Podcasts about taiwanese president tsai ing

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Libby Lange discusses her recent article: Algorithmic Cognitive Warfare: The Next Frontier in China's Quest for Global Influence. Recording Date: 9 Dec 2024 Research Question: Libby Lange suggests an interested student or researcher:  Take the concept of Algorithmic Cognitive Warfare from the hypothetical and theoretical into the real world and find evidence of Chinese researchers who are actually retrieving data from data brokers. Investigate how Russia is pursuing adjacent or complementary Algorithmic Cognitive Warfare capabilities. Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #210 Paul Groestad on Cognitive Warfare #187 Randy Rosin on Reflexive Control Algorithmic Cognitive Warfare: The Next Frontier in China's Quest for Global Influence by Libby Lange Decoding China's AI-Powered ‘Algorithmic Cognitive Warfare' by Libby Lange Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) Active Measures by Thomas Rid Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Libby Lange is a Director of Intelligence at the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, Libby worked as an Intel Analyst at Graphika, where she focused on Chinese state-linked influence operations and public health misinformation. Prior to Graphika, she served as a speechwriter and communications manager for Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, accompanying the President on multiple state visits. Libby holds an M.A. in Global Affairs from Yale University and a B.A. in Political Science from National Taiwan University. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Taiwan's status in the world has never been clear and neither has the United States' position on the issue. In this Congressional Dish, via footage from the C-SPAN archive dating back into the 1960s, we examine the history of Taiwan since World War II in order to see the dramatic shift in Taiwan policy that is happening in Congress - and in law - right now. 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! View the show notes on our website at https://congressionaldish.com/cd272-what-is-taiwan Background Sources Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD259: CHIPS: A State Subsidization of Industry CD187: Combating China Taiwan History and Background “In Focus: Taiwan: Political and Security Issues” [IF10275]. Susan V. Lawrence and Caitlin Campbell. Updated Mar 31, 2023. Congressional Research Service. “Taiwan taps on United Nations' door, 50 years after departure.” Erin Hale. Oct 25, 2021. Aljazeera. “China must 'face reality' of Taiwan's independence: Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.” Stacy Chen. Jan 16, 2020. ABC News. “Taiwan weighs options after diplomatic allies switch allegiance.” Randy Mulyanto. Sep 26, 2019. Aljazeera. U.S.-Taiwan Relationship Past “The Taiwan Relations Act” [Pub. L. 96–8, § 2, Apr. 10, 1979, 93 Stat. 14.] “22 U.S. Code § 3301 - Congressional findings and declaration of policy.” Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. Current “China moves warships after US hosts Taiwan's Tsai.” Rupert Wingfield-Hayes. Apr 6, 2023. BBC News. “Speaker Pelosi's Taiwan Visit: Implications for the Indo-Pacific.” Jude Blanchette et al. Aug 15, 2022. Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Pelosi in Taiwan: Signal or historic mistake?” Aug 4, 2022. DW News. “China threatens 'targeted military operations' as Pelosi arrives in Taiwan.” News Wires. Feb 8, 2022. France 24. “Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan would be 'ill-conceived' and 'reckless.'” Dheepthika Laurent. Feb 8, 2022. France 24. Presidential Drawdown Authority “Use of Presidential Drawdown Authority for Military Assistance for Ukraine.” Apr 19, 2023. U.S. Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. U.S. China Relationship “America, China and a Crisis of Trust.” Thomas L. Friedman. Apr 14, 2023. The New York Times. Laws H.R.7776: James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 Full Text Outline of Taiwan Provisions TITLE X - GENERAL PROVISIONS Subtitle G - Other Matters Sec. 1088: National Tabletop Exercise By the end of 2023, the Secretary of Defense is to assess the viability of our domestic critical infrastructure to identify chokepoints and the ability of our armed forces to respond to a contingency involving Taiwan, including our armed forces' ability to respond to attacks on our infrastructure. TITLE XII - MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS Subtitle E - Matters Relating to the Indo-Pacific Region Sec. 1263: Statement of Policy on Taiwan “It shall be the policy of the United States to maintain the capacity of the United States to resist a fait accompli that would jeopardize the security of thepeople of Taiwan.” Fait accompli is defined as, “the resort to force by the People's Republic of China to invade and seize control of Taiwan before the United States can respond effectively.” Sec. 1264: Sense of Congress on Joint Exercises with Taiwan Congress wants the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command to carry out joint military exercises with Taiwan in “multiple warfare domains” and practice using “secure communications between the forces of the United States, Taiwan, and other foreign partners” Taiwan should be invited to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in 2024. RIMPAC is a multinational maritime exercise, now the world's largest, that has happened 28 times since 1971. The last one took place in and around Hawaii and Southern California in the summer of 2022. 26 countries, including the US, participated. TITLE LV - FOREIGN AFFAIRS MATTERS Subtitle A - Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act PART 1 - IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ENHANCED DEFENSE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TAIWAN Sec. 5502: Modernizing Taiwan's Security Capabilities to Deter and, if necessary, Defeat Aggression by the People's Republic of China Grants: Expands the purpose of the State Department's Foreign Military Financing Program to “provide assistance including equipment, training, and other support, to build the civilian and defensive military capabilities of Taiwan” Authorizes the State Department to spend up to $100 million per year for 10 years to maintain a stockpile of munitions and other weapons (authorized by Sec. 5503). Any amounts that are not obligated and used in one year can be carried over into the next year (which essentially makes this a $1 billion authorization that expires in 2032). The stockpile money is only authorized if the State Department certifies every year that Taiwan has increased its defense spending (requirement is easily waived by the Secretary of State). Authorizes $2 billion per year for the Foreign Military Financing grants each year for the next 5 years (total $10 billion in grants). The money is expressly allowed to be used to purchase weapons and “defense services” that are “not sold by the United States Government” (= sold by the private sector). No more than 15% of the weapons for Taiwan purchased via the Foreign Military Financing Program can be purchased from within Taiwan Loans: Also authorizes the Secretary of State to directly loan Taiwan up to $2 billion. The loans must be paid back within 12 years and must include interest. The Secretary of State is also authorized to guarantee commercial loans up to$2 billion each (which can not be used to pay off other debts). Loans guaranteed by the US must be paid back in 12 years. Sec. 5504: International Military Education and Training Cooperation with Taiwan Requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to create a military training program with Taiwan by authorizing the Secretary of State to train Taiwan through the International Military Education and Training Program. The purposes of the training include enhancements of interoperability between the US and Taiwan and the training of “future leaders of Taiwan”. The training itself can include “full scale military exercises” and “an enduring rotational United States military presence” Sec. 5505: Additional Authorities to Support Taiwan Authorizes the President to drawdown weapons from the stocks of the Defense Department, use Defense Department services, and provide military education and training to Taiwan, the value of which will be capped at $1 billion per year The President is also given the “emergency authority” to transfer weapons and services in “immediate assistance” to Taiwan specifically valued at up to $25 million per fiscal year. Sec. 5512: Sense of Congress on Taiwan Defense Relations “The Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances provided by the United States to Taiwan in July 1982 are the foundation for United States-Taiwan relations.” “The increasingly coercive and aggressive behavior of the People's Republic of China toward Taiwan is contrary to the expectation of the peaceful resolution of the future of Taiwan” “As set forth in the Taiwan Relations Act, the capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan should be maintained.” The US should continue to support Taiwanese defense forces by “supporting acquisition by Taiwan of defense articles and services through foreign military sales, direct commercial sales, and industrial cooperation, with an emphasis on capabilities that support an asymmetric strategy.” Support should also include “Exchanges between defense officials and officers of the US and Taiwan at the strategic, policy, and functional levels, consistent with the Taiwan Travel Act.” PART 3 - INCLUSION OF TAIWAN IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Sec. 5516: Findings “Since 2016, the Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso, El Salvador, the Solomon Islands, and Kiribati, have severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of diplomatic relations with China” “Taiwan was invited to participate in the World Health Assembly, the decision making body of the World Health Organization, as an observer annually between 2009 and 2016. Since the 2016 election of President Tsai, the PRC has increasingly resisted Taiwan's participation in the WHA. Taiwan was not invited to attend the WHA in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021.” “United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not address the issue of representation of Taiwan and its people at the United Nations, nor does it give the PRC the right to represent the people of Taiwan.” Sec. 5518: Strategy to Support Taiwan's Meaningful Participation in International Organizations By the end of Summer 2023, the Secretary of State must create a classified strategy for getting Taiwan included in 20 international organizations. The strategy will be a response to “growing pressure from the PRC on foreign governments, international organizations, commercial actors, and civil society organizations to comply with its ‘One-China Principle' with respect to Taiwan.” PART 4 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Sec. 5525: Sense of Congress on Expanding United States Economic Relations with Taiwan “Taiwan is now the United States 10th largest goods trading partner, 13th largest export market, 13th largest source of imports, and a key destination for United States agricultural exports.” Audio Sources Evaluating U.S.-China Policy in the Era of Strategic Competition February 9, 2023 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Witnesses: Wendy Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense Clips 17:40 Wendy Sherman: We remain committed to our long standing One China Policy and oppose any unilateral changes to the cross-strait status quo. Our policy has not changed. What has changed is Beijing's growing coercion. So we will keep assisting Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability. 41:30 Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL): I want to get a little broader because I think it's important to understand sort of the strategic vision behind our tactics on everything that we do. So if we go back to the late 80s, early 90s, end of the Cold War, and the gamble at the time was, if we created this international economic order, led by the US and the West, built on this global commitment to free trade, that this notion of that this trade and commerce would bind nations together via trade, via commerce and international interest and economic interest, that it would lead to more wealth and prosperity, that it would lead to democracy and freedom, basically domestic changes in many countries, and that it would ultimately ensure peace. The famous saying now seems silly, that no two countries with McDonald's have ever gone to war. That's obviously no longer the case. But the point being is that was the notion behind it. It was what the then Director General of the WTO called a "world without walls," rules-based international order. Others call it globalization. And basically, our foreign policy has been built around that, even though it's an economic theory it basically, is what we have built our foreign policy on. I think it's now fair to say that we admitted China to the World Trade Organization, Russia as well, I think it's now fair to say that while wealth certainly increased, particularly in China through its export driven economy, massive, historic, unprecedented amount of economic growth in that regard, I don't think we can say either China or Russia are more democratic. In fact, they're more autocratic. I don't think we can say that they're more peaceful. Russia has invaded Ukraine now twice, and the Chinese are conducting live fire drills off the coast of Taiwan. So I think it's fair to say that gamble failed. And we have now to enter -- and I think the President actually hinted at some of that in his speech the other night -- we're now entering a new era. What is that new era? What is our vision now for that world, in which not just the global international order and World Without Walls did not pacify or buy nations, but in fact, have now placed us into situations where autocracies, through a joint communique, are openly signaling that we need to reject Western visions of democracy and the like. So, before we can talk about what we're going to do, we have to understand what our strategic vision is. What is the strategic vision of this administration on what the new order of the world is? The Future of War: Is the Pentagon Prepared to Deter and Defeat America's Adversaries? February 7, 2023 House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Watch on YouTube Witnesses: Chris Brose, Author Rear Admiral Upper Half Mark Montgomery (Ret.), Senior Director, Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, Foundation for Defense of Democracies Peter Singer, Strategist at New America and Managing Partner of Useful Fiction LLC Clips 1:16:30 Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery: We don't have weapons stowed in Taiwan. In the last National Defense Authorization Act you authorized up to $300 million a year to be appropriated for Taiwan-specific munitions. The appropriators, which happened about seven days later, appropriated $0. In fact, almost all of the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act, which you all pushed through the NDAA, ended up not being appropriated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act that passed eight days later. 30:10 Chris Brose: Nothing you do in this Congress will make larger numbers of traditional ships, aircraft and other platforms materialized over the next several years. It is possible, however, to generate an arsenal of alternative military capabilities that could be delivered to U.S. forces in large enough quantities within the next few years to make a decisive difference. Those decisions could all be taken by this Congress. The goal would be to rapidly field what I have referred to as a "moneyball military," one that is achievable, affordable and capable of winning. Such a military would be composed not of small quantities of large, exquisite, expensive things, but rather by large quantities of smaller, lower cost, more autonomous consumable things, and most importantly, the digital means of integrating them. These kinds of alternative capabilities exist now, or could be rapidly matured and fielded in massive quantities within the window of maximum danger. You could set this in motion in the next two years. The goal would be more about defense than offense, more about countering power projection than projecting power ourselves. It would be to demonstrate that the United States, together with our allies and partners, could do to a Chinese invasion or a Chinese offensive what the Ukrainians, with our support, have thus far been able to do to their Russian invaders: degrade and deny the ability of a great power to accomplish its objectives through violence, and in so doing to prevent that future war from ever happening. After all, this is all about deterrence. All of this is possible. We have sufficient money, technology, authorities, and we still have enough time. If we are serious, if we make better decisions now, we can push this looming period of vulnerability further into the future. The Pressing Threat of the Chinese Communist Party to U.S. National Defense February 7, 2023 House Armed Services Committee Watch on YouTube Witnesses: Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., USN (Ret.), Former Commander, U.S. Pacific Command Dr. Melanie W. Sisson, Foreign Policy Fellow, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology Clips 28:15 Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL): China is the most challenging national security threat America has faced in 30 years. If we fail to acknowledge that and take immediate action to deter it, the next 30 years could be devastating for our nation. Under President Xi, the Chinese Communist Party has nearly tripled its defense spending in the last decade alone. The PLA has gone from an obsolete force barely capable of defending its borders to a modern fighting force capable of winning regional conflicts. The CCP now controls the largest army and navy in the world, with a goal of having them fully integrated and modernized by 2027. The CCP is rapidly expanding its nuclear capability; they have doubled their number of warheads in two years. We estimated it would take them a decade to do that. We also were just informed by the DOD [that] the CCP now has more ICBM launchers than the United States. The CCP is starting to outpace us on new battlefields as well. They have leapfrogged us on hypersonic technology, they are fielding what we are still developing. They are making advances in AI and quantum computing that we struggle to keep pace with. Finally, their rapid advances in space were one of the primary motivations for us establishing a Space Force. The CCP is not building these new and advanced military capabilities for self defense. In recent years, the CCP has used its military to push out its borders, to threaten our allies in the region, and to gain footholds on new continents. In violation of international law, the CCP has built new and commandeered existing islands in the South China Sea, where it has deployed stealth fighters, bombers and missiles. It continues to intimidate and coerce Taiwan, most recently by surrounding the island with naval forces and launching endless fighter sorties across its centerline. In recent years, the CCP has also established a space tracking facility in South America to monitor U.S, satellites, as well as an overseas naval base miles from our own on the strategically vital Horn of Africa. These are just a few destabilizing actions taken by the CCP. They speak nothing of the CCPs Belt and Road debt trap diplomacy, it's illegal harvesting of personal data and intellectual property, it's ongoing human rights abuses, and its advanced espionage efforts, the latter of which came into full focus for all Americans last week when the Biden administration allowed a CCP spy balloon to traverse some of our nation's most sensitive military sites. Make no mistake, that balloon was intentionally lost as a calculated show of force. 44:15 Dr. Melanie W. Sisson: Since 1979, the United States has adopted a constellation of official positions, together known as the One China policy, that allow us to acknowledge but not to accept China's perspective that there is one China and that Taiwan is part of China. Under the One China policy, the United States has developed robust unofficial relations with the government and people of Taiwan consistent with our interest in preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. US policy is guided by an interest in ensuring cross-strait disputes are resolved peacefully and in a manner that reflects the will of Taiwan's people. This has required the United States to deter Taiwan from declaring independence, and also to deter the CCP from attempting unification by force. The 40 year success of the strategy of dual deterrence rests upon the unwillingness of the United States to provide either an unconditional commitment to Taipei that it will come to its defense militarily, or an unconditional commitment to Beijing that we will not. The U.S. national security interest in the status of Taiwan remains that the CCP and the people of Taiwan resolve the island's political status peacefully. Dual deterrence therefore remains U.S. strategy, reinforced by U.S. declaratory policy which is to oppose unilateral changes to the status quo by either side. 45:28 Dr. Melanie W. Sisson: The modernization of the PLA has changed the regional military balance and significantly enough that the United States no longer can be confident that we would decisively defeat every type of PLA use of force in the Taiwan Strait. This fact, however, does not necessitate that the US abandon the strategy of dual deterrence and it doesn't mean that the United States should seek to reconstitute its prior degree of dominance. Posturing the U.S. military to convince the CCP that the PLA could not succeed in any and every contingency over Taiwan is infeasible in the near term and likely beyond. The PLA is advances are considerable and ongoing, geography works in its favor, and history demonstrates that it's far easier to arrive at an overconfident assessment of relative capability than it is to arrive at an accurate one. Attempting to demonstrate superiority for all contingencies would require a commitment of forces that would inhibit the United States from behaving like the global power that it is with global interests to which its military must also attend. This posture, moreover, is not necessary for dual deterrence to extend its 40 year record of success. We can instead encourage the government of Taiwan to adopt a defense concept that forces the PLA into sub-optimal strategies and increases the battle damage Beijing would have to anticipate and accept. 46:45 Dr. Melanie W. Sisson: U.S. military superiority in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean allows us to threaten the maritime shipping upon which China depends for access to energy, global markets, and supply chains. The inevitable damage a use of force would cause to the global economy and the imposition of sanctions and restricted access to critical inputs needed to sustain China's economic development and the quality of life of its people, moreover, would certainly compound China's losses. 1:04:50 Adm. Harry B. Harris: We're going to share the crown jewel of America's military technology, the nuclear submarine and the nuclear reactors, with another country and that's Australia. We have not done that with any other country, except for the UK, back in the late 50s, and into the 60s. So here we have the two countries with with that capability, the United States and the UK, and we're going to share that with Australia. It's significant. But it's only going to going to be significant over the long term if we follow through. So it's a decade long process. You know, some people the CNO, Chief of Naval Operations, has said it could be 30 years before we see an Australian nuclear submarine underway in the Indian Ocean. I said that if we put our hearts and minds to it, and our resources to it, and by ours, I mean the United States', the UK's and Australia's, we can do this faster than that. I mean we put a man on the moon and eight years, and we developed a COVID vaccine in one year. We can do this, but we're going to have to put our shoulders to the task for Australia, which has a tremendous military. For them to have the long reach of a nuclear submarine force would be dramatic. It would help us dramatically. It would change the balance of power in the Indian Ocean, and it will make Australia a Bluewater navy. They are our key ally in that part of the world and I'm all for it. 1:32:05 Adm. Harry B. Harris: I think this issue of strategic clarity versus strategic ambiguity is critical, and we have been well served, I'll be the first to say that, by the policy of strategic ambiguity with Taiwan over the past 44 years, but I think the time for ambiguity is over. I think we have to be as clear about our intent with regard to what would happen if the PRC invades Taiwan as the PRC is clear in its intent that it's ultimately going to seize Taiwan if need. 1:41:25 Adm. Harry B. Harris: I used to talk about during the Cold War with the Soviet Union, almost every branch of the U.S. government understood that the Soviet Union was the threat. You know, I used to joke even a park ranger, Smokey Bear, would tell you that the Soviets were the bad guys. We didn't have that comprehensive unified view of the PRC. You know, State Department looked at as in negotiation, DOD look at it as a military operation, Commerce looked at it as a trading partner, and Treasury looked at it as a lender. So we didn't have this unified view across the government. But I think now we are getting to that unified view and I think the Congress has done a lot to get us in that position. 1:49:45 Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL): We have the capability to block the transmission of information from the balloon back to China, don't we? Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr.: We do. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL): And in this type of an environment do you think it's probably likely that we did that? Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr.: I would only guess, but I think General van Herk said that -- Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL): Well you can't see any reason why we wouldn't do that, right? U.S.-Taiwan Relations March 14, 2014 House Foreign Affairs Committee Witnesses: Kin Moy, [Former] Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State Clips 7:20 [Former] Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY): Taiwan is a flourishing multiparty democracy of over 20 million people with a vibrant free market economy. It is a leading trade partner of the United States alongside much bigger countries like Brazil and India. Over the past 60 years, the U.S.-Taiwan relationship has undergone dramatic changes, but Taiwan's development into a robust and lively democracy underpins the strong U.S.-Taiwan friendship we enjoy today. 14:00 Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA): I think that it's important that we provide Taiwan the tools to defend itself, but Taiwan needs to act as well. Taiwan spends less than $11 billion on its defense, less than 1/5 per capita what we in America do, and God blessed us with the Pacific Ocean separating us from China. Taiwan has only the Taiwan Strait. On a percentage of GDP basis, Taiwan spends roughly half what we do. So we should be willing to sell them the tools and they should be willing to spend the money to buy those tools. 1:11:50 Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX): I think Chris Smith raised the issue of a One China policy. Does it not bother you that that exists, that there are statements that people have made, high level officials, that said they they agreed on one China policy? Does the administration not view that as a problem? Kin Moy: Our one China policy is one that has existed for several decades now. Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX): Okay. Well, I take that as a no, but let me follow up with what Jerry Connolly said. So you haven't sold submarines yet, you don't take Beijing into account. People around the world watch us. Words and actions have consequences. Would you agree that y'all would be okay with a one Russia policy when it comes to Crimea and the Ukraine? Is that akin to the same kind of ideology? Kin Moy: Well, I can't speak to those issues. But again, we are obligated to provide those defense materials and services to Taiwan and we have been through several administrations, I think very vigilant in terms of providing that. U.S.-China Relations May 15, 2008 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Witnesses: Richard N. Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations Harry Harding, Professor of International Affairs, George Washington University, 1995-2009 Clips 1:46:42 Richard N. Haass: The bottom line is China is not yet a military competitor, much less a military peer. Interestingly, I think Chinese leaders understand this. And they understand just how much their country requires decades of external stability so that they can continue to focus their energies and their attention on economic growth and political evolution. China is an emerging country, but in no way is it a revolutionary threat to world order as we know it. 1:47:20 Richard N. Haass: We alone cannot bring about a successful us Chinese relationship. What the Chinese do and say will count just as much. They will need to begin to exercise restraint and patience on Taiwan. There can be no shortcuts, no use of force. We, at the same time, must meet our obligations to assist Taiwan with its defense. We can also help by discouraging statements and actions by Taiwan's leaders that would be viewed as provocative or worse. 2:03:47 Harry Harding: Now with the support and encouragement of the United States, China has now become a member of virtually all the international regimes for which it is qualified. And therefore the process of integration is basically over, not entirely, but it's largely completed. And so the issue, as Bob Zoellick rightly suggested, is no longer securing China's membership, but encouraging it to be something more, what he called a "responsible stakeholder." So this means not only honoring the rules and norms of the system, but also enforcing them when others violate them, and assisting those who wish to join the system but who lack the capacity to do so. It means, in other words, not simply passive membership, but active participation. It means accepting the burdens and responsibilities of being a major power with a stake in international peace and stability, rather than simply being a free rider on the efforts of others. Now, China's reacted to the concept of responsible stakeholding with some ambivalence. On the one hand, it appreciates that the United States is thereby seeking a positive relationship with China. It suggests that we can accept and even welcome the rise of Chinese power and Beijing's growing role in the world. It certainly is seen by the Chinese as preferable to the Bush administration's earlier idea that China would be a strategic competitor of the United States, as was expressed during the campaign of 2000 and in the early months of 2001. However, Beijing also perceives, largely correctly, that America's more accommodative posture as expressed in this concept is conditional. China will be expected to honor international norms and respect international organizations that it did not create and it may sometimes question. And even more worrying from Beijing's perspective is the prospect that it's the United States that is reserving the right to be the judge as to whether Chinese behavior on particular issues is sufficiently responsible or not. Taiwanese Security August 4, 1999 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Witnesses: David “Mike” M. Lampton, Founding Director, Chinese Studies Program, Nixon Center Stanley Roth, Assistant Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State Caspar W. Weinberger, Former Secretary, Department of Defense James Woolsey, Former Director, CIA Clips 9:00 Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE): Taiwan security, in my view, flows from its democratic form of government's growing economic, cultural and political contacts with the mainland and, ultimately, the United States' abiding commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question. In my opinion, we should concentrate on strengthening those areas rather than spend time pre-authorizing the sales of weapon systems, some of which don't even exist yet. 20:10 Stanley Roth: There are three pillars of the [Clinton] administration's policy. First, the administration's commitment to a One China policy is unchanged. Regardless of the position of the parties, we have not changed our policy. The President has said that both publicly and privately. Second, we believe that the best means to resolve these issues is by direct dialogue between the parties themselves. We have taken every opportunity, including on my own trip to Beijing last week with Ken Lieberthal from the NSC, to urge the PRC to continue this dialogue. It strikes us that it's precisely when times are difficult that you need to dialogue, and to cancel it because of disagreements would be a mistake. China has not yet indicated whether or not these talks will continue in the Fall, as had been previously anticipated, but they put out a lot of hints suggesting that it wouldn't take place, and we are urging them to continue with this dialogue. Third point that is integral to our position. We have stressed again, at every opportunity, the importance of a peaceful resolution of this issue and the President has made that absolutely clear, as did Secretary Albright in her meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Tong in Singapore last week, as did Ken Leiberthal and I in our meetings in Beijing. But China can have no doubts about what the United States' position is, with respect to peaceful resolution of this issue. 1:29:15 Caspar Weinberger: So I don't think that we should be hampered by or felt that we are in any way bound by what is said by the communique, nor should we accept the argument that the communique sets the policy of the United States. 1:32:50 Caspar Weinberger: There are two separate states now, with a state-to-state relationship, and that the unification which was before emphasized, they repeated again in the statement of Mr. Koo, the head of their Trans- Strait Negotiating Committee, that the unification might come when China itself, the mainland, changes, but that that has not been the case and it is not now the case. 1:41:15 David “Mike” Lampton: Once both the mainland and Taiwan are in the WTO, each will have obligations to conduct its economic relations with the other according to international norms and in more efficient ways than now possible. 1:45:20 James Woolsey: The disestablishment of large, state-owned enterprises in China over the long run will bring some economic freedoms, I believe, that will quite possibly help change China and Chinese society and make it more conducive over time to political freedoms as well. But in the short run, the unemployment from the disestablishment of those enterprises can lead to substantial instability. U.S.-Taiwan Relations February 7, 1996 Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs Witness: Winston Lord, Assistant Secretary of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State Clips 16:45 Winston Lord: The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 forms the basis of US policy regarding the security of Taiwan. Its premise is that an adequate defense in Taiwan is conducive to maintaining peace and security while differences remain between Taiwan and the PRC. I'm going to quote a few sections here because this is a very important statement of our policy. Section two B states, "It is the policy of the United States to consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes, a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area, and of grave concern to the United States. To provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character, and to maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security or the socioeconomic system of the people on Taiwan." Section three of the TRA also provides that the "United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self defense capability." 18:00 Winston Lord: The key elements of the US policy toward the Taiwan question are expressed in the three joint communiques with the PRC as follows. The United States recognizes the government of the PRC as the sole legal government of China. The US acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan as part of China. In 1982, the US assured the PRC that it has no intention of pursuing a policy of two Chinas, or one China, one Taiwan. Within this context, the people the US will maintain cultural, commercial and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan. The US has consistently held that the resolution of the Taiwan issue is a matter to be worked out peacefully by the Chinese themselves. A sole and abiding concern is that any resolution be peaceful. 19:30 Winston Lord: The U.S. government made reciprocal statements concerning our intentions with respect to arms sales to Taiwan, that we did not intend to increase the quantity or quality of arms supplied, and in fact intended gradually to reduce the sales. At the time the joint communique was signed, we made it clear to all parties concerned that our tensions were premised on the PRC's continued adherence to a policy of striving for peaceful reunification with Taiwan. 21:30 Winston Lord: The basic inventory of equipment which Taiwan has or will have in its possession will, in our view, be sufficient to deter any major military action against Taiwan. While arms sales policy aims to enhance the self defense capability of Taiwan, it also seeks to reinforce stability in the region. We will not provide Taiwan with capabilities that might provoke an arms race with the PRC or other countries in the region. 21:55 Winston Lord: Decisions on the release of arms made without proper consideration of the long term impact. both on the situation in the Taiwan Strait and on the region as a whole, would be dangerous and irresponsible. If armed conflict were actually breakout in the Taiwan Strait, the impact on Taiwan, the PRC, and indeed the region, would be extremely serious. The peaceful, stable environment that has prevailed in the Taiwan Strait since the establishment of our current policy in 1979 has promoted progress and prosperity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The benefits to Taiwan and the PRC have been obvious and I outline these in my statement. All of these achievements would be immediately put at risk in the event of conflict in the Strait. Conflict would also be costly to the United States and to our friends and allies in the region. Any confrontation between the PRC and Taiwan, however limited in scale or scope, would destabilize the military balance in East Asia and constrict the commerce and shipping, which is the economic lifeblood of the region. It would force other countries in the region to reevaluate their own defense policies, possibly fueling an arms race with unforeseeable consequences. It would seriously affect the tens of thousands of Americans who live and work in Taiwan and the PRC. Relations between the US and the PRC would suffer damage regardless of the specific action chosen by the President, in consultation with Congress. For all these reasons, we are firmly determined to maintain a balanced policy, which is best designed to avoid conflict in the area. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

Tensions between the United States and China continue to reach new levels following trips by Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to the U.S. Also, the increased relations between Beijing and Russia and recent comments by the French President about the United States are causing problems in Europe. FOX's John Saucier speaks with Dr. Jonathan Ward, the Founder of Atlas Organization and author of 'The Decisive Decade: American Grand Strategy for Triumph Over China', who says China has been building their military to achieve complete control of the Pacific.    Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tensions between the United States and China continue to reach new levels following trips by Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to the U.S. Also, the increased relations between Beijing and Russia and recent comments by the French President about the United States are causing problems in Europe. FOX's John Saucier speaks with Dr. Jonathan Ward, the Founder of Atlas Organization and author of 'The Decisive Decade: American Grand Strategy for Triumph Over China', who says China has been building their military to achieve complete control of the Pacific.    Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tensions between the United States and China continue to reach new levels following trips by Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to the U.S. Also, the increased relations between Beijing and Russia and recent comments by the French President about the United States are causing problems in Europe. FOX's John Saucier speaks with Dr. Jonathan Ward, the Founder of Atlas Organization and author of 'The Decisive Decade: American Grand Strategy for Triumph Over China', who says China has been building their military to achieve complete control of the Pacific.    Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Miles Yu and Wilson Shirley discuss what to make of the People's Republic of China's reaction to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the United States, the folly of French President Emmanuel Macron's “strategic autonomy,” and what an ongoing banking crisis in rural China says about the health of the country's financial sector.Follow the China Center's work at: https://www.hudson.org/china-center

China kicked off three days of military exercises around Taiwan on Saturday after condemning Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. How will the US react in the face of Chinese hostility?  Meanwhile, US abortion pill access is in doubt after a Texas judge suspends approval. What about the political fallout coming into focus? On Washington Report, Drive Time's Elliot Danker speaks with Pushan Dutt, Professor of Economics, INSEAD to break it all down.  [Find Us on Podcast Platforms]Awedio | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | OmnyStudio [Contact Us] Presenters: Elliot DankerProducer: Nadiah Koh See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

[00:30] Elites Again Dismiss Trump's 2024 Chances (15 minutes) The anti-Trump uniparty and their shills in the media again insist that Donald Trump cannot win the 2024 election, even though he gained 11 million votes between the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. [15:00] The Mart of Nations Is Forming (10 minutes) In response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the U.S., China simulated invading Taiwan during three days of military exercises last week. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron cozied up to China during a visit to Beijing, declaring his intention of making Europe a “third superpower” independent from the U.S. [25:30] America's Transurrection (18 minutes) On March 30, three Tennessee state representatives illegally led anti-gun and pro-transgender protesters onto the floor of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Two of the three representatives—now dubbed the “Tennessee Three”—have been expelled from the House for obstructing legal proceedings, but media activists have come out in full force to support them. Last week, swimmer Riley Gaines visited San Francisco State University to speak about preventing men from competing in women's sports, but a transgender-supporting mob hijacked the speech and tried to assault her. [43:50] What Jesus Christ Is Doing Today (12 minutes) While celebrating the pagan holiday Easter, mainstream Christians focus on Christ being resurrected—but they don't consider what Christ has been doing since His resurrection. The book of Hebrews explains Christ's active role as our living Savior.

*) Russian forces step up strikes on two key Ukrainian cities Russia's forces have kept up a barrage of attacks along the front concentrated in two Ukrainian cities in the eastern Donetsk region. Fighting was heaviest along the western approaches to Bakhmut, the general staff of Ukraine's armed forces said. Battle also raged in Avdiivka, that Russia's military has been targeting. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy denounced Russian air strikes, saying Moscow was further isolating itself from the world. *) China holds live-fire exercises near Taiwan China has held live-fire drills to round off three days of military exercises in response to Taiwan's president's meeting with the US House speaker. Dubbed "Joint Sword", the three-day operation has included rehearsing an encirclement of Taiwan, according to the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen denounced the drills, which come after she met last week with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy outside Los Angeles. *) Saudi delegation in Yemen's capital for talks with Houthis A Saudi delegation is in Yemen's capital to negotiate a potential new truce with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who control the city. Houthi media showed the group's political leader, Mahdi al Mashat, shaking hands and meeting with Saudi officials including the kingdom's ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber. The Saudi officials are "in Sanaa to discuss moving forward to create peace in Yemen," said a Yemeni diplomat based in the Gulf region, information that was confirmed by a second diplomat. *) Hezbollah, Hamas leaders meet in Lebanon amid Al Aqsa raids Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has held talks with Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Beirut, Lebanon amid escalating Israeli military violence in occupied East Jerusalem. Nasrallah and Haniyeh discussed the latest Palestinian developments, “events at Al Aqsa Mosque, and the escalating resistance in the occupied West Bank and Gaza,” according to a Hezbollah statement. Violence rose across the territories after Israeli forces last week forcibly removed worshippers from inside the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. *) "Super Mario" movie hops to a huge North American opening Universal's "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" has racked up huge numbers in its North American opening weekend. The analysts say it could top the list for all of 2023. The animated film sold an estimated 146.4 million dollars in tickets over the Easter weekend, and 204.6 million in its first five days across North America. In second place for the weekend was Lionsgate's neo-noir "John Wick: Chapter 4," at 14.6 million dollars.

Former state Reps. Justin Jones (D-Tenn.) and Justin J. Pearson (D-Tenn.) join Meet the Press to discuss their expulsions from the Tennessee legislature. Attorney for former President Trump James Trusty discusses the ongoing investigation into classified documents found at Trump's Florida home. Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas) reacts to escalating tensions between Taiwan and China after meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen this week.

Trade unionists railing against French President Macron's pension overhaul briefly invaded the central Paris building in which investment firm BlackRock has an office, chanting slogans and setting off firecrackers. Speaker Kevin McCarthy hosted Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday in a show of U.S. support for the self-governed island, which China claims as its own, along with a bipartisan delegation of more than a dozen U.S. lawmakers. China vowed reprisals against Taiwan after the meeting, saying that the U.S. was on a “wrong and dangerous road.” The Clovis City Council weighed options Monday on how to pay for more police and firefighters. At previous meetings, both the police department and the Citizens' Advisory Committee said staffing levels need to increase in the fast-growing city. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has been indicted on 34 felony counts, the first criminal charges to be brought against a former president. What does this mean for America's global standing and the future of its criminal justice system? Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen head to China and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen meets with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Plus, Northern Ireland marks 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement. Council President Ivo Daalder tackles these issues with Deborah Amos, Nirmal Ghosh, and Philip Stephens on World Review.  

Ricochet Editor-in-Chief Jon Gabriel is in for Jim. Join Jon and Greg as they cheer House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a bipartisan congressional delegation for meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in defiance of Chinese demands and touting the importance of a free Taiwan. They also react to new allegations that CNN's Don Lemon harassed former co-anchor Kyra Phillips back in 2008, including ripping up her photos and papers when she got an assignment that he wanted and for texting threatening messages to her. Finally, they roll their eyes as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. throws his hat into the ring for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination.Please visit our great sponsors:4Patriothttps://4Patriots.comUse code MARTINI to get 10% off your first purchase of 4Patriots Survival Food.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday, despite threats from top Chinese diplomats who warned of retribution if such a meeting occurred. Meanwhile, the U.S. stays vigilant about China's military threat and espionage methods as lawmakers push for a bill to ban TikTok. Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Virginia Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, joins the podcast and pitches his bipartisan legislation to enact a nationwide TikTok ban and how it would protect Americans' data from the Chinese Communist Party. Later, he explains broader intelligence concerns when it comes to China and his position on former President Trump's recent indictment in Manhattan.   Brandon Johnson won Chicago's mayoral election Tuesday night, defeating moderate Paul Vallas. The results surprised some who believed that former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's loss was a sign the city was done with progressive crime policies. Meanwhile, Judge Janet Protasiewicz defeated conservative Justice Dan Kelly in Wisconsin's Supreme Court election, giving majority control to liberals. FOX Radio Correspondent Jeff Monosso joins the Rundown to discuss issues such as crime, abortion, and legislative maps impacting the races, and how the election results could play a role in the 2024 presidential election.   Plus, commentary by Fox & Friends co-host and host of The Brian Kilmeade Show, Brian Kilmeade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen have a historic meeting. What do the two vow to do as China threatens to retaliate? People all over the world are reacting to Tuesday's unprecedented arraignment in New York. Media coverage also going on in full strength. We spoke with a journalist, who's also the vice chairman of the Conservative Caucus, to get his insight on the media's role in the ongoing legal battle. Two big wins for Democrats in Wisconsin and Chicago this week—Lori Lightfoot is replaced as Chicago mayor with a progressive Democrat, and Wisconsin's Supreme Court majority now favors liberals ahead of key rulings on abortion and other issues. A North Carolina lawmaker is switching parties, and her new party will now have a super-majority in the state. The United States is facing a drug shortage crisis. An expert joins us to explore some of the reasons behind it, and possible solutions. NATO said Wednesday that Ukraine will become a member. Meanwhile, the alliance is sending a warning to China. ⭕️ Watch in-depth videos based on Truth & Tradition at Epoch TV

Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Joe Mathieu delivers insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe speaks with: Kurt Tong, former US Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Managing Partner at The Asia Group about the state of US-China relations following Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.Bloomberg Politics Contributors Rick Davis and Jeanne Sheehan Zaino for reaction to Joe's conversation with Ambassador Kurt Tong, and the current geopolitical climate.Alex Zerden, former Treasury-Attache in Afghanistan on the White House's report on the withdrawal from Afghanistan, along with Bloomberg's Kailey Leinz.Bloomberg Politics reporter Ryan Teague Beckwith on the ramifications of the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, along with Bloomberg's Kailey Leinz.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Gaetz, U.S. Representative for the 1st District of Florida, reacts to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley's comments on Drag Queen Story Hours on military bases and the Pentagon's directive that uses taxpayer dollars to facilitate servicemembers' abortions. Jack Hibbs, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, shares about the National Prayer Gathering he organized in response to the Covenant School shooting. James Lankford, U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, comments on reports showing China is buying up U.S. land nationwide and reacts to the Chinese government's threats over House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's upcoming meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. Kirk Cameron, Actor, Author, and Filmmaker, shares about his latest story hour in a D.C. library. Josh Hawley, U.S. Senator from Missouri, discusses his Senate resolution condemning The Covenant School shooting in Nashville as a hate crime. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loving-liberty/support

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday, despite threats from top Chinese diplomats who warned of retribution if such a meeting occurred. Meanwhile, the U.S. stays vigilant about China's military threat and espionage methods as lawmakers push for a bill to ban TikTok. Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Virginia Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, joins the podcast and pitches his bipartisan legislation to enact a nationwide TikTok ban and how it would protect Americans' data from the Chinese Communist Party. Later, he explains broader intelligence concerns when it comes to China and his position on former President Trump's recent indictment in Manhattan.   Brandon Johnson won Chicago's mayoral election Tuesday night, defeating moderate Paul Vallas. The results surprised some who believed that former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's loss was a sign the city was done with progressive crime policies. Meanwhile, Judge Janet Protasiewicz defeated conservative Justice Dan Kelly in Wisconsin's Supreme Court election, giving majority control to liberals. FOX Radio Correspondent Jeff Monosso joins the Rundown to discuss issues such as crime, abortion, and legislative maps impacting the races, and how the election results could play a role in the 2024 presidential election.   Plus, commentary by Fox & Friends co-host and host of The Brian Kilmeade Show, Brian Kilmeade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weakening employment data and soft services activity in the U.S. provoke recession concerns for investors. The sentiment pushes the Nasdaq up to 1 per cent lower and has spilled over into today's Asian session. French President Macron is in Beijing holding talks with new Premier Li Qiang in a bid to bring the Chinese onside regarding the conflict in Ukraine. He is due to meet President Xi later this morning. U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy hosts Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in California. Tsai issued a warning about Beijing ramping up regional tensions in the South China Sea region. In Switzerland, the federal government cancels Credit Suisse's executive bonus programme following the bank's dramatic rescue by rival UBS.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen had their bipartisan meeting yesterday, which Representative John Curtis attended, and now that it's done... Dave and Debbie have a follow-up discussion with Boyd Matheson, Host of Inside Sources, on what they said during their press briefing and what it all means. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday, despite threats from top Chinese diplomats who warned of retribution if such a meeting occurred. Meanwhile, the U.S. stays vigilant about China's military threat and espionage methods as lawmakers push for a bill to ban TikTok. Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Virginia Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, joins the podcast and pitches his bipartisan legislation to enact a nationwide TikTok ban and how it would protect Americans' data from the Chinese Communist Party. Later, he explains broader intelligence concerns when it comes to China and his position on former President Trump's recent indictment in Manhattan.   Brandon Johnson won Chicago's mayoral election Tuesday night, defeating moderate Paul Vallas. The results surprised some who believed that former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's loss was a sign the city was done with progressive crime policies. Meanwhile, Judge Janet Protasiewicz defeated conservative Justice Dan Kelly in Wisconsin's Supreme Court election, giving majority control to liberals. FOX Radio Correspondent Jeff Monosso joins the Rundown to discuss issues such as crime, abortion, and legislative maps impacting the races, and how the election results could play a role in the 2024 presidential election.   Plus, commentary by Fox & Friends co-host and host of The Brian Kilmeade Show, Brian Kilmeade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beijing has condemned Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's ‘sneaky transit' in the US to engage in a historic encounter with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which took place despite threats of retaliation from China. Ross Feingold, Director of Business Development, SafePro Group analyses the nuances behind that unprecedented meeting.   [Find Us on Podcast Platforms] Awedio | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | OmnyStudio   [Contact Us] Presenter: Lynlee Foo Producer: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reactions are pouring in after the criminal charges against former President Donald Trump were revealed. On April 5, Mexico's President Andres Manuel López Obrador said the charges are being used for “political purposes.” In America, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are chiming in as well. Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence officials are watching Russia and China for signs of interference in U.S. politics. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in California, in a rejection of saber-rattling by the Chinese communist regime. Retired Marine Col. Grant Newsham tells NTD's Stefania Cox the meeting symbolically strengthens the United States' support for the island. But, he says, signs of U.S. reticence in its support are also showing through. Tornadoes continue to batter much of the Central United States. At least five people were killed in Missouri when a tornado touched down in Bollinger County. A North Carolina state representative is switching to the Republican Party, after serving about 10 years as a Democratic lawmaker. Her move gives Republicans veto-proof control in her state. ⭕️ Watch in-depth videos based on Truth & Tradition at Epoch TV

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen are meeting in California today... and China's keeping a close eye on them. China considers this meeting a "provocation" and has threatened retaliation if they do end up meeting. Is bringing Taiwan to California a safe move? Boyd Matheson, Host of Inside Sources, joins the discussion.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Senior Fellow Miles Yu and Media Fellow Wilson Shirley discuss how Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen visited New York and accepted Hudson Institute's Global Leadership Award. They also cover the People's Republic of China's growing assertiveness in Latin America and the European Union's approach to the strategic rivalry with Beijing.Follow the China Center's work at: https://www.hudson.org/china-center

The chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation said yesterday in remarks to the House Financial Services Committee that the agency’s board would vote in June on a new bank assessment fee to make up for the money spent in the rescues of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. We look at the details. Plus, China has issued warnings to the U.S. over its brief hosting of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. And, we talk to Sophie Pedder, The Economist’s Paris bureau chief, about what’s been going on in France amid unrest over the government’s pension reforms.

The chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation said yesterday in remarks to the House Financial Services Committee that the agency’s board would vote in June on a new bank assessment fee to make up for the money spent in the rescues of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. We look at the details. Plus, China has issued warnings to the U.S. over its brief hosting of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. And, we talk to Sophie Pedder, The Economist’s Paris bureau chief, about what’s been going on in France amid unrest over the government’s pension reforms.

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Asia-Pacific Analyst Chase Blazek shares his insights on the reshuffling of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's cabinet in preparation for the country's 2024 presidential elections, addressing what this election will mean for future relations between China and Taiwan, and ultimately between the China and the United States. RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilience for our clients. For more information about RANE's risk management solutions, visit www.ranenetwork.com.

On COI #336, Kyle Anzalone and Connor Freeman cover the Joe Biden administration's escalatory policies quickly heating up Washington's Cold Wars with Russia and China. Kyle talks about how the hawks in the Biden regime and their allies are gearing up to support the proxy war in Ukraine for years to come, NATO has a 10 year plan to make Kiev a “default” member of the alliance. The Pentagon chief predicts Ukraine will go on the offensive this winter and again vowed to keep the war going for years and years. Biden himself has ruled out the possibility of talks with his Russian counterpart regarding the war. Like his Secretary of State and longtime right hand man, Antony Blinken, he is only considering talks on a relatively meaningless prisoner exchange. Meanwhile, Turkey is attempting to facilitate and broker peace talks with the West and Russia. Connor discusses Washington's plans to turn Taiwan into a major arms depot, preparing for a war with China the U.S. is provoking. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has announced ramp ups in arms purchases and production, while ruling out contact with Beijing unless the island's “sovereignty” is respected. Taipei is focusing on producing precision missiles, high-performance naval vessels, and smaller, mobile systems focusing on “comprehensive asymmetric warfare capabilities.” Concurrently, the White House put out a provocative National Security Strategy which names China as the “most consequential geopolitical challenge.”

On COI #336, Kyle Anzalone and Connor Freeman cover the Joe Biden administration's escalatory policies quickly heating up Washington's Cold Wars with Russia and China. Kyle talks about how the hawks in the Biden regime and their allies are gearing up to support the proxy war in Ukraine for years to come, NATO has a 10 year plan to make Kiev a “default” member of the alliance. The Pentagon chief predicts Ukraine will go on the offensive this winter and again vowed to keep the war going for years and years. Biden himself has ruled out the possibility of talks with his Russian counterpart regarding the war. Like his Secretary of State and longtime right hand man, Antony Blinken, he is only considering talks on a relatively meaningless prisoner exchange. Meanwhile, Turkey is attempting to facilitate and broker peace talks with the West and Russia. Connor discusses Washington's plans to turn Taiwan into a major arms depot, preparing for a war with China the U.S. is provoking. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has announced ramp ups in arms purchases and production, while ruling out contact with Beijing unless the island's “sovereignty” is respected. Taipei is focusing on producing precision missiles, high-performance naval vessels, and smaller, mobile systems focusing on “comprehensive asymmetric warfare capabilities.” Concurrently, the White House put out a provocative National Security Strategy which names China as the “most consequential geopolitical challenge.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled with a delegation to Taiwan this week, where she met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan lawmakers despite aggressive rhetoric and threats from the Chinese Communist Party. Pelosi, who was the first speaker to visit Taiwan since former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., visited in 1997, tweeted about the trip: "Our discussions with Taiwan leadership reaffirm our support for our partner & promote our shared interests, including advancing a free & open Indo-Pacific region.""It's really important that she do it, a speaker of the house going to Taiwan, demonstrating American support for Taiwan. It's doubly important to do it once a Chinese called her out for it," Walter Lohman, the director of the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation, says. (The Daily Signal is Heritage's multimedia news organization.)Walter joins the podcast to discuss Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, if the United States should change its policy toward Taiwan, and if he predicts the visit will spark World War III. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled with a delegation to Taiwan this week, where she met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan lawmakers despite aggressive rhetoric and threats from the Chinese Communist Party.   Pelosi, who was the first speaker to visit Taiwan since former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., visited in 1997, tweeted about […]

Voters across five states have selected their nominees for the midterm elections. Several Trump-backed candidates won. And in one state, Americans got to vote directly on abortion access. A hearing sought to pin down the origin of the pandemic by focusing on gain-of-function research. As more vaccines and boosters are administered throughout the country, what are the side effects, and should mandates still be in place for Americans? Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson weighs in. The State Department issues warnings on traveling abroad after the killing of al-Qaeda's leader. We spoke to former national security adviser Keith Kellogg about the greatest threat our country is facing. His answer might surprise you. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has wrapped up her unannounced trip to Taiwan. Her schedule included a visit to Taiwan's legislature and a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. ⭕️Watch in-depth videos based on Truth & Tradition at Epoch TV

Anthony Fauci is laughing … and more on today's CrossPolitic Daily News Brief. This is Toby Sumpter. Today is Tuesday, November 23, 2021.  Find all our shows at Crosspolitic.com and download the Fight Laugh Feast App at your favorite app store so you don't miss anything. And if you're not yet a Fight Laugh Feast Club Member, let me just encourage you to consider it today. We are seeking to build a Rowdy Christian Network -- news, sports, talk shows, even sitcoms that celebrate the good life and give liberals the proverbial whim-whams. If you'd like to help us do that, join the club. We love our sponsors, but the heartbeat of CrossPolitic is individual members supporting the work. Join today. Fauci & Ted Cruz Spar Play Audio Cruz responded to Fauci's remarks in a series of tweets late on Sunday afternoon, calling Fauci “an unelected technocrat who has distorted science and facts in order to exercise authoritarian control over millions of Americans.” “He lives in a liberal world where his smug ‘I REPRESENT science' attitude is praised,” Cruz said. Cruz then laid out four “facts” related to his call for the DOJ to investigate Fauci: On May 11, Fauci testified before a Senate Committee that “the NIH has not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology.”On October 20, NIH wrote they funded an experiment at the Wuhan lab testing if “spike proteins from naturally occurring bat coronaviruses circulating in China were capable of binding to the human ACE2 receptor in a mouse model.” That is gain of function research.Fauci's statement and the NIH's October 20 letter cannot both be true. The statements are directly contradictory.18 USC 1001 makes it [a] felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, to lie to Congress. What does Fauci think of all this? Piers Morgan added his voice to the criticism of Fauci in his column in the Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10254589/PIERS-MORGAN-Faucis-political-point-scoring-shows-hes-interested-promoting-himself.html I've never heard Dr Anthony Fauci's cell phone voicemail greeting, but I imagine it says: 'Yes, I'll come on your show.' For someone whose day job is supposed to be leading America's scientific and medical war against Covid-19, he seems to have an incredible amount of spare time for self-promotional media interviews… The most egregious came on CBS's Face The Nation when Fauci burst out laughing after he was asked about Republican senator Ted Cruz calling for him to be prosecuted over his links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology from where many think the coronavirus outbreak leaked. 'I should be prosecuted?' he chuckled. 'What happened on January 6th, senator?' The interviewer, Margaret Brennan, then asked if he thought he was being used as a scapegoat to deflect attention from President Trump's culpability over the Capitol riots. 'Of course!' Fauci smirked. You have to be asleep not to figure that one out!' 'Well,' pressed Brennan, 'there are a lot of Republican senators taking aim at this.' 'That's okay,' replied Fauci, 'I'm just gonna do my job. I'm gonna be saving lives, and they are gonna be lying.' Brennan then said: 'It seems another level of danger to play politics around matters of life and death.' To which Fauci, without a trace of self-awareness, nodded: 'Exactly. And to me, that's unbelievably bad, because all I want to do is save people's lives.' Right, and the best way to do that is to alienate half the country from listening to you by trading in political point-scoring! It's always a worrying indicator of rampant egomania when a public figure starts talking about themselves in the third person, and sure enough that's what Fauci then did. 'Anybody who's looking at this carefully realizes that there's a distinct anti-science flavor to this,' he said. 'If they get up and criticize science, nobody's going to know what they're talking about. But if they get up and really aim their bullets at Tony Fauci — people could recognize there's a person there, so it's easy to criticize. But they're really criticizing science, because I represent science, and that's dangerous.' Wow. He sounds more like a religious leader berating non-believers than a scientist trying to grapple with a pandemic that has seen more scientific flip-flopping than any global medical crisis in my lifetime. The parallel is apt because the more he's been attacked, the more self-righteous, zealous and preachy Fauci has grown. The problem with Fauci saying he IS the Science is that so often in the pandemic, he's got the science plain wrong. In January 2020, when Covid first erupted in China, Fauci declared the virus was 'not a major threat for the people of the United States and this is not something the citizens of the United States right now should be worried about.' Fauci then said Covid was less concerning than the flu, which again was proven to be total nonsense. In subsequent weeks, Fauci repeatedly said the public shouldn't bother buying masks as they were ineffective. 'If you look at the masks that you buy in a drug store,' he said, 'the leakage around that doesn't really do much to protect you.' He also told 60 Minutes: 'People should not be walking around in masks.' Three months later, he conceded masks do work, and since then has demanded everyone wear them, though his guidance on when and where people should wear them has changed more often than a chameleon having an acid trip. Fauci initially opposed President Trump's China travel ban, then later said it had saved lives. He's also long dismissed the theory that Covid could have leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, insisting it had natural origins. Yet now many top scientists believe the lab leak theory is far more likely. More damagingly for Fauci, it transpired that the Wuhan lab received $600,000 in funding from the NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which is part of the National Institutes of Health and run by Fauci) and emails were revealed showing he was informed early into the pandemic that experts were suspicious of the 'natural origin' theory. Fauci's links to the lab may be even murkier. Republican senators including Ted Cruz and Rand Paul have called for him to be investigated over suggestions that NIH money went towards funding risky 'gain of function' research to modify coronaviruses at the Wuhan lab. Back in May, Fauci testified that the NIH 'has not ever and does not now fund gain of function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology.' However, he also said during that same hearing that there was no way to know if Chinese scientists working at the lab had lied and conducted gain of function experiments on bat coronaviruses using U.S. tax dollars. 'There's no way of guaranteeing that,' Fauci admitted. Given this response, the gravity of the claims, and the consequences for the whole world, it doesn't seem unreasonable for Fauci to be properly investigated as to exactly what did go down at that Wuhan lab involving US funding. And his furious reaction to any suggestions he's not being entirely transparent about it raises more suspicion than it dampens. Other Fauci pandemic flip-flops include saying he didn't believe in federal vaccine mandates, then recently endorsing some, and telling Americans in October to be wary of gathering for Christmas before performing an immediate U-turn after his comments provoked outrage and telling Americans to have a 'good normal Christmas'. Morgan concludes: And the more he contradicts himself on TV, the more he erodes public trust. If, as he insists, his only interest is in saving lives, then it's time Anthony Fauci put his ego away, stayed off TV and shut the f* up.  Werkz: DNB Shan and his team at Werkz specialize in concealed carry holsters for pistols with lights. They believe every defensive pistol should have a light and a holster. They currently offer holsters for 1,274 pistol and light combinations, plus can help outfit your pistol with a light. Use their holster finder at Werkz.com/CrossPolitic and be prepared to defend day and night. EU & Taiwan https://apnews.com/article/europe-china-estonia-taiwan-latvia-de0c6b41ad5a50e9d4089ad9bb2c144d TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Lawmakers from all three Baltic states met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday in a sign of further cooperation between European Union nations and Taiwan.  It is the first joint visit to Taiwan by members of parliament from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, Tsai said.  She welcomed the lawmakers, who are attending the 2021 Open Parliament Forum, hosted by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China claims Taiwan is its own territory and rejects any attempts by the self-ruled island to participate in international forums or establish diplomatic relations with other countries that would give it international recognition.  Tsai noted the values and experiences that Taiwan has in common with the three countries. “Taiwan and the Baltic nations share similar experiences of breaking free of authoritarian rule and fighting for freedom. The democracy we enjoy today was hard earned,” Tsai said. “This is something we all understand most profoundly.” Matas Maldeikis, head of the Lithuanian delegation, said he hopes to see even stronger ties with Taiwan.  “We are here to express our solidarity with you. We hope the soon-to-be-open Lithuanian trade office in Taiwan will help to expand the partnership between Taiwan and Lithuania and contribute to a closer relationship with Taiwan and the whole European bloc,” he said. Earlier in November, Taiwan opened a de facto embassy in Lithuania under the name of Taiwanese Representative Office. Lithuania also plans to open a representative office in Taiwan. In response, China reduced its level of diplomatic relations with Lithuania to below ambassador level and also recalled its ambassador. Earlier, China expelled the Lithuanian ambassador from Beijing. Finland Persecuting Christian Pastor https://thefederalist.com/2021/11/23/in-case-with-global-implications-finland-puts-christians-on-trial-for-their-faith/?fbclid=IwAR28pclcdbcX-7Zxa3HzBjsQIL4p6MWPrNi4Pnzyd6CXvfN3XlJ1T8MnxyI Juhana Pohjola This is the man who appears to be the first in the post-Soviet Union West to be brought up on criminal charges for preaching the Christian message as it has been established for thousands of years. Also charged in the case that goes to trial on January 24 is Pohjola's fellow Lutheran and a Finnish member of Parliament, Paivi Rasanen. Rasanen's alleged crimes in a country that claims to guarantee freedom of speech and religion include tweeting a picture of a Bible verse. Potential penalties if they are convicted include fines and up to two years in prison. Rasanen and Pohjola are being charged with “hate speech” for respectively writing and publishing a 24-page 2004 booklet that explains basic Christian theology about sex and marriage, which reserves sex exclusively for within marriage, which can only consist of one man and one woman, for life. The Finnish prosecutor claims centuries-old Christian teachings about sex “incite hatred” and violate legal preferences for government-privileged identity groups. Ghislain Maxwell Trial Beginning  https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/583301-trial-of-ghislaine-maxwell-alleged-accomplice-of-jeffrey-epstein-set The trial of British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who is accused of helping her close confidant Jeffrey Epstein recruit and sexually abuse underage girls, is set to begin on Monday, more than two years after the convicted sex offender's sudden death in prison. A jury of 12 individuals and six alternates will be empaneled at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where they will hear testimony in what is expected to be a six-week trial, according to The Washington Post. Maxwell, 59, has been charged with six counts for allegedly helping Epstein facilitate a sex trafficking scheme: conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and sex trafficking of minors. Maxwell, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, is facing a maximum of 70 years in prison, according to the Post. This case is of particular interest as many celebrities and politicians have had ties to Epstein and Maxwell over the years, including former presidents Clinton and Trump. Epstein was famously found dead in his jail cell in August 2019. His death was ruled a suicide under very suspicious circumstances, sparking the cultural epitaph “Epstein didn't kill himself.”  Psalm of the Day: Psalm 61 by Jamie Soles Play audio: 0:00-1:28 Remember you can always find the links to our news stories and these psalms at crosspolitic dot com – just click on the daily news brief and follow the links.  This is Toby Sumpter with Crosspolitic News. A reminder: Support Rowdy Christian media, and share this show or become a Fight Laugh Feast Club Member. For a limited time, we're offering a Christmas Man Box for new subscribers at the Silver level and above, and if you're already a club member, you can purchase the CrossPolitic Christmas Man Box for just $50 while supplies last. Remember if you didn't make it to the Fight Laugh Feast Conferences, club members have access to all the talks from Douglas Wilson, Joe Boot, Jeff Durbin, Glenn Sunshine, Nate Wilson, David Bahnsen, Voddie Baucham, Ben Merkle, and many more. Join today and have a great day.

Anthony Fauci is laughing … and more on today's CrossPolitic Daily News Brief. This is Toby Sumpter. Today is Tuesday, November 23, 2021. Find all our shows at Crosspolitic.com and download the Fight Laugh Feast App at your favorite app store so you don't miss anything. And if you're not yet a Fight Laugh Feast Club Member, let me just encourage you to consider it today. We are seeking to build a Rowdy Christian Network -- news, sports, talk shows, even sitcoms that celebrate the good life and give liberals the proverbial whim-whams. If you'd like to help us do that, join the club. We love our sponsors, but the heartbeat of CrossPolitic is individual members supporting the work. Join today. Fauci & Ted Cruz Spar Play Audio Cruz responded to Fauci's remarks in a series of tweets late on Sunday afternoon, calling Fauci “an unelected technocrat who has distorted science and facts in order to exercise authoritarian control over millions of Americans.” “He lives in a liberal world where his smug ‘I REPRESENT science' attitude is praised,” Cruz said. Cruz then laid out four “facts” related to his call for the DOJ to investigate Fauci: On May 11, Fauci testified before a Senate Committee that “the NIH has not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology.”On October 20, NIH wrote they funded an experiment at the Wuhan lab testing if “spike proteins from naturally occurring bat coronaviruses circulating in China were capable of binding to the human ACE2 receptor in a mouse model.” That is gain of function research.Fauci's statement and the NIH's October 20 letter cannot both be true. The statements are directly contradictory.18 USC 1001 makes it [a] felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, to lie to Congress. What does Fauci think of all this? Piers Morgan added his voice to the criticism of Fauci in his column in the Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10254589/PIERS-MORGAN-Faucis-political-point-scoring-shows-hes-interested-promoting-himself.html I've never heard Dr Anthony Fauci's cell phone voicemail greeting, but I imagine it says: 'Yes, I'll come on your show.' For someone whose day job is supposed to be leading America's scientific and medical war against Covid-19, he seems to have an incredible amount of spare time for self-promotional media interviews… The most egregious came on CBS's Face The Nation when Fauci burst out laughing after he was asked about Republican senator Ted Cruz calling for him to be prosecuted over his links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology from where many think the coronavirus outbreak leaked. 'I should be prosecuted?' he chuckled. 'What happened on January 6th, senator?' The interviewer, Margaret Brennan, then asked if he thought he was being used as a scapegoat to deflect attention from President Trump's culpability over the Capitol riots. 'Of course!' Fauci smirked. You have to be asleep not to figure that one out!' 'Well,' pressed Brennan, 'there are a lot of Republican senators taking aim at this.' 'That's okay,' replied Fauci, 'I'm just gonna do my job. I'm gonna be saving lives, and they are gonna be lying.' Brennan then said: 'It seems another level of danger to play politics around matters of life and death.' To which Fauci, without a trace of self-awareness, nodded: 'Exactly. And to me, that's unbelievably bad, because all I want to do is save people's lives.' Right, and the best way to do that is to alienate half the country from listening to you by trading in political point-scoring! It's always a worrying indicator of rampant egomania when a public figure starts talking about themselves in the third person, and sure enough that's what Fauci then did. 'Anybody who's looking at this carefully realizes that there's a distinct anti-science flavor to this,' he said. 'If they get up and criticize science, nobody's going to know what they're talking about. But if they get up and really aim their bullets at Tony Fauci — people could recognize there's a person there, so it's easy to criticize. But they're really criticizing science, because I represent science, and that's dangerous.' Wow. He sounds more like a religious leader berating non-believers than a scientist trying to grapple with a pandemic that has seen more scientific flip-flopping than any global medical crisis in my lifetime. The parallel is apt because the more he's been attacked, the more self-righteous, zealous and preachy Fauci has grown. The problem with Fauci saying he IS the Science is that so often in the pandemic, he's got the science plain wrong. In January 2020, when Covid first erupted in China, Fauci declared the virus was 'not a major threat for the people of the United States and this is not something the citizens of the United States right now should be worried about.' Fauci then said Covid was less concerning than the flu, which again was proven to be total nonsense. In subsequent weeks, Fauci repeatedly said the public shouldn't bother buying masks as they were ineffective. 'If you look at the masks that you buy in a drug store,' he said, 'the leakage around that doesn't really do much to protect you.' He also told 60 Minutes: 'People should not be walking around in masks.' Three months later, he conceded masks do work, and since then has demanded everyone wear them, though his guidance on when and where people should wear them has changed more often than a chameleon having an acid trip. Fauci initially opposed President Trump's China travel ban, then later said it had saved lives. He's also long dismissed the theory that Covid could have leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, insisting it had natural origins. Yet now many top scientists believe the lab leak theory is far more likely. More damagingly for Fauci, it transpired that the Wuhan lab received $600,000 in funding from the NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which is part of the National Institutes of Health and run by Fauci) and emails were revealed showing he was informed early into the pandemic that experts were suspicious of the 'natural origin' theory. Fauci's links to the lab may be even murkier. Republican senators including Ted Cruz and Rand Paul have called for him to be investigated over suggestions that NIH money went towards funding risky 'gain of function' research to modify coronaviruses at the Wuhan lab. Back in May, Fauci testified that the NIH 'has not ever and does not now fund gain of function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology.' However, he also said during that same hearing that there was no way to know if Chinese scientists working at the lab had lied and conducted gain of function experiments on bat coronaviruses using U.S. tax dollars. 'There's no way of guaranteeing that,' Fauci admitted. Given this response, the gravity of the claims, and the consequences for the whole world, it doesn't seem unreasonable for Fauci to be properly investigated as to exactly what did go down at that Wuhan lab involving US funding. And his furious reaction to any suggestions he's not being entirely transparent about it raises more suspicion than it dampens. Other Fauci pandemic flip-flops include saying he didn't believe in federal vaccine mandates, then recently endorsing some, and telling Americans in October to be wary of gathering for Christmas before performing an immediate U-turn after his comments provoked outrage and telling Americans to have a 'good normal Christmas'. Morgan concludes: And the more he contradicts himself on TV, the more he erodes public trust. If, as he insists, his only interest is in saving lives, then it's time Anthony Fauci put his ego away, stayed off TV and shut the f* up. Werkz: DNB Shan and his team at Werkz specialize in concealed carry holsters for pistols with lights. They believe every defensive pistol should have a light and a holster. They currently offer holsters for 1,274 pistol and light combinations, plus can help outfit your pistol with a light. Use their holster finder at Werkz.com/CrossPolitic and be prepared to defend day and night. EU & Taiwan https://apnews.com/article/europe-china-estonia-taiwan-latvia-de0c6b41ad5a50e9d4089ad9bb2c144d TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Lawmakers from all three Baltic states met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday in a sign of further cooperation between European Union nations and Taiwan. It is the first joint visit to Taiwan by members of parliament from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, Tsai said. She welcomed the lawmakers, who are attending the 2021 Open Parliament Forum, hosted by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China claims Taiwan is its own territory and rejects any attempts by the self-ruled island to participate in international forums or establish diplomatic relations with other countries that would give it international recognition. Tsai noted the values and experiences that Taiwan has in common with the three countries. “Taiwan and the Baltic nations share similar experiences of breaking free of authoritarian rule and fighting for freedom. The democracy we enjoy today was hard earned,” Tsai said. “This is something we all understand most profoundly.” Matas Maldeikis, head of the Lithuanian delegation, said he hopes to see even stronger ties with Taiwan. “We are here to express our solidarity with you. We hope the soon-to-be-open Lithuanian trade office in Taiwan will help to expand the partnership between Taiwan and Lithuania and contribute to a closer relationship with Taiwan and the whole European bloc,” he said. Earlier in November, Taiwan opened a de facto embassy in Lithuania under the name of Taiwanese Representative Office. Lithuania also plans to open a representative office in Taiwan. In response, China reduced its level of diplomatic relations with Lithuania to below ambassador level and also recalled its ambassador. Earlier, China expelled the Lithuanian ambassador from Beijing. Finland Persecuting Christian Pastor https://thefederalist.com/2021/11/23/in-case-with-global-implications-finland-puts-christians-on-trial-for-their-faith/?fbclid=IwAR28pclcdbcX-7Zxa3HzBjsQIL4p6MWPrNi4Pnzyd6CXvfN3XlJ1T8MnxyI Juhana Pohjola This is the man who appears to be the first in the post-Soviet Union West to be brought up on criminal charges for preaching the Christian message as it has been established for thousands of years. Also charged in the case that goes to trial on January 24 is Pohjola's fellow Lutheran and a Finnish member of Parliament, Paivi Rasanen. Rasanen's alleged crimes in a country that claims to guarantee freedom of speech and religion include tweeting a picture of a Bible verse. Potential penalties if they are convicted include fines and up to two years in prison. Rasanen and Pohjola are being charged with “hate speech” for respectively writing and publishing a 24-page 2004 booklet that explains basic Christian theology about sex and marriage, which reserves sex exclusively for within marriage, which can only consist of one man and one woman, for life. The Finnish prosecutor claims centuries-old Christian teachings about sex “incite hatred” and violate legal preferences for government-privileged identity groups. Ghislain Maxwell Trial Beginning https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/583301-trial-of-ghislaine-maxwell-alleged-accomplice-of-jeffrey-epstein-set The trial of British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who is accused of helping her close confidant Jeffrey Epstein recruit and sexually abuse underage girls, is set to begin on Monday, more than two years after the convicted sex offender's sudden death in prison. A jury of 12 individuals and six alternates will be empaneled at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where they will hear testimony in what is expected to be a six-week trial, according to The Washington Post. Maxwell, 59, has been charged with six counts for allegedly helping Epstein facilitate a sex trafficking scheme: conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and sex trafficking of minors. Maxwell, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, is facing a maximum of 70 years in prison, according to the Post. This case is of particular interest as many celebrities and politicians have had ties to Epstein and Maxwell over the years, including former presidents Clinton and Trump. Epstein was famously found dead in his jail cell in August 2019. His death was ruled a suicide under very suspicious circumstances, sparking the cultural epitaph “Epstein didn't kill himself.” Psalm of the Day: Psalm 61 by Jamie Soles Play audio: 0:00-1:28 Remember you can always find the links to our news stories and these psalms at crosspolitic dot com – just click on the daily news brief and follow the links. This is Toby Sumpter with Crosspolitic News. A reminder: Support Rowdy Christian media, and share this show or become a Fight Laugh Feast Club Member. For a limited time, we're offering a Christmas Man Box for new subscribers at the Silver level and above, and if you're already a club member, you can purchase the CrossPolitic Christmas Man Box for just $50 while supplies last. Remember if you didn't make it to the Fight Laugh Feast Conferences, club members have access to all the talks from Douglas Wilson, Joe Boot, Jeff Durbin, Glenn Sunshine, Nate Wilson, David Bahnsen, Voddie Baucham, Ben Merkle, and many more. Join today and have a great day.

Representative Bi-khim Hsiao leads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, DC, serving as Taiwan's top representative in the United States since July 2020. Before entering her current role, Representative Hsiao was Senior Adviser to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the National Security Council of Taiwan, and previously served four terms in the Taiwan Legislature, where she was ranking member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. On this episode, Rexon and Representative Hsiao discussed engagement between Washington and Taipei, Taiwan's pandemic response, regional security issues, Taiwan's engagement with Japan, and more.

Representative Bi-khim Hsiao leads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, DC, serving as Taiwan's top representative in the United States since July 2020. Before entering her current role, Representative Hsiao was Senior Adviser to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the National Security Council of Taiwan, and previously served four terms in the Taiwan Legislature, where she was ranking member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. On this episode, Rexon and Representative Hsiao discussed engagement between Washington and Taipei, Taiwan's pandemic response, regional security issues, Taiwan's engagement with Japan, and more.

Representative Bi-khim Hsiao leads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, DC, serving as Taiwan's top representative in the United States since July 2020. Before entering her current role, Representative Hsiao was Senior Adviser to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the National Security Council of Taiwan, and previously served four terms in the Taiwan Legislature, where she was ranking member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. On this episode, Rexon and Representative Hsiao discussed engagement between Washington and Taipei, Taiwan's pandemic response, regional security issues, Taiwan's engagement with Japan, and more.

The past few days have seen tensions across the Taiwan Strait rise further as Beijing and Taipei marked their respective national days. China's air force deployed a record number of warplanes into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), while Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen again defended the island as a de facto democratic, sovereign nation. Beijing's increased political and economic pressure, as well as military posturing, on Taipei takes place against the backdrop of an intensifying China-US strategic rivalry, for which Taiwan remains a key point of contention. Join our Asia-Pacific analysts, Dr Guo Yu, Aedan Mordecai and Jack Broome to discuss the latest situation concerning Taiwan, and how such persistent cross-strait tensions may evolve in the coming year, assessing possible future flashpoints and business implications.

The Olympics ended yesterday after more than two weeks of exciting international competition in Tokyo. On this episode of the podcast, we're taking a look back at some of the security and international affairs issues that you might have noticed in this year's games and in Olympic history. Rohini Kurup sat down with author Roy Tomizawa to talk about the last time that Japan hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964 and the similarities with this year's games. Bryce Klehm spoke with Libby Lange, a former speech writer for Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, about the tense relations between China and Taiwan on display at the Olympics. Jacob Schulz spoke with ​Ethan Scheiner, a professor at UC Davis, about the history of violence at the Olympics. And Bryce talked with Claire Collins, an Olympic rower and a member of the U.S. national team, about participating in this year's games and some of the security challenges that followed.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The "One China" policy—whereby the US maintains formal relations with Beijing and not Taiwan—has been the cornerstone of US-China relations for decades. It was upended within one month of Donald Trump's victory, when the then president-elect accepted a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. Further statements from the Trump administration suggest that questioning the "One China" policy may no longer be taboo. On the heels of the 45th anniversary of the 1972 Shanghai Communique—which marked the beginning of the rapprochement of US-China relations—what does the Trump presidency portend for US-China relations and the fortunes of Hong Kong and Taiwan? Could Taiwan be part of a bargain between the US and China? How would Hong Kong fare in the event of a possible Sino-US trade war?