The COVID-19 virus arrived in Latin America later than Europe and the United States, but it is currently spreading across the region, with peaks expected to come later in May. Brazil, the continent’s most populous country, has the largest numbers of cases so far. This week, the country’s Senate is expected to vote on an economic package for states and cities to compensate for economic losses. Kenneth Roberts, professor of government at Cornell University, studies political parties, populism and social movements in Latin America. 

International

Arts and Sciences

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On Wednesday, the U.S. government ordered China to close its consulate in Houston saying the decision was made “to protect American intellectual property.” Jessica Chen Weiss, associate professor of government at Cornell University and an expert on Chinese politics, says the Trump administration seems to be pushing the narrative of China as the bogeyman as a distraction from its disastrous response to the pandemic.

International

Arts and Sciences

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Sabrina Karim, assistant professor of government at Cornell University, studies police and peacekeeping in post-conflict states with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. She comments on the news that authorities in Nigeria disbanded a controversial police unit after citizens outcry about its abuses.

Law and Policy

Arts and Sciences

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Uriel Abulof, a visiting professor in Cornell University’s Government Department and a senior lecturer of politics at Tel-Aviv University, comments on the preliminary results for Israel's elections and says that country's polarized politics are keeping it trapped in a draw.

International

Arts and Sciences

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Political uncertainty accelerated in Bolivia after the ousting of once-hugely popular leader, Evo Morales, over the weekend. Kenneth Roberts says that the institutional vacuum is magnified by broader civil unrest in Bolivia and beyond.

Law and Policy

International

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Ian Kysel, Maria Cristina Garcia, and Chiara Galli comment on President Biden's significant increase to the refugee cap and efforts to reunite migrant families as part of the administration's immigration strategy.

Law and Policy

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All eyes are on Chinese property giant Evergrande this week as it approaches the deadline to settle interest payments on its offshore bonds. Will Cong and Robert Hockett weigh in on the situation and what may happen if Evergrande defaults.

International

Economics and Business

Law School

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

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Uriel Abulof, a visiting professor at Cornell University’s Government Department and a senior lecturer of politics at Tel-Aviv University, comments on the long-awaited Middle East peace plan that Trump unveiled on Tuesday.

International

Arts and Sciences

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Protesters in Thailand are accelerating their campaigns against the government by planning a rally in front of a key agency building on Wednesday. Tamara Loos professor of history and Thai studies at Cornell University, says that by picking this specific location protesters want to strike a blow to the financial basis for the king’s power and wealth.

International

Arts and Sciences

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Tamara Loos, professor of history and Thai studies at Cornell University, says that the Thai king’s treatment of Sineenat, his royal consort, represents one of the many reasons why protestors in Thailand have targeted the monarchy for reform.

International

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