Welcome to the Deep State Daily
Welcome to the Deep State Daily. Our intention with this newsletter is to highlight the top news stories that you need to be paying attention to. We pull stories from major news outlets, but we also try to call attention to niche websites, think-tanks and media outlets that we think you’ll enjoy whenever possible. If you enjoy our newsletter, please forward to a friend by clicking the forward link above. If you would like to receive this delivered to your inbox each evening, please click the link below.
From Deep State Radio
How Mitch McConnell Betrayed His Country
The swirl of daily news has turned into a maelstrom, sucking us daily into its dark, depressing vortex. We can barely remember what we were thinking about five minutes ago much less what is important. This week it is Kavanaugh. A few weeks or a million years ago it was Manafort. Remember Comey, Charlottesville, Sean Spicer? Of course, you don’t.
Every so often we are reminded however, that there are bigger issues in play than the news cycle, issues on which history may turn. A new book by Washington Post National Security reporter Greg Miller may help provide just such a reminder. The book, entitled, “The Apprentice: Trump, Russia and the Subversion of American Democracy” which goes on sale this week, provides new and detailed insights into how the most significant attack on America since 9/11 unfolded and who helped it succeed. It provides a useful jolt to return our focus to the fact that the President of the United States and his allies in the GOP may have worked to support or encourage Russia’s campaign to tip the 2016 election to Trump, a momentous, unprecedented and destabilizing moment for the country. Read More
Podcast: KAVANAUGH IS NOT JUST A NOMINEE, HE’S A SYMPTOM
The political furor around the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court may seem like pure domestic US politics, but the implications for America’s role in the world are serious. Not only does the chaos in the US symptom send a disconcerting message to those who once emulated us and an inviting one to our enemies, but the politics behind the nomination hint at bigger issues to come. America is growing more divided between less populated, less diverse “red” states that are disproportionately empowered by the US Constitution and the more diverse, less xenophobic, more urban “blue” states. Listen
Cast Your Vote: KAVANAUGH FBI INVESTIGATION – WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
Can the FBI complete a thorough investigation given the constraints of scope and time? Will the committee ultimately come to it’s senses and move on from Brett Kavanaugh? Let us know what you think. Vote
Stories We’re Watching
Kavanaugh Coverage
There is no shortage of reporting and opinions on the Brett Kavanaugh hearings and ongoing FBI investigation. Here are some perspectives you may have missed.
- BBC’s explainer on the FBI investigation: What Will the FBI Investigation into Kavanaugh Actually Do?
- Haaretz: Progressive, Conservative Jews Sharply Divided Over Kavanaugh Nomination
- The Intercept’s Briahna Gray: Here’s what Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell Gets Wrong About the Evidence Against Brett Kavanaugh
- Just Security’s Ryan Goodman poses the question: Should Judge Kavanaugh Be Removed from the Bench? The Question We Ought to Be Asking
Indonesia quake
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the cost of Sulawesi, setting off a Tsunami that devastated the city of Palu. More than 1350 deaths have been reported as a result of this disaster.
- Sydney Morning Herald: Carnage on the Beach as Palu Waits for More Aid
- The Straits Times (Singapore): Spotlight on Indonesia’s Tsunami Early Warning System After Disaster in Sulawesi
Brexit
As the March 29, 2019 deadline approaches, many are not happy with Prime Minister’s plan.
- The Guardian: EU Anger Over May’s Post-Brexit Immigration Plan
- The Times: Business leaders attack Theresa May’s plan to end free movement after Brexit
- France 24: EU immigrants will lose preferential status after Brexit, says UK PM
United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement
- World Trade Online: USMCA auto rules to be staged in over three years, with a two-year extension possible
- Toronto Globe & Mail: Mexico may have lost most with new NAFTA deal, but calls it a win
- Mexico News Daily: The new trade deal is a goal for Mexico. The score: Mexico 1, Trump 0”
- CSIS: Exit NAFTA, Enter USMCA
US ending visas for diplomats’ same sex partners
As LGBTQ history month kicks off, the Trump administration is ending visas for same sex partners of diplomats.
- BBC: US ends diplomatic visas for UN same-sex partners
- Special Broadcasting Service (Australia): US visas denied to same-sex partners of diplomats
- Foreign Policy’s Colum Lynch: Trump Administration to Deny Visas to Same-Sex Partners of Diplomats, U.N. Officials
Chinese naval ship forces US navy ship off course
It seems that the trade dispute has carried over to the seas. Last week, it was reported that China had denied a port call request for a US Naval Ship. Then this happened.
- The Economist: Chinese and American warships nearly collide
- South China Morning Post: America accuses Chinese warship of ‘unsafe’ maneuvres after near collision with USS Decatur in South China Sea
- US Naval Institute: Destroyer USS Decatur Has Close Encounter With Chinese Warship
- The Guardian: Chinese warship sails within yards of US destroyer in ‘unsafe’ encounter
