Pentagon Chief Visits Iraq, Says US Troops Will Remain
According to the US press pool following Sec. of Defense Lloyd Austin in his unannounced trip to Iraq, he stated on Tuesday that US troops are "ready to remain in Iraq," just days before the 20th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq that ousted Saddam Hussein from power.
This comes as Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani has previously supported allowing the continued presence of US troops, which are reportedly there to train and advise Iraqi forces.
Establishment-critical narrative
The nearly year occupation of Iraq must immediately come to an end, especially as the Iraqi Army has shown it is ready to and capable of ensuring the country's security and stability alone. Though the US claims its 2.5K-strong force is present only to advise, mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran risk dragging Iraq into an open conflict. Baghdad has to restore its national sovereignty as soon as possible.
Pro-establishment narrative
The US-Iraq strategic partnership is vital to ultimately defeat IS as well as to ensure the security and stability of the entire Middle East, as Tehran has consistently meddled in Iraqi affairs for two decades to undermine its sovereignty. In addition to closely working with Washington, Baghdad should be also looking into improving relations with other Arab nations to bring prosperity to the country.
France: Massive Strike Over Pension Reform
France's interior ministry estimates that 1.28M people participated in a nationwide strike against French President Macron's plans to raise the retirement age to 64.
Unions are calling for a nationwide day of strikes and demonstrations to protest the government's proposed pension reform. The unions hope to repeat the success of their first major protest on Jan. 19, when more than a million people demonstrated.
Left narrative
The determination and spirit shown by the unions and the left-leaning parties are not just an ideological attack against Macron's policies, but also a preemptive strike against the threat of Marine Le Pen's far-right politics. The risk of the Rassemblement National is on everyone's mind, and to fight against such danger via strikes and protests is no longer a moral struggle but a moral obligation.
Right narrative
While the central parties, with the help of the left, seek to use the strikes to pressure the government, there’s no guarantee of success. Much is dependent on whether the unions will decide to follow up on their protests, which will only be decided on the evening of the demonstrations.
Report: Intelligence Suggests Pro-Ukraine Group Behind Nord Stream Attack
On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that new US intelligence indicates that a "pro-Ukrainian group" of saboteurs perpetrated the attack on the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines running between Russia and Germany last year.
According to the unnamed officials, those responsible for the attack were most likely Russian or Ukrainian nationals, or "a combination of the two" standing in opposition to Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin. However, the intelligence review provided no details about the "members of the group, or who directed or paid for the operation."
Establishment-critical narrative
The mysterious "intelligence" leaked to the Western media is clearly a deliberate media campaign to divert the public's attention after Pulitzer Prize-winning US journalist Seymour Hersh published his report proving that Washington is behind the attacks on European critical infrastructure. However, the wild speculations that are now mushrooming ultimately point to one thing The need for an independent and transparent investigation to identify and finally punish the real perpetrators.
Pro-establishment narrative
The new findings are explosive, yet it is too early to jump to conclusions, as the attack on the pipelines could also have been a false flag operation to blame Ukraine and discredit it among its Western allies. Moreover, the new evidence suggests that the Ukrainian government had nothing to do with the blasts, and the investigations by Germany, Sweden, and Denmark will eventually reveal the truth. Until then, the West and Ukraine must remain united in the fight against the Russian invasion.
Tucker Carlson Defends Jan. 6 Footage Commentary
Fox News Host Tucker Carlson has defended his commentary accompanying newly-released footage of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots, arguing that they “contradicted lies told by the Democratic Party” and anti-Trump Republicans.
On Monday, he released previously unseen footage showing Jacob Chansley, a Navy veteran commonly known as “QAnon Shaman," being escorted by police through the Capitol building. Carlson argued that this and other footage proved most people were peaceful and non-violent.
Establishment-critical narrative
It’s true that some of the Capitol rioters committed violent crimes and many probably hold questionable views. However, there has been substantial over-prosecution and mistreatment of many. The courts are being used for politically motivated retribution, something which has been done – albeit more severely — against anti-war activists, left-wingers, reformers, and entirely innocent Muslims post-9/11. If we're not careful, many who are championing the current mistreatment of Jan. 6 defendants will regret it tomorrow when the same state institutions are turned upon them.
Pro-establishment narrative
What happened on Jan. 6, 2021, was a violent riot, and Tucker Carlson, with the help of Kevin McCarthy, is dangerously fuelling right-wing conspiracy theories. Carlson is cherry-picking footage to show the overall events as “peaceful” but they are lacking in context. Even McCarthy himself called the attack on the Capitol undemocratic, un-American, and criminal in the days immediately following Jan. 6. However, he appears to be trying to have his cake and eat it too, as he has only given Fox News access to the 40K hours of Capitol Hill footage thus far.
Day 378: Wagner Chief Claims Control Over Eastern Bakhmut
Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner PMC, on Wednesday claimed that his forces have taken control of the eastern part of the Donetsk city of Bakhmut — known as Artyomovsk in Russian. "Wagner PMC units have occupied the entire eastern part of Bakhmut," he said. "Everything east of the Bakhmutka River is completely under the control of the Wagner PMC."
Ukrainian officials haven't commented on the claim. However, the advance was confirmed by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US military think tank that closely follows the fighting in Ukraine.
Narrative A
Even if Russia takes control of Bakhmut, it should not be seen as a failure for Ukraine. They have inflicted extremely heavy losses on Russian forces and the logistical problems that have dogged Russia throughout the war remain. It will not be able to overcome these challenges to make further gains in Ukraine.
Narrative B
Russia's capture of Bakhmut is strategically important as has this been the logistics hub for Ukraine's forces in the rest of Donetsk. Its capture would also open up further roads of Russian advance in the region.
Nerd narrative
There's a 77% chance that Russia will control any formerly Ukrainian territories other than LPR, DPR, or Crimea on Jan. 1, 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Georgia: Parliament Drops 'Foreign Agents' Law After Violent Protests
On Thursday, Georgia's ruling party, the Dream Party, announced that it would withdraw the "foreign agents" law following several days of violent and destructive protests demanding its withdrawal.
In a statement, the ruling party said that it would "unconditionally withdraw the bill we supported, without any reservations." The decision was made to quell the violence and civil unrest caused by what the party called "lies" sewn by the "radical opposition" regarding the bill's close alignment with Russian oppressive legislation.
Narrative A
The Georgian Parliament needs to reject any and all legislation aimed at marginalizing and oppressing the media and organizations with foreign funding. It's clear that they're trying to discredit democracy and set human rights aside. Instead of sidelining those working for the greater good of Georgians, they should be guaranteeing and safeguarding the rights of civil society.
Narrative B
Though critics may be accusing Georgia of aligning its policies with Russia, this bill follows in the spirit of the US Foreign Agent's Registration Act. This effort has the full backing of the parliamentary majority as it will bring financial transparency to Georgia. Once in effect, Georgians will clearly see the lengths that the West is willing to go to forcefully drag Georgia into their aggression against Russia.
Nerd narrative
There's a 4% chance that Georgia will impose sanctions against Russia before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
House Speaker McCarthy Confirms Planned Meeting With Taiwan's Pres. Tsai
Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, confirmed on Tuesday his plans to meet Taiwan Pres. Tsai Ing-wen on US soil this year, as she is reportedly set to stop in California and New York in April on her way to visit diplomatic allies in Central America.
Two sources who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity on Monday claimed that Tsai has already been invited to speak at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, with one of them stressing that this meeting does not rule out McCarthy visiting Taiwan in the future.
Anti-China narrative
The only thing worse than the US intervening and failing to stop China's potential takeover of Taiwan would be for the US to do nothing at all. Such a decision would be devastating for America's credibility and would severely damage the value of alliances with the US. Consequently, America, the West, and its allies must work together, take a clear stand and continue to confront PRC adventurism against its neighbors.
Pro-China narrative
While Tsai has made diplomatic journeys in years prior, the situation between Taiwan, the US, and China has drastically changed in recent times. No matter where Tsai and McCarthy meet, to do so would be a clear act of provocation. The Taiwan question is an internal matter and should be left alone by the United States, who long ago agreed to the "One China" policy.
Cynical narrative
A military confrontation between China and the US over Taiwan would endanger not only both superpowers but the rest of the world. Both have exaggerated Taiwan's ideological, economic, and strategic importance to get the better of one another, as has continued to happen for decades. Both sides must step back from over-investing in the inflated necessity of seeing their goals in Taiwan fulfilled for the sake of the world.
Nerd narrative
There is a 68% chance that the US will respond with military force if China invades Taiwan before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
China Blasts Germany Over Reported Plan to Ban Huawei, ZTE
On Tuesday, the Chinese embassy in Berlin strongly voice opposition to Germany's reported plan to ban tech giants Huawei and ZTE from its 5G network for potential security risks.
Classifying the German government's decision as "hasty" and "without factual basis," the embassy said it was puzzled over Germany's alleged "abuse of state power to interfere in the market in its cooperation with China."
Anti-China narrative
The existence of Chinese components in 5G networks poses the potential to contain back doors that would allow the Chinese government access to critical data, posing a serious security risk. In the past, China has violated international sanctions and stolen intellectual property, and there is no reason why it could not commit cyber espionage again. Germany must not ignore the evidence that China manipulates Huawei and ZTE equipment through software updates and could disrupt its military communications.
Pro-China narrative
Germany's discriminatory business environment violates economic laws and the principle of fair competition. For decades, Chinese companies have complied with local laws and safety standards. However, anti-China forces are now working to isolate Chinese technology at the US' behest as its ties with China sour over Taiwan and the Ukraine crisis. It's a battle of tech supremacy between the US and China. By politicizing the economic matter, Germany is on the verge of losing its biggest trading partner.
Californians Warned to Prepare for Another Atmospheric River
On Wednesday, California officials warned more than 16M residents under flood watches to prepare for an onslaught of rain and snowmelt that could lead to substantial flooding beginning on Thursday.
This warning comes as back-to-back severe winter storms have slammed the state leaving residents and hikers stranded for extended periods without supplies. The National Weather Service said that the combined atmospheric river and winter storm system could lead to "high snow levels" with the most snow expected in central California.
Narrative A
Climatologists have learned that California has a long history of flooding at the hands of these atmospheric rivers. Even with disaster after disaster, the state still has not invested in infrastructure to properly handle these gully washers. There have been many discussions and plans for a reservoir that would store floodwaters and deliver the water to those in need as the state also faces severe drought. Unfortunately, nothing has come to fruition. How hard is it, after decades of inaction, to arrive at and implement a long-term solution?
Narrative B
Governor Gavin Newsom has been and continues to be a champion for climate change adaptation in California. In addition to preparing for impacts, he has rocketed the state to being the nation's leader championing climate actions aimed at reducing emissions. Newsom was willing to take on the Trump administration to do what was just and best for the planet. In doing so, he has shined a light on himself to even eye the presidency one day — and California's bold climate policies are a major reason.
Texts Reveal Fox's Carlson 'Passionately Hated' Trump
New court filings from the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit against Fox revealed text messages from popular Fox host Tucker Carlson stating that he “passionately hated” former Pres. Trump.
In a Jan. 4, 2021, text message to an unidentified recipient, Carlson wrote, "We are very, very close to being able to ignore Trump most nights. I truly can’t wait.”
Left narrative
Tucker Carlson’s private messages reveal his true feelings for Donald Trump. These messages reflect so poorly on both Carlson and Trump because they expose that Carlson is a phony and a grifter who will say anything for money, while the messages also show that even Trump’s closest allies think he is a terrible and destructive force.
Right narrative
Tucker Carlson’s personal opinion of Donald Trump is quite irrelevant, and Tucker has and will continue to support Pres. Trump because he cares about America. The texts are also two years old and happened at a very contentious time, so they are probably not indicative of Carlson and Trump’s current relationship.