Monday Briefing | December 11
Huthi supporters attend the funeral of those killed during recent clashes between Huthi rebel fighters and loyalists of Yemen’s late ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa on December 7, 2017 | Photo courtesy Mohammed Huwais/GettyImages
Stories to Follow
Trump recognizes Jerusalem: Trump has officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This is a reversal of decades of US foreign policy, as Jerusalem is one of the most contested lands in the world. If and how it would be divided is a huge factor in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, since both sides claim the city as a sacred place of religion. Trump has stated that an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is a top priority, but many think this move will hurt the chances of that happening.
Yemen’s former president killed: On Monday, former president of Yemen Ali Abdulla Saleh was killed by Houthi rebels. For years, civil war in Yemen between the Iranian-backed Houthis and Saudi-backed forces have left the country in turmoil and led to a humanitarian crisis. Just days before his death, Saleh announced a switch in his support from the Houthis to the Saudi coalition forces, which was seen as a major breakthrough in working towards peace. Now his death presents a new obstacle for peace in Yemen.
US government shutdown postponed: On Thursday, Congress voted to delay the government shutdown by two weeks. Congress needs to agree on a federal budget, and now they’re running overtime to resolve their issues. Issues like how many Democrats want “a DACA fix,” the GOP wants to add more money to the military, and Trump still wants to fund a US-Mexico border wall. On top of all that, Congress is expected to work out a health insurance deal that keeps the Affordable Care Act from collapsing.
This Week in JPI
End of Semester Party | Tuesday Dec 12, 6-8 PM, The Half Pint 76 W 3rd St
We’ve had another great semester at JPI, and what better way to thank our star authors and editors than with a celebration? Come join us for the fun, food, and drinks tomorrow night!
Happening This Week
Becoming the World’s Most Powerful Woman: Angela Merkel and the Transformation of United Germany | Monday Dec 11, 6:30 PM, 42 Washington Mews
DAAD and Deutsches Haus at NYU present a reading by Joyce Mushaben from her new book, followed by a conversation between her and Christian Martin, the current Max Weber Chair in German and European Studies at New York University. Mushaben analyzes the factors that have contributed to the Chancellor’s hard-earned status as the World’s Most Powerful Woman.
Yemen’s Political and Humanitarian Crisis | Tuesday Dec 12, 5-6:30 PM, 255 Sullivan Street
A conversation with Professor of Political Science and International Studies Sheila Carapico, and Yemeni American political analyst Ibraham Qatabi from the Center for Constitutional Rights on the recent events in Yemen.
In Your Free Time
Check out this GENERATION WEALTH exhibit by Lauren Greenfield at the International Center of Photography. Her 25 years of work provide an extraordinary visual history of the world’s growing obsession with wealth. And admission is pay what you want on Thursdays starting at 6!
This Monday Briefing is brought to you by Alina Zheng.
