The Evening CSIS: Iran’s Air Base, Convicted ISIS Supporter, Life’s Been Good & 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. To subscribe, please sign up here.

Russia Uses Iranian Air Base

Russia launched a fleet of bombers bound for Syria today from an Iranian air base, becoming the first foreign military to operate from Iran’s soil since at least World War II, as the New York Times’ Neil MacFarquhar and David Sanger report.

Dive Deeper: CSIS’s Anthony Cordesman yesterday authored a commentary: “U.S. Wars in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen: What Are the Endstates?”

Plus, Chatham House’s Andrew Monaghan authored a new commentary: “Putin's Removal of Ivanov as Chief of Staff Is More About Rejuvenation.”

Convicted

Anjem Choudary, one of the most notorious hate preachers living in Britain, is facing jail after being found guilty of supporting ISIS, as the Guardian’s Jamie Grierson, Vikram Dodd, and Jason Rodriques report.

Disputed

Edgar Lungu, Zambia’s president, has been returned to office after securing a narrow election victory, but his closest rival claims the vote was rigged and has refused to accept the result, as the Financial Times reports.

As Zambia faces an electoral crisis, CSIS’s Janet Fleischman has authored a new report: Public-Private Partnerships for Women’s Health in Zambia.

The End of News Websites

In a new episode of CSIS trustee Bob Schieffer’s “About the News,” Recode cofounder Walt Mossberg talks about the future of news and publishing.

In That Number

2021

The year by which Ford will begin mass producing a fully autonomous vehicle, Ford Motor Company announced today. Source: Computer World.

Critical Quote

“One of the things we need to remember here is our first line of defense isn’t the American border, it is alliances and counterterrorism with virtually every moderate Arab government in the world.”

— CSIS’s Anthony H. Cordesman weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding immigration and counterterrorism efforts. Source: New York Times.

One to Watch

(Photo Credit: Twitter.)

Kate Nocera (@KateNocera) is returning to Buzzfeed to serve as managing editor of its DC bureau. Kate previously covered congress for Buzzfeed and POLITICO.

Optics

(Photo Credit: Seaman Christopher Michaels.)

An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter prepares to deliver cargo to the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during a replenishment with the fast-combat support ship USNS Arctic in the Arabian Gulf, August 12, 2016. The Eisenhower is supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

Highly Recommended

“Who’s Responsible for the Navy’s carrier shortage?,” by Mark Cancian via War on the Rocks.

CSIS Thursday

Join CSIS and the US Naval Institute on Thursday, August 18, at 10:00 a.m. for a Maritime Security Dialogue on the future of naval aviation, with Vice Admiral Mike Shoemaker.

This Town Tomorrow

Join the SETA Foundation at 12:00 p.m. for “ The July 15 Failed Coup Attempt in Turkey: Implications for U.S.-Turkey-Relations .”

CSIS On Demand

The CSIS Global Health Policy Center produced “ It’s Time to Listen: Young Women and HIV/AIDS in Zambia ” while on the ground in Zambia in April 2016. It profiles four young Zambian women who describe the harsh realities for young women and girls that fuel the AIDS epidemic and includes suggestions for how the United States can help make progress.

Sounds

On Violent Extremism has a new podcast on the relationship between women and violent extremism. CSIS’s Shannon N. Green speaks with Edit Schlaffer, founder and executive director of Women without Borders and Sisters Against Violent Extremism.

I Like It Like That

The WSJ is offering guest passes …

Smiles

Since we are talking about monster guitarists jamming “Live From Daryl’s House,”—how about a blast from Joe Walsh? Yes, life’s been good…

Feedback

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