T-Mobile, SpaceX to End Cellphone Dead Zones
On Thurs., US wireless carrier T-Mobile announced that it will partner with Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink satellite service to provide cell reception to connect the company's mobile phone users directly with satellites in orbit.
In a joint press release, the companies said that the partnership will "provide near complete coverage in most places in the US - even in many of the most remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell signals."
Starlink satellites will connect with T-Mobile's mid-band spectrum to create a new network from which most users' phones are already compatible for connection. The new service will begin with text messages in a beta phase by the end of 2023.
Narrative A
With over half a million square miles of the US untouched by cell service this partnership marks a turning point. This new connection won't be reliant on old technology like cell towers or underground cable networks and may pave the way to future partnerships that could see worldwide connection.
Narrative B
While this is exciting news, it's too early to start celebrating. Starlink itself is still a new service and SpaceX has yet to demonstrate that it can deliver on its promise. It remains to be seen how far this partnership will reach.
US Fed: High Interest Rates Likely ‘For Some Time’
In an opening speech at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium in Wyoming on Friday, Federal Reserve (Fed) chairman Jerome Powell signaled that the US central bank is expected to keep raising interest rates and that they're likely to remain high for "some time."
The annual gathering is a conference featuring central bankers from around the world that consists of a sequence of papers on economic ideas related to the year's topic, with this year's being "Reassessing Constraints on the Economy and Policy."
Arguing that the "historical record cautions strongly against prematurely loosening policy," Powell stated that restoring inflation to 2% was the central bank's "overarching focus right now."
Establishment-critical narrative
Bringing down prices must be a top priority for the Fed, but the standard approach of aggressive interest rate hikes is a cruel method that's only making life harder for Americans who are feeling the pressure. With a recession on the horizon, the Fed's so-called solution is seemingly worse than the problem.
Pro-establishment narrative
It's clear that there are tough times ahead, but we have to prioritize long-term health over short-term gains. While the process of bringing down inflation is painful, the alternative is far worse. Under The Fed's guidance, there's hope that this will be resolved as swiftly as possible.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that fed funds rate will be at least 2.9% by December 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Day 187 Roundup: Ukraine Launches Southern Counteroffensive, IAEA Mission to Zaporizhzhia 'On Its Way'
Ukraine on Mon. announced that it has launched a counteroffensive to retake territory seized by Russia in the south. The extent and gains of the offensive remain unclear, and Russia has denied the reports. Russian media meanwhile reported Ukrainian strikes on the occupied towns of Nova Kakhovka and Beryslav, near Kherson.
This comes as Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Mon. he will lead a mission to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine's south later this week. The plant has been under the control of Russian forces since the first days of the war.
The announcement comes amid renewed attacks on the plant and intensified fighting in the region. On Sun., Russian officials said six shells fired by Ukrainian forces fell in the area of the power unit and pumping station for the sixth reactor. Russian officials also reported that they had shot down a Ukrainian kamikaze drone over the site, which hit the roof of an unspecified building. There were no injuries or structural damage, officials said.
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine has turned the territory around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant into a war zone, placing the world at risk of nuclear catastrophe. Russia must unconditionally leave the plant and let officials from the IAEA permanently take control of the situation.
Pro-Russia narrative
Contrary to mainstream portrayal, Russia has for months stressed the importance of an IAEA mission to Zaporizhzhia. This development is welcome amid what amounts to nuclear terrorism by Ukraine's forces. While Kyiv continues to bomb the plant, and its Western backers' attempt to disrupt the attendance of IAEA inspectors, Moscow has been seeking to secure the safety of the plant.
Nerd narrative
There is a 20% chance that there will be a serious radiation incident at any nuclear plant in Ukraine by 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Taiwan: US Warships Sail Through Strait
On Sun., the US Navy stated that two US warships entered the Taiwan Strait - allegedly to show its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific - in the first such operation since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island.
According to the US 7th Fleet, the USS Chancellorsville and the USS Antietam cruisers sailed through a corridor "beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state."
In response, the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command declared that it had tracked the US ships, and that it was maintaining a "high alert" and would be "ready to foil any provocation at any time." However, it said it was not suggesting any further actions.
Pro-China narrative
These operations, though not a direct threat to Chinese security, indicate that the US is likely to try to prevent a peaceful Chinese reunification by escalating tensions and accelerating instability. Rather than trying to attack China via Taiwan, US strategists must abandon the arrogant conviction that they have authority over Chinese matters.
Anti-China narrative
This is a calculated decision to reaffirm the Biden administration's commitment to freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. By not shying away from Chinese threats and war games, the US is showing continued support for Taiwan.
Nerd narrative
There is a 65% chance that, if China invaded Taiwan before 2035, the US would respond with military forces, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Libya: At Least 32 Killed In Tripoli Clashes
Violent clashes erupted on Sat. in Libya's capital Tripoli between several armed groups backed by the country's two rival governments, sparking fears that a political crisis could turn into a new armed conflict.
The Health Ministry said Sun. that at least 32 people were killed and 159 others injured during the heaviest clashes in Tripoli in over two years, though fighting appeared to have calmed by Sunday.
The latest clashes erupted when militias loyal to the parliament-backed government of Fathi Bashagha in the country's east failed to take control of the capital and oust the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) of PM Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah.
Anti-Russia narrative
Bashagha's attempt to storm Tripoli couldn't have occurred without at least the tacit support of Russia. Russian mercenaries helped Haftar's advance on the capital, supporting him as he committed serious atrocities on the city's outskirts. If peace is to be found in Libya, world powers, namely France, must end their support for eastern factions, as it only empowers Russia's position in the country.
Establishment-critical narrative
While the West never tires of demonizing Russia and China as threats to the "international community," current events in Libya are ultimately nothing more than the long shadow of the 2011 NATO-backed overthrow of Gaddafi. The chaos in Libya is just another example of how the US and its allies are destroying global and regional security for their own interests. It's these double standards that pose the greatest threat.
Narrative C
The fact that Fathi Bashagha has now once again failed to extend his power to Tripoli and oust the GNU under Abdul Hamid Dbeibah is only the foreshadowing of a likely military escalation since Bashagha now has his back to the wall. One glimmer of hope is that the external actors in this conflict are unlikely to be interested in a full-blown proxy war, so a war over Tripoli would likely be shorter and less destructive.
Colombia, Venezuela Restore Full Diplomatic Relations
On Sun., Colombia's new ambassador to Venezuela, former Sen. Armando Benedetti, arrived in Caracas, while Venezuela's new ambassador to Colombia, former Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia, reportedly arrived in Bogotá.
This marks the full restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries after a three-year break caused by political tensions between socialist Venezuela and Colombia's successive conservative presidents.
After taking office in early Aug., Colombia's first leftist president, Gustavo Petro, said he would drop Bogotá's recognition of Juan Guaidó as interim leader and recognize Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate head of state. Guaidó appointed himself interim leader after declaring Maduro's 2018 re-election illegitimate. He is recognized by several nations, including the US.
Narrative A
Guaidó's bid to oust Venezuela's Maduro has clearly failed, and Bogotá should restore its relations with Caracas for both Colombia and Venezuela's benefit. The normalization will reduce trade costs, improve the lives of the border population, and possibly make Maduro more willing to listen to Petro.
Narrative B
Establishing dialogue with Maduro could certainly help restore democracy in Venezuela. But for this to happen, Petro must be adamant in his condemnation of the human rights abuses going on and advocate fully for freedom in Venezuela. Colombia's problems cannot be solved until the root causes of the crisis in Venezuela are addressed.
Narrative C
Maduro's 2018 re-election was a sham that failed to comply with even the minimum international standards for credibility. The purpose of the rigged vote was merely to consolidate a dictatorship marred with human rights abuses, corruption and economic mismanagement. No country that pretends to care about democracy and human rights should even consider recognizing his illegitimate government.
Syria: Israeli Strikes Cause Major Destruction
On Sun., satellite imagery published by the Times of Israel revealed massive destruction at a Syrian military facility based near the northwestern city of Masyaf in the Hama governorate, following an Israeli air attack the previous Thursday.
The satellite images of the Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) were taken by Planet Labs PBC and provided by Aurora Intel, a network that shares news and updates based on open-source intelligence. Some buildings and areas sustained heavy damage, according to Aurora Intel.
According to Rami Abdurrahman, the leader of the information group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the main target of the strike was a weapons depot housing about 1K precision-guided middle-range missiles. The hit caused secondary explosions that lasted more than five hours and were among the largest since Israel began carrying out air strikes in Syria.
Narrative A
Syria has become a major threat to the very existence of Israel, as Iran and Hezbollah have expanded their presence in the country. In response, Israel has had no choice but to adopt a "war between wars," targeting Iranian and Iran-backed military presence and weapons that have been positioned in Syria to attack Israel.
Narrative B
Israel is continuing to violate international law and treaties as well as the sovereignty of its neighbors through routine aggression. The UN Security Council must act to halt Israeli defiance of internationally agreed norms to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.
Nerd narrative
There's a 49% chance that there will be an Israel-Hezbollah war by 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Brazil: Bolsonaro, Lula Exchange Barbs In First Debate
On Sun., Brazil's Pres. Jair Bolsonaro and the country's former Pres. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva traded accusations while taking part in a heated televised debate ahead of the country's general election.
While Pres. Bolsonaro deemed Lula's eight-year term "the most corrupt government in Brazil's history," the former Pres. claimed that Bolsonaro was "destroying the country."
Alongside the two frontrunners, Ciro Gomes, Felipe D'Ávila, Simone Tebet, and Soraya Thronicke also attended the 3-hour event organized by a press pool.
Left narrative
Bolsonaro's disastrous term has changed the minds of the Brazilian voters who elected him in 2018. He has systemically threatened democracy by gathering support within the armed forces, attacking the Supreme Court, and baselessly claiming the election could be rigged. If he stays in office, not only would democracy be endangered, but so would the Amazon rainforest.
Right narrative
Lula used his political influence over Brazil's top court to have his convictions of corruption overturned and allow him to run for office again. While the mainstream media claims that Bolsonaro threatens democracy and the environment, it was during Lula's two terms that Brazil deepened ties with authoritarian states such as China, Cuba, Russia, and Venezuela, and fires in the Amazon hit all-time high rates.
Cynical narrative
Although the Brazilian electoral dispute between a vengeful left and a toxic right will be hyped as a turning point for the nation, whoever takes office will have to deal with the hyper-fragmented party system that only benefits the "Centrão", or the "Big Middle" – the congressional majority without clear principles that has historically been able to control presidents.
Nerd narrative
There's a 28% chance that Jair Bolsonaro will be president of Brazil by Jan. 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Justice Dept. Has Reviewed Mar-a-Lago Documents
According to a court filing on Mon., following a review of the material seized from Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence on Aug. 8, the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) has put aside documents that might be subject to attorney-client privilege, potentially making the former president's request for an independent arbiter unnecessary.
This comes after US District Judge Aileen M. Cannon, appointed by Trump in 2020, on Sat. hinted at her willingness to grant Trump's attorneys' request for a special master to review classified documents and other items acquired by the FBI.
Cannon gave the DOJ until Tues. to present arguments against appointing a special master, with a court hearing set for Thursday. She further ordered the DOJ to provide, under seal, a more specific inventory for the property taken, and detail the stages of review they've undergone and who has accessed them.
Pro-Trump narrative
The illegal ransacking of Trump's home was a political hit job meant to prevent him from running for president in 2024, so of course a judge should appoint a special master. Having a neutral party review what was taken from Mar-a-Lago will further reveal how rogue the DOJ and FBI have gone in their efforts to protect the Democratic party.
Democratic narrative
Cannon is pandering to Trump. No judge should ever issue even a "tentative" ruling without hearing from both sides, and Cannon has only heard from Trump. Regardless, she'll unlikely be able to appoint a special master in light of the latest DOJ filing and once she hears their arguments; if she tries to she'll undoubtedly be overruled by a higher court on appeal.
Jackson, Miss. Flooding: Officials "Cautiously Optimistic"
On Mon., city officials for Jackson, Miss. said they're "cautiously optimistic" as the Pearl River appeared to be cresting at 35.35 ft - just shy of major flood stage - after record rainfall.
This comes as Jackson's mayor urged residents to evacuate flood zones on Sun., and as Gov. Reeves declared a state of emergency in response to the relentless rain that caused the Pearl River to escape its banks and flood.
The state of emergency was declared in anticipation that the river - which runs through the southern part of Jackson - was expected to crest at 35.5 ft. on Mon., seven ft above flood stage.
Narrative A
This catastrophic flooding event isn't a one-off occurrence. As our climate continues to change, the frequency and magnitude of these events will increase, destroying property and taking lives. More education is needed about climate change and its connection to increased flooding.
Narrative B
Dismissing these types of events as a result of climate change dangerously absolves policymakers of any responsibility. Not every extreme rain event has to result in devastating flooding, but it often does due to government ineptness and poor infrastructure. Rather than pointing our fingers at climate change, we should focus on holding those who are actually able to manage these disasters accountable.