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Senior ISIS Leader Captured In Syria.
The US-led coalition stated on Thurs. that a senior leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) group was detained in Syria during an early-morning raid.
Troops are said to have stormed a house in al-Humayra, close to the Turkish border in Aleppo province, leading to a seven-minute armed clash between them and residents.
Officials later identified the man detained as ISIS bomb maker Hani Ahmed Al-Kurdi, also known as the "Wali of Raqqa" – or the governor of Raqqa, a city that was the ISIS de facto capital between 2014 and 2019.
Pro-establishment narrative
This operation, which aims at tackling a recent ISIS revival, was a huge success as the US-led coalition arrested a senior ISIS leader while preventing collateral damages by executing a successful plan of action.
Establishment-critical narrative
Though successful missions against ISIS such as this one receive a much broader media coverage, they can't justify the fact that the coalition's campaign has systematically and tragically claimed the lives of civilians. The US occupation of part of Syria is just as illegal as the Russian occupation of part of Ukraine.
Day 114 Roundup: Von der Leyen Backs Ukraine EU Candidacy; Civilian Casualties Pass 10k
Following a visit from the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania to Kyiv on Fri., the European Commission recommended that Ukraine become a candidate for EU membership. Commission Pres. Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the move in Brussels, adding this was on the understanding that Ukraine carry out a number of reforms.
Meanwhile, following a statement from Ukraine's navy that it struck a Russian tugboat in the Black Sea on Fri., the country's defense ministry claimed the vessel had been sunk, though this has yet to be independently confirmed. The 'Vasily Bekh' was reportedly transporting troops, weapons and ammunition to Zmiinyi Island, also known as Snake Island, off the coast of Odesa.
Elsewhere, Dutch intelligence said they have arrested a Russian national suspected of being a spy for Russia's military intelligence service, the GRU. Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov, 36, is accused of impersonating a Brazilian – an identity he allegedly cultivated for over 10 years – while seeking an internship at the International Criminal Court. He was arrested upon his arrival to the Netherlands.
Pro-establishment narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after a fraudulent election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that, according to UN figures, there will be at least 10.3M internally displaced Ukrainians by the end of 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Biden Signs Executive Order on LGBTQ+ Rights
At a White House Pride ceremony on Wed., Pres. Biden issued an executive order aimed at combating what his admin. calls discriminatory legislation against the LGBTQ+ community by Republican-controlled states.
The order seeks to prevent "conversion therapy" by directing the Dept. of Health and Human Services to clarify it will withdraw federal funding from organizations conducting such practices.
The order also expands transgender children's access to gender-reassignment care, which includes treatments such as puberty blockers and sex-change surgeries.
Right narrative
Biden should be applauded for his actions to protect young people from the extreme anti-LGBTQ+ agenda perpetuated by Republicans. He's combatting cruelty with a vision of inclusivity that says, at the very least, LGBTQ+ kids should feel safe at school.
Left narrative
With one stroke of the pen, Biden has categorized many Christians and conservatives, as well as many feminists and Democrats, as bullies of the LGBTQ+ community. It's not bullying to protect confused kids from controversial treatments. It's not wrong to promote ethical mental health care, reserve girls' sports for girls, and shield young children from gender theory in the classroom.
DeSantis Declines COVID Vaccines for Young Kids
The FDA voted unanimously on Wed. to recommend approval for Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines in children for kids under 5. The CDC is expected to vote on their endorsement over the weekend.
FL Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed on Thurs. that the state will not be ordering doses of the vaccine or committing resources to the rollout of the vaccine for children, toddlers, and infants.
FL is the only state that has not pre-ordered vaccine doses ahead of the federal govt's projected Jun. 21 rollout. The decision aligns with FL's recommendation that children not receive the shots.
Left narrative
Florida leaders have failed parents and left pediatricians and children's hospitals scrambling. Parents across the state should have the same access to vaccines no matter the age of their children. The State's decision to prevent access is anti-science and obstruction of parental rights, and utterly irresponsible.
Right narrative
Florida has been successful throughout the pandemic thanks to its flexible, hands-off approach. COVID jabs should not be pushed on young children. Attempts to attack Governor DeSantis' handling of COVID have not stopped the Sunshine State from being the top relocation hotspot in the US.
Roske Pleads Not Guilty to SCJ Attempted Assassination Charge
On Wed, 26-year-old Nicholas Roske pled not guilty to charges of an alleged assassination attempt on Supreme Court Justice (SCJ) Bret Kavanaugh. Roske was reportedly distraught at the arraignment and affirmed that he understood the charges against him, which, if found guilty, could result in life in prison.
US Magistrate Judge Ajmel Quereshi has set a tentative trial date for Aug. 23.
Last week, a federal grand jury indicted Roske, who allegedly flew across the country in an attempt to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, on a single count of attempting to kill a US judge.
Right narrative
This charge is further proof of how serious this incident was, despite it being largely swept under the rug and the Left's continued encouragement of rowdy protests outside conservative justices' homes. Hopefully, the lack of attention doesn't embolden someone else with violent motives.
Left narrative
This was an isolated event. Placing US Marshals in front of Kavanaugh's house worked as it was meant to, deterring Roske, who now faces a potential life sentence if convicted – a charging decision that should go even further to discourage another incident of this sort.
Bank of England Raises Interest Rates for Fifth Time, UK Inflation to Reach 11%
The Bank of England (BoE) increased interest rates by 25 basis points (0.25 percentage points) to 1.25% on Thurs., bringing its main interest rate to a 13-year high.
The fifth hike since Dec. comes as the BoE announced it anticipates inflation will rise above 11% in Oct., with grocery price rises potentially topping 15% over the summer.
The UK is facing the worse cost of living crisis in decades, with the war in Ukraine having further pushed up energy, food and fuel prices. The interest rate rises will have a direct affect on borrowing costs, with Brits on variable rate mortgages likely to see an imminent rise in costs.
Narrative A
The Bank of England is acting too modestly after it successively failed to foresee inflation rises. This is a new era of instability that demands more aggressive action to deter borrowing and strengthen the UK economy.
Narrative B
Today's central bankers don't have a choice, they have to raise interest rates gingerly to tackle inflation without wrecking economic growth. Although they are doing a thankless task, they will eventually be lauded for making the difficult but right decision that risks dampening the UK economy to protect long term stability.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that the benchmark interest rate in the US will be at least 2.78% on Dec. 31, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Julian Assange: UK Approves Extradition to US
British Home Sec. Priti Patel on Fri. approved the US' request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. His legal team now has 14 days to file an appeal, which they are expected to.
This comes after the UK Supreme Court ruled in Mar. that the extradition could go through, with it being formally referred to Patel in April. A district judge had previously blocked the efforts in Jan. 2021, stating that Assange's deteriorating mental health – combined with the US prison conditions he would be held under – would create a "substantial" risk of suicide.
In Feb. 2021, the US sent diplomatic assurances that it wouldn't hold Assange in the restrictive conditions typically reserved for national security defendants. The US also challenged the ruling in a High Court appeal.
Pro-establishment narrative
Assange is no journalist. As demonstrated by his publishing of hacked Democratic Party emails in 2016, his actions are closer to that of a spy than a publisher. His publishing of classified military materials put the lives of thousands US soldiers at risk. He should be extradited and face justice for his actions.
Establishment-critical narrative
In publishing files from Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantánamo Bay, Assange revealed numerous instances of war crimes and human rights violations perpetrated by the US. In seeking his prosecution, the country is trying to criminalize the truthful publication of information rather than go after the perpetrators of real human rights violations. This is a grave threat to press freedoms and ought to be opposed at all costs.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that Julian Assange will be extradited to the US by July 24, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
DC Dedicates Jamal Khashoggi Way in Front of Saudi Embassy
On Wed., a portion of a Washington, DC street in front of the Saudi embassy was renamed to memorialize journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered in 2018 by agents of the Saudi government. The DC Council had voted unanimously to take this action in Dec. 2021.
The CIA and UN have determined that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his government took part in planning the killing of the Saudi-born journalist and American citizen at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Bin Salman has denied ordering the killing.
The unveiling of the newly renamed stretch of New Hampshire Ave. between Virginia Ave. NW and F St. NW, took place a month before Pres. Biden is scheduled to take a much-criticized trip to Saudi Arabia. Previously, Biden had called making the kingdom a "pariah" a priority of his admin. because of the Khashoggi killing.
Establishment-critical narrative
Meeting with bin Salman dishonors Khashoggi, ironically just as this street will be named to honor him. Biden is breaking the promises he made after Khashoggi's death in an attempt to reduce the price of oil, and he's empowering despots around the globe at the same time.
Pro-establishment narrative
Shutting out the crown prince is not the answer. By engaging with the Saudis, Biden can reaffirm the transactional relationship – by which the Saudis get US protection in exchange for a steady, cheap flow of oil – but also negotiate changes on human rights and other issues. As long as Biden remains skeptical of the kingdom, he could hammer out a deal that earns bipartisan support back at home and honors Khashoggi's memory.
Three Palestinians Killed During Israeli Raid
On Fri., Israel Defense Force troops reportedly shot dead three Palestinians and left at least eight wounded, including one person in critical condition, during a raid in Jenin, in the West Bank.
The deceased victims were in a vehicle encircled by the Israeli military during the operation.
They allegedly opened fire on Israeli troops who were carrying out a mission in the city. Two M-16 rifles, a machine gun, and cartridges were found in their car.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israeli soldiers successfully neutralized a terrorist cell linked to Hamas and the al-Quds Brigades during this latest raid in Jenin. While the deaths are tragic, Israeli forces were responding to attacks on several fronts to protect innocent civilians and the State of Israel.
Pro-Palestine narrative
These young men were killed in cold blood by the occupation soldiers, who were carrying out a violent assault in the middle of the night while undercover. Just as misconduct at Abu Akleh's funeral wasn't punished, this latest attack reaffirms Israeli support for atrocious actions.