Podcast appearances and mentions of Eugene Scott

It's a dead heat. A brand-new NBC News poll has Vice President Harris and Trump tied in a head-to-head matchup. All eyes are on make-or-break swing states like Pennsylvania. Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele and Alicia Menendez talk to Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey about his crucial state and his reelection race. Plus, President Biden heads to Florida to assess the damage after Hurricane Milton. Olivia Troye and Kevin Carroll join to discuss.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced plans on Wednesday to fast-track a vote on a bill to protect access to birth control and other contraceptives. It comes the day after former President Donald Trump suggested he would be open to new restrictions, only to backtrack hours later. Longtime Capitol Hill reporter Eugene Scott explains the strategy behind Schumer's fast vote.Kenyan President William Ruto arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit. The White House will host him at an official state dinner tonight, making Ruto the first African leader to have state visit since 2008. We'll look at what that 16-year gap says about broader U.S. relations on the African continent.And in headlines: The New York Times reports a second right-wing flag was flown at a beach house owned by Justice Samuel Alito, the families of 19 victims of the Uvalde, Texas school shooting sued the school district and nearly 100 police officers for the botched response to the attack, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for a snap general election on July 4.Show Notes:What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Urgent efforts are underway to secure a cease-fire agreement in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University are defying a deadline to clear their encampment. Eugene Scott, Meghan Hays and Doug Heye join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable. Independent candidate for Nebraska's Senate seat Dan Osborn discusses his efforts to consolidate the anti-Republican vote.

The first week of testimony in Donald Trump's NY criminal trial ends with his former personal assistant and Michael Cohen's banker taking the witness stand. Plus, as campus protests continue over the war in Gaza, how Biden's response could affect his standing with young voters. Also: how Amazon went from bookseller to e-commerce giant. Jon Allen, Jon Mecham, David Jolly, Dana Mattioli, Ankush Khadori, Eugene Scott, John Della Volpe join.

The Arizona state Supreme Court ruled that a Civil War era abortion ban is now enforceable. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) calls on President Biden to put conditions on aid to Israel. NBC News Senior Reporter Jane Timm reports on the high turnover rates among election workers ahead of the 2024 election. Eugene Scott, Meghan Hays and former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable

A Florida federal judge denied Donald Trump's request to dismiss his classified document case. But he'll likely get a delay in his New York hush money trial date. Plus, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer makes a fiery speech calling for new leadership in Israel. And Stephanie sits down with actor Laurence Fishburne. Joyce Vance, Peter Baker, Eugene Scott, Lara Seligman, Susan Del Percio, and Donna Edwards join. 

Interview with Axios' Eugene Scott on Sen. McConnell (R-KY) stepping down as Senate Republican leader (6), Hunter Biden gives a deposition in the House impeachment inquiry, President Biden gets a physical exam, Supreme Court hears a case challenging the ATF's bump stock ban. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny accuses Putin of killing her husband as she vows to continue Navalny's work. Meanwhile, Donald Trump spends part of his weekend hawking $400 gold high-tops after being hit with a multi-million dollar penalty for fraud. And the stunning court decision in Alabama that could impact the fight for reproductive rights – as well as couples trying to start a family. Susan Glasser, Eugene Scott, Michael McFaul, Glenn Kirschner, Jennifer Palmieri, and Mark McKinnon join Symone Sanders-Townsend to break it down.

The latest on how a New York jury order Trump to pay #83.3 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll. Then, our Nightcap roundtable joins to discuss this week's biggest political headlines including the future of newspapers. Then our panel ends the night with their MVPs of the week. Jason Johnson, Eugene Scott, Molly Jong-Fast, Dave Aronberg, Chris Jansing, Hayes Brown, Philip Bump, and Tim O'Brien join.

Jan. 26, 2024 ~ Eugene Scott, Senior Politics Reporter for Axios, joins Lloyd and Jamie to talk about former President Donald Trump threatening the donors of Nikki Haley that they'd be "banned from MAGA," and the future of the border security deal that would be tied to aid for Ukraine and Israel.

The Iowa caucuses are officially over. Donald Trump won as expected with just over 50 percent of the vote, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis came in second and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley came in third. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy finished in fourth place, and suspended his campaign just minutes after the polls closed and then endorsed Trump. We're joined by Eugene Scott, senior politics reporter for Axios, to break down the results and turnout in Iowa.And in headlines: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from the hospital, the Biden Administration sent a cease-and-desist to Texas officials to stop blocking Border Patrol agents from the border, and we recap last night's Primetime Emmy Awards.Show Notes:What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Ali Velshi is joined Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post, Norman Ornstein from the American Enterprise Institute, retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, Foreign Policy's Ravi Agrawal, The Washington Post's Ishaan Tharoor, Eugene Scott of Axios, NBC's Jonathan Allen, Asaf Zamir - former Consul General of Israel in New York, Columbia Journalism School dean Jelani Cobb and Princeton University's Eddie Glaude Jr.

Four weeks until the Iowa caucuses, Donald Trump is facing backlash after saying immigrants coming into the U.S. are “poisoning the blood of our country.” Then, new reporting from ProPublic says Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas privately pushed for a higher salary and to lift the ban on speaking fees as he was reportedly frustrated with his financial situation. Then, Stephanie Ruhle sits down with a psychologist to discuss his new book on unlocking hidden potential. Jeff Mason, Eugene Scott, Barbara McQuade, Mark Joseph Stern, Jason Johnson, Stuart Stevens, and Adam Grant join.

In Donald Trump's federal election interference case, a three-judge panel mostly upheld the original gag order but narrowed its terms. Trump is barred from attacking potential witnesses, court staff, and most prosecutors but is allowed to criticize the charges, the Justice Department, and Special Counsel Jack Smith. Meanwhile, the U.S. added 199,000 jobs in Novemberand unemployment dropped to 3.7%. A closely watched consumer sentiment index is showing a more optimistic view of the U.S. economy. Eugene Daniels, Eugene Scott, Paul Butler, Jon Allen, Basil Smikle, Susan Del Percio, and Dr. Vin Gupta join.

Senate Majority Leader Schumer warns rise in antisemitism is "five-alarm fire that must be extinguished", families of hostages in Gaza testify before a House committee, interview with Axios' Eugene Scott on U.S. asylum law changes that could be packaged with aid to Ukraine (19), Speaker Johnson on this week's vote on expelling Rep. Santos, President Biden visits a wind turbine tower company in Colorado. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest host Charles Coleman is joined by Rep. Gregory Meeks, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Bloomberg Opinion's Tim O'Brien, former Assistant U.S Attorney Maya Wiley, NYU law professor Melissa Murray, Washington Post opinion writer Jennifer Rubin, The Grio's April Ryan, The Boston Globe's Renee Graham, Eugene Scott from Axios, NBC's Julie Tsirkin, and NBC's Sahil Kapur

There's been a focus on the restriction or attempted restriction of voting rights in the last several years. But as Axios' Eugene Scott reports, there have been even more state led moves to expand voting access. Why it matters: Voting could look different for many people in 2024. Plus, low-quality health care is costing employers -- and workers -- big. In-flight telemedicine is coming soon. And, Narcan is arriving over-the-counter...but at too high a price? Guests: Axios' Eugene Scott, Tina Reed, and Alex Fitzpatrick Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting two brilliant thinkers on the state of race in America, and how a faith angle fits into that. Ekemini Uwan is a writer, public theologian, and activist who hosts the excellent podcast Truth's Table. She co-wrote a book by that title, featuring Black women's musings on life, love, and liberation. Joining Ekemini is Eugene Scott, who has been a prior guest journalist on Faith Angle's podcast, and is currently the senior politics reporter at Axios.   Sixty years after the March on Washington and MLK's “I Have a Dream” speech, how are we doing? At the outset of an election year, this conversation dives straight into that question—with signs of some real progress and signs of much, much work yet ahead.   Guests Ekemini Uwan Eugene Scott    Additional Resources  Truth's Table Podcast Series, co-hosted by Ekemini Uwan and Christina Edmondson  Truth's Table: Black Women's Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation, by Ekemini Uwan and Christina Edmondson  "How Toni Morrison's words pierced me, as a black Christian female writer," by Ekemini Uwan "Black Florida lawmakers blast DeSantis over AP African American studies," by Eugene Scott  "Black lawmakers push Congress to do more on police reform," by Eugene Scott 

Ohio is holding a special election on Tuesday for voters to decide how easy it should be to amend the state constitution. It is the only item on the ballot and it's called Issue 1. Supporters of the proposal want to make it more difficult for an abortion rights amendment to pass in the state's general election in November. The big picture: Issue 1 is getting national attention because of what it could mean for abortion rights in Ohio as well as its impact on special interests in that state and beyond. Plus, a renewed push to get felons the right to vote in 2024. And, the video game Fortnite will be the setting for an unofficial Holocaust museum. Guests: Axios' Troy Smith and Eugene Scott. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) faces financial roadblocks in his presidential bid, but remains a top contender in the race following former President Donald Trump. Sarah Chamberlain, Joe Crowley, Eugene Scott and Amy Walter join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable. Former Gov. Pat McCrory (R-N.C.) discusses his third-party group No Labels' plans for the 2024 presidential election. Former Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) joins Meet the Press NOW to push back against third party candidates. An Iowa judge issues a temporary block on the six-week abortion ban signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-Iowa).

Former Vice President Mike Pence files papers to enter the Republican presidential field after candidates traveled to Iowa over the weekend. Gov. Chris Sununu (R-N.H.) announces he will not enter the presidential race. Brendan Buck, Stephanie Schriock and Eugene Scott join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable. The grand jury in an investigation into former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents prepares to meet later this week. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss the debt ceiling, gas stoves and gun violence.

President Joe Biden indicates that a 2024 announcement could come soon. The House of Representatives is set to vote on the debt limit this week, but Speaker Kevin McCarthy may not have the votes he needs. Stephen Hayes, Symone Sanders-Townsend and Eugene Scott join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announces a 72-hour ceasefire in Sudan. Susan Stigant, Director of Africa Programs at the U.S. Institute of Peace, joins Meet the Press NOW.

House Republicans rally around former President Donald Trump, defending him against the charges he faces in New York. Tensions mount between Republicans and the White House as the threat of exceeding the debt limit looms. Cook Political Report Editor-in-Chief Amy Walter discusses the Republican 2024 field and a new ad for Ron DeSantis. Margie Omero, Eugene Scott and Rick Tyler join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable.

Rep. Ilhan Omar was removed on Thursday from the Foreign Affairs Committee. Congressional Black Caucus members visited the White House while the House Republicans kicked off their investigations. Plus, the state of paid - and unpaid- leave for American workers. And, winter bears down across the U.S. Guests: Axios' Stef Kight, Eugene Scott and Emily Peck. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, Robin Linn, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Go Deeper: House votes to remove Ilhan Omar from Foreign Affairs Committee Paid family leave still out of reach for most American workers The coldest air in the Northern Hemisphere will freeze New England this weekend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lots of news in Washington this week – California's 2024 senate race is heating up before Sen. Dianne Fienstein even announces if she will be stepping down. And New York Rep. George Santos is being called on to resign. Plus, why pediatricians are struggling to treat patients. And, what do MLK's words mean to you? Guests: Axios' Eugene Scott, Russell Contreras and American Academy of Pediatrics' Dr. Jason Terk. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Go Deeper: Rep. Barbara Lee plans to run for Senate in 2024 Nassau County GOP officials call for Rep. George Santos' resignation What we know about Biden's classified documents investigation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 118th U.S. Congress convenes today as one of the most diverse and the youngest in recent congressional history. House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries follows in the footsteps of Nancy Pelosi, and Senator Kevin McCarthy battles for votes to become House Majority leader. We discuss legislative opportunities for the new Congress and take a closer look at incoming freshmen members with national political reporter Eugene Scott of the Washington Post.

The 118th U.S. Congress convenes today as one of the most diverse and the youngest in recent congressional history. House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries follows in the footsteps of Nancy Pelosi, and Senator Kevin McCarthy battles for votes to become House Majority leader. We discuss legislative opportunities for the new Congress and take a closer look at incoming freshmen members with national political reporter Eugene Scott of the Washington Post.

The Biden administration braces for an influx of migrants as the future of Title 42 remains unclear. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock discusses the declared state of emergency in Denver over the influx of migrants entering the city. Brendan Buck, Adrienne Elrod and Eugene Scott join Meet the Press NOW to discuss immigration, party identity and a gridlocked Congress. A rise in Covid-19 cases is occurring alongside a rise in flu and respiratory infections across the country. The National Archives released thousands of documents related to the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy.

The suspect in Saturday night's Colorado Springs shooting was charged by police with five counts of first degree murder and five counts of bias-motivated crime. Colorado District Attorney Michael Allen shares the latest from the ongoing investigation. State Representative Leslie Herod (D-Colo.), the first gay African American woman to be elected to Colorado's state legislature, discusses the importance of the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado Springs. Congressman-elect Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), the first Gen Z candidate to be elected to Congress, joins to discuss gun violence and what he has planned for his first term in office. Former President Trump hoped to clear the field by announcing a presidential run early, but it has not saved him from criticism from other GOP leaders. Eugene Scott, Stephanie Schriock and Danny Diaz join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable. Protests in Iran continue into their third month, as Iran's men's World Cup squad refuse to sing their national anthem on the global stage.

Arizona is still counting ballots in Maricopa County as the governor's race has not yet been called. Republicans fear an enthusiasm gap in the Georgia runoff after they failed to flip Senate seats in Arizona and Nevada. Congressman-elect Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.) discusses his plans for Congress and whether he would support President Biden in 2024. Sarah Chamberlain, Mark Murray, Eugene Scott and Joe Crowley join the MTP NOW roundtable. Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Jan. 6 committee scrambles to finalize their report to focus more on former President Trump.

We begin the hour with Midday on Politics. The US Senate will stay in Democratic hands, following the victory of incumbent Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto in Nevada. She beat a Trump-endorsed and heavily financed Republican opponent, Adam Laxalt. Attention has turned to the House, where control hinges on several races in California that are yet to be decided. And, any time attention turns away from Donald Trump, he tends to do his best to redirect it back where it belongs. For more than a week, he has hyped a big announcement for tomorrow, when he may announce his candidacy for president.    A whole bunch of Republicans want him to keep that decision out of the headlines until the Senate runoff election in Georgia between incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock and the Trump-backed Republican, Herschel Walker, is over. But Mr. Trump doesn't have a long tradition of accepting the counsel of many Republicans. And he certainly doesn't have a very successful history in advocating for Republicans in the House and Senate. Tom's guest is Eugene Scott, a national political reporter with the Washington Post. Eugene Scott joins us on our digital line from Washington, DC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ali Velshi is joined by Jessica Boehm, Phoenix Reporter at Axios, Tara Setmayer, Senior Advisor at The Lincoln Project, Rep. Sharice Davids, (D) Kansas, Alencia Johnson, Founder & Chief Impact Officer at 1063 West Broad, Jill Filipovic, Journalist, Rep.-Elect Mike Lawler, (R) New York, Michael Shure, Political Journalist, Rep. Tom Malinowski, (D) New Jersey, Eugene Scott, National Political Reporter at The Washington Post, Rep. Jahana Hayes, (D) Connecticut, Rep-Elect Ruwa Romman, (D) Georgia, Joanne Freeman, Professor of History & American Studies at Yale University, and Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Professor of History at NYU.

The Department of Justice filed two federal charges against David DePape, the man who attacked Speaker Pelosi's husband. Arizona's secretary of state receives complaints of voter intimidation at ballot drop box locations. Eugene Scott, Joe Crowley and Sarah Chamberlain discuss the rise in political violence as voters head to the polls. President Biden loses his temper with President Zelenskyy in a June phone call about military assistance. A nonprofit organization is recruiting veterans to volunteer as poll workers for the midterm elections.

On Washington Post Live's “First Look,” associate editor Jonathan Capehart speaks with The Post's Eugene Scott, E.J. Dionne and George Will to discuss how the war in Ukraine and the national abortion debate are impacting the upcoming midterm elections, and more. Conversation recorded on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022.

On Washington Post Live's “First Look,” associate editor Jonathan Capehart speaks with The Post's Eugene Scott, E.J. Dionne and George Will to discuss how the war in Ukraine and the national abortion debate are impacting the upcoming midterm elections, and more.

Russia fired a series of missiles towards Ukrainian population centers, to an extent not seen since the early days of the war. GOP Senators travel to Georgia to rally with Herschel Walker. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) is under fire for racist remarks he made at a campaign rally in Nevada. Eugene Scott, Symone Sanders-Townsend and Doug Heye join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable. Protests in Iran continue to grow as the nation's “morality police” crack down on demonstrators. The NFL and the NFL Players Association reach an agreement on tighter concussion protocols.

Hurricane Ian makes landfall for a second time in three days in South Carolina as Florida begins the recovery process. Vladimir Putin announced that Russia annexed four Ukrainian territories after phony referendum votes. Stephen Hayes, Eugene Scott and Stephanie Schriock join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable to discuss the midterms and Senate control. Florida communities are assessing the damage and financial impact from Hurricane Ian.

Eugene Scott, Sara Fagen, Xochitl Hinojosa and Dasha Burns join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable to discuss the GOP winning the issues they targeted coming into the campaign cycle and the possibility of losing in the midterms. A federal judge named a special master to oversee the documents seized during the FBI search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, as the Justice Department weighs an appeal of the decision. A mass grave was found near the recently liberated town of Izyum. Some migrants who were sent to Martha's Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are being relocated to a temporary shelter in Cape Cod. Rev. Al Sharpton joins to discuss recent calls for Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver to resign following an NBA investigation that found he created a toxic and hostile work environment. 

The Department of Justice says Trump may have hidden, moved classified documents. Stephanie Schriock, Doug Heye and Eugene Scott join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable to talk about the political atmosphere for both parties almost two months from the midterms. Mississippi residents resort to spending hundreds on bottled water amid running water shortage. Rep. Ro Khanna says working class voters have lost hope with Democrats and the American Dream.

A judge unsealed the affidavit justifying the FBI search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence. Sarah Chamberlain, Navin Nayak and Eugene Scott join the Meet the Press roundtable to discuss President Biden's first midterm campaign trip. A new economic report shows that price pressures eased in July. One year ago, 13 U.S. troops were killed following an attack at the Kabul airport. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss student loan forgiveness. 

Republicans in potential disarray and Democrats in sync after Sen. Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced he reached agreements on an energy and healthcare deal. Eugene Scott, Doug Jones and Sarah Chamberlain join the MTP NOW roundtable to discuss third-party politics and a GOP dealing with setbacks. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) breaks down Democratic divisions in Congress. MTP NOW wishes a happy retirement to longtime NBC News justice correspondent Pete Williams after 29 years with the network

The Jan. 6 committee will meet Friday for its final scheduled hearing with two former Trump White House officials who are expected to testify. Eugene Scott, Adrienne Elrod and Doug Heye join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable to discuss today's midterm contests and Democratic meddling in Republican elections. Guad Venegas reports on Monday's school board meeting in Uvalde, Texas where parents and students demanded accountability from authorities.

National political reporter Eugene Scott speaks with counterterrorism expert and best-selling author Malcolm Nance about his new book, “They Want to Kill Americans" and the threat of political violence and domestic extremism.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) calls for nationwide access to abortion medication.  Tom Winter reports on a report from Uvalde, Texas where a police officer had the gunmen in his sights. White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield announces that she will leave the White House. The Fulton County DA says that the investigation into former President Trump's 2020 meddling “is not a game.” Robinson Meyer, climate and energy writer for The Atlantic, discusses the consequences of inaction on climate change. Eugene Scott, Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Doug Heye join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable.

Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) talks about her work on the January 6th House Select Committee. GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis talks about LGBTQ+ community grown and discrimination. Adrienne Elrod, Eugene Scott, Jim Dornan join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Congress has signed four laws that send enormous amounts of money and weapons to Ukraine, attempting to punish Russia for President Putin's invasion. In this episode, we examine these laws to find out where our money will actually go and attempt to understand the shifting goals of the Biden administration. The big picture, as it's being explained to Congress, differs from what we're being sold. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Support Congressional Dish via Patreon (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank's online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North, Number 4576, Crestview, FL 32536. Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Background Sources Recommended Congressional Dish Content Ukraine and Russia CD249: A Few Good Laws CD248: Understanding the Enemy CD244: Keeping Ukraine CD229: Target Belarus CD167: Combating Russia (NDAA 2018) LIVE CD068: Ukraine Aid Bill CD067: What Do We Want In Ukraine? Syria CD172: The Illegal Bombing of Syria CD108: Regime Change CD041: Why Attack Syria? World Trade System What Is the World Trade System? CD230: Pacific Deterrence Initiative CD102: The World Trade Organization: COOL? Russian Blockade Shane Harris. May 24, 2022. “U.S. intelligence document shows Russian naval blockade of Ukraine.” The Washington Post. NATO Expansion Jim Garamone. Jun 1, 2022. “Russia Forcing Changes to NATO Strategic Concepts.” U.S. Department of Defense News. Matthew Lee. May 27, 2022. “US: Turkey's NATO issues with Sweden, Finland will be fixed.” AP News. Ted Kemp. May 19, 2022. “Two maps show NATO's growth — and Russia's isolation — since 1990.” CNBC. U.S. Involvement in Ukraine Helene Cooper, Eric Schmitt and Julian E. Barnes. May 5, 2022. “U.S. Intelligence Helped Ukraine Strike Russian Flagship, Officials Say.” The New York Times. Julian E. Barnes, Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt. May 4, 2022. “U.S. Intelligence Is Helping Ukraine Kill Russian Generals, Officials Say.” The New York Times. Private Security Contractors Christopher Caldwell. May 31, 2022. “The War in Ukraine May Be Impossible to Stop. And the U.S. Deserves Much of the Blame.” The New York Times. Joaquin Sapien and Joshua Kaplan. May 27, 2022. “How the U.S. Has Struggled to Stop the Growth of a Shadowy Russian Private Army.” ProPublica. H.R. 7691 Background How It Passed Glenn Greenwald. May 13, 2022. “The Bizarre, Unanimous Dem Support for the $40b War Package to Raytheon and CIA: ‘For Ukraine.'” Glenn Greenwald on Substack. Catie Edmondson and Emily Cochrane. May 10, 2022. “House Passes $40 Billion More in Ukraine Aid, With Few Questions Asked.” The New York Times. Republican Holdouts Glenn Greenwald and Anthony Tobin. May 24, 2022. “Twenty-Two House Republicans Demand Accountability on Biden's $40b War Spending.” Glenn Greenwald on Substack. Amy Cheng and Eugene Scott. May 13, 2022. “Rand Paul, lone Senate holdout, delays vote on Ukraine aid to next week.” The Washington Post. Morgan Watkins. May 13, 2022. “Sen. Rand Paul stalls $40 billion in aid for Ukraine, breaking with Mitch McConnell USA Today. Stephen Semler. May 26, 2022. “The Ukraine Aid Bill Is a Massive Windfall for US Military Contractors.” Jacobin. Biden Signs in South Korea Biden signs Ukraine Bill and Access to Baby Formula Act in South Korea. Reddit. Kate Sullivan. May 20, 2022. “Flying the Ukraine aid bill to South Korea for Biden's signature isn't unheard of. It also may not be totally necessary.” CNN. How Much Money, and Where Will It Go? Stephen Semler. May 23, 2022. “A breakdown of the Ukraine aid bill.” Speaking Security on Substack. “CBO Estimate for H.R. 7691, Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, as Passed by the House of Representatives on May 10, 2022.” May 11 2022. Congressional Budget Office. Christina Arabia, Andrew Bowen, and Cory Welt. Updated Apr 29, 2022. “U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine.” [IF12040] Congressional Research Service. “22 U.S. Code § 2346 - Authority.” Legal Information Institute, Cornell School of Law. Representatives' Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Stocks Kimberly Leonard. May 19, 2022. “20 members of Congress personally invest in top weapons contractors that'll profit from the just-passed $40 billion Ukraine aid package.” Insider. Kimberly Leonard. Mar 21, 2022. “GOP Rep. John Rutherford of Florida bought Raytheon stock the same day Russia invaded Ukraine.” Insider. Marjorie Taylor Green [@RepMTG]. Feb 24, 2022. “War is big business to our leaders.” Twitter. “Florida's 4th Congressional District.” GovTrack. “Rules Based Order” Anthony Dworkin. Sep 8, 2020. “Why America is facing off against the International Criminal Court.” “History of the multilateral trading system.” *The World Trade Organization “Facts: Global Inequality” Inequality.org “Timeline: Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin.” Apr 23, 2007. NPR. Crimea Kenneth Rapoza. Mar 20, 2015. One Year After Russia Annexed Crimea, Locals Prefer Moscow To Kiev Forbes. “Crimea exit poll: About 93% back Russia union. March 16, 2014. BBC. Shifting Strategies Economic War Larry Elliott. Jun 2, 2022. “Russia is winning the economic war - and Putin is no closer to withdrawing troops. The Guardian. Nigel Gould-Davies. May 12, 2022. “We Must Make Sure Russia Finishes This War in a Worse Position Than Before” The New York Times. Weapons Escalation Jake Johnson. Jun 1, 2022. “'Slippery Slope... Just Got a Lot Steeper': US to Send Ukraine Advanced Missiles as Russia Holds Nuke Drills.” Common Dreams. C. Todd Lopez. Jun 1, 2022. “Advanced Rocket Launcher System Heads to Ukraine.” U.S. Department of Defense News. Greg Norman. Jun 1, 2022. “Russia stages nuclear drills after US announces rockets to Ukraine.” Fox News. Christian Esch et al. May 30, 2022. “What's Next for Ukraine? The West Tries to Figure Out What Peace Might Look Like.” Spiegel International. See Image. Alastair Gale. May 24, 2022. “China and Russia Sent Bombers Near Japan as Biden Visited Tokyo.” The Wall Street Journal. Mike Stone. Mar 11, 2022. “Exclusive: Pentagon revives team to speed arms to Ukraine and allies, sources say.” Reuters. Secretary Austin and the Pentagon Jim Garamone. May 20, 2022. “Austin to Host Second Ukraine Contact Group Meeting Monday.” U.S. Department of Defense News. Natasha Bertrand et al. Apr 26, 2022. “Austin's assertion that US wants to ‘weaken' Russia underlines Biden strategy shift.” CNN. David Sanger. Apr 25, 2022. “Behind Austin's Call for a ‘Weakened' Russia, Hints of a Shift.” The New York Times. Mike Stone. Apr 12, 2022. “Pentagon asks top 8 U.S. weapons makers to meet on Ukraine -sources.” Reuters. Glenn Greenwald. Dec 8, 2020. “Biden's Choice For Pentagon Chief Further Erodes a Key U.S. Norm: Civilian Control.” Glenn Greenwald on Substack. Democrats Still All In Marc Santora. May 1, 2022. “Pelosi and Democratic lawmakers vow the U.S. will stand with Ukraine. The New York Times. RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. May 1, 2022. “Civilians Evacuated From Mariupol; U.S. House Speaker Pelosi Visits Kyiv.” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “Ukraine war: Joe Biden calls for removal of Vladimir Putin in angry speech.” Mar 26, 2022. Sky News. The Laws H.R. 7691: Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 House Vote: 368-57 Senate Vote: 86-11 Transcript of House Debate S.3522: Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 Passed by Voice Vote in the Senate House Vote 417-10 House "Debate" H.R.6968 - Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act Senate Vote: 100-0 House Vote: 413-9 House Debate H.R.7108: Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act Senate Vote: 100-0 (amended the original House bill) Final House Vote: 424-8 House debate 1 (on original version) House debate 2 (final version) Audio Sources Joe Manchin at the World Economic Forum's meeting in Davos May 23, 2022 Clips Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV): Speaking about Ukraine, first what Putin, Putin's war on Ukraine and Ukraine's determination, resolving the sacrifices they've made for the cause of freedom has united the whole world, that it's united, US Senate and Congress, I think like nothing I've seen in my lifetime. I think we're totally committed to supporting Ukraine, in every way possible, as long as we have the rest of NATO and the free world helping. I think we're all in this together. And I am totally committed as one person to seeing Ukraine to the end with a win, not basically resolving in some type of a treaty. I don't think that is where we are and where we should be. Reporter: Can I just follow up and ask you what you mean by a win for Ukraine? ** Sen. Joe Manchin:** I mean, basically moving Putin back to Russia and hopefully getting rid of Putin. The Ukraine Crisis: Implications for U.S. Policy in the Indo-Pacific May 19, 2022 Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation Witnesses: Charles Edel, Ph.D., Australia Chair and Senior Adviser, Center for Strategic and International Studies Bonny Lin, Ph.D., Director, China Power Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies Tanvi Madan, Ph.D.Director, The India Project, Brookings Institution Dan Blumenthal, Ph.D., Senior Fellow and Director of Asian Studies, American Enterprise Institute Clips 6:57 Tanvi Madan: One implication that is already evident, most visibly in Sri Lanka, is the adverse economic impact. The rise in commodity prices in particular has led to fiscal food and energy security concerns and these, in turn, could have political implications and could create a strategic vacuum. 7:15 Tanvi Madan: A separate and longer term economic impact of the crisis could be renewed goals, perhaps especially in India, for self reliance and building resilience not just against Chinese pressure, but also against Western sanctions. 7:28 Tanvi Madan: The second potential implication of the Russia-Ukraine war could be that Beijing might seek to take advantage in the Indo-Pacific while the world's focus is on Europe, between the Taiwan or the East or South China Sea contingencies. The contingency that would have the most direct impact in South Asia would be further action by the PLA at the China-India boundary, or at the Bhutan-China boundary that could draw in India. This potential for Sino-Indian crisis escalation has indeed shaped Delhi's response to the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite its recent diversification efforts, the Indian military continues to be dependent, if not over dependent, on Russia for supplies and spare parts for crucial frontline equipment. India has also been concerned about moving Moscow away from neutrality towards taking China's side. Nonetheless, there is simultaneously concern that Russia's war with Ukraine might, in any case, make Moscow more beholden to Beijing and also less able to supply India, and that will have implications for India's military readiness. 10:10 Tanvi Madan: The fourth implication in South Asia could flow from the war's effect on the Russia-China relationship flows. The Sino-Russian ties in recent years have benefited Pakistan. However, they have been of great concern to India. If China-Russia relations deepened further, it could lead to increased Indian concern about Russian reliability. And a Dheli that is concerned about Moscow's ability and willingness to supply India militarily or supported in international forums will seek alternative partners and suppliers a potential opportunity for the US as well as its allies and partners. 18:15 Bonny Lin: China has shifted its position on the Ukraine conflict to be less fully pro Russia. Xi Jinping has expressed that he is deeply grieved by the outbreak of war. China has engaged in diplomacy, called for a ceasefire, proposed a six point humanitarian initiative, and provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine. China's position on Ukraine, however, is far from neutral. China has not condemned Russia or called its aggression an evasion. Xi has yet to speak to President Zelenskyy. There is no evidence that China has sought to pressure Russia in any way or form. China has amplified Russian disinformation and pushed back against Western sanctions. To date, Beijing has not provided direct military support to Russia and has not engaged in systemic efforts to help Russia evade sanctions. However, China's ambassador to Russia has encouraged Chinese companies to quote "fill the void in the Russian market." 19:14 Bonny Lin: The Ukraine crisis has reinforced China's view that US military expansion could provoke conflict in the Indo-Pacific. Chinese interlocutors have voiced concern that the United States and NATO are fighting Russia today, but might fight China next. China views NATO expansion as one of the key causes of the Korean conflict and sees parallels between NATO activities in Europe and US efforts in the Indo-Pacific. Beijing is worried that increasing US and ally support for Taiwan and other regional allies and partners elevates the risk of US-China military confrontation. This pessimistic assessment is why Beijing will continue to stand by Russia as a close strategic partner. 19:56 Bonny Lin: The Ukraine crisis has reinforced and strengthened China's desire to be more self reliant. China is investing more to ensure the security of food, energy, and raw materials. Beijing is also seeking more resilient industrial supply chains, as well as PRC-led systems, including alternatives to Swift. At the same time, Beijing is likely to further cultivate dependencies on China, such that any potential Western led sanctions on China or international-community-led sanctions on China in the future will be painful to the West and difficult to sustain. 21:15 Bonny Lin: China has observed that Russia put its nuclear and strategic forces on high alert and NATO did not send conventional forces to Ukraine. This is leading China to question its nuclear policy and posture. 21:57 Bonny Lin: As Beijing watches the Western and particularly G7-led unity among advanced democracies, it is also seeing that a number of countries in the developing world are not joining in on the sanctions. As a result, Beijing has tried to increase its influence and in many ways building on Russian influence in developing regions. And Beijing is likely to try to get all that influence moving forward. 24:24 Dan Blumenthal: China took the opportunity of Russia's invasion on February 4 to lay out a document that criticizes, very specifically, almost all aspects of United States global policy. Very specifically, including Oculus for NATO enlargement to Oculus to the Indo Pacific strategy. It got Russia to sign up to Xi Jinping's theory that we're in a new era of geopolitics that will replace US leadership, that US leadership is faulty and it's dividing the world into blocks such as NATO, that NATO expansion is the problem, that Indo-Pacific strategy is the same thing as NATO expansion. 25:45 Dan Blumenthal: We should take very seriously what they say, particularly in Chinese, and what they're saying is very clearly pro-Russia and very clear, specific, searing critiques of the US-led world order. 26:47 Dan Blumenthal: And frankly, while the West is unified, and the US and the West and some of our Asian allies are unified, most of the rest of the world is not with us on this issue of China and Russia being these authoritarian, revisionist great powers, and that's a real problem. Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism May 18, 2022 House Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism Witnesses: Dr. Hanna Notte, Senior Research Associate, Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Dr. Frederic Wehrey, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Caitlin Welsh, Director of the Global Food Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies Grant Rumley, Senior Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy Clips 12:55 Hanna Notte: First, Moscow's military presence in Syria has given it a buffer zone on its southern flank to counter perceived threats from within the region, but also to deter NATO outside the European theater. And second, Russia has turned to the region to diversify its economic relations with a focus on arms sales, civilian nuclear exports and wheat supplies. And in building influence, Russia has largely followed what I call a low cost high disruption approach, also using hybrid tactics such as private military companies and disinformation. Now, these Russian interests in the region will not fundamentally change with the invasion of Ukraine. Today, Russia's regional diplomacy remains highly active, aimed at offsetting the impact of Western sanctions and demonstrating that Moscow is not isolated internationally. 14:09 Hanna Notte: Starting with arms control and Non-Proliferation, though Moscow seemed intent on spoiling negotiations to restore the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] in early March. It subsequently dropped demands for written guarantees that its cooperation with Iran would not be hindered by sanctions imposed over Ukraine. But still, I think the geopolitical situation might make Moscow less willing to help finalize a nuclear deal. As in the past, Russia is also unlikely to support any US efforts to curb Iran's use of missiles and proxies in the region, because essentially, Iran's regional strategy pins down us resources while elevating Russia as a regional mediator, which serves Russian interests well. 15:17 Hanna Notte: Just a few words on Syria. Security Council resolution 2585 on the provision of humanitarian aid to northwest Syria is up for renewal in July. Now, Rationally speaking, the Kremlin should cooperate to avoid a worsening of serious food crisis, especially if an end game in Ukraine remains out of reach. But considering the current level of tensions between Russia and the West, I think the United States should be prepared for a Russian Security Council veto regardless, alongside continued Russian stalling on the Syrian constitutional committee. Moscow has no serious interest in seeing the committee advance. It will instead try to foster a Gulf Arab counterweight to Iran in Syria through normalization, especially for the contingency that Russia may need to scale back its own presence in Syria due to Ukraine. 16:14 Hanna Notte: First, unfortunately I think there's a widespread perception that the Ukraine war is not their war, that it's a Great Power NATO-Russia war, partially fueled by NATO and US actions visa vis Russia. 16:27 Hanna Notte: Second, there are accusations of Western double standards. The military support to Kyiv, the reception of Ukrainian refugees, these are rightly or wrongly viewed as proof that the West cares significantly more about conflict in Europe's neighborhood than those in the Middle East. 16:42 Hanna Notte: Third, regional elites worry about US conventional security guarantees. They fear that the threats posed by Russia and China will accelerate a decline in US power in the Middle East. And they also fear that the US will have limited bandwidth to confront Iran's missile and proxy activities. And with those fears, they feel they cannot afford to put all their eggs into the US basket. 17:07 Hanna Notte: And then finally, each regional state has very distinct business and security interests with Russia. As a result, and I'll end here, I think us opportunities to get regional states to turn against Russia are circumscribed. loosening these ties that states have been building with Russia will require a heavy lift. 18:57 Frederic Wehrey: This engagement is largely opportunistic and ad hoc. It seizes on instability and power vacuums and exploits the insecurities of US partners in the region about the reliability of US support, and their displeasure with the conditionality that the US sometimes attaches to its arms sales. Russian arms deliveries, in contrast, are faster and free from restrictions related to human rights. But Russia cannot provide the security guarantees that many Arab states have depended on from the United States. 19:29 Frederic Wehrey: Now, in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia is trying to reap dividends from its investment in the region, call in favors, and capitalize on local ambivalence and hostility to the United States, both from states and from Arab publics. America's Arab security partners have differed on joining the Western condemnation of Russian aggression, and some of refuse to join efforts to isolate Russia economically. 20:31 Frederic Wehrey: Russia's disastrous war in Ukraine is tarnishing its reputation as an arms supplier in the Middle East. Russian weapons have been shown to be flawed in combat and often fatally. So, Battlefield expenditures and attrition have whittled away Russia's inventory, especially precision munitions, and sanctions have eroded its defense industrial base, especially electronic components. As a result, Russia won't be able to fulfill its existing commitments, and potential buyers will be increasingly dissuaded from turning to Russia. This shortfall could be modestly exploited by China, which possesses large quantities of Russian made arms and spare parts, which you could use to keep existing inventories in the region up and running. It could also intensify its efforts to sell its own advanced weaponry like drones. 23:50 Caitlin Welsh: The war has reduced supplies and increased prices of foods exported from Ukraine and Russia, namely wheat, maize and sunflower oil, driven up demand for substitute products and reduced fertilizer exports from the Black Sea. Today's high cost of energy puts further pressure on food and fertilizer prices. Most vulnerable to the impact of these price spikes are countries for whom wheat is a major source of calories that rely on imports to meet their food security needs, and that source a significant proportion of their imports from Ukraine and Russia. 24:38 Caitlin Welsh: Egypt is the world's largest importer of wheat, sourcing over 70% of its wheat from the Black Sea. 25:42 Caitlin Welsh: The Russian Ukraine war is limiting access to wheat for Lebanon, already in one of the worst economic crises in the world. Lebanon has not recorded economic growth since 2017 and food price inflation inflation reached 400% in December 2021. Lebanon procures approximately 75% of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine. 28:48 Grant Rumley: Russia is one of the few countries in the world to maintain a relatively positive diplomatic standing with nearly every country in the Middle East. It does so through a combination of an active military presence, high level diplomatic engagement, and a concerted effort to position itself as a viable source of arms, should countries seek non-US material. 29:08 Grant Rumley: Russia's military presence in the region is well documented by Russian MOD statements. Russia has deployed over 60,000 troops to Syria since intervening in 2015. From its two bases in Syria, Hmeimim and Tartous, Russia is able to project power into the eastern Mediterranean, influence the course of the Syrian civil war, and intervene in countries like Libya. 29:47 Grant Rumley: Russia's invasion of Ukraine, however, threatens Russia standing in the region. Already reports indicate Russia has begun withdrawing some troops and mercenaries from the region to support its invasion of Ukraine. While we can expect these reports to continue if the war continues to go poorly for Russia, I'm skeptical of a full Russian withdrawal, and instead expect Russia to continue to consolidate its forces until it's left with a skeleton presence at Hmeimim and Tartous, its most strategic assets in the region. 30:26 Grant Rumley: On arms sales, the Russian defense industry, which has struggled to produce key platforms following sanctions initially placed after its 2014 invasion of Ukraine, will likely have to prioritize replenishing the Russian military over exporting. Further, customers of Russian arms may struggle with the resources to maintain and sustain the material in their inventory. Still, so long as Russia is able to make platforms, there will likely always be potential customers of Russian arms. 41:25 Grant Rumley: I definitely think customers of Russian arms are going to have several hurdles going forward, not only with simply maintaining and sustaining what they've already purchased, but in some of the basic logistics, even the payment process. Russian bank complained last month that it wasn't able to process close to a billion dollars in payments from India and Egypt over arms sales. I think countries that purchase Russian arms will also now have to consider the potential that they may incur secondary sanctions, in addition to running afoul of CAATSA [Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act-Related Sanctions]. I think from from our standpoint, there are many ways that we can amend our security cooperation approach. The Middle East, I think is a key theater for the future of great power competition, not only have we been competing with Russia in terms of arms sales there, but China increasingly has sold armed drones to the region. They've sold it to traditional partners, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE. And what they're doing is is oftentimes what we're not willing to do, our partners in the region seek co-production, they seek technology sharing. China and Russia are willing to work together to build these advanced platforms, Russia and the UAE inked an agreement several years ago to produce a fifth generation fighter. Nothing's come of that yet. China and Saudi Arabia, however, signed an agreement a couple of months ago to jointly produce armed drones in Saudi Arabia. And so I think the US may want to think creatively in terms of both what we sell, how we sell it, and what we're doing to make this more of a relationship and something beyond a strict transaction. 43:39 Grant Rumley: Their presence in Syria has evolved from a modest airstrip in 2015, to a base at Hmeimim that by open source reporting can serve as a logistics hub, a medical hub, it has the runways to host Russia's most advanced bombers. There was reports before Ukraine that Russia was deploying two 22 bombers there and hypersonic missiles. Their facility at Tartous, likewise. Their ability to stage naval assets there has expanded to they can now stage up to 11 ships there. So it has grown from from a rather modest beginning to something much more challenging from a US standpoint. In terms of what we can we can do, I think we can continue to support Ukraine and the defense of Ukraine, and the longer that Russia is bogged down in Ukraine, the harder it will be for Russia's military to extend and maintain its presence in the Middle East. 1:01:45 Grant Rumley: I think the US has several partners in the middle of major Russian arms purchases that we can, like Turkey and the S 400, that has requested the F 16, or Egypt and Sukhoi Su-35, that has requested the F 15. I'm not saying we have to make a deal right now for that, but I think it's clear that these countries are going to have gaps in their capabilities where they had planned on having Russian platforms to complement, and we can work with our partners and work with our own defense industry and see if there's ways in which we can provide off ramps for them to gradually disinvest these Russian platforms. 1:03:00 Frederic Wehrey: When countries in the in the region buy US arms, they believe they're buying much more than the capability, the hardware, that they're purchasing an insurance policy. I think especially for states in the Gulf, there's a fundamental sense of insecurity. These are states that face Iran, but they're also autocrats. They're insecure because of their political systems. They face dissent from within. We saw that with Egypt. So they're purchasing a whole stream of US assurances -- they believe they are. 1:06:00 Grant Rumley: The issue of of co-production is one means to address a common complaint, which is buying from America takes too long. That its too complicated, that if we get in line to buy something from the US, we're going to have to wait years to get it. A good example is the F 16. There are over 20 countries in the world that fly the F 16. We currently -- Lockheed Martin builds it out of one facility. That facility, if you get in line today, you're probably not getting the F 16 for five years from when you sign on the dotted line for it. In the 70s and 80s, we co-produced the F 16 with three other European countries and we were able to get them off the line faster. The initial order at those facilities was for 1000 F 16s. The initial order for the F 16 plant in South Carolina was for 90 F 16s for Taiwan and Morocco. And so from an industry standpoint, it's a question of scale. And so they're not able to ramp up the production because while the demand may get closer to 1000 over time, it's at 128. Last I checked, it's not there yet. And so I think we can use foreign military financing, longer security cooperation planning, working with our partners on multi-year acquisition timetables to then also communicate and send a signal to the defense industry that these are orders for upgrades, for new kits that are going to come down the road. You can start to plan around that and potentially address some of these production lags. 1:17:52 Grant Rumley: China has a lot of legacy Russian platforms, and will likely be a leading candidate to transfer some of these platforms to countries that had purchased Russian arms in the past and may be seeking maintenance and sustainment for them. I think China's already active in the Middle East, it's already flooding the market with armed drones. It's already looking to market other platforms as well. It's sold air defense systems to Serbia. It's looking to advance its arm sales. And so if if we aren't going to be the supplier, China is going to step in. 1:18:57 Caitlin Welsh: USDA has projected that 35% of the current wheat crop from Ukraine will not be harvested this year. So their exports are curtailed, at the same time Russia's exports are continuing. Russia has been exempted. Russia's agricultural exports and fertilizer has been exempted from sanctions for the United States, EU and other countries. So Russia continues to export. In fact, USDA is estimating that Russia's exports are increasing at this time. And I'm also seeing open source reporting of Russia stealing grain from Ukraine, relabeling it, and exporting it at a premium to countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Sen. Rand Paul: ‘We cannot save Ukraine by dooming the U.S. economy' May 12, 2022 NBC News Clips Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY): My oath of office is to the US Constitution, not to any foreign nation. And no matter how sympathetic the cause, my oath of office is to the national security of the United States of America. We cannot save Ukraine by dooming the US economy. This bill under consideration would spend $40 billion. This is the second spending bill for Ukraine in two months. And this bill is three times larger than the first. Our military aid to Ukraine is nothing new, though. Since 2014, the United States has provided more than $6 billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine, in addition to the $14 billion Congress authorized just a month ago. If this bill passes, the US will have authorized roughly $60 billion in total spending for Ukraine Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY): The cost of this package we are voting on today is more than the US spent during the first year of the US conflict in Afghanistan. Congress authorized force, and the President sent troops into the conflict. The same cannot be said of Ukraine. This proposal towers over domestic priorities as well. The massive package of $60 billion to Ukraine dwarfs the $6 million spent on cancer research annually. $60 billion is more than the amount that government collects in gas taxes each year to build roads and bridges. The $60 billion to Ukraine could fund substantial portions or entire large Cabinet departments. The $60 billion nearly equals the entire State Department budget. The 60 billion exceeds the budget for the Department of Homeland Security and for the Department of Energy. And Congress just wants to keep on spending and spending. U.S. Efforts to Support Ukraine May 12, 2022 Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Witnesses: Jessica Lewis, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Erin McKee, Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia, U.S. Agency for International Development Karen Donfried, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State Beth Van Schaack, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, U.S. Department of State Clips Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): Are we making it very clear to Russia that we do not want to pose an existential threat to them, that our only goal is to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine? Karen Donfried: We are making it very clear to Russia that this is not a conflict between Russia and the United States. We are not going to engage directly in this war. President Biden has been explicit in saying we are not sending US troops to fight in this war. So I do believe we have made that clear. Our goal here is to end a war not to enlarge it. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH): As you all are waking up every morning, I know with the thought in mind that America's role here is to help Ukraine win and I want to talk a little about how we define victory. When Secretary Austin said after meeting with President Zelenskyy, that we can win this war against Russia -- this happened a few weeks ago -- I thought that was positive. On Monday, the foreign minister of Ukraine, who all of us have had a chance to visit with said, of course, the victory for us in this war will be a liberation of the rest of the territory. So Assistant Secretary Donfried, first, just a yes or no. Do you believe Ukraine can win this war? Karen Donfried: Yes. Sen. Rob Portman: And how would you define victory? Would you define victory as requiring the return of all Ukraine sovereign territory, including that that the Russians seized in 2014? Karen Donfried: Well, Senator Portman, thank you for that question. And thank you for your engagement on these issues. Your question very much relates to where Chairman Menendez began, which is, are we in a position of believing that it is Ukraine that should be defining what winning means? And I agreed with Chairman Menendez's statement on that, and that is where the administration is. We believe Ukraine should define what victory means. And our policy is trying to ensure Ukraine success, both by — Sen. Rob Portman: So the administration's official position on victory is getting Crimea back and getting the Donetsk and Luhansk region back as well. Karen Donfried: Again, I believe that is for the Ukrainians to define. Karen Donfried: Against this threat to regional security, global stability, and our shared values, we are supporting freedom, democracy, and the rules based order that make our own security and prosperity and that of the world possible. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ): I believe we must also think about reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, the tools and ongoing governance and economic reforms, specifically in the judicial space, that will facilitate rebuilding critical Ukrainian sectors and attracting foreign investment. The Impact of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine in the Middle East and North Africa May 11, 2022 House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense held a budget hearing on the Department of Defense. Witnesses: Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense Michael J. McCord, Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer General Mark A. Milley, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Clips 21:40 General Mark Milley: Alongside our allies and partners, at any given time approximately 400,000 of us are currently standing watch in 155 countries and conducting operations every day to keep Americans safe. 21:56 General Mark Milley: Currently we are supporting our European allies and guarding NATO's eastern flank, in the face of the unnecessary war of aggression by Russia, against the people of Ukraine, and the assault on the democratic institutions and the rules based international order that have prevented great power war for the last 78 years since the end of World War Two. We are now facing two global powers, China and Russia, each with significant military capabilities, both who intend to fundamentally change the current rules based order. Lindsey Graham declares, "let's take out Putin" and says there is "no off-ramp in this war" May 9, 2022 Clips Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC): If Putin still standing after all this then the world is going to be a very dark place China's going to get the wrong signal and we'll have a mess on our hands in Europe for decades to come so let's take out Putin by helping Ukraine Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary ofDefense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks to Traveling Press April 25, 2022 Jen's Highlighted PDF Remarks by President Biden on the United Efforts of the Free World to Support the People of Ukraine March 26, 2022 Jen's Highlighted PDF U.S. Policy and Russian Involvement in Syria November 4, 2015 House Foreign Affairs Committee Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

Sources: wikipedia.orgallthatsinteresting.commaamodt.asp.radford.edumurderpedia.orgchicagotribune.comthoughtco.comBlack True Crime Podcastindystar.com

Atlanta Journal-Constitution political reporter Greg Bluestein looks at the events that led to Georgia turning purple in the 2020 presidential election and talks about its significance in future state and national elections. He's interviewed by Washington Post national political reporter Eugene Scott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American COVID-19 deaths surpass 100,000. And protests erupt over the death of George Floyd. Our weekly roundtable digs into the week's news. Kimberly Atkins, Eugene Scott and Anita Kumar join Jane Clayson.

Interview editors Erich Denk and Ben Huber sat down with Washington Post Reporter and Spring 2018 GU Politics Fellow Eugene Scott. During their chat, they discussed the role of identity in politics and people mentalities (particularly in the trump era), the role of students in the gun control/mass shooting debate, favorite commentators & writers and experience at Georgetown. Bonus: Go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/02/20/students-emerging-as-the-newest-identity-group-shaping-the-gun-violence-conversation/ to read the article discussed