Stories We’re Watching

Saudi Teen Caught in Thailand Seeks Asylum

Earlier today, Thailand’s chief of immigration police confirmed that Rahaf al-Qunun, a Saudi teen who is attempting to seek asylum, would not be deported and that her case would be assessed by the UN’s refugee agency. Rahaf was attempting to connect to a flight to Australia via Thailand to seek asylum. Her case gained international attention when she documented domestic abuse and the danger she faces from her family via social media. The scandal comes as Saudi Arabia faces mounting global scrutiny over human rights abuses and outcry over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

• Daily Beast: Saudi Teen in ‘Life or Death’ Deportation Fight Live on Twitter
• BBC News: Rahaf al-Qunun: Saudi woman ends airport hotel standoff
• Buzzfeed News: The Saudi Teenager Fighting Deportation From Bangkok Has Left The Airport With The UN
• The Independent: Saudi Arabia’s grim discrimination against women

European Commission Rules out Brexit Renegotiation ahead of Next Week’s Commons Vote

British Prime Minister Theresa May has attempted to renegotiate her Brexit deal with the European Union prior to next week’s Commons vote. The EU has said there will be no renegotiation. The UK is set to exit the EU–deal or not–on March 29, 2019. PM May’s vote still needs to pass a Commons vote to prevent a ‘no deal’ exit, which analysts warn would severely disrupt trade and travel. Although more than 200 MPs have signed a letter urging PM May to prevent a no-deal Brexit, the UK has already begun preparations for it, starting with shipping exercises.

• The Guardian: May will win vote on her deal on 15 January
• Irish Times: Hauliers dismiss UK no-deal Brexit rehearsal as ‘totally frivolous’
• The Independent: Corbyn compares Theresa May’s deal to Frankenstein
• BBC: Brexit: PM ‘working to get further EU assurances’

Netanyahu Dismisses Multiple Corruption Allegations ahead of Early Elections

Earlier today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed multiple corruption allegations against him and claimed that an indictment against him would be ‘unjust’ ahead of early elections this spring. Israeli prosecutors have recommended for the third time this year that PM Netanyahu and his wife be indicted for fraud and for taking bribes. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to continue with his re-election campaign.

• Washington Post: Netanyahu rejects corruption allegations in live address
• Wall Street Journal: Will Netanyahu Go to Riyadh?
• Haaretz: Netanyahu: I Asked for Confrontation With State’s Evidence and Was

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US-China Trade Talks Begin

Trade talks between Chinese and American negotiators began earlier today in Beijing as the world’s two largest economies attempt to hammer out a resolution to the ongoing trade dispute  prior to the March 2019 deadline. In an apparent deviation from China’s Commerce Ministry’s roster, Vice Premier Liu He (top economic adviser to President Xi) attended the first day of talks. Stocks in Europe and Asia moved higher with news of the talks; while markets in the US were mixed. US Commerce Secretary WIlbur Ross told reporters today to expect the talks to yield little in the way of structural reforms.

• CNBC: Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross: US tariffs pressure China’s ability to
• South China Morning Post: Chinese VP Liu He makes surprise appearance
• Forbes: Investors Remain Cautious As China Trade Negotiations Begin
• Wall Street Journal: US Stocks Mixed as US-China Trade Talks Begin

Red-Pilled Pentagon Seeks List of Ethical Principles for AI Use in Combat

US defense officials are seeking a list of ethical principles to guide the military in employing artificial intelligence in combat situations. The military’s current AI guidelines don’t address new technological gains made in the civilian sector. The move comes amid major changes at the Pentagon. Over the weekend, Kevin Sweeney, the Pentagon’s chief of staff, announced his resignation following tension between him and the Defense Department’s new acting head, Patrick Shanahan. Last week, Shanahan took over as acting chief of the Pentagon following the ouster of General Mattis.

• Defense One: Pentagon Seeks a List of Ethical Principles for Using AI in War
• Foreign Policy: Security Brief: Pentagon Exodus Continues After Mattis
• Task & Purpose: Mattis is Gone. Patrick Shanahan Is Now In Wonderland
• Wall Street Journal: Mattis’s Chief of Staff Departs Pentagon Soon After Him 

Bolton Refines US Syria Withdrawal, Erdogan & Putin to Meet

US National Security Advisor John Bolton told reporters yesterday that US troops would not withdraw from Syria until Daesh militants had been defeated. He also reassured that US-allied Kurdish fighters would be protected. The US has faced widespread criticism from allies over President Trump’s initial withdrawal announcement. Bolton is scheduled to meet with Turkish officials later today to discuss Turkey’s planned offensives targeting US Kurdish allies in Syria. Turkey’s state news agency has confirmed that Presidents Erdogan and Putin are set to discuss the US withdrawal later this month.

• Haaretz: Bolton Alongside Netanyahu: US Syria Pullout Will Assure Israel
• Reuters: Erdogan spokesman says irrational to claim Turkey targets Kurds
• RFE/RL: Putin, Erdogan Plan Meeting ‘Soon’ On US Plan To Exit Syria
• The Week Magazine: The Kurds are in trouble — and it’s America’s fault
• Associated Press: Trump adviser: US to leave Syria once IS beaten, Kurds safe

From Deep State Radio

As we resume our normal programming, enjoy this roundup of some of our best work from the past year. 

THE BEST OF DEEP STATE RADIO: THE MILESTONE EPISODE – PART 1

Welcome to the Best of Deep State Radio. In this edition, we’ve stitched together episodes 1 and 50.  Happy Listening!

THE BEST OF DEEP STATE RADIO: THE MILESTONE EPISODE PART 2

Welcome to the Best of Deep State Radio. Part 2 of the Milestone edition features episodes 100 and 150. Enjoy!

THE BEST OF DEEP STATE RADIO: 1 ON 1’S

Take a listen to some of our 1 on 1 conversations from the past year. Tune in!

THE BEST OF DEEP STATE RADIO: EMERGENCY EPISODES

We continue our Best of Deep State Radio series with some of our emergency episodes.  Enjoy!

THE BEST OF DEEP STATE RADIO: KAVANAUGH

In this edition, we’ve pulled together our episodes of the Kavanaugh Hearings! Happy listening!