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THE UNWAHRPOLITIK OF DONALD TRUMP: THE POLITICS OF UNTRUTHS AND LIES
It is a pattern. A crime is committed. The President of the United States would prefer for one reason or another not to acknowledge it. So, he turns to the perpetrator and he asks whether they did it. He trumpets their denial as if it were the truth. He then embraces the idea of enlisting them in getting to the bottom of the crime. And, typically, he then seeks to move on having covered it up with a sham investigation and a repeated narrative designed to obscure the facts.
It happened with the Russian attack on the U.S. electorate in 2016. It happened with Brett Kavanaugh. It is now happening with the case of Jamal Khashoggi. The president even cribs from his own talking points going from one case to the other as he did today when he said the Saudi King’s “denial could not be stronger” much as he did when he reported Vladmir Putin vehemently denied the attack on the U.S.
The pattern is consistent with the president’s response to assertions that he has committed crimes. Responses that offer up “investigations” or “transparency” that really amount to cover-ups that are cynically relabeled. Read More
THUGS-Я-US: GROWING IMPUNITY
This was reprinted with permission by FP Interrupted.
On October 10, 1957, Komla Gbedemah entered a Howard Johnson’s diner in Dover, Delaware. Gbedemah was the finance minister of Ghana, a country that was just seven months old. He ordered an orange juice at the counter as he waited to be seated. He was given his juice in a brown bag and told that he could not be seated at the restaurant – “colored people weren’t allowed.”
It took no time before this news reached the White House. Upon hearing it, President Dwight Eisenhower apologized to Minister Gbedemah and extended the minister an invitation for breakfast. “I believe the United States as a government, if it is going to be true to its founding documents, does have the job of working hard toward that time when there is no discrimination made on such (an) inconsequential reason as race, color, or religion.” Remember, it was 1957. Still, as Andrew Glass points out in this piece, “Eisenhower recognized that such incidents tarnished America’s image around the world.”
America’s image around the world mattered to not only Eisenhower, but to U.S. presidents, of both parties, throughout the 20th century. Particularly in the wake of World War II, the United States had emerged as a “superpower” that not only had economic and military might but made it a point to champion democratic values, human rights, and civil liberties. It did not always succeed. Strongmen were coddled. Human rights were sidelined. Dissenters were sold out. Rape was dismissed. Genocides were ignored. Violations of international law were tolerated. Yet, even in the face of numerous failures, the U.S. did not retreat or relent from global engagement or internationalism. The world mattered. Read More
Stories We’re Watching
Khashoggi Updates: the Art of Turkish Conspiracies
Khashoggi is still missing. Turkish and Saudi authorities are expected to conduct a joint “inspection” of Istanbul’s Saudi Consulate today. Turkish authorities have claimed that Khashoggi’s Apple watch recorded and transmitted the recordings of his torture and murder, but tech blogs have called into question the possibility of this. Saudi officials are expected to release a statement that would admit Khashoggi’s death was a result of a botched interrogation.
• AP: Saudi-Turkish team to see consulate where writer vanished
• Saudi Press Agency: KSA confirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it (official)
• Lawfare: What International Law Tells Us About the Khashoggi Investigation
Bavarian elections
The results of yesterday’s Bavarian state elections could have far-reaching effects in central europe. The hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party saw the biggest gains–10.2 points up from 2013. Many outlets are reporting on the rise of the far right parties. AfD party co-founder and leader, Alexander Gauland, recently published an article in Germany’s Daily Frankfurter that many have compared to a 1933 speech delivered by Adolf Hitler.
• Der Spiegel: Berlin Coalition Emerges Even Weaker
• The Local de: AS IT HAPPENED: Bavarian Elections 2018
• Guardian: AfD leader accused of echoing Hitler in article for German newspaper
Trump on 60 Minutes: Nothing Lasts Forever
In his first televised interview with 60 minutes since taking office, President Trump claimed that he had a “very good relationship with” Secretary of Defence General Mattis. When asked if Mattis was leaving his administration, President Trump replied:” It could be that he is. I think he’s sort of a Democrat.” Of Mattis, Trump later reflected: “He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves. Everybody. People leave.” The interview also revealed Trump’s affinity for a mass-produced fantasy painting which depicts him at a pub with former US Republican presidents.
• CBS: 60 minutes full transcript
• Task & Purpose: Trump Tells ‘60 Minutes’ That Mattis ‘May Leave’ The Pentagon
• Radio Free Europe: Trump Says Putin ‘Probably’ Involved In Killings; Hints Mattis May Leave
• The Atlantic: President Trump Just Called Jim Mattis ‘Sort of a Democrat’
China Reaches out to Trump’s Base Directly via Fox News Interview
Chinese Ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, sat down with Fox News for an interview aired on Sunday. The interview covered trade wars, tariffs, and Vice President Pence’s accusations that China had published propaganda in US newspapers. Some have interpreted this rare interview as an attempt by China to directly influence Trump supporters on a platform known to do just that.
• China Embassy: Transcript of Ambassador Cui Tiankai’s Interview with FOX News (full transcript)
• GB Times: China’s ambassador to the US discusses escalation of bilateral tensions
May Delivers Brexit Update to House of Commons
Earlier today Britain’s prime minister Theresa May delivered a statement to the House of Commons on the Brexit negotiations. May’s statement centered on the issue of the border of Ireland. May claimed that while many of Brexit’s terms have been agreed upon by by the EU and the UK, negotiations about the Ireland border are ongoing. May remains unwilling to agree to any deal that would keep Northern Ireland alone in the single market and the customs union.
• UK Gov: PM statement on Brexit: 15 October 2018 (transcript)
• Project Syndicate: Into the Brexit Labyrinth
Amid Unrest, Nicaragua Arrests Demonstrators
Nicaraguan police have detained at least 26 individuals since Sunday’s march against the government of President Daniel Ortega. More than 350 people have been killed in Nicaraguan anti-government protests. The protests, which began in April, were sparked by pension reforms, but have since developed into a broader anti-establishment movement.
• BBC: Nicaragua police arrest demonstrators amid crackdown
• Al Jazeera: Nicaragua unrest: Police quash anti-Ortega protest
• Today Nicaragua: Dozens Arrested. Again!
