Category: Daniel Serwer
Stevenson’s army, April 19
Most of you have heard the story Senator Lloyd Bentsen told me shortly after the 1988 presidential campaign, amplifying his comment that “In Texas, politics is a contact sport.” Back home in south Texas after flying B-24s in WWII, he decided to enter politics, running against the entrenched Democratic machine for County Judge. The old guard fought back with dirty tricks, including some slashed tires. A friendly local sheriff pulled Bentsen aside and asked, “Any killing you want done?” Bentsen said no.
That was Texas in 1946. What about Oklahoma in 2023?
In other news…
NYT says China is greatly expanding its nuclear arsenal
WaPo says China is building supersonic spy drones.
NYT tells how Russia is getting around tech sanctions.
Politico says administration will target investments in China.
WaPo notes how the Senate has treated other ailing members.
Task & Purpose says US special operations forces in Ukraine aren’t in combat.
Lula criticizes US over Ukraine war.
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I republish here, with occasional videos of my choice. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).
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Stevenson’s army, April 19
– Discord docs say Egypt paused on arms to Russia after US pressure.
– Tucker Carlson used altered docs.
– Russia claimed only 1% of faked profiles caught.
– Saudis & UAE buy Russian oil.
– US will sell F16 equipment to Turkey
– Ukraine war changed IMF.
–China is retaliating against US companies
– Politico lists likely contenders for top military jobs.
– Bob Gates says US needs to be much better at strategic communications.
– Researchers say partisan media works.
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I republish here, with occasional videos of my choice. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).
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Stevenson’s army, April 16
– NYT tells how its reporters found Teixiera
– WaPo has timeline for document postings.
– Pentagon used Discord for recruiting.
– Vox has background on Sudan’s clash of armed forces.
– FT says China blocks Blinken trip pending balloon resolution.
– FP excerpts interview with Larry Summers about many issues.
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I republish here, with occasional videos of my choice. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).
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Stevenson’s army, April 15
– India’s population is now greater than China’s, but there’s more to the story.
– Arab nations are warming to Syria.
– US intelligence saw 4 more Chinese balloons
– Reports also say Taiwan is vulnerable
-China promises no arms to either side in Ukraine.
-Discord leaker: Fred Kaplan wonders about his access.
– Read the affadavit revealing probable cause.
– Tom Friedman doesn’t want anti-China feeling to go too far.
– Max Hastings reminds that Churchill wanted to keep fighting Moscow.
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I republish here, with occasional videos of my choice. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).
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Stevenson’s army, April 14
– Fred Kaplan agrees with my assessment of the alleged Discord leaker.
– WaPo talks to the group members.
– NYT has more background.
– Prof. Rid comments.
– Meanwhile, AFRICOM head steps in it.
– WSJ tells how domestic politics keeps the A-10 flying
– Politico says World Bank is divided over climate change.
– I like what USAFA is doing in civic education.
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I republish here, with occasional videos of my choice. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).
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Stevenson’s army, April 13
I had planned, in next week’s class on the media, to say that most US leaks on foreign policy come from 3 sources: [1] administration officials launching trial balloons; [2] losers in the interagency fights who want to rally opponents; and [3] whistleblowers who want to expose some terrible government activities. According to WaPo, however, the leaker of recent highly classified documents was a 4th type — the Showoff who wants to demonstrate his inside knowledge. WaPo has tracked down the leaker, who seems to be a youg man in his 20s, working on a military base, who is an enthusiast about guns and gaming. No other apparent agenda.
Other reports based on the leaks say: Ukraine war is headed for stalemate.
– There’s lots of infighting among Russian officials.
– Serbia denies sending arms to Ukraine.
– Politico explains why the leaks went undetected for so long.
-NYT explains why Brazil won’t help Ukraine.
SAIS prof Cancian analyzes the service wish lists.
Atlantic Council has expert report on defense innovation. Document here.
NYT notes unrestrained behavior when strong partisan control of state legislatures.
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I republish here, with occasional videos of my choice. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).
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