Biden Visits Japan and South Korea, Annual World Health Assembly, and More

U.S. President Joe Biden visits Japan and South Korea, the seventy-fifth World Health Assembly takes place in Geneva, and Australians vote in a general election.

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Hosts
  • James M. Lindsay
    Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy and Director of Fellowship Affairs
  • Robert McMahon
    Managing Editor

Show Notes

U.S. President Joe Biden visits Japan and South Korea, the seventy-fifth World Health Assembly takes place in Geneva, and Australians vote in a general election.

 

Podcasts Mentioned on the Podcast

 

Sheila A. Smith and Scott A. Snyder, “President Biden’s Japan and South Korea Trip,” The President’s Inbox, May 17, 2022

 

James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon, “Finland and Sweden Talk NATO, Biden Hosts ASEAN Leaders, and More,” The World Next Week, May 12, 2022

South Korea

Impeachment looms for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose declaration of martial law spurred mass protests; French lawmakers passed the first no-confidence vote in more than sixty years, as the country is set to mark the the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral; Syrian rebels continue a surprise offensive against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after seizing the cities of Aleppo and Hama; and U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump threatens 100 percent tariffs on BRICS nations.

Ukraine

The White House authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-made, long-range army tactical missile systems (ATACMS) missiles to hit targets within Russian territory; the UN climate change conference (COP29) wraps up in Baku, Azerbaijan, where progress on climate finance has been notably slow; negotiations for a cease-fire continues in the Middle East, with hopes for an agreement between Israel and Hezbollah; and thousands protest for Māori rights throughout New Zealand.

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Why It Matters sits down with the hosts of The World Next Week to talk about what the United States–and a closely watching world–should expect in the weeks and months to come as incoming President Trump takes office.

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