The Evening: Gaza Takeover Plan, Panama Rejects U.S. Claim, Remedy, and More

Gaza Takeover Plan

President Trump on Thursday defended his proposal for the United States to take charge of postwar Gaza and resettle its Palestinian residents, but stressed that he would not deploy U.S. troops to the enclave, as Israel’s defense minister announced that he had ordered the military to draft a plan to allow people to voluntarily leave, as the NYT reports.

Plans to Cut Federal Health Workers

The White House is working on an executive order to fire thousands of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services workers, according to people familiar with the matter. Under the order, the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other health agencies would have to cut a certain percentage of employees, as the WSJ reports.

Panama Rejects U.S. Claim

President José Raúl Mulino on Thursday denied a claim by the Trump administration that the Central American country had agreed to eliminate tolls for U.S. government ships using the Panama Canal, as The Washington Post reports.

Executive Education

As the Trump administration pushes forward its policy agenda, Washington is experiencing significant shifts in power structures and bureaucratic processes. Join Decoding D.C.: Policy, Power, and People from March 24-27, 2025 for a guide to navigating the city's distinctive culture, policy dynamics, and political constructs. Register here by March 12.

Audio Briefs

CSIS now offers audio versions of our latest analysis. Listen to the latest Commentary by CSIS's Nicholas Szechenyi, "Prime Minister Ishiba’s Visit to Washington."

In That Number

4.5 

The Bank of England cut interest rates on Thursday by 4.5% amid signs of weak economic growth in Britain and an unexpected slowdown in inflation.
Source: The New York Times

Critical Quote

iDeas Lab

Despite a turbulent 2024 in the South China Sea, at least one constant remained: the China Coast Guard’s presence was ubiquitous but seemingly unable to impose Beijing’s will on other claimants. Read the full analysis here.

The Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab at CSIS enhances our research with the latest in cutting-edge web technologies, design, and multimedia.

Optics

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Dominican Republican Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez arrive at the National Palace in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on February 6, 2025.

Recommended Reading

“Prime Minister Ishiba’s Visit to Washington” by CSIS's Nicholas Szechenyi.

This Town Upcoming

Tomorrow, at 12:00 p.m., the Atlantic Council discusses water resources and strategies for interstate cooperation in Central Asia.

On Tuesday, at 9:25 a.m., the CSIS China Power Project, Freeman Chair in China Studies, and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics host a conference featuring leading experts debating core issues underpinning China’s power. 

Later on Tuesday, at 10:00 a.m., the CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) welcomes NATO Assistant Secretary General Angus Lapsley as part of the PONI 2025 Virtual Winter Conference focusing on strengthening U.S. alliances and partnerships.

Video

Yesterday, the CSIS Korea Chair discussed ways to enhance U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral energy cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, featuring remarks from Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK). Watch the full video here.

Podcasts

Noam Unger, director of the CSIS Sustainable Development and Resilience Initiative, joins the podcast to discuss the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and potential geopolitical or national security impacts that could follow.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

One more from Fire Aid LA. There were so many great performances. I loved when the Black Crowes hit the stage and proved that they still have the brand of rock and roll swagger that Los Angeles is known for. Turn this one up LOUD. If you want to support communities impacted by the Los Angeles fires, one way to get involved is thru CORE, the Community Organized Relief Effort. Co-founder and CEO Ann Lee will be interviewed on an upcoming episode of my podcast, Truth of the Matter. 

I invite you to email me at aschwartz@csis.org and follow me on Twitter @handrewschwartz