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FBI Seizes Retired General's Data Regarding Qatar Lobbying
Federal court filings obtained on Tues. revealed that the FBI seized the electronic data of John R. Allen, a retired four-star Marine Gen., accusing him of making false statements and withholding "incriminating" documents about his role in a foreign lobbying campaign on behalf of Qatar.
Allen, who led US and NATO forces in Afghanistan until he stepped down to join the influential Brookings Institution could face criminal charges for working behind the scenes to influence US foreign policy in favor of the small, but wealthy Persian Gulf nation. Brookings placed Allen on administrative leave on Wed.
The court filings detailed Allen's alleged efforts to help Qatar influence US policy in 2017, when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other countries declared a blockade of Qatar over alleged ties to terror groups and other issues. Former Pres. Trump appeared to support the move against Qatar.
Narrative A
As former Marine Gen. Allen himself has said, his actions were to protect the interests of the US as well as military personnel stationed abroad. He has voluntarily assisted the government's investigation.
Narrative B
As the search warrant application states, Allen gave federal agents a "false version of events" when questioned about his involvement during the 2017 crisis in Qatar. Allen unethically worked as a Qatari agent for huge financial gains.
Cynical narrative
Gulf lobbying in Washington is, unfortunately, not an issue specific to Qatar. The UAE and Saudi Arabia both spend millions to influence think tanks and policymakers alike when it comes to the US's posture toward the Persian Gulf. It will be difficult to extinguish this open corruption.
Congo: Belgian King 'Regrets' Colonization
Belgium's King Philippe stated his "deepest regrets" on Wed. for the exploitation, racism, and acts of violence that occurred during his country's colonization of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He stopped short, however, of formally apologizing.
The king's remarks were made during his first visit to the central African country since he took the throne in 2013. He returned a wooden ceremonial mask that was taken to Belgium during the colonial period as part of the trip.
The king told the Congolese parliament that "even though many Belgians invested themselves sincerely, loving Congo and its people deeply, the colonial regime itself was based on exploitation and domination."
Establishment-critical narrative
Kind words aren't enough to erase the horrors Belgium inflicted upon the Congo, especially considering Belgium and the West's intervention in Congolese affairs and exploitation of the country's resources following the colonial period into the modern-day. The only way forward is reparations.
Pro-establishment narrative
King Philippe's trip is a historic moment for both Belgium and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Though the horrors of European colonialism will never be erased, the king's warm welcome indicates that the Congo's economic and political situation may be able to improve in the future.
Conservative narrative
Though the horrors of European colonialism in Africa are, of course, terrible, there is an intellectual trend that conquest and exploitation are unique to Europe. Colonialism has been a facet of history across cultures since the beginning of civilization, and most of the continent's current woes stem from corruption and other internal issues.
Day 107 Roundup: 3 Foreigners Sentenced to Death; Putin Likens Himself to Peter the Great
Western officials have condemned the sentencing to death of two Britons and a Moroccan by pro-Russia officials in eastern Ukraine on Thursday. The three pleaded guilty to charges of "seeking violent overthrow," terrorism and mercenary activities and will reportedly face a firing squad next month.
UK Foreign Sec. Liz Truss said: "I utterly condemn the sentencing ... by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy." Truss spoke with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuelba on Fri. to "'discuss efforts to secure [their] release."
Elsewhere, heavy artillery and street combat continued in the Luhansk city of Severodonetsk. According to analysts, Russian and Ukrainian sources confirm that Russia controls the residential areas of the city and that fighting is ongoing for the Azot industrial zone where Ukrainian forces are reportedly embedded.
Pro-establishment narrative
Making sure Ukraine continues to be well armed is the only way to fend off Putin and Russia in this unprovoked war of aggression. The US and NATO must not simply offer up their latest and most hi-tech weapons however; combat is about supply lines and the West must ensure basic equipment and ammunition are kept flowing as needed.
Establishment-critical narrative
Multi-billion dollar weapons packages will make little difference in the outcome of the war. The US has been meddling in Ukraine since the end of the Cold War, and what we're witnessing is a geopolitical ponzi scheme to benefit those aligned with the military-industrial complex. War is a lucrative racket.
Nerd narrative
There's a 52% chance that Vladimir Putin will be charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Mich. GOP Candidate Arrested Over Jan. 6
Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley was arrested in his home by the FBI on Thurs. on four misdemeanor charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Documents allege Kelley was a part of the crowd rioting at the Capitol. The charges include entering a restricted building or grounds and committing violence against a person or property.
The affidavit says the FBI received multiple tips regarding Kelley's presence at the rally, along with alleged photos and videos of him among a group standing near a Capitol entrance.
Democratic narrative
Ironically, Kelley has called prominent Democrats like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and AG Dana Nessel "felons," but he's the criminal. It shouldn't be a surprise, though, considering his past rhetoric and the overall callous disregard many Republicans have shown for democracy.
Republican narrative
Never mind what the Jan. 6 committee is looking into, the most dangerous threat to democracy is Democrats using the FBI to arrest political opponents. It's also suspicious that they waited a year and a half before arresting him on Day 1 of the committee hearings.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that 20 or more people will be charged by the US DOJ with seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6 Capital riots, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Explosion at US Natural Gas Plant Raises Risk of Europe Shortages
Natural gas prices have surged across Europe after a Wed. explosion closed down the Freeport LNG terminal in Quintana, Texas, a key hub that processes 20% of US exports. Officials say the terminal will be offline for at least three weeks.
The cause of the Wed. blast isn't clear. There were no injuries reported by the company and all employees have been accounted for.
When markets opened in Europe on Thurs., the top natural gas contract in the UK spiked from £130 per megawatt-hour to £180, a 38% increase, before later settling at £154.90.
Narrative A
The explosion in Texas puts pressure on Europe. If the disruption at Freeport's LNG plant is longer than three weeks, things could get challenging in the region. This is the time when Europe is trying to boost inventory through LNG imports for next winter, anticipating potential Russian pipeline disruptions.
Narrative B
This disaster puts pressure on the US. Washington has tried to promote itself as among the solutions to the global energy market squeeze while the EU weaned itself from Russian oil. This explosion shows the fragility of the US strategy and vision.
Establishment-critical narrative
This disaster affects vulnerable communities the most. The explosion has heightened fears of pollution and other impacts in nearby communities and serves as the latest example of the threat the booming LNG industry poses to the environment. The people in nearby communities shouldn't have to live in fear just so gas executives can get rich.
Erdoğan Warns Greece to Demilitarize Aegean Islands
On Thurs., Turkish Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned Greece to halt arming islands in the Aegean Sea which are designated with non-military status.
Affirming that he's "not joking," Erdoğan alleged that Greece is violating numerous treaties guaranteeing the unarmed status of the islands, and that Athens has been building a military presence in the maritime region.
Greece has long argued that Ankara has intentionally misinterpreted international treaties and that Athens has a right to defend itself from potential Turkish aggression.
Narrative A
Türkiye is purposely misinterpreting documents to pressure Greece into leaving the Aegean islands unprotected. The whole situation seems to be a propaganda stunt by Erdoğan and increases tensions in the region at a time when NATO cohesion is vital.
Narrative B
Greece is acting in bad faith with its actions in the Aegean Sea. When these islands were ceded from Ankara to Athens, it was agreed that they would never be militarized. Greek posturing will only enflame regional tensions.
US to Reopen Separate Diplomatic Communication Line for Palestine
The Biden admin. announced Thurs. that they're restoring a line of communication between the US and Palestine that had previously been canceled by former Pres. Trump.
The Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU) had been operating within the US embassy in Israel, but will now report directly to the State Dept.'s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. The PAU has also changed its name to the US Office of Palestinian Affairs (OPA).
OPA had been redesignated to the Israeli embassy from occupied East Jerusalem and renamed the Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU) under Trump, outraging many Palestinians and delighting many Israelis.
Pro-Palestine narrative
This is one positive step closer to reopening the US consulate to Palestine in East Jerusalem. Israel illegally annexed the region in 1967 and this is part of what's needed for Palestine to officially regain legitimacy and establish a capital of the Palestinian State.
Pro-Israel narrative
Biden needs to be careful. If the US continues down this path towards reopening the Palestinian consulate and possibly even recognizing Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, they risk violating the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act that states Jerusalem should remain an undivided city which Israel has declared sovereignty over.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that Israel will recognize Palestine by May 6, 2082, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
DOJ Investigating La. Police for Alleged Racism, Excessive Force
The DOJ has opened a pattern-or-practice investigation into allegations of excessive force and racism by the Louisiana State Police (LSP), marking the Biden admin.'s fifth such probe.
Assistant AG Kristen Clarke, head of the civil rights division, said the DOJ has found "significant justification" to review policies, training, supervision, and systems of accountability within the LSP.
In addition to the high-profile case of Ronald Greene, a Black motorist fatally beaten in 2019, there have been allegations of state troopers uttering racial slurs, inappropriately using stun guns, and treating handcuffed or otherwise non-resistant people at minor traffic spots with excessive force.
Right narrative
The federal government is overstepping its bounds by meddling in local policing. There were numerous pattern-or-practice investigations in the Obama years, and several cities that wound up signing consent decrees have seen major spikes in violent crime.
Left narrative
It's about time the Feds took a closer look at what's been going on in Louisianna. If the primarily white police department openly admits that two-thirds of cases where excessive force was used victimized Black people, imagine what other wrongdoings this investigation might uncover.
UK Review Recommends Policies to Reach Smoke-Free Society
An independent tobacco report commissioned by UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid has outlined 15 recommendations to help England reach its smoke-free goal by 2030.
The review was completed by Dr. Javed Khan, former CEO of children's charity Barnardo's, and found that England will miss its smoke-free target - defined as less than 5% of smokers, compared to the current 15% - by at least seven years without action.
The report's recommendations include incrementally increasing the legal purchasing age from 18 every year until nobody is able to purchase tobacco, promoting vapes to help people quit smoking, and increasing duties and banning duty-free tobacco, among others.
Narrative A
The simple fact is that smoking tobacco kills people and enough is enough. These newest proposals could present an opportunity to prevent thousands of deaths, and should seriously be considered.
Narrative B
The UK is being labeled as a nanny state for its actions to prevent smoking, and rightfully so. While smoking tobacco is bad for your health, the government has no right to tell you how to live.
NASA Launches Study of UAPs
On Thurs., NASA announced the establishment of an independent team to study available public information on UFOs and gaps in knowledge about the phenomena.
The agency's science mission chief stated "We are not shying away from reputational risk" to improve data to better understand the so-called Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP).
While NASA has conducted studies searching for life within the solar system and beyond, this is the first time the agency will examine unexplained phenomena within Earth's skies.
Narrative A
This is a cosmic wild goose chase at the taxpayers' expense. Government agencies are clamoring for sensors, databases, and personnel when explanations as mundane as planets and stars can explain "UAPs." No matter how uneventful the true causes probably are, there will be a clamoring for a gravy train of public money on this questionable endeavor.
Narrative B
Statistically, it's much more likely that UAPs are a national security threat emanating from advanced technologies deployed by US adversaries. Our early combing of the galaxy has turned up no aliens so far. While we keep searching the Cosmos for signs of life, odds suggest these are human technologies snooping in our airspace.
Nerd narrative
There is an 20% chance that conclusive evidence for extraterrestrial life will be discovered within our solar system by 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.