Harold Maass, The Week: India's devastating new COVID wave
Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in India, with new cases smashing records daily and overwhelming hospitals. What's fueling the surge, and should the rest of the world be worried?
How bad is India's new crisis?
India on April 23 reported more than 332,000 infections over the previous 24 hours, the most ever confirmed by any country in one day. The day before, the country confirmed more than 310,000 new cases, breaking the previous single-day high of 300,669 set in the United States on Jan. 8, at the peak of America's deadly winter surge. This wave hit fast. India was averaging about 11,000 new cases and losing fewer than 100 lives per day to the virus in February. In contrast, India is now averaging roughly 2,000 coronavirus deaths per day, although fatalities probably have been under-counted due to a lack of testing on those dying outside hospitals. Deaths trail infections, so the country is bracing for a rising toll.
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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 28, 2021
India's COVID 'inferno': Why is the second surge happening now? -- Beatrice Christofaro, DW
Fourth wave hits Japan at worst possible moment -- William Pesek, Asia Times
How to Think About Counterinsurgency After Afghanistan -- Steven Metz, Defense One
Washington Is Avoiding the Tough Questions on Taiwan and China -- Foreign Affairs
How China Blew Its Chance to Seduce Taiwan -- Ted Galen Carpenter, National Interest
Vienna shadow play hangs over Iran nuke deal -- Pepe Escobar, Asia Times
Why are Middle East states selling off oil assets? -- Al Jazeera
Biden's recognition of Armenian genocide exposes Erdogan's weakness -- Cengiz Candar, Al-Monitor
How Chad's instability could affect G5 neighbors -- Cai Nebe, DW
Chad after Idriss Déby: Choice between stability and democracy? -- France 24
Will Russia's Risk-Aversion Keep It Away From Ukraine? -- William Courtney, RCW
The Ailing Health of Navalny and His Political Movement in Russia -- Stratfor
Scotland’s risky route to a new independence vote -- Alasdair Lane, Politico.eu
Scottish elections 2021: Are we stuck in an era of groundhog politics over independence debate? –- Ian Swanson, The Scotsman
Biden’s first 100 days: Too early to pass judgement -- Al Jazeera