Stories We’re Watching

Brexit: UK Brexit secretary & ministers resign, Pound hit by turmoil

Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit secretary and four ministers have quit in protest over yesterday’s draft Brexit deal, saying it will keep Britain in the EU’s sphere of influence for years to come. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the chairman of the European Research Group, submitted a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister. PM May has continued to defend the deal despite the growing backlash. Analysts warn that the backlash of draft deal could lead to May’s replacement. Financial analysts are warning that a UK recession and weakened pound are likely given the protracted Brexit struggle.

• Business Insider: UBS: A UK recession and pound-dollar parity are on the horizon
• The Telegraph: Brexit deal latest news: Jacob Rees-Mogg submits letter of no confidence and calls on Theresa May to ‘stand aside’
• Reuters: Highlights: UK ministers quit over draft Brexit deal, pound and bank stocks tumble
• The Guardian: Theresa May’s Brexit deal is best we can do, Brussels warns
• The Economist: The beginning of the endgame for Brexit

Saudi Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty in Khashoggi Murder, US Sanctions 17 Saudis 

Earlier today, Saudi Prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty for five individuals involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A Saudi prosecutor informed journalists that of the 21 suspects arrested in connection with the case, 11 were charged with the murder. Following the Saudi prosecutor’s recommendation, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced sanctions against 17 Saudi officials implicated in Khashoggi’s murder and coverup.

• New York Times: Saudi Arabia to Seek Death Penalty for 5 Accused in Khashoggi Killing
• Arab News: Saudi public prosecution announces results of investigation into
• CNN: Saudi prosecutor seeks death penalty for Khashoggi murder, says
• Wall Street Journal: US Sanctions 17 Saudi Officials Over Khashoggi Killing

Pence’s Asia Tour: Planning North Korea Summit 2.0 

Vice President Pence’s Asian tour continues today in Singapore. Yesterday VP Pence publicly criticized Aung San Suu Kyi for Myanmar’s military campaign against the Rohingya Muslims. Speaking at the EAS meeting earlier today, Mr. Pence conceded that the US would not require a complete list of North Korean nuclear-related assets as a condition for a  second summit between President Trump and Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. Mr. Pence further vowed that the U.S. would “continue to stand with our allies and partners to uphold the order that we helped build, and we will defend freedom of the seas and skies. This is especially important in the South China Sea.”

• Washington Post: Pence: Second U.S.-North Korean summit is deadline for a list of the country’s nuclear sites
• The Straits Times: Pence urges sustained sanctions pressure on North Korea
• Reuters: Pence says Trump to meet North Korea’s Kim in 2019; won’t allow
• Voice of America: Pence Announces US-ASEAN ‘Smart Cities Partnership’
• Wall Street Journal: Pence Calls for an Indo-Pacific Region Free of Chinese ‘Aggression’

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Israeli Political upheaval: Ceasefire Holds as Early Elections Loom

The reignited crisis over Gaza threatens Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s administration. Yesterday defense minister Avigdor Lieberman resigned, leaving PM Netanyahu with a one seat majority in Israel’s Knesset. Earlier today, amid the crisis in parliament, PM Netanyahu has canceled an upcoming trip to Austria. Several ministers have called for early elections given yesterday’s resignation. Analysts and regional experts are watching President Trump’s promised ‘peace plan’ closely as elections loom.

• The Times of Israel: Amid coalition crisis, Netanyahu cancels upcoming Austria trip
• Haaretz: Netanyahu’s top ministers call for elections after defense chief’s resignation
• The Economist: An election looms in Israel
• Haaretz: Defense Minister Resigns, Firing First Salvo of Israeli Elections
• Israel Today: Widespread Anger in Israel After Ceasefire With Hamas

Can we cancel Facebook already!? Giant admits to massive coverup, affecting 2.7B users globally

Facebook has come under fire recently for its role in spreading misinformation, gross negligence, denials, and dissemblance. Policy analysts point to its role in the Rohingya genocide, October 2018’s massive hack of 30 million accounts, and the recent breach that exposed 81,000 private messages. Now, it’s under attack for ignoring and then trying to cover up security breaches. An investigative report by the New York Times details Facebook’s hiring of a partisan political research firm to spread a conspiracy theory about its critics–the same critics who highlighted the role of election interference in 2016.

• The Guardian: Facebook hate speech exploded in Myanmar during Rohingya crisis
• Gizmodo: Facebook Promoted Anti-Soros Conspiracy Theory to Counter Critics of Its Garbage Platform: Report
• New York Times: Delay, Deny and Deflect: How Facebook’s Leaders Fought Through Crisis
• BBC: Private messages from 81,000 hacked Facebook accounts for sale

Global Oil Prices: Peak Demand or OPEC’s Market Power?

Since May 2018, global oil output has climbed by 1.8M barrels a day. Domestic US production alone contributes 1M barrels in growth. Meanwhile, global oil prices fell to $65 a barrel on Wednesday. Oil prices spiked in September and October. Analysts have warned of peak oil demand in the newly released World Energy Outlook 2018. But the issue isn’t simply oversupply; according to some industry experts, the main problem is that future demand isn’t expected to keep up with current and future supply.

• Oil Price: Latest Oil Price Slump Was ‘Made In America’
• Forbes: Why Are Oil Prices Dropping Sharply? Global Economy Forecast Softer
• The Economist: The oil price swings dramatically
• Wall Street Journal: Global Oil Supply to Outstrip Demand on Record US, Russia, Saudi …
• The Globe and Mail: Global oil market faces surplus throughout 2019 as demand slows: IEA

From Deep State Radio

PODCAST: WHO WILL BE PROSECUTED FOR THE WAR CRIMES IN YEMEN?

Yemen has become a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale of few others in the recent history of the planet.  14 million people live on the verge of famine.  Tens of thousands are dead.  And despite gestures in the direction of bringing the conflict to a close precious little progress has been made.  Who is culpable?  What is America’s role?  Obama’s during the early stages of the conflict?  Trump’s now?  Our panel including former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Dafna Rand, Yahoo DC Bureau Chief Sharon Weinberger and Georgetown University Law School’s Rosa Brooks discuss and consider what may happen next for the suffering people of Yemen. Listen 

ED LUCE: DONALD TRUMP’S BLIND EYE TO THE KHASHOGGI MURDER

It has been six weeks since Saudi agents dismembered Jamal Khashoggi on consular soil. Barely anyone believes that Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s strongman, was unconnected to the murder. The exception is John Bolton, the man running US national security, who says there is nothing to implicate MbS. If Mr Bolton is true to form, the jury will stay out indefinitely. Saudi Arabia is the linchpin of US president Donald Trump’s Middle East strategy. The last thing the White House wants is to distract from its plans for Iran. Continue

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