.The New Yorker names "The Pope at War" by Brown University David Kertzer as one of best books of 2022. "This history offers both a masterly character study of a flawed, tormented leader [Pope Pius XII] and a cautionary tale about the perils of both-sides-ism" bit.ly/3Na94Q5

Jon Meacham, at ⁦Sixth & I⁩ in DC, talks with ⁦The Atlantic⁩ Clint Smith about his new Lincoln biography: “I wanted to explore the central figure.”

.Brown University @WatsonInstitute David Kertzer is deservedly in good company as "The Pope at War" is on longlist for PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld award. His "Secret History of Pope Pius XII, Mussolini, and Hitler" was the product of research in the Vatican Archives & far beyond.

Second half of this tv segment is an excellent discussion of Richard N. Haass argument in his new book about the need for re-envisioning citizenship. Domestic division is what has been keeping him up at night, he says.

.⁦Council on Foreign Relations⁩ President ⁦Richard N. Haass⁩, w/ ⁦Mary Louise Kelly⁩ in DC, talks about his new book #TheBillofObligations on state of American democracy, says until recently “we could to some extent take it for granted. We can no longer do that.”

A year after the start of the Ukraine, a fascinating , thought-provoking package of analysis from Council on Foreign Relations on.cfr.org/3kvF4Ee

Toby Smith, VP for policy AAU, says in US-China research security briefing at #AAASmtg “There’s a thought we [US] have a monopoly on scientific knowledge. We don’t.” He says safe collaboration with Chinese is key to US continuing to develop knowledge.

In #aaasmtg briefing on generative AI implications on science, NewsGuard co-ceo Gordon Crovitz says ChatGPT is the “greatest” potential source of misinformation yet. He says it is essential for humans to handle AI correctly. AAAS

Great opportunity to see actress and social justice activist Ashley Judd discuss responsible reporting on suicide at National Press Club lunch 5/9. bit.ly/3LzQnEZ

.⁦ashley judd⁩ addresses a ⁦National Press Club⁩ lunch to talk about the need for changes in how suicide is treated and reported. “You can pretend to care but you can’t pretend to show up.” She talks about the lessons from the life and death of her mother, Naomi.

. ⁦ashley judd⁩ spoke at ⁦National Press Club⁩ about the multiple unfairnesses after her mother’s death by suicide. Her family lives “with a form of public violence” due to the violations of privacy by media and law enforcement. “When one of us is hurt, all of us are hurt.

Today at ⁦National Press Club⁩ (and a special Maryland cookie) ⁦Wes Moore⁩.

Maryland Governor ⁦Wes Moore⁩ speaking at ⁦National Press Club⁩: Democracy depends on a fully free press. “Our country needs a free press” to set out truths, not myths.

In ⁦National Press Club⁩ speech, Joint Chiefs head Mark Milley praises Austin Tice and ⁦The Wall Street Journal⁩ ⁦Evan Gershkovich⁩ as brave journalists unfairly endangered by their work and calls for their safe release.

Joint Chiefs head Mark Milley, in ⁦National Press Club⁩ speech, says Russia’s attack on Ukraine is a “frontal attack” that must be repulsed. He praises Ukrainians and its ambassador to the US, who was in audience.

.⁦Jen Judson⁩, former ⁦National Press Club⁩ president, and ⁦CBS News⁩ ⁦Robert Costa⁩ listen to Joint Chiefs head Mark Milley in speech at ⁦National Press Club⁩ where he spoke of the need and ways to prevent future large scale wars.

“Too early to tell,” Joint Chiefs chair Mark Milley says in response to questions at ⁦National Press Club⁩ about whether Putin has lost strength due to last weekend’s challenge. Says situation in being monitored closely, including “vicious” Wagner group.

Reporting on today's speech and q-and-a National Press Club by Gen. Mark Milley, the The Associated Press says the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said there's an "ongoing" decision making process about what weapons the U.S. should share with Ukraine. bit.ly/3rb65A3

An exquisite story in today's The Washington Post about Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova--by an extraordinary writer, Sally Jenkins. She writes of the remarkable friendship, though ups and downs, of two sports, and human, icons. wapo.st/3NBQHnL

I've done occasional advance obituaries for the Washington Post and here's one published today marking the death of David Pryor, Arkansas's former governor and senator. He had a large impact on the state and beyond from the 1970s to the 1990s. wapo.st/4b5QaVs