Stories We’re Watching

May Still in But Seeks Business Backing for Brexit amid Waning Political Support

In a speech to business executives at London’s CBI conference earlier today, British Prime Minister Theresa May stressed the economic importance and consequences of the Brexit deal as she called on British business leaders to back her draft deal. Some Brexit hard-liners have raised objections over the extended timeline. Brexit is due to take effect in March 2019, but PM May has signaled that the entire transition phase could be extended until June 2022, the UK’s next general election.

• BBC: May seeks business backing for Brexit plan
• Reuters: UK PM May sticks to Brexit deal as opponents seek formal challenge
• The Guardian: PM tells CBI: Brexit deal will set UK on path to prosperity
• Bloomberg: Leadership Challenge Threshold Still Not Reached: Brexit Update

Israel PM Netanyahu Survives Early Snap Election Threat

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has avoided the threat of early snap elections over due to last week’s resignation of Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s hard-line defense minister. Israeli elections are due in November 2019. Yesterday in a televised address, PM Netanyahu characterized his opponents’ actions as putting personal concerns over national. The recent flare up in Gaza, tensions on the northern border, and upcoming legislative agenda threaten to undermine Netanyahu’s fragile coalition.

• BBC: Israel’s Netanyahu survives early poll threat
• Wall Street Journal: Israeli Government Crisis Raises Fresh Doubts for US Peace Plan
• Haaretz: Top 12 Reasons Netanyahu Will Lose the Upcoming Early Elections
• CNN: Netanyahu warns early elections in Israel would be ‘irresponsible’

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US President Criticizes Retired Admiral Who Led bin Laden Raid

Over the weekend, President Trump criticized retired Adm. William McRaven, the admiral who led the bin Laden raid, as a “Hillary Clinton backer” and criticized the US military for not having killed Bin Laden sooner. Retired Adm. McRaven had previously called President Trump’s attack on the press the single biggest threat to democracy in his lifetime. Despite criticism from members of his own party, the GOP defended the president’s rebuke on Twitter earlier today. Analysts and insiders worry of increasing politicization of the US armed forces.

• The Hill: Rubio praises McRaven after Trump criticism: ‘Few Americans have
• CNN: Architect of bin Laden raid: Trump ‘threatens the Constitution’ when he
• CNN: Trump knocks admiral who led bin Laden raid
• CNN: After Trump’s McRaven attack, McChrystal says military needs

Pence’s Asia Trip Wrap-up: South China Sea & APEC

Vice President Pence’s week-long tour of the Indo-Pacific ended on Sunday without a joint APEC communique for the first time since its founding in 1989. Vice President Pence stood in for President Trump and reassured allies of America’s commitment to the region. On Saturday, the vice president also told reporters that the Trump administration is “not going to stand for” the murder of Khashoggi and that the murder of Khashoggi was “an affront to a free and independent press and the United States is determined to hold all of those accountable who are responsible for that murder.” Meanwhile, President Trump has announced the release of a Khashoggi report on Tuesday.

• Lawfare: The End of U.S. Naval Dominance in Asia
• NYT: U.S. and China Square Off on Trade, and APEC Nations Duck for Cover
• The Guardian: Apec summit fails to agree on statement amid US-China spat
• New York Times: Xi and Pence Stake Out Trade Positions in Dueling Speeches
• Politico: Xi, Pence trade barbs over trade war at APEC summit while selling
• Financial Times: Xi and Pence spar over trade and security at Apec

Global Oil Prices Drop Again, amid OPEC’s Waning Influence

Oil futures fell nearly 1% today amid global oversupply worries, as the International Energy Agency says production from the world’s 3 main oil producers, Saudi Arabia, the US, and Russia are holding global supply steady. After rebounding over the weekend, oil prices are once again on the decline, which some industry analysts are predicting to be the new norm given the IEA’s forecast of peak oil demand. US stocks tumbled today, as tech and internet companies faced sharp declines.

• Reuters: Oil slips on global supply fears even as OPEC mulls cut
• Oil Price: Oil Prices May Have Reached A Bottom
• Hellenic Shipping News: The Quickly Changing Global Oil Markets
• Forbes: Saudi Arabia And The Future Of Oil Prices: Look To What Robots Will

From Deep State Radio

BLOG: WHAT THE REAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE KHASHOGGI MURDER WOULD LOOK LIKE –AND WHAT THE US RESPONSE TO THE CRIME OUR PRESIDENT IS COVERING UP MUST BE

There are at least three important parts to any major US investigation of the Khashoggi murder and possibly more. But without investigation in those areas there can be no just or adequate U.S. response.
The first is what the US knew about the plans to kill Khashoggi and other “dissidents” in advance. If Kushner had the lead and was close to MBS, what were their discussions on this subject? When did they take place? How detailed were they? Did Kushner indicate US support.  Continue.

PODCAST EARLY ACCESS: A DEEP STATE THANKSGIVING, PART I: TURKEYS OF THE YEAR

Who needs relatives?  Join your Deep State family for a cheerful holiday discussion of the Turkeys of the Year, the losers, jerks, criminals, and large orange embarrassments that made the past year as unappetizing as an under-cooked Butterball.  Our own Rosa Brooks, former undercover CIA operative and improv comedian Emily Brandwin and Maggie Feldman-Piltch of NatSecGirlSquad offer their views and…we not-so-subtly tease several new podcasts soon to be released by Deep State Radio.  Tune in!