January 9th, 2018

Time’s Up: Not Just for Hollywood Execs

“Time’s Up,” was the dominant message at the Golden Globes this Sunday, but today President Trump issued his own ticking-clock ultimatum when he canceled the temporary protected status granted to people from El Salvador who were displaced by a devastating earthquake in 2001. This is not surprising, considering the administration ended similar protections for Haitians and Nicaraguans. “Salvadoreans now have until 9 September 2019 to leave or face deportation unless they find a legal way to stay.” Currently, around 200,000 Salvadoreans live in the United States mostly settled in Texas, California and in the DC area. The Center for Migration Studies reports that about 88% are part of the workforce, 10% are self-employed and 10% have married US citizens. The future is also in question for another group of 200,000: their children, who risk deportation as well, especially if Congress does not find a way to to sort out DACA, an Obama-era executive order protecting immigrant’s children that Trump announced a plan to repeal in the Fall. Democrats in Congress are planning to tackle this issue in budget negotiations, but with a government shutdown looming, the pressure to come to an agreement may impede negotiation of the best possible deal. 

(Nuclear) Deal or No Deal?

In case anyone thought recent protests weren’t enough of a reason to pay attention to Iran, Tehran is upping the ante. Ali Akbar Selahi, the country’s top nuclear official has hinted at the country “rethink[ing] its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency if President Trump scrapped American participation in the 2015 agreement limiting Iranian nuclear activities.” A key piece of the deal is required inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities ensuring that they’re engaged strictly in energy production and not developing a weapon. So far, they have been compliant, holding up their promise to “never develop nuclear weapons.”

Selahi’s announcement is timely, since Trump has only a few days to decide if the U.S. will continue to waive nuclear-related sanctions against Iran, which wouldn’t be too surprising based on his emphatic denunciation on Obama’s participation in the “worst deal” ever, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. A spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry even seemed to take a page from President Trump’s “diplomatic” rhetoric saying that, “all options for any situation are on the table for Iran,” should the U.S. pull out of the deal. Many believe that Trump will uphold the deal, especially with other leaders from the P5+1 (Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia) who negotiated the deal urging him to keep the U.S. in the picture, which may be the thread keeping the agreement from unraveling if Iran’s latest statements aren’t just bluster.

One Strategic Allegiance on the Rocks, Please

Over the weekend, CDB stated about the importance of Pakistan aiding the US in fighting groups like the Taliban and Haqqani Network in the Af-Pak border region. The Pentagon certainly agrees, suspending $900 million in coalition support for Pakistan. If Pakistan makes “significant progress” against the Haqqani network, some of these funds will be restored. This is all part of the broader strategy to drive the Taliban from Afghanistan by eliminating their support structure operating in Pakistan. The U.S.-Pakistan relationship is a tough one, both countries needing the other to support their security goals in the region, but the U.S. has been critical of Pakistan not playing their part in the fight against international terrorism. This suspension of funds may be the strategic pressure needed to solidify Pakistan’s support of the U.S. in the fight against the Taliban or the beginning of a new era of tensions between once-allied nations.

And the Winner Is…

Alabama took home the National Championship last night/early this morning  in overtime. It marks their fifth title in nine years after a loss against Clemson at literally the last second last year. Georgia put up quite a fight, shutting out the Tide in the first half and an incredible performance by star kicker Rodrigo “Hot Rod” Blankenship.

Roll Tide.

Quotable Citizen:

“There’s not prerequisite for worthiness”

-Viola Davis

January 3rd, 2018

Welcome to 2018, folks! I’ve decided to kick this year off by launching a new project. The President gets a daily brief delivered to his desk, so why not you? Maybe your New Year’s resolution is to keep yourself more informed on global affairs. Mine is to flex my writing muscles and engage in active analysis of the news, so if you’re tired of filtering through your feed for some cold, hard facts, look no further. In here, you’ll find no spin, just an analysis of today’s news with as little bias as possible distilled for your consumption.

My Credentials: I’m a fourth-year student at Boston University studying International Relations with a minor in Religion. I’ve focused my studies regionally on the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia and the Islamic World, as well as in-depth looks at foreign policy and security issues, international law, intelligence and counter-terrorism. A former CIA case officer taught me how to write Presidential Daily Briefs, so now I’m writing them for you.

Iran, So Far Today

“The gradual grind of the indignities of poverty and despair, despotism and double-talk, has made the political landscape ripe for explosion. Only those blind to realities on the ground are now blindsided by the wrath of the people.” (NPR)

Inflation, Unemployment, and corruption only begins the list of grievances the Iranian population are airing against their government. The falling price of oil, an unfolding water crisis and the rise of social media that aids disgruntled youth in organizing protests have all contributed to the theocratic regime’s strife. The protestors frustrations are primarily economic, but they also oppose Iranian support of Assad, a fellow Shi’a leader, in Syria and are seeking a more democratic government. In Iran, this would be difficult, as their Supreme Leader is “unelected and virtually unimpeachable.”

In recent years, Iran, under reformist President Hassan Rouhani, has been attempting to re-enter the global forum, negotiating such agreements as the P5+1 nuclear treaty that would establish some credibility with Western states, ease sanctions and ensure monitoring of their developing nuclear program. However, Iranian democracy remains elusive. The theocratic system insists that “one man — Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, ‘appointed by Allah — knows what is best for the country,” making the regime resistant of any incursions from the U.S. or other powers to aid in the establishment of democracy in the post-revolutionary state.

The regime is, of course, dodging responsibility. They blame Saudi, Israeli or American interference for stoking the protests. This is unlikely to be a contributing factor, although President Trump has voiced his support for the protestors, taking to Twitter to remind Tehran, “the world is watching.” Trump’s relationship with Iran is essentially hostile. Iran is included in his signature travel ban, he frequently criticizes the Obama administration’s participation in the nuclear deal, he has supported Saudi dominance in the region (notably by remaining silent on their role in the human rights crisis in Yemen) and taken to referring to the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf.” He has referred to the Iranian regime as “fanatical” and a “dictatorship,” promising to oppose Iran in proxy conflicts, increase sanctions and continue to oppose the nuclear deal. Many criticize Trump’s Iran strategy, but his support of the protestors’ democratic aspirations is typical of an American President.

The Iranians protest cautiously, well aware of what happened in Syria following the 2014 protests against an authoritarian Shi’a regime. Nobody desires another all-out civil war, a great power proxy-conflict or the appearance of the Islamic State, especially if it could provoke interference of Saudi-led Sunni coalitions or the presence of U.S. and Russian troops. Hundreds of arrests have been made, “digital martial law, by slowing or shutting down the Web” has been imposed and impressive counter-protests staged by the regime are taking place, but the revolutionary guard is yet to be unleashed. The only sure thing for Iran is reflected in President Trump’s statement: the word is definitely watching.

Party in Panmunjom

This village is about to become a lot more than a lyric in a Billy Joel song. In response to an overture from Kim Jong-un, Seoul has proposed a meeting in the DMZ to occur in the next week. Why the sudden change of heart? North Korea’s leader seems more willing to discuss some military de-escalation with hopes to participate in the Winter Olympics, which will be hosted in PyeongChang next month. Today, the South Korean Unification Ministry confirmed that the North called the hotline established for the communication of the two Koreas for the first time since December 2015.

Despite offering an Olive Branch, Kim did not fail to mention a new feature on his desk: a so-called “nuclear button.” Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders assured the public that diplomatic objectives with North Korea remain the same, and that U.S. goals continue to align with those of the South, prioritizing the de-nuclearization of the peninsula. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley doubled down, criticizing North Korea as a “reckless regime,” stating that “we don’t think we need a Band-Aid; we don’t think we need to smile and take a picture. We think we need to have them stop nuclear weapons and they need to stop it now.” The President himself took to Twitter to continue his battle of rhetoric with “Rocket Man,” promising that the U.S. possesses a bigger and better button.

Trump Card:

A Lot on Their Plate: Congress 2018

Today marks Congress getting back to work, featuring new faces, new problems and the same-old partisan infighting Americans have grown accustomed to in the last ten years. It’s an election year, so the pressure to pass legislation and appeal to bases is even more critical.

Who’s Who?

Two new faces, thanks to special elections were sworn in this morning. After a scandal-ridden race against controversial Republican candidate Roy Moore, Democrat Doug Jones is replacing Attorney General Jeff Sessions to represent Alabama in the Senate. Jones is the first Democratic senator from Alabama elected since 1992 and the only Senate Democrat with an African American Chief of Staff, reflecting his commitment to civil rights. As a federal prosecutor, Senator Jones took on the Ku Klux Klan for their role in the 1963 bombing of a church in Birmingham that murdered four young women. Jones’ victory owes a great deal to support of African American women, 98% of whom cast their vote for him in the special election. The Senate also welcomes Tina Smith, filling the seat of Minnesota senator Al Franken after a string of sexual harassment allegations. The GOP’s senate majority remains intact before the midterms, but many wonder if they will maintain the upper hand this time next year. The Democrats lost their majority in the last midterms, it could certainly happen again.

What’s on the Table?

Once again, it’s all about the budget. On January 19, a temporary spending bill is set to expire, leaving the government vulnerable to another shutdown. Republicans are only looking to spend on the Pentagon, where a full-year budget must be determined by the end of the month. However, both parties are also interested in setting aside funds to tackle the opioid crisis. As always, vital budget bills create an opportunity to push legislation through in the face of a shutdown. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi plans to use the pending shutdown to push GOP lawmakers to address the protection of Dreamers in the face of Trump’s repeal of Obama’s executive order giving children of illegal immigrants protected status. Between healthcare, immigration and the need for disaster aid in Texas and Puerto Rico after 2017’s brutal hurricane season, this budget won’t be easy to pass.

And the Winner Is…

Iceland passed a law making it illegal for companies to pay men more than women for the same job and set up a system to fine offenders of gender discrimination in salary.

Quotable Citizen:

“Africa!”

-Holly, a contestant on Ellen’s Game of Games when asked to name ANY African nation.

I bless the rains.