 Shweta Parthasarathy 0 Comments Iraq, Baghdad, Fire, COVID-19, deaths

A massive fire at a hospital in Baghdad injured 110 people and killed more than 80 as officials are still searching for missing people. An exploding oxygen cylinder started the fire at the Ibn al-Khatib Hospital, an institution dedicated to serving COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms, reports The Associated Press.

2021 May 2021 International News Americas Europe

U.S. President Biden Officially Recognizes Armenian Genocide

May 3, 2021 Charleigh Stone 0 Comments NATO, U.S., Turkey, Genocide, Armenia, Bide

President Joe Biden has foregone the precedent of his predecessors by becoming the first U.S. president to formally recognize the mass killings of over one million Armenians as genocide. The acknowledgement comes over a century after the Ottoman Turks perpetrated the mass killings, and in spite of possible complications for U.S.-Turkey relations.

2021 May 2021 International News Asia

India Continues to Set Global Records in COVID-19 Cases

May 3, 2021January 27, 2022 Juliet Nangini 0 Comments India, Vaccines, Narendra Modi, COVID-19

Every four minutes, someone dies from COVID-19 in Delhi, India. Smoke from mass cremation sites covered the skies in a thick layer, as seen in CNN’s drone footage. On Friday, April 30, the country continued its streak of diagnosing over 300,000 new cases in a single day, the ninth consecutive day with over 200,000 total deaths. There is increasing evidence, however, that the death toll may be five to ten times higher than reported, partly due to the country’s large population of nearly 1.4 billion people. India faces a lack of vaccines, hospital beds, vaccines, and oxygen supplies; even crematoriums are struggling to keep up with the pandemic.