Stories We’re Watching

Mueller’s Dandy Roundup: Stone Arrested, Manafort’s Trial Rescheduled, Cohen Subpoenaed

Roger Stone, former advisor to President Trump, longtime clotheshorse, and monopoly man style icon, was arrested by federal agents in Florida. Stone has been charged with seven counts including witness tampering and obstruction. Speaking to reporters after his court appearance, Stone maintained his innocence, claiming he had been falsely accused. In other dandy-related developments, a federal judge allowed Paul Manafort to wear a suit to his court appearance earlier today. Manafort appeared in court for the first time in three months to dispute the breach of plea charges and has been scheduled to reappear for a sealed hearing next month. Yesterday, the Senate Intelligence Committee subpoenaed President Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen.

• Reuters: Ex-Trump lawyer Cohen subpoenaed by Senate panel: adviser
• The New Yorker: Robert Mueller Got Roger Stone
• Fortune: Trump’s Risk Deepens After Mueller Arrests Longtime Ally Stone
• Washington Post: The Latest: Judge sets new hearing in Paul Manafort case

NATO-Russia Council Meeting Ends in Disappointment

The NATO-Russia Council met earlier today in Brussels  for the first time since the Kerch Strait incident last November. The 29 NATO Allies and Russia discussed Ukraine and the upcoming US withdrawal from the INF Treaty, issues on which both sides “fundamentally disagree”. Following the meeting, NATO’s Secretary-General candidly admitted that “There was no real progress in the meeting”. Defense analysts have warned of growing tensions amongst NATO members, especially between the US and Turkey. It’s unclear whether or not the US and Russia still plan to hold talks next week at Beijing’s P5 meeting.

• NATO HQ: NATO-Russia Council meets in Brussels
• Deutsche Welle: NATO tries to prevent an arms race
• Foreign Brief: NATO-Russia council to meet for first time since Kerch Strait incident
• Yahoo News: NATO, Russia fail to agree over missile breach, US to quit treaty

#Saltbey Erdogan Gets Played by Putin, Threatens to DIY His Own Safety Zone

President Erdogan has threatened to build his own 30km safety zone along the Turkish Syrian border. The US has balked at the proposal in the past, citing concerns over security and Turkey’s history of human rights violations. Russia is said to have similarly rejected Erdogan’s proposal. While hosting Erdogan in Moscow earlier this week, President Putin revived the 1998 Adana Agreement, which could actually force Erdogan to cooperate with the Assad regime, a bitter enemy. Meanwhile, Erdogan has faced mounting criticism from a non-Ottoman court.

• Washington Post: Erdogan: Turkey can go it alone to establish Syria safe zone
• Foreign Policy: Why the New York Knicks Keep Dunking on Erdogan
• Voice of America: US Syrian Pullout Pushes Syrian Kurds Toward Damascus
• Haaretz: Why the Rebuilding of Syria Isn’t Going to Happen

Putin Gives Maduro a Pep Talk, UN Confirms Pro-Government Security Forces Have Killed at Least 20 People

Venezuelan security forces and pro-government armed groups have killed at least 20 people according to a UN report released today. Since Wednesday’s massive protests and power grab, the US has publicly declared support for opposition leader Juan Guiado; while, China, Russia, and fellow NATO member Turkey have condemned the US endorsement. Yesterday, President Putin made a personal call to offer words of support to President Maduro. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has requested that the UN Security Council discuss whether Venezuela poses an international peace and security threat during a special closed session tomorrow.

• PBS: Pompeo addresses U.S. relations with Venezuela video
• Associated Press: Venezuela’s Guaido leaps from back-bench to center stage
• WSJ: Cuba Out of Venezuela
• CNN: Venezuela may ‘spiral out of control’ with at least 20 dead in protests

China Blocks & Then Unblocks Bing, Soros Calls Xi the ‘Most Dangerous Opponent’ to Open Society

Since yesterday, China has blocked and then unblocked Microsoft’s Bing search engine, the only internationally-run search engine allowed past China’s great firewall. The move has puzzled both Microsoft and regional analysts since Microsoft was already censoring Bing’s results in compliance with China’s Communist Party. Yesterday, billionaire George Soros spent his annual Davos dinner warning of the dangers of unchecked AI development in China.

• The Guardian: China blocks Microsoft’s Bing search engine
• PCMag: China Blocks, Then Unblocks Microsoft’s Bing
• WSJ: Bing, Baidu and a Big Mess for Chinese Search Engines
• BBC: China’s Xi Jinping ‘most dangerous’ to free societies, says George Soros
• The Diplomat: Old-Fashioned Thuggery Reinforces China’s High-Tech Censorship

From Deep State Radio

FP INTERRUPTED: The World According to the Rich and Famous 

January has become synonymous with Davos. And Davos has become synonymous with elite status and power. Given the number of world leaders, CEOs, billionaires, philanthropists, and celebrities that descend upon the otherwise sleepy Swiss village amid the Alps, that is not surprising (Fun fact: Davos’ population is 11,000; during the World Economic Forum’s summit, it goes up to 30,000). What do these “movers and shakers” do there? They would tell you that they’re trying — as the World Economic Forum, the organization that has hosted the event since 1971 — to “improve the world.” A whole lotta others would roll their eyes. The Davos set, they would say, is responsible for many of today’s challenges, particularly inequality and injustice. The theme for this year’s gathering is “Globalization 4.0.” Oh, and the event’s gender breakdown: 22 percent women, apparently a “high” for the event. 🙄 (Note to WEF: 22% isn’t gender equality.) CONTINUE

DEEPTECH: Robot Warships, 5G Networks, Face ID, & More!

Disable Your Phone’s Face ID Now. Seriously.  
Yesterday, Microsoft’s chief Satya Nadella warned of the rise of a surveillance state and called on the government to regulate facial recognition technologies. But, according to a new study by Center for Data Innovation, Americans just DGAF anymore about face recognition and privacy. Authors of the report attribute the shifting American attitudes to handheld consumer technology. One problem is that facial recognition technology is often inaccurate and has racial and gender biases. The bigger problem is that flawed programs like Amazon Rekognition are being used for employment, law enforcement, and even stalking. Anyone can simply upload a photo to a face finder app, then discover the subject’s identity and associated online accounts, and begin tracking the person. Civil rights advocates warn of a perpetual lineup. So, what can you do? First, turn off Face ID on your phone. Seriously. You could also try out some anti-surveillance makeup or even a printable mask. READ MORE