The politics of a pandemic: interview with Sen. Chris Coons

The Politics of a Pandemic | Interview with Sen. Chris Coons | GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

Ian Bremmer is examining the state of U.S. response and recovery six months into the pandemic. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) joins to discuss what Congress has done to provide economic relief to businesses and people impacted by the unexpected and unprecedented downturn, and next steps still to come. He also takes jabs at GOP Congressional colleagues who he says have "followed (Trump's) lead rather than science."

Bremmer and Coons also discuss reports of a Russian bounty plot to pay for the murders of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. Coons tells the story of 43-year-old Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Christopher Slutman who died in a 2019 roadside bombing alleged to be a part of that plot.

The two also dive into election security and the 2020 presidential race. Coons offers details of "The Biden Doctrine," what U.S. foreign policy could look like if Biden wins. He also discusses lessons learned from Sec. Hillary Clinton's failed 2016 campaign.

More from GZERO Media

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), speaking alongside Republican leadership House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), left, House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-MD), second from left, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), right, during a press conference at the United States Capitol on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
People in Damascus celebrate after the Kurdish-led and U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed to integrate into Syria's new state institutions.
REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

The SDF militia, which controls a vast swathe of Northeastern Syria, will integrate into the national government.

Filipino activists hold candles during a protest vigil supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte's arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, March 11, 2025.
REUTERS/ Peter Blaza

Philippine authorities on Tuesday arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his deadly drug crackdown.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford prepares to speak to an American news outlet in his office at the Queens Park Legislature in Toronto on Monday, March 10, 2025.

Chris Young/The Canadian Press via ZUMA Press via Reuters

In a major development on Tuesday, Ontario, Canada, suspended its 25% surcharge on exports of electricity to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. The announcement followed US President Donald Trump’s threat Tuesday morning that tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports would increase from 25% to 50% starting March 12. Ford’s change or heart prompted Trump to reverse course as well.

- YouTube

With recent tensions between Zelensky and Washington, how likely are the Saudi-hosted peace talks to yield real progress? Are we on the cusp of a nuclear proliferation era as Poland and Germany talk of acquiring nuclear weapons? Does Justin Trudeau's replacement, Mark Carney, have a shot of winning Canada's general election? Ian Bremmer shares his insights on global politics this week on World In :60.