Cut to the News
Cut through the clutter to today's top news
December 30, 2021
Good morning
Here are your top news picks for today. Everything you need to know - nothing you don't:
Donald Trump has the Republican nomination for president if he wants it: Lindsey Graham . . . Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said former President Trump would likely have the Republican nomination for the 2024 elections if he wants to run. "Unless there's something coming out of left field I don't see coming, it's his nomination if he wants it," Graham told guest host Pete Hegseth on "Hannity" Wednesday. "The Republican base appreciated
him. We don't appreciate all the things he does sometimes. But from a policy point of view, he was the most successful president from a conservative's point of view since Ronald Reagan." "[Trump] will be in the White House in 2024 if he runs a disciplined campaign," Graham said.
Fox News
Biden Administration Asks Supreme Court to Consider Its Bid to End ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy . . . The Biden administration Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to consider its bid to end the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy, following legal setbacks that have forced the government to continue the program. Formally called the Migrant Protection Protocols, the program bars asylum seekers from Central America from entering the
U.S. while immigration courts consider their claims. President Biden campaigned against the policy, introduced by former President Donald Trump, and took steps to end it upon taking office, but Republican-led states including Texas and Missouri sued to force its continuation.
Wall Street Journal
Twitter Suspends Account Of Prominent Vaccine Scientist And Skeptic . . . Twitter suspended the account of Dr. Robert W. Malone, a prominent scientist and virologist instrumental in developing mRNA vaccine technology who has been criticized for his skepticism of the COVID-19 vaccines’ safety. “We all knew it would happen eventually. Today it did,” Malone wrote on his Substack blog Wednesday, saying the suspension was permanent. “Over a
half million followers gone in a blink of an eye.” Malone’s account, @RWMaloneMD, is no longer active and has been labeled with an “account suspended” notice.
Daily Caller
The youth mental health crisis is real, but teachers can't solve it alone . . . The U.S. surgeon general this month issued a stark warning about the state of mental health among America’s youth. Citing mounting evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to social isolation, feelings of hopelessness and self-harm among adolescents, his public health advisory urged immediate action to support young people’s mental health and well-being.
The Hill
Let's Go Brandon store chain to expand in New England: 'Business is very, very good' . . . Business is booming for a Let’s Go Brandon store chain selling anti-President Biden merchandise across New England. Owner Keith Lambert told FOX Business he plans to expand his business into Salisbury and Cape Cod, Massachusetts – increasing his locations from eight to 10 to keep up with the demand during the Biden presidency. "A customer came
into one of our locations [Tuesday] and bought a Let’s Go Brandon sticker and went out to his car and stuck it over his Biden sticker," Lambert said. "And that was it, he was just like, ‘I’m done with this guy.’" "Business is very, very good right now."
Fox Business
Iran says rocket sends three 'research payloads' into space . . . Iran has used a satellite launch rocket to send three research devices into space, a defence ministry spokesman said on Thursday, as indirect U.S.-Iran talks take place in Austria to try to salvage a 2015 nuclear deal. He did not clarify whether the devices had reached orbit. Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programmes in the Middle East, has suffered
several failed satellite launches in the past few years due to technical issues. Spokesman Ahmad Hosseini said the Simorgh satellite carrier rocket, whose name translates as "Phoenix", had launched the three research devices at an altitude of 470 kilometres (290 miles). He did not give further details.
Reuters
Of course, it's research.
What’s Behind China’s Regulatory Storm . . . China’s authorities attracted the world’s attention during 2021 with a series of abrupt and unanticipated regulatory and policy changes. With several strokes of the pen, regulators wiped out hundred of billions of dollars of equity value, and imposed new and more restrictive regulations on a range of sectors, from internet finance to education. The reality is that many of the Chinese actions
have a reasonable regulatory rationale, and can be easily defended on an individual basis. But taking a broader view, there is no question that the latest government actions represent a substantial expansion of the power of the government and the Chinese Communist Party.
Wall Street Journal
Biden-Putin Call today @3:30 pm Eastern . . . According to the Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will hold a phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Thursday, December 30, 2021 to discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia.
The Biden Administration continues to engage in extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners, consulting and coordinating on a common approach in response to Russia’s military build-up on the border with Ukraine.
White House
It will be 11:30 pm in Moscow - strange time of the day to have a talk, unless it's something very urgent, such as Putin warning Biden to stay out of whatever it is that Putin plans to do with regard to Ukraine. This reminds me about a minutes-long warning that the US provided to Russia before NATO forces started to bomb Yugoslavia in 1999, prompting Prime Minister Primakov, who was on the way to Washington, make a U-turn mid-air over the Atlantic to return home in anger. Primakov
was Putin's mentor and I am wondering if the call this afternoon is Putins' payback for 1999.
Air strikes or invasion: what are Putin’s military options for Ukraine? . . . As Vladimir Putin threatens possible military action on Ukraine, western military analysts say Russia’s president could contemplate a wide range of scenarios — from targeted missile strikes to a limited incursion from the east or south of the country, and even a full-scale invasion backed by cyber warfare. US intelligence information shared with European allies
suggests Russia is preparing a possible invasion, according to US and EU officials. The troop build-up could be aimed at securing diplomatic concessions from US president Joe Biden, they noted. The US and Russian leaders are due to speak on the phone on Thursday ahead of negotiations between Russia, the US and Nato member states in January.
Financial
Times
The Pentagon’s new strategy might already be behind the times: 2022 Preview . . . A Russian invasion of Ukraine could derail the Defense Department's planning. The 2018 National Defense Strategy clearly articulated that China was the United States’ biggest strategic threat, and stated that the Defense Department must take action to modernize the force and regain its technical edge in order to deter and — if all else fails — win a conflict
against Beijing. Two other major studies due to be released next year — the Nuclear Posture Review and Missile Defense Review — could also lay the groundwork for greater transformation, especially if the administration backs a reduction in US nuclear armaments or proposes delaying ongoing modernization efforts like the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program for replacing current intercontinental ballistic missiles. Of course, all of that policy and strategy could be upended if Russia
creates a more immediate geopolitical crisis by invading Ukraine, a move US intelligence sources have reportedly indicated could happen as soon as early next year.
Breaking Defense
Pentagon is always behind the curve. Indications and warnings (I&W), going back at least 10 years ago, were unambiguous about Russia's and China's pursuing military modernization at a rapid pace. Both countries' intentions to challenge US security interests were clear as day, based even on unclassified, i.e. open source. You can use your imagination what classified intelligence was telling us. Why the heck did the Pentagon just wake up to the looming threat? They always get caught
with their pants down (oops, I mean blindsided). It's not like it's the first time around.
I am asked frequently what President Biden and his national security team should do now, in response to Putin's aggression towards Ukraine, Russia's cyber attacks targeting US critical infrastructure, and other actions. There's nothing that Biden can do at this point to change Putin's decision calculus, without incurring huge security risks for the US. It's too late.
Having to respond is a terrible position to be in. Our government "experts" placed us in this position by not doing their homework on Russia (or China), not having a deterrence strategy, and not acting forcefully when they should have been. It is outrageous that we have the best combat force and weaponry in military history now but ZERO strategy to use it properly to deter weaker adversaries or even secure victory with someone like the Taliban. It's a mess. American
people should be outraged.
