Stories We’re Watching

House Launches Broad Trump Corruption Inquiry, Senate to Rebuke Emergency Declaration

The House Judiciary Committee announced yesterday that it would request documents from 81 different individuals or entities as part of a broad investigation into President Trump. So far, the White House has responded that the requests are a political ploy to distract from abortion legislation. The Senate is expected to block the president’s declaration of a national emergency before next week’s legislative recess. President Trump is likely to veto the resolution, and neither chamber is likely to amass the two-thirds majority needed to overrule a presidential veto.

• House Judiciary Committee: House Judiciary Committee Document Requests
• Lawfare: When Is Impeachment the Right Remedy?
• CNN: How many Senate Republicans are going to rebel against Trump’s
• Vox: White House response to House Judiciary request makes no attempt to defend Trump

Hundreds of Daesh Fighters Surrender After Ceding Remaining Syrian Territory 

Yesterday, Mostafa Bali, a spokesperson for US-allied Kurdish Forces, announced that nearly 200 jihadists had surrendered from Daesh’s last stronghold in northeastern Syria. Bali confirmed that most civilian inhabitants of the territory had escaped but cautioned that hundreds more jihadists remain. Jihadist forces have increasingly retreated to areas along the Syria-Iraq border as US-backed forces have renewed attacks. Regional experts warn that eradication of the forces must coincide with transparent accountability for war crimes as well as economic reconstruction.

• NPR: ISIS Tries To Hold On To The Last Of Its Territory In Syria
• Reuters: Some IS jihadists surrender in eastern Syria enclave but more remain
• Lawfare: Accountability for the Syrian Regime: An Overview
• The Guardian: The caliphate is a hellscape of smoke and fire – Isis has nowhere left

China’s Parliament Begins Annual Session Amid Slowing Economy

China’s Communist Party launched its annual legislative session earlier today. The meeting comes amid slowing domestic growth and speculation over the terms of an imminent US-China trade deal. In preparation for the event, Chinese authorities stepped up internet censorship as well as detention of activists. During the opening remarks, China’s Premier Li Keqiang announced lowered growth targets and massive tax breaks. President Xi has faced mounting pressure from an ongoing trade war with the US, from challenges to China’s Belt and Road initiative, from fallout over Huawei’s alleged sanctions evasions, and from outcry over human rights abuses of the country’s muslim minority population.

• The Guardian: China warns of ‘tough struggle’ as it cuts growth target
• BBC: China economy: Beijing unveils $298bn tax cuts to boost growth
• Telegraph: China blocks internet searches abroad as Xi under pressure
• South China Morning Post: Six key takeaways from China Premier Li Keqiang’s annual policy

Trump to End Special Trade Deal with India, US Investigating Pakistan’s Potential Arms Agreement Violation

US authorities are investigating if Pakistan potentially violated an arms agreement in using American-made F-16 jets during last week’s dogfight with India. Pakistan has denied knowledge of the investigation. Tensions between the two nuclear powers have grown since a suicide attack killed over 40 Indian officers last month. Yesterday, President Trump announced in a letter to Congress plans to end preferential trade treatment for India. As it stands, India gets duty-free entry on up to $5.6bn worth of exports to the US.

• CNN: US looking into reports Pakistan violated arms agreement in Kashmir
• Financial Times: Trump to drop preferential trade status for India and Turkey
• The Guardian: Kashmir’s fog of war: how conflicting accounts benefit both sides

EU President Warns ‘External Forces’ Are Targeting Upcoming Elections

Earlier today, EU President Donald Tusk warned of electoral interference by foreign agents ahead of upcoming EU elections. President Tusk called out potential anti-European disinformation campaigns aimed at weakening the 28-member bloc. French President Emmanuel Macron has also urged Europeans to reject nationalism and to protect the fragile European Union. European Parliament elections are scheduled for the end of May.

• Bloomberg: EU Elections Are Being Targeted by ‘External Forces,’ Tusk Warns
• CNBC: The EU has an important election coming in May. Here’s what you…
• Reuters: Ahead of EU elections, Macron unveils plan for “European renaissance”
• European Council on Foreign Relations: The 2019 European election: How anti-Europeans plan to wreck ICYMI

From Deep State Radio

PODCAST: LESSONS OF HANOI

David Sanger was in Hanoi for the failed negotiations between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.  He recommends the food, the US approaches to the negotiation not so much.  Apparently, leaving it to two megalomaniacal leaders who think they have the skill to land a deal that their negotiators weren’t even close to is a bad idea.  David discusses the trip and its consequences with Ed Luce of the Financial Times and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law School. Tune in!

Early Access
PODCAST: TIME FOR A TIME OUT FROM THE SAUDIS?

Jared Kushner is in charge of the US relations with the Saudis (among others).  How’s that working for us?  Is he the one giving the Saudis the thumbs up that they can abuse human rights to their hearts content without any consequences if they only accept his hare-brained scheme for Middle East Peace (which will never happen)?  Is it time for a new approach?  And what about the Congressional investigations into Trump?  Bibi’s indictment?  Brexit?  Ed Luce of the Financial Times and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law School join host David Rothkopf to discuss all this and more.  Essential listening.  Join us!