Pyongyang is emboldened as the pandemic’s latest surge strikes East

(Originally published Jan. 18 in “What in the World“) As the Omicron tsunami spreads, enveloping South America and streaking across Central Asia, Israel is discovering that even a fourth dose of our current vaccines isn’t keeping Omicron at bay. Diminishing returns on current vaccines mean we aren’t vaccinated. Current vaccines don’t work against Omicron. So until we get a new vaccine designed for Omicron, wear a mask and avoid crowds.

The biggest risk at this point isn’t even Omicron, it’s public complacency and complicity in its spread. As more people surrender to the virus and shambolic governments like that of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson throw in the towel, carriers will abound and it will become more difficult for those determined to keep fighting against infection to avoid it.

Meanwhile, North Korea on Monday fired two missiles off its east coast, its such fourth missile test this month alone and part of rising geopolitical temperatures as the West’s adversaries exploit weaknesses exposed by the pandemic—a clear lack of collective solidarity, political willpower, supply chain vulnerabilities and severely inadequate public health systems.