The Presidential Daily Brief

UC President Janet Napolitano Curates OZY’s Presidential Daily Brief

Today OZY welcomes a guest curator to share what she thinks are the most important stories of the day — Janet Napolitano, the former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and the current President of the University of California system. Napolitano joins a host of other guest curators including Bill Gates, Condoleezza Rice, Tony Blair and Gwen Ifill. Read on to get your news handpicked for you by someone who’s actually briefed the president. 

Arab Nations’ Help Crucial to Anti-Militant Fight

We shouldn’t have to do it alone. A strong international coalition is needed to halt the Islamic State threat that has gained momentum in Iraq and Syria. Given the number of Europeans and Americans who have joined the Islamic State and adopted its violent tactics, and who have the freedom to travel to and from the region, the United States cannot assume it is immune from this threat. President Obama deserves credit for his leadership in mobilizing countries throughout the world to quash these militants. But more must be done to get allies to take an active role in the fight and to slow the movement of would-be jihadists traveling to the region.

WSJ

Good Governance Key to Halting Ebola

Many lessons can be learned from the outbreak that has claimed 3,400 lives in West Africa. Chief among them is the critical role played by governments and organizations with the experience and means to make a difference. We faced more than 350 federally declared disasters during my time as DHS secretary, including the H1N1 outbreak, and I’ve learned that effective disaster response requires an all-of-community approach. Obviously, little had been done in the region to adequately prepare for an Ebola outbreak; now we must play catch-up. As the traveler in Dallas reminds us, Ebola is truly a global crisis and countries around the world must work to stem this serious threat to global health.

Politico

Secret Service Right to Review Security Lapse

As former DHS secretary, I respect the Secret Service and the importance of the agency’s role. For more than four years, I entrusted my life to Secret Service agents, and I would do so today. Those I worked with were terrific. That said, the recent security lapses are outrageous and unacceptable. The priority now is strong, immediate action to prevent a recurrence and to restore the reputation of the Secret Service as the premier protection agency it aspires to be.

WSJ 

California Governor Signs Sexual Assault Bill

This deserves a “yes!” I’m very pleased Gov. Jerry Brown signed a sexual assault bill requiring “affirmative consent” on California campuses, as well as a bill providing loans for undocumented students. Both measures are important to the University of California community. We adopted the “affirmative consent” standard across our 10 UC campuses months ago and aim to be national leaders in preventing and responding to sexual violence. The revolving loan program, meanwhile, helps undocumented students get much-needed funding to fill gaps in federal financial aid. 

LA Times

Deadline Looms for Hong Kong Activists, Dallas Ebola Patient Now Critical

Hong Kong’s chief issues ultimatum to protesters. (DW)

Dallas Ebola patient’s condition deteriorates to critical. (NBC)

Mass grave found in Mexico following teacher protests. (AP)

Haiti’s former dictator ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier dies at age 63. (France 24)

American parents of Islamic State hostage make video appeal. (BBC)