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Dr. Kurt Campbell: The Critical, Crucial Member In the Quad is India

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Washington, DC – During an event hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) today, White House National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Dr. Kurt Campbell said he was “very bullish about the future with India.” In a discussion on ‘Beyond AUKUS and the Quad: What’s Next for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy’, Campbell stressed the importance of India, who is the only Quad member who is not a formal US treaty ally.

“I think we all recognize the critical, crucial member in the Quad is India. We are determined to do what we can, in the bilateral context, to build relations,” said Campbell. He added that the origins of a closer partnership between the US and India began in the Bush administration and that people to people connectivity between the two nations has really manifested much more clearly in a bipartisan way over a succession of administrations.

Successive US administrations have recognized that “a key fulcrum player on the global stage in the 21st century will be India,” commented Campbell. “The broad sweep of history has brought us together.”

“This is a moment for thinking creatively and strategically about what’s possible” between the U.S. and India, said Campbell.

The consensus of the four members of the Quad is that it is appropriate to be considered as an informal gathering, said Campbell, adding that they will not be taking steps in the near term to institutionalize. Campbell emphasized that the Quad is actually about promoting the common good, and “It is about deliverables that are of interest to the peoples of the Indo-Pacific.”

President Biden hosted the first in person Quad Leaders Summit on September 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. The leaders underscored their dedication towards working with ASEAN and its member states—the heart of the Indo-Pacific region—in practical and inclusive ways. The Quad committed to donating 1.2 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, establishing a semiconductor supply-chain initiative, forming a green-shipping network, establishing a clean-hydrogen partnership, and launched a Quad fellowship that will sponsor 100 students per year—25 from each Quad country—to pursue masters and doctoral degrees at leading STEM graduate universities in the United States. The leaders discussed a common approach to emerging technologies, cyber security and addressing the challenge of climate change. They agreed to “closely coordinate our diplomatic, economic, and human-rights policies towards Afghanistan and will deepen our counter-terrorism and humanitarian cooperation in the months ahead in accordance with UNSCR 2593.”

The next Quad leaders summit will take place in Japan in 2022.

Local Music During the Pandemic

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Washington, DC -The inability of crowds to gather safely because of COVID-19 put the world of live music in a coma almost overnight. Musicians often receive the bulk of their income from live shows. Production staff, who are the foundation and the glue of many events, depend on those performances and events for their livelihood.

Now that restrictions are being lifted in many states throughout the United States, tour buses and tractor trailers can begin to line the loading docks and alleyways of concert halls, dive bars and arenas. As vaccination rates rise and concert goers flock to venues, an often less recognized yet essential class of industry professionals are emerging from the trenches: Local working musicians.

What does that mean? Isn’t any musician who gets paid technically working? The term working musician can be applied in many contexts. In this case it is the tried-and-true local performers, the gigging veterans, who fill the bars and restaurants with original compositions as well as songs people know and love. Live music is not only a vital part of defining the culture in a community but is essential to maintaining a vibrant nightlife that supports the local economy. “Music is the cornerstone of what we do [and] something we can’t live without,” says Rohry Flood, co-owner of Cult Classic Brewing, Kent Island Maryland. Once a grocery store, it is now a successful brewery, bar and restaurant that houses a professional concert venue.

Danah Koch is a Maryland-based artist on the front lines, playing the dock bars and main street taverns that line the eastern and western shores of the state. “People want to get back to life” she says, describing the general atmosphere. With turnout often reaching pre-covid levels, many patrons are returning with not only enthusiasm but a new sense of existential appreciation.

In the midst of hope and positivity, causes for concern are not being ignored. Ms. Koch, who had contracted COVID-19 and is now vaccinated, worries about a “false sense of security” among people. Conscious of the potential for bringing the virus home to family and friends, performing mainly outdoors is one way she mitigates the risk.

Also concerned about safety, P.J. Thomas, a musician based in Anne Arundel County, Maryland and Vice President of the Annapolis Musicians Fund for Musicians (AMFM), recalls a time when she wouldn’t hesitate to closely mingle with crowds and have impromptu duets with strangers. Thomas now emphasizes, “I’m always very careful.” Cautious, but not a cynic she trusts that “people are coming at this from a good place.” The AMFM has paid out around $200,000 in relief to local performing artists during the pandemic.

Despite legitimate causes for concern, local musicians and venue owners share stoic-like perseverance, laced with hope, which sets an inspiring tone for an uncertain future. “If we can survive this last round, we can survive anything,” says Flood with a thoughtful laugh. “Eternally optimistic” is how P.J. Thomas describes herself, and speaks with reverence about “love for one another among musicians.”

Looking out for each other and never hesitating to lend one another a hand is the hallmark of a successful music scene. The drive and passion artists have to perform is cyclical with the audience’s desire to experience it. In this sense, live performances are not just entertainment but enhance quality of life, a cycle that not even a global pandemic can break.

Secretary of State Blinken Travels to India

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Washington, DC – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on his first visit to India on Monday July 26. He will be meeting with Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Doval.

In a briefing on Secretary Blinken’s travel to India, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Dean Thompson said, “we expect the discussions to focus on ways to further deepen our bilateral partnership, which is very broad in scope, as well as increased convergence on regional and global issues.” Issues to be discussed during this visit include cooperation on COVID-19 response efforts, Indo-Pacific engagement, shared regional security interests, shared democratic values, and addressing the climate crisis. This visit also will discuss a potential Quad Summit at the Head of State level toward September/October 2021. Although some media reports have tried to divert the focus only on human rights issues, this visit goes deeper than that and has substantive issues of great importance for both countries and the world.

Afghanistan
On July 16, the US had announced a US-Afghanistan-Uzebekistan-Pakistan’ Quad diplomatic platform “focused on enhancing regional connectivity”. Commenting on “efforts to support a just and durable peace in Afghanistan,” in the briefing, Thompson said, “ All of Afghanistan’s neighbors and countries in the region have an interest in a peaceful, secure, and stable Afghanistan, which can only be accomplished through a negotiated political settlement that brings an end to 40 years of conflict. India, of course, is a critical partner in the region, and we welcome India’s shared commitment to peace and supporting economic development in Afghanistan.”

COVID-19
India has been hit hard with the second wave of the pandemic. Per the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been 31,411,262 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India with 420,967 deaths, reported to WHO. As of 19 July 2021, a total of 406,481,493 vaccine doses have been administered.

On working with India to overcome the pandemic, Thompson said, “We’re confident that through our combined efforts, including through the Quad vaccine partnership and the G7-plus vaccine commitment, we will be able to share vaccines – safe and effective vaccines – to the Indo-Pacific region and the world. We will continue to seek ways in which we can work together to save lives around the world, and bring an end to the global pandemic.”

Climate Crisis
The bilateral meetings will focus on climate change, however the US has been silent on the International Solar Alliance (ISA) promoted by India to increase the use of solar energy to fight climate change. Speaking on the “complementary strengths” of India and the US in tackling the climate crisis, Thompson mentioned the US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 partnership which was launched in April this year. He added that, “The partnership will reinforce our collective efforts to achieve both the goals of the Paris Agreement and our own ambitious 2030 targets for climate action and clean energy.”

“We look forward to further strengthening our ties with India to ensure a safer and more secure world,” added Thompson. “To that end, the Secretary and Defense Secretary Austin look forward to hosting their Indian counterparts for the annual U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue later this year.”

Secretary Blinken will have a full day of meetings in New Delhi on Wednesday July 28, before he leaves for Kuwait to meet with senior Kuwaiti leadership.

Biden Pledges 500 Million Doses of the Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine to Developing Nations

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Cornwall, United Kingdom – President Biden on Thursday announced that the United States will purchase half a billion doses of the BioNTech-Pfizer coronavirus vaccine which will be donated to 100 low- and lower-middle-income countries, “that are in dire need in the fight against this pandemic.”

Biden made the remarks after his meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of the G7 Summit in Cornwall.

Biden said that two hundred million of these doses will be delivered starting in August this year, and 300 million more will be delivered in the first half of 2022. This is in addition to the 80 million excess doses of COVID-19 vaccines that are to be distributed by the end of June.

“Let me be clear: Just as with the 80 million doses we previously announced, the United States is providing these half million [billion] doses with no strings attached,” added Biden.

“We have supported manufacturing efforts abroad through our partnerships with Japan, India, and Australia — known as the “Quad.” We’ve shared doses with our neighbors Canada and Mexico,” said Biden.

“And from the beginning of my presidency, we have been clear-eyed that we need to attack this virus globally as well. This is about our responsibility — our humanitarian obligation to save as many lives as we can — and our responsibility to our values.”

Biden emphasized the United States commitment to strengthen global health , adding that “in this moment, our values call on us to do everything that we can to vaccinate the world against COVID-19.”

Commenting that the US is not alone in this effort, Biden said that under the UK chairmanship, G7 democracies of the world are ready to deliver as well. There will be an announcement tomorrow by the G7 nations on the COVID-19 vaccination program and the effort to defeat COVID-19 globally.

Global Focus: COVID-19, Variants, and Vaccines

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Washington, DC – Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, it has continued to take a toll on the world.

This month India reported the world’s highest increase in coronavirus infections, leading to a shortage of oxygen and hospital space across the nation. The sharp rise in cases has been attributed to super spreader political rallies and religious festivals. Scientists are still examining whether a novel coronavirus variant – containing two key mutations to the spike portion of the virus – is contributing to the surge.

On May 10, the World Health Organization said it was classifying the B.1.617 variant – the Indian coronavirus variant identified last year – as a variant of global concern. According to WHO, the predominant lineage of B.1.617 was first identified in India last December, although a previous version was identified in October 2020.

“We are classifying this as a variant of concern at a global level,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on COVID-19. “There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility.”

Initial laboratory-based studies of limited sample size indicate that B.1.617 spreads more easily, according to WHO, but more information is required to determine how much of the variant is circulating.

The B.1.617 variant is the fourth variant to be classified as a variant of global concern, necessitating increased analysis and tracking. Other variants include the ones first detected in Britain, South Africa and Brazil. According to GISAID, B.1.617 has been reported in 50 countries so far, with over 2000 cases in the UK and more than 700 in the US.

Indian authorities recently approved a locally developed drug (2-deoxy-D-glucose or 2-DG) authorizing its use for treating patients with COVID-19. 2-DG was developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with the pharmaceutical company Dr Reddy’s. The government said it “will be of immense benefit to the people suffering” from Covid-19.

In a press release the Indian government said, “Clinical trial results have shown that this molecule helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence.”

However, health experts point to the paucity of clinical trial data on the drug’s performance, casting doubt on its emergency approval as a treatment for COVID.

Currently mRNA vaccines remain the most effective means of preventing severe illness from COVID-19. A new CDC assessment that finds fully vaccinated adults 65 years and older were 94% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people of the same age who were not vaccinated. People 65 and older who were partially vaccinated were 64% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people who were not vaccinated.

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, said, “COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective and these real-world findings confirm the benefits seen in clinical trials, preventing hospitalizations among those most vulnerable. The results are promising for our communities and hospitals. As our vaccination efforts continue to expand, COVID-19 patients will not overwhelm health care systems – leaving hospital staff, beds, and services available for people who need them for other medical conditions.”