Stories We’re Watching

US Proposes New Afghan-Taliban Peace Plan, 43 Killed as Taliban Storms Afghan Military Base

US negotiators have proposed a new Afghan-Taliban peace plan aimed at withdrawing all US troops within the next 5 years. So far, Taliban officials have balked at the plan’s requirement that US counterterrorism troops would remain. The plan comes as US, Taliban, and Afghan opposition officials continue talks aimed at ending the decades-long conflict. Earlier today, 43 individuals were killed when Taliban forces tried to regain control over a military base in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province. This was the second Taliban suicide attack since peace talks began last year.

• Small Wars Journal: Under Peace Plan, US Military Would Exit Afghanistan…
• WSJ: Taliban Attack Afghan Army Base During Lull in Peace Talks
• RFE/RL: Taliban Revive Harsh Rule In A Remote Afghan Province
• NYT: 700 Afghan Women Have a Message: Don’t Sell Us Out to the Taliban

Prime Minister Modi Doubles Down on Inflammatory Rhetoric as Pakistan Returns Indian Pilot

Indian Prime Minister Modi doubled down on inflammatory rhetoric following the release of Abhinandan Varthaman, an Indian pilot. Varthaman was captured after Pakistani forces shot down two Indian jets earlier this week. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was widely praised for ordering the pilot’s release, but regional analysts believe that Modi is likely to use the incident to boost his support ahead of elections this spring. Modi delivered the remarks–his first since the kidnapping and return–at a campaign rally.

• Bloomberg: In the India-Pakistan Stand-Off, It’s Modi Versus Khan
• Washington Post: India’s Modi pledges tough response to terror
• The Atlantic: Ending the India-Pakistan Crisis Requires a Courageous Narendra Modi
• Council on Foreign Relations: Global Conflict Tracker: Conflict Between India and Pakistan

President Trump Overruled Intelligence Officials to Issue Son-in-law’s Security Clearance

Last year, President Trump overruled his own intelligence officials to issue his son-in-law a top-secret security clearance, according to memos released yesterday. In January, President Trump denied any involvement in issuing the security clearance for Mr. Kushner who is also a White House adviser.  Shortly after the report was released, opposition lawmakers announced plans to investigate the role that President Trump played in obtaining the clearance. Meanwhile, Mr. Kushner continues his Middle East Peace tour that he launched earlier this week in Ankara.

• NPR: Trump Ignored Intelligence Officers To Give Jared Kushner Top
• Vanity Fair: Of Course Jared Kushner Got His Top-Secret Security Clearance
• Vox: Ivanka and Donald Trump’s recent comments about Kushner’s security clearance haven’t aged well

Senate Confirms Former Coal Lobbyist As EPA Chief

Yesterday, the Senate confirmed former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). President Trump’s previous EPA head resigned last year over multiple ethics inquiries. Climate scientists have expressed concern over Mr. Wheeler’s past record of aggressive deregulation and close ties with heavy industry. President Trump’s Climate Change Panel head William Happer has also drawn scrutiny from the scientific community over his alleged plans to challenge key findings from the government’s official climate change report.

• CNN: Senate confirms former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler to lead EPA
• Forbes: Can A Coal Lobbyist Confirmed To Head EPA Be Trusted
• NPR: Meet The White House’s New Chief Climate Change Skeptic
• Lawfare: Beyond Paris: Other International Efforts to Address Climate Change

Netanyahu Appeals to Right-wing Base in Wake of Indictment Announcement 

Yesterday, Israel’s attorney general announced that Prime Minister Netanyahu would be indicted on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Last night, Netanyahu took to prime time and implored his far-right base to disregard the charges in an emotional televised address. Insiders expect Netanyahu to increase such appeals in the lead up to elections in early April. Somewhat unsurprisingly, Netanyahu failed to address a recent UN report which recommends that authorities investigate Israeli security forces for crimes against humanity committed during last year’s Gaza protests.

• BBC: Netanyahu charges: Is Israel PM in more trouble now than ever before?
• Washington Post: The medieval fantasy that fuels Israel’s far right
• Haaretz: Netanyahu Indictment Highlights Key Tool to Protect Democracy

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