Capital, Tech, Government: The new Axis of Evil?
The Weekly Brief - January 24, 2020
Senate trial
The Senate-led impeachment trial started this week with curious eyes on select Republican senators, and questions of an early dismissal of the case (questions which Lindsey Graham dismissed).
The progression of the trial has largely gone off with few or any surprises despite the new evidence that was made available last week.
In the midst of all this, comparisons to the Clinton impeachment saga are apt to appear. The Bulwark provides a good overview noting the similarities between the two trials in terms of the politics surrounding them.
Hard hitting Hilary
Whether it was s staffer getting caught on camera celebrating Soviet gulags, or having to walk back an op-ed suggesting Biden’s corruption, or the New York Times endorsing Warren and Klobacher, it was a bit of a rough week for Bernie Sanders, indicative of his “almost frontrunner” status.
But nothing could’ve compared with the heavyweight haymaker that got thrown at Sanders from his 2016 presidential rival Hillary Clinton. Despite not even running for the nomination, Clinton managed to insert herself directly into contest with some choice comments about Sanders in an interview. The comments are personal, biting, and carry Warren’s sexism claims from last week even farther. Talk about feeling the “Bern”.
Hacking Lord Bezos
One of the stranger stories to break this week was a UN report concluding that it was likely Sauid Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman sent Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos malware via text messages on WhatsApp. Bezos had made this claim previously to some skepticism, but the UN report lends it more credence. Even stranger, the malware seems to have originated from an Israeli firm.
Capital, Tech, Government: The new Axis of Evil?
What makes The Bezos-MBS episode interesting to me is that its set against the backdrop of a developing backlash against what some populists could characterize as a new axis of evil: capital, tech, and government.
Pew Research reports that 70% of Americans believe that the economy is unbalanced and unfair, and Axiso notes the effect this anti-capitalism backlash could have on the presidential election.
Axios also reports that Facebook is not excited about a Democrat president in 2021 given the anti-FB stance of all the leading candidates.
Finally, Edelman’s 2020 Trust Barometer indicates low levels of trust in government to address crises as well.
Bottom line, political and economic systems are facing large trust deficits at precisely the same moment that concerns over unaccountable tech companies are growing.
China Virus
News that the deadly coronavirus that originated in China has spread faster and farther than originally thought has led Beijing to take drastic measures to stem a pandemic, even as America reported its first case.
Multiple Chinese cities, including Wuhan the epicenter of the virus, are now under quarantine.
The spreading public health crisis comes as Chinese economic growth is showing signs of slowing. AEI argues that such lowering of official figures could be a sign of deeper stress than is officially acknowledged.
Iraq-US relations: The art of the walk back
One of the big questions following the Soleimani strike was whether or not Iraq would force US troops out of the country. That move seems to be getting quietly set on the back burner after a meeting between the American and Iraqi heads of state. Anti government protests are still rocking the country and significant groups like the Sunni, and other minorities are not in a particular hurry to see the US depart.
Iranian instability
It seems as though US tensions with Iran are cooling down from “imminent war” to “ongoing poking and prodding.” Still, the rhetoric remains elevated in Tehran where a member of the legislature reportedly offered $3 million for someone to assassinate President Trump. Beyond rhetoric, another IRGC commander was killed. This time by masked gunmen, which probably ties the act to the anti-government protest movement.
Brookings provides some excellent analysis on the increasing internal pressure the regime is under to hold its members accountable. After the downing of the Ukrainian airliner, such failures in transparency and accountability seem to be increasingly undermining the regime’s legitimacy.
Climate change
This week’s World Economic Forum meeting in Davos was dominated by a rhetorical “showdown” between Donald Trump and Greta Thunberg on the dangers of climate change.
AEI offers six interesting data points that question the narrative of impending climate disaster that activists like Thunberg tend to promote.
The Wilson Center offers a fantastic infographic on the socio economic ramifications for Canada as its permafrost recedes as part of the global warming trend in temperatures.
Rally ‘round the rifles?
Several thousand pro-gun supporters of the Second Amendment rallied in Virgina this week to protest gun control regulations being debated in the state house.
But it wasn’t just the size of the protest that got my attention. It was the fact that right wing Second Amendment activists were joined by a left wing antifa group in defending citizens’ right to bear arms. This is I’ve started to see pop up here and there: Left wing groups rethinking their position on the Second Amendment in light of their concern of creeping facsism in Washington.
News and trends
Donald Trump broke all kinds of precedent this week by designating January 22 as National Sanctity of Human Life Day, and will become the first sitting president to speak at the March for Life.
Long War Journal reports that Houthi rebels in Yemen killed over 100 Yemeni soldiers in a drone/missile attack. The Yemen war hasn’t gone away, but the natural question arises if this should or should not be considered part of an Iranian region wide response to the Soleimani killing?