Tag: Russia
Stevenson’s army, July 2
I neglected to post this particularly interesting edition yesterday:
This really should be celebrated as America’s independence day. [More below]
But first, NYT reports new Biden policy on drone strikes. They even have declassified documents on the strikes and on counterterrorism strategy.
– WSJ tells how Brazil helps Russia infiltrate spies in US.
History lesson: The 4th of July really ought to be celebrated on the 2nd, for it was on July 2, 1776, that the Continental Congress voted, 12 states for, none against, that the colonies “are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.” The next day, John Adams wrote to his wife, “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival…. It ought to be solemnized with bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other….
In fact, the 3rd and 4th of July were taken up with debate and amendments to the 1,338-word explanation written by Thomas Jefferson and a small committee. A vote approving the text was taken on the 4th, but the actual parchment was not signed until August 2. That document used the July 4 date, and we’ve been stuck with it ever since.
There’s another reason for celebrating July 2 — for it was on that date, eleven years later in the same building in Philadelphia, that the Constitutional Convention broke its deadlock over how to organize the new government. Virginia had proposed proportional representation by population, including slaves. The small states, led by New Jersey proposed equal representation of the states in Congress. The debate and defeat of various plans left many small state delegates angry and frustrated, and drove the convention to the verge of collapse. Many considered leaving the convention if their rights were not protected. Delegates on both sides became more heated and intransigent.
The small states had a point. The three largest states of Virginia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts had 45% of the U.S. population and would need only one other state to have a working majority over all other states. On many issues the three most southern states – Georgia and the Carolinas – sided with the big three. Though small at the time, they all expected to grow much larger and saw such an informal alliance as helpful to their other interests.
On July 2, 1787, Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut pressed his resolution for equal representation in the Senate, but with some absentees and some still unexplained vote switches, the delegates tied on the question. That was a parliamentary defeat for the small states, but a game-changing, emotional victory because it kept alive their alternative. On reflection, other delegates realized that this issue of Senate composition could destroy any chance at government reform. They agreed to turn the question over to a committee, and three days later, the committee recommended equal votes in the Senate. At the end of the tumultuous week, the delegates approved the plan.
This broke the logjam on other issues as well. With small state rights protected, their delegates were more willing to strengthen the executive and the central government. By mid-July, delegates agreed on a single executive and gave him veto power.
Those are two strong reasons for venerating and celebrating July 2 — with “bonfires and illuminations” and good beer. Maybe you even want to celebrate twice.
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, July 3
WSJ says Putin is taking over Wagner’s assets.
Vox argues its African operations create dependencies more than revenues.
NYT podcast gives more Wagner background.
New Yorker rounds up expert views of Putin today.
WaPo suggests administration is pressuring Hill on cluster munitions for Ukraine.
State approves more arms for Taiwan.
Politico says Tuberville poses problems for JCS succession.
Court rules military cases don’t require unanimous verdicts.
CJCS Milley gave talk at National Press Club. CSPAN has tape and transcript.
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, June 28
– NYT says Russian general knew of mutiny in advance [Either that’s true or a good way to sow dissent in Kremlin]
– CNN says US didn’t tell most allies about Wagner plans
– Putin admits Russia funded Wagner
– Economist reports how Wagner shot down Russian aircraft
– NYT says US public opinion limits thaw with China
– POGO report on US shipbuilding problems
Charlie later added this Wednesday bonus:
– Politico’s Global Insider has more on various Russian private armies.
– WSJ says Prigozhin hoped to capture senior generals.
– Elliot Ackerman sees a weakened Russian force.
– David Frum worries about GOP calls for attacks in Mexico.
– Stimson analyst sees no real US consensus on China
– SAIS grad explains why US hasn’t ratified Law of the Sea convention
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, June 27
– The Supreme Court has rejected the independent legislature legal theory
– Japan lifts trade restrictions with South Korea.
– Congress sets limits on ChatGBT use.
Prigozhin: CJR backgrounds his media coverage; Eliot Cohen analyzes the mutiny.
Reuters discovers large number of US officials whose ancestors had slaves.
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, June 26
– Nothing from the three main figures in the Wagner mutiny, so let the pundits talk, as in Politico.
– Pro-Russian may win in Slovakia.
– US public still supports Ukraine, Taiwan.
– WaPo notes the Senate isn’t doing much.
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, June 25
– US intelligence says it warned senior officials of Prigozhin’s plot on Wed, and told the chosen few in Congress on Thurs, according to NYT. They also bragged to WaPo.
– WaPo also tells how Russia clamped down on the media during the crisis.
– What does it mean? Weakened Putin, uncertainty in Ukraine, read David Ignatius and Tom Nichols.
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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