Report: Huawei Shipping New Surveillance Camera Chips
A unit of Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies is reportedly shipping new Chinese-made chips for surveillance cameras, as the company finds ways around four years of US export controls that have blocked its access to American technology.
Chinese advances in semiconductor production have caused a leading association of manufacturers to accuse Huawei of building a collection of secret chip-making facilities under different company names — enabling the company to indirectly purchase American chip-making equipment.
The report states that shipments to surveillance camera manufacturers from HiSilicon, a chip design unit of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., began earlier this year and that it appears Huawei worked around US sanctions in March by producing chips at and above 14 nanometers —two or three generations behind leading-edge technology.
Pro-China narrative
The launch of Huawei's new smartphone, powered by a cutting-edge new chip, is a game-changer that has spurred pride in China. It underscores the country’s capability to produce advanced semiconductor chips despite US-imposed restrictions.
Anti-China narrative
Huawei and SMIC appear to have access to sophisticated tools they shouldn't have under current US government restrictions. The US must put additional pressure on these companies by placing additional export controls on them.
Report: US and Saudi Arabia Explore Defense Pact
The US is reportedly discussing details of a mutual defense treaty with Saudi Arabia amid a push by the Biden admin. to get the Kingdom to normalize ties with Israel.
The pact — which would reportedly mirror security treaties between the US and its allies Japan and South Korea — would see Washington and Riyadh pledge military support to each other should one of them come under attack in the region or on Saudi soil.
According to US officials, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman considers the potential defense deal an important component for ongoing talks with Washington over Israel and developing a civilian nuclear program.
Pro-establishment narrative
Tying a US-Saudi defense pact to normalizing Saudi relations with Israel is an intelligent move by the Biden admin. While Tel Aviv and Riyadh seek security from Iran, the triangular deal would strengthen Washington's grip over critical regional trade routes in its geopolitical struggle with China. While there are still some disagreements between the two countries, the vast potential strategic benefits of a Saudi-Israeli and security guarantees to Saudi Arabia would make Washington the biggest winner.
Establishment-critical narrative
The days when the Biden admin. vowed to make Saudi Arabia an international "pariah" are long gone. While Washington needs to improve relations with all countries, offering Saudi Arabia a defense pact for purely geostrategic reasons goes too far and could ultimately mean sending US troops to defend the autocratic Kingdom. Offering Riyadh military protection in return for normalizing relations with Israel, billions for the US arms industry, and cheap oil would completely strip Washington of any moral credibility.
Narrative C
Biden is seeking to put US-Saudi ties back on a solid footing to prevent Riyadh from falling to China and stabilize global energy markets. However, a defense pact is not the right tool to advance the normalization of US-Saudi relations — Washington should instead devote its military resources to threats from China and Russia. Meanwhile, Washington and Riyadh should seek deep US involvement in the Kingdom's defense reform to address Saudi Arabia's national security concerns and deter Iran.
Nerd narrative
There's a 24% chance that Saudi Arabia will establish diplomatic relations with Israel before Jan. 20, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Global Debt Surges to Record $307T
Global debt reached a record $307T in the second quarter of 2023, the Institute of International Finance (IIF) said on Tuesday.
The group representing the world's largest international banks and financial institutions reported that global debt in dollar terms had risen by $10T in the first half of the year and by $100T over the past decade.
According to the IIF, the global debt-to-GDP ratio increased to 336% for a second straight quarter, reportedly due to global inflation spikes, higher borrowing costs, and tighter lending.
Narrative A
Rising debt has been a global concern for a while, and has become a more urgent one since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2019. A high debt-to-GDP ratio reduces space for fresh investment as more funds are directed toward debt-servicing, which hampers growth. Country-level structural reforms and international cooperation in taxation are required to help ease national finances.
Narrative B
While concerns over rising global debt must be paid heed to, it should also be noted that the effect of debt varies among nations, meaning that adjustment costs can vary. At the macro level, consumer debt remains largely manageable; central banks have retained some wriggle room and markets shouldn't be overly spooked.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that at least ten countries will have AAA-rated sovereign debt per S&P in 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Zelenskyy Accuses Russia of Genocide, Urges Unity Against 'Russian Aggression'
Making his first in-person speech at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of committing genocide and called on world leaders to unite against "Russian aggression."
Zelenskyy accused Russia of weaponizing energy and food security, and "kidnapping" tens of thousands of children from occupied territory in Ukraine.
"We know the names of tens of thousands of children and have evidence on hundreds of thousands of others kidnapped by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine and later deported," Zelenskyy said. "The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrant for [Russian Pres.] Putin for this crime ... This is clearly a genocide."
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Russia's imperial war against Ukraine is an attempt to deny Ukraine of its existence and wipe it off the face of the map. This has been repeatedly shown in Russia's deliberate attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure, as well as its abduction of tens of thousands of children. This is clearly genocide.
Narrative B
While Russia can rightly be accused of many things in Ukraine, including starting the war and committing war crimes, there's no evidence to support the statement that it's deliberately trying to exterminate the people of Ukraine. The crime of genocide is the most serious violation of international law and we risk watering it down if we start playing fast and loose with the term.
Nerd narrative
There is a 1% chance that Russia will be removed from the UN Security Council by 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
UN: 1.6K Abuses of Detainees in Taliban Custody
A UN report released Wednesday claims that over 1.6K incidents of rights violations against those detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan were recorded in the 19 months leading up to the end of July 2023.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has claimed that abuses occurred across 29 of the 34 Afghan provinces, with nearly 60% of the violations committed by Afghanistan's General Directorate of Intelligence.
The report further cites 18 deaths while in custody, with nearly half of the alleged violations detailed as "torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment." Approximately one in 10 of the incidents were against women and nearly 25% were against journalists, according to the UN.
Establishment-critical narrative
This inflammatory report is inaccurate and only serves to paint the Taliban in a negative light. Torture and forced confessions are already prohibited, and authorities are investigating any violations. It's vital that the UN, rather than listening to the rumors of those who wish to sow discord, engage in real dialogue with the Islamic Emirate as it continues to work toward peace and security.
Pro-establishment narrative
The Taliban's definition of necessary security and stability is one that engages in gross human rights violations against women, minorities, and dissidents. Its presence in the global community is a danger to us all, and UNAMA must continue to spend more time with the Afghan people, rather than the de facto authorities, and work to expose the truth of the oppression currently going unchecked.
Nerd narrative
There's a 47% chance that Taliban-controlled Afghanistan will be used as a base for anti-NATO terrorism by 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
At Least 6 Palestinians Killed by Israeli Forces
Palestinian health officials said on Wednesday that six Palestinians had been killed in a 24-hour period after Israeli troops conducted raids in the West Bank and confronted demonstrators in Gaza. At least three of those killed were claimed as Palestinian fighters.
This figure doesn't include a casualty reported by the Palestine chapter of Geneva-based Defense for Children International (DCIP), which claimed that during a Jenin raid, Israeli forces shot and killed 15-year-old Rafat Omar Ahmad Khamayseh after he spotted Israeli troops operating in Jenin and tried to alert residents of their presence. However, this information wasn't independently verified.
Israeli forces entered the refugee camp of Jenin to conduct a short raid Tuesday night, wounding dozens and killing four. Israeli forces also conducted a raid into the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp in Jericho, killing one.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israeli incursions are only meant to provoke Palestinian residents who are growing increasingly frustrated with the daily brutality of the occupation under which they live. The goal of these raids is to terrorize the Palestinian population and to make sure that nowhere is safe. In addition to this, Israel has blocked one of the only official entrances into Gaza, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel only launches these raids to prevent Palestinian terror attacks against Israeli civilians. The Israeli military does everything it can to avoid civilian casualties, but Israeli forces have been forced to use live ammunition after being attacked or fired upon by Palestinian militants. As terrorist groups like Hamas openly threaten attacks on Tel Aviv, Israeli forces will remain vigilant.
Japan Calls on China to Remove Buoy Near Disputed Islands
Japan has called on the Chinese government to remove a buoy it claims it found floating in the waters of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Senkaku Islands, known by China as the Diaoyu Islands.
A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said that they "have been lodging protests in both Tokyo and Beijing since Japan’s coastguard in July found a buoy," adding that they "have demanded the immediate removal of the buoy as it is against international laws."
The uninhabited islands and rocks are located roughly 190 nautical miles southwest of Okinawa, Japan, and have been controlled by the country since 1895. However, they are also claimed by Taiwan. Under UN rules, an EEZ can extend as far out as 200 nautical miles.
Anti-China narrative
The Senkaku islands have been under the official possession of Japan for over a century, beginning with their annexation after the first Sino-Japanese War and again following World War II. Beijing is now using its economic and military power to impede this region. Japan must work with the US to prepare responses should the CCP attempt to escalate these imperialistic maneuvers.
Pro-China narrative
Just two decades ago, Tokyo was prioritizing regional stability and friendship with Beijing, but since it began partnering with the US and South Korea, it's chosen economic and military hostility instead. Japan is well aware of its cultural and economic ties to China, which is why, hopefully, it will retrace its steps and return to focusing on fostering diplomacy and stability rather than supporting the goals of the West.
Climate Report: 35M US Homes Will Be 'Essentially Uninsurable'
In a report by First Street Foundation, a non-profit that studies climate risks, 35.6M properties — one-quarter of all US real estate — face increasing insurance prices and reduced coverage due to potential future climate impacts. The higher costs will also devalue these properties.
Head of climate implications at First Street, Jeremy Porter, said, “There’s this climate insurance bubble out there...and you can quantify it.”
The research shows that some parts of California are becoming "essentially 'uninsurable'" due to wildfire risk. Extreme weather risk plagues homes in other states throughout the US.
Narrative A
The US is in the midst of a climate insurance bubble, with 39M properties at high risk of flooding, wildfires, or hurricane winds. Millions of properties have such high risk that no insurance company will provide them coverage, or it will drive the insurance premiums sky high. This affects homeowners, but state and local governments must play their part in enacting comprehensive climate resilience strategies.
Narrative B
Climate change is a state problem. It's not just a problem for homeowners in California, Florida, Texas, Colorado, Louisiana and New York. Insurance companies must re-assess their risk tolerance as climate change leads to more common and severe extreme weather events. The industry needs to fundamentally change how it views risk and accept that the risk that we assumed was normal 20 years ago is not the same risk today — nor will it be 10 or 20 years from now. Homeowners and communities must take their own proactive precautions as well.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the total damage incurred by climate change in the 21st century, as measured by its impact on GDP, will be at least 10.98%, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Donald Trump Jr.’s X Account Hacked
Donald Trump Jr.’s account on X, formerly known as Twitter, was hacked on Wednesday morning. Numerous posts with false information were published to his 10.4M followers.
One of the untrue posts announced the death of his father, former US Pres. Donald Trump, and claimed that Trump Jr. would be running for president in 2024.
Other posts included messages like "North Korea is about to get smoked" and inflammatory comments about Pres. Joe Biden, Jeffrey Epstein, and influencer Richard Heart.
Narrative A
The mess of security on X and high-profile hacks impact us all – even those whose accounts aren't hacked. The platform, and the free flow of accurate information, are essential to democracy. Misinformation can spread like wildfire on social media and negligence around security on X endangers both users' security and national security, especially ahead of the upcoming election.
Narrative B
X is working to combat manipulation and hacking with new security measures and rules. There's a fine balance between fighting harmful content and censoring political debate, though. The work is ongoing and X is doing what it can to ensure accurate and safe political discourse.
AG Garland Testifies Before House Judiciary Committee
The GOP-controlled House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Wednesday for US Attorney General Merrick Garland, which saw him face accusations of "weaponizing" the Justice Dept. (DOJ ) in favor of Pres. Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.
The hearing focused heavily on the DOJ ‘s handling of its investigation and prosecution of Hunter Biden on felony gun charges, with committee chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) claiming Garland and David Weiss, the special counsel leading the Biden investigation, covered for the president’s son.
Jordan further alleged the DOJ didn't adequately look into Hunter’s business dealings with Ukrainian energy company Burisma and noted that the DOJ allowed the statute of limitations to expire before it could investigate Hunter’s potential tax crimes.
Republican narrative
There's little doubt that Merrick Garland and the DOJ are in the tank for Joe Biden. While Trump gets hit with indictment after indictment on the flimsiest charges, Garland’s DOJ ignores Hunter Biden’s corruption and treats his criminal investigation with children’s gloves. Garland must answer for his bias.
Democratic narrative
House Republicans are creating a spectacle by slandering Garland and questioning the legitimacy of the American justice system. Rather than eroding public trust, this time would be better spent addressing the real problems that Congress faces, such as funding the government ahead of the impending shutdown. It's time to move on.
Nerd narrative
There's a 10% chance that Merrick Garland will be impeached before the 2024 federal election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.