The Evening CSIS: First US Zika Case, China in Check, Hey Hey, My My & More

Good Evening,

Welcome to The Evening CSIS—my daily guide to key insights CSIS brings to the events of the day plus HIGHLY RECOMMENDED content from around the world. If you want to view this in your browser, click here.

First US Zika Case
The first known case of Zika virus transmission in the US was reported in Texas today by local health officials, who said it likely was contracted through sex and not a mosquito bite, a day after the World Health Organization declared an international public health emergency, as Reuters reports.

The Washington Post has a smart infographic on “ What you need to know about the Zika virus .”

Dive Deeper: In a new commentary published today, CSIS’s Steve Morrison says there is now a conspicuous gap between US and WHO policy approaches on the Zika virus.

China in Check
Defense Secretary Ash Carter today said the Pentagon needed to spend more money on hi-tech weapons to keep China in check—especially amid spiking tensions in the South China Sea, as Foreign Policy’s Dan DeLuce reports.

Defense News has a video clip of what Secretary Carter said.

Dive Deeper: CSIS’s Greg Polling authored a new commentary today: “ South China Sea FONOP 2.0: A Step in the Right Direction .”

Plus, CSIS’s Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) has all the latest satellite images, analysis, and resources regarding activity in the South China Sea.

Deployment
President Obama plans to substantially increase the deployment of heavy weapons, armored vehicles, and other equipment to NATO countries in Central and Eastern Europe, a move that administration officials said was aimed at deterring Russia from further aggression in the region, as theNew York Times’ Mark Landler and Helene Cooper report.

Dive Deeper: CSIS’s Jeffrey Rathke and Simond de Galbert authored a new commentary: “ NATO’s Nuclear Policy as Part of a Revitalized Deterrence Strategy .”

ISIS's Latest Stronghold
Today in Rome, nations fighting ISIS discussed how to prevent the extremist group from gaining a stranglehold in resource-rich Libya, though no one appeared ready just yet to launch a second military intervention in the North African country this decade, as CBS News reports.

CNBC’s Holly Ellyatt has a smart piece on “ Why we should worry about Libya...again .”

In that Number
5
The number of former US officials that Russia blacklisted today in response to the State Department’s designation of five individuals under the Magnitsky Act yesterday.
Source: Gua rdian.

Critical Quote
“If you want to be reassuring to our allies in Europe, you’ve got to show you’ve got a future plan.”
—Todd Harrison, director of the defense budget analysis at CSIS, on increased military spending to reassure US allies in Europe.
Source: New York Times.

One to Watch

(Photo Credit: Business Insider.)
Amanda Macias (@amanda_m_macias) is the military and defense editor at Business Insider. Amanda previously reported for Reuters and an NBC affiliate in Missouri. Amanda is one to watch for the latest defense and national security news.

Optics
BBC News spoke to King Abdullah of Jordan today about his country’s capacity to cope with the refugee crisis.

Highly Recommended
“ Does political advertising work? ,” from the Economist.

CSIS Tomorrow
Tomorrow CSIS will host Tina Kaidanow, ambassador-at-large and coordinator for counterterrorism at the State Department, for a discussion on how the US is adapting its approach, partnerships, and tools to address the shifting threat environment of ISIS, specifically the civilian and diplomatic efforts led by State. Register or watch live here.

This Town Tomorrow
Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., the US Institute of Peace will host President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia to discuss his country’s progress in security and governance over the last 15 years, as well as review the state of negotiations with the FARC. For more information and to watch live click here.

CSIS on Demand
Last week, CSIS hosted a discussion on developing resilience in northern Syria by working to build trust within affected communities. Click here for a recap of the insightful event.

Sounds
Stratfor released the February edition of their podcast yesterday. This latest edition covers China’s military strategy and explores how the world has changed over the past 20 years.

I Like It Like That
Eye-catching things in CSIS's orbit

CFR has a great new feature, “ Campaign 2016: The Candidates & the World .” Today they compare candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders’s positions on defense.

Smiles
“Hey Hey, My My. Rock and roll will never die.”

There are certain moments in the history of rock that almost defy description. February 27, 1991 at the Capitol Centre in Landover, Maryland (not far from my hometown) is one of them.

That night, Neil Young and Crazy Horse took to the stage and unleashed an unprecedented sonic barrage in support of their album “Ragged Glory.” I wasn’t there, which in hindsight is probably a good thing. I still have my ears intact. I’m not sure the people at the show do.

Young has said that he permanently damaged his hearing while mixing the recorded material.

Fortunately, video of the Capital Centre show was released on VHS as a collection of the ’91 North American tour called “Weld.” Remember VHS? “Weld” has never been released on DVD (why mess with something this raw and uncompromising by softening its edges…)

So enjoy this blistering rendition of “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)” and smile because you can control the volume while you contemplate Young’s lyric “it’s better to burn out, than to fade away…”

Feedback

I always welcome and benefit from your feedback. Please drop me a line at aschwartz@csis.org .