Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- December 21, 2020

Zamira Rahim, CNN: What we know -- and what we don't -- about the UK coronavirus variant

(CNN)The United Kingdom has identified a new, potentially more contagious coronavirus variant linked to a recent surge in cases in England. 

The new variant is being called VUI-202012/01 -- the first "Variant Under Investigation" in the UK in December 2020. 

While scientists hunt for more information about the variant, its impact is already being felt. 

Multiple countries have now imposed restrictions on travelers from the UK. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Sunday that the variant was "out of control" and Prime Minister Boris Johnson chaired an emergency meeting Monday as his government tried to manage the fallout.

Here's what you need to know. 

Read more .... 

 Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- December 21, 2020 

New coronavirus variant: What do we know? -- James Gallagher, BBC 

Coronavirus mutation no reason to panic: virologist -- Alexander Freund, DW 

New COVID strain: Six key questions answered -- Al Jazeera 

The haves and have nots of the COVID-19 vaccine -- Al Jazeera 

Will anti-gov’t protests, Soleimani killing decide 2021 in Iraq? -- Sofia Barbarani, Al Jazeera 

China caught between a moon rock and a hard place -- Frank Chen, Asia Times 

China and Taiwan: What to Expect in 2021 -- Ying-Yu Lin, The Diplomat 

Five things to watch in Japanese politics in 2021 -- Michael MaCarthur Bosack, Japan Times 

Russia’s relative resilience: Why Putin feels vindicated by the pandemic -- Kadri Liik, European Council on Foreign Relations 

Corruption Cuts Both Ways in Russia's Surveillance State -- L. Bershidsky, Bloomberg 

Ethiopia's Hydro-Hegemony Has Arrived -- Michael Rubin, National Interest

Latin America's Lost Decades -- Luis Alberto Moreno, Foreign Affairs 

Mexico crime: Could this become the bloodiest year on record? -- Will Grant, BBC 

Trade wars to become currency wars in 2021 -- William Pesek, Asia Times 

Nuclear risks are growing, and there’s only one real solution -- Victor Gilinsky, Bulleting of the Atomic Scientists