Stories We’re Watching

‘Let them eat cake!’ says Rich Bitch Commerce Secretary as Senate Votes on Proposals to Reopen Government

The Senate voted earlier today on two competing proposals aimed at reopening the government. Analysts had widely predicted both bills’ failure in the lead up to the vote. Until today, the Senate had refused to allow votes on bills that could end the shutdown. The shutdown, the longest in the nation’s history, has had devastating consequences on national security, the domestic labor force, and consumer confidence. President Trump has insisted on funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border. Opposition leaders have instead agreed to fund other border security initiatives but not a wall. Meanwhile, billionaire US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has expressed exasperation over the the 800K federal workers going without pay and has wondered why they don’t just like take out loans or something.

• Quartz: What you need to know about the US Senate votes today
• Associated Press: Votes on Senate bills seen as progress even if they fail
• Vox: “Federal workers are people, not pawns”: hundreds protest shutdown
• Reuters: Democrats push technology as alternative to Trump wall in shutdown

Wait for it—Russia Accuses the US of Election Interference & Voices Support for Maduro

Russia, China, and Turkey have all expressed support for embattled Venezuelan ‘President’ Nicolas Maduro and have condemned US influence in the country. Yesterday, shortly after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president, President Trump publicly called on Maduro to step down, recognized Guaido’s claim to the presidency, and pledged US support for a presidential transition. Maduro has blamed much of Venezuela’s economic crisis on the US, accusing Washington of waging economic warfare. Somewhat ironically, Russia has accused the US of election interference.

• Haaretz: Turkey’s Erdogan Backs Venezuela’s Maduro After US Backs
• Reuters: China opposes outside interference in Venezuela’s affairs
• Forbes: Russia Is Only Half Right About Washington’s Venezuela “Interference”

Taliban & US Afghan Peace Talks Enter Fourth Day

US-Taliban peace talks have entered their fourth day. The talks began earlier this week in Qatar as both sides agreed to continue discussions on ending the decadeslong Afghan war. Initial reports have expressed optimism over a temporary Taliban ceasefire. US officials want the Taliban to stop allowing militant groups like Al Qaeda to operate out of Afghanistan. The Taliban want the withdrawal of the US-led forces. Regional experts caution that the Taliban’s refusal to negotiate with the Afghan government is likely to stall future peace efforts. Meanwhile, at Davos, the de facto prime minister of Afghanistan is attempting to persuade foreign investors to invest in Afghanistan.

• RFE/RL: Afghanistan’s Abdullah Meets Davos Business Leaders To Lure Investors To War-Torn Country
• WSJ: Taliban Agrees to Bar al Qaeda and Islamic State From Afghanistan
• Bloomberg: Taliban Kill Afghan Troops Before Resuming US Peace Talks
• Voice of America: US-Taliban Talks Generate Hopes for Afghan Peace
• The Independent: The Taliban has failed to recapture Afghanistan after 17 years of war

US Offers to Hold Arms Control Talks with Russia During Next Week’s P5 Meeting in Beijing

Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson has offered to hold arms control talks with Russia on the sidelines of next week’s UN meeting in Beijing. The permanent five members of the UN Security Council, or P5 (China, France, Great Britain, Russia, and the United States), are set to discuss nonproliferation. The offer comes as the US has reiterated its plans to officially withdraw from the INF treaty on February 2. The US has long accused Russia of violating the treaty, and Russia has denied the US accusations and has instead accused the US of exiting the treaty just to develop their own banned missiles.

• Project Syndicate: Putin and the Apocalypse
• Reuters: U.S. has offered to hold arms control talks with Russia
• Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Press Release—Welcome to “The New Abnormal”

UN Executions Expert Announces Turkey Trip & Launch of “Independent International Inquiry” into Khashoggi’s Murder

Earlier today, the United Nations expert on extrajudicial and arbitrary executions Agnes Callamard announced that she is scheduled to arrive in Turkey next week to launch an ‘independent international inquiry” into Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. Turkish officials have called for an international investigation and have accused the US of covering up the murder. Ms. Callamard plans to deliver her findings to the UN Human Rights Council this June. Meanwhile, at Davos, the Saudi delegation has called on the world to move on from Khashoggi and get down to business.

• Reuters: Turkey planning international investigation into Khashoggi case: minister
• ChannelNewsAsia: Saudis to Davos: Move on from Khashoggi, let’s do business
• The Guardian: UN forensics team to visit Turkey in inquiry into Khashoggi death

From Deep State Radio

EARLY ACCESS
SHUFFLE OFF TO THE DEEP STATE: A FUNNY SNARKY CONVERSATION WITH ASHA RANGAPPA

You may know Asha Rangappa as the witty, brilliant legal & national security analyst that graces your television screens on CNN. But, I know her as my tap dancing, french fry loving snark sister.  What makes Asha’s voice so important in today’s political conversation is her trailblazing career and unique experience; she’s one of the first Indian Americans to work FBI counterintelligence. She brings a breadth of knowledge and perspective that is so needed in today’s dialogue. We discuss Mueller (insert heavenly singing), intelligence careers, our favorite theater roles (cause of course she’s a thespian) and we tap dance. Yup, we throw down! So tune in for the espionage & Trump dumpster fire talk, but stay for the tap dancing. Tune in!

PODCAST: WILL THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN BE THE HIGH WATER MARK FOR THE REST OF THE TRUMP YEARS?

If the shutdown in Washington drags on and with it animosity between the political parties grows, will the remainder of Trump’s first term be marked by gridlock in DC…and a president forced to turn overseas to make his mark?  What might that mark be?  Pulling troops out of S. Korea?  Breaking up NATO?  War with Iran?  Kori Schake of IISS, Ed Luce of the Financial Times and Joe Cirincione of the Ploughshares Fund discuss these and even worse possibilities.   This is a good one to listen to from your backyard bunker or silo.  Tune in!  Good times!