Stories We’re Watching

Canada Allows Huawei Exec Extradition Hearing to Proceed, Huawei Prepares to Sue US Government

On Friday, Canada’s Department of Justice announced that it would allow the extradition hearing for Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou to proceed. Meng is being sought by US authorities for alleged sanctions evasions. China has repeatedly called for Meng’s release and has recently accused two detained Canadians of espionage. Meng has already filed suit against the Canadian government over her initial detention, and Huawei is expected to sue the US government.

• CNBC: Canada allows US extradition of Huawei CFO to proceed
• The Guardian: Meng Wanzhou sues Canadian government over arrest
• Reuters: China accuses detained Canadian man of stealing state secrets
• NYT: Huawei Is Said to Be Preparing to Sue the U.S. Government

Guaido Returns to Venezuela

Self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido returned to Venezuela earlier today. Guiado faced arrest immediately upon return due to his violation of a travel ban. Guiado had kept the details of his return secret, but since returning, he has called for massive protests timed to coincide with one of the country’s largest religious celebrations. So far, embattled President Maduro has yet to comment on his return.

• Reuters: Opposition leader Guaido returns to Venezuela: TV footage
• CNN: Opposition leader Juan Guaido returns to Venezuela, risking arrest
• Bloomberg: Guaido Heads for Caracas and a Showdown With Maduro
• Voice of America: Guaido Calls for Protests in Venezuela Ahead of His Return

US-China Trade Deal Nears, Xi & Trump to Meet Later This Month

Global markets and oil prices were up today on news that the US and China have likely reached a formal agreement to their ongoing trade dispute. Insiders expect Presidents Trump and Xi to finalize the deal in a summit later this month. Trade analysts caution that any deal must include structural changes on intellectual property disputes and forced technology transfers as well as robust enforcement mechanisms.

• Bloomberg: US and China Near Deal That Could End Most US Tariffs
• WSJ: U.S., China Close In on Trade Deal
• CNN: Trump and Xi could meet this month to end the US-China trade war
• Reuters: Oil rises on US-China trade deal hopes, OPEC’s ongoing supply cuts

Qatar’s Foreign Minister Claims Success in US-Taliban Peace Talks

Peace talks between US and Taliban officials in Qatar concluded earlier today. Despite positive remarks from Qatar’s foreign minister, regional analysts have expressed concern over the Taliban’s refusal to negotiate with the Afghan government as well as their refusal to agree to a ceasefire. Last week, Taliban forces stormed an Afghan military base killing at least 43 individuals. Countrywide consultative meetings which would have brought together 2,000+ Afghan politicians and tribal leaders have been postponed.

• CNN: Bolton: ‘No blind trust’ in possible Taliban deal
• RFE/RL: Afghan Loya Jirga Aimed At Discussing Peace Talks Delayed
• Voice of America: Taliban: Afghan Cease-Fire Not Part of Talks With US
• Reuters: US tries to safeguard Afghan peace push from India-Pakistan crisis

Kim Jong Un to Visit Moscow, Trump Blames Cohen Testimony for Collapse of Hanoi Summit

Yesterday, President Trump blamed Michael Cohen’s congressional hearing for the collapse of last week’s US-North Korea summit. President Trump had initially attributed the collapse to North Korean intransigence. Security analysts say that during the Hanoi summit, North Korean hackers continued to target US and European businesses in continuation of a massive state-backed cyber campaign. Supreme Leader Kim is expected to meet with President Putin in Moscow next.

• VICE: Michael Cohen implicated Trump in at least 11 different felonies
• Quartz: What Russia wants from the Trump-Kim summit
• The Guardian: Trump blames Cohen testimony for collapse of summit with Kim Jong-un

From Deep State Radio

NATIONAL SECURITY MAGAZINE: AMB. MICHAEL MCFAUL: THE VIEW FROM A POINT IN US-RUSSIA RELATIONS NO ONE COULD HAVE ENVISIONED

Five years ago, the Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine began.  That was followed by the annexation of Crimea, US and European sanctions and, soon after, by stepped Russian efforts to undermine the leaders and parties in the West that were opposing him.  Which of course, leads not just to Donald Trump but to Brexit and the rise of the right in Europe.  It’s a stunning turn of events…and events look like they’re going to be turning just like this for some time to come.  No one is better equipped to make sense of this and give us a perspective on where we are going than former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and professor at Stanford University Michael McFaul.  It’s a great, thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation.  Please tune in.

FP INTERRUPTED: BACK TO REALITY

Seems the honeymoon is over. Back in June, Trump and North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un were all smiles and handshakes. Trump called Kim “honorable” and said that he had a “great personality.” (Could have sworn Trump was more of a “looks” guy…) They wrote letters. Trump said they “fell in love.” CONTINUE

DEEPTECH: Y2Q, PROJECT DILITHIUM, & MORE
Quantum Computing Is Pushing Us Closer to Y2Q

Developments in quantum computing will render encryption useless and push us closer to a Y2Q doomsday scenario researchers warn. Cybersecurity experts already warned last year that quantum computing could spell the end of privacy. But, the stakes are higher now due to widespread computing advances and rapid hardware improvements. The problem is that technological advances by small research labs and quantum startups are outstripping both regulators and the industry at large. Over 20 years ago, the US federal government spent nearly $100bn to prevent the catastrophic effects of Y2K. Unfortunately, US authorities have failed to spend even close to that amount on post-quantum cryptography. Meanwhile, in China a research team built and successfully tested an intercontinental quantum-encrypted communication system in 2017. READ MORE