COVID Origins: US House Votes Unanimously to Declassify Intelligence
On Friday, the US House of Representatives voted unanimously 419-0 to require the Biden admin.'s director of national intelligence to declassify all information related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology and potential links to COVID origins. The bill goes next to Pres. Biden for signature, but even if Biden vetoes the bill there are enough votes for a veto override; the disclosure would need to occur 90 days after it is signed into law.
This comes as earlier this week, on Wednesday, the US House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, chaired by Republican Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), met for its first hearing to discuss and investigate the origins of the virus.
Right narrative
The world is finally admitting the truth and coming to the realization that the concealment of China's role in the origins of COVID is one of the greatest scandals in world history. Those who previously supported the idea were labelled racists and conspiracy theorists, and faced ridicule in the mainstream media. It is now time to hold China, and the corrupt forces that have continued to suppress this news, to account.
Left narrative
The earliest COVID cases were located in very close proximity to, and their spread centered around, the Huanan animal market — given the relative likelihood that the virus was spread from animal populations this would either constitute wild coincidence or a clear indicator of virus origins. While people should remain open to all possibilities, there is still a lack of any credible evidence that the virus originated from a laboratory.
Nerd narrative
There is a 38% chance that by January 1, 2025, at least two public health agencies will claim that COVID more likely than not originated in a laboratory, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Twitter Files: Taibbi and Shellenberger Testify Before Congress
“Twitter Files” reporters Matt Taibbi and Michael Shellenberger testified before the House as witnesses in a hearing for the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Weaponization of the Federal Government on Thursday.
Tensions were high as House Democrats grilled Taibbi and Shellenberger, referring to them as “so-called journalists” while demanding they reveal their sources at the hearing.
Right narrative
Big Tech has been colluding with and operating as a de-facto branch of the federal government as it looks to squelch dissent, and Democrats are losing their minds. Woke, unhinged House Democrats tried to force Matt Taibbi to reveal his sources for the Twitter Files and resorted to pejorative attacks because they cannot stomach the truth being revealed.
Left narrative
The Twitter Files is an illegitimate right-wing "doxx and dump" orchestrated by Elon Musk, with Matt Taibbi doing the bidding of Twitter’s volatile CEO. Taibbi has taken a clear partisan stance, which violates The Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics, and he is clearly functioning as more of a reactionary right-wing operative than a journalist.
Report: Global Freedoms and Democracy Are Backsliding, But Optimism Remains
In its 50th annual report, the US-based nonprofit Freedom House found an overall decline in global freedom led by concerns about free expression, with press freedom coming under pressure in at least 157 countries. The report, however, states that there may be hope for improvement in the future.
The "Freedom in the World 2023" report indicates that authoritarianism and the erosion of democracy have been among the most notable global trends of the past decade. The report finds cause for optimism as it says those trends seem to be reversing in some parts of the world.
Pro-establishment narrative
We live in a world of brutality and turmoil. Freedom, democracy, and human rights are on the decline around the world and losing ground in many countries. As the Freedom House has shown in its annual report, the world has been struggling against a tide of democratic backsliding for 17 years. Democracy may be flawed — but as we’ve all heard, it beats the alternative.
Establishment-critical narrative
Freedom House's seven-point scale may look scientific, but the ratings are highly subjective. Audiences adopt ratings that reflect their values; this explains why Freedom House ratings used predominantly in the Western world. Countries with similar foreign policies also get better scores in the Freedom House index than in other research institutes' surveys. There are often hidden biases in the complex analysis of assessing the health of democracies worldwide.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that at least 53.4% of the world's population will live in a democracy in 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
HRW: Lebanon Government Failing to Uphold ‘Right to Electricity’
In a report released on Thursday, Human Rights Watch said that the Lebanese government has failed to uphold the right to electricity by mismanaging the sector for decades, especially since Lebanon's economic crisis began in late 2019.
The US-based watchdog outlined how many middle and working-class families have been forced to spend most of their monthly income on private generators, which are often run by organized crime groups or people affiliated with political parties. Most families surveyed said that generator bills have impacted their ability to pay for food as well as for medical and other crucial services.
Narrative A
The Lebanese government and elite have failed their people. Due to greed, incompetence, hubris, and delusions, the Lebanese system has created a crisis so big, on paper, one would assume that Lebanon is currently engulfed in a civil war. All the parties and political forces in the country are to blame for Lebanon's situation, and the only path forward is a complete overhaul of the Lebanese state.
Narrative B
Though there are many who like to pretend that all of Lebanon's political forces are to blame for its current problems, there's only one true source of Lebanon's troubles Hezbollah. Iran now occupies Lebanon with an iron fist, and consequently, the country has been ruined like all the other countries in which Iran has intervened. The situation in Lebanon will only improve once Iran and Hezbollah have been kicked out of the country.
Narrative C
Hezbollah is one of the only positive forces in Lebanon. Besides the fact that it has defended the country from Israeli aggression on multiple occasions, the group has made a concerted effort to cross sectarian lines and work with other communities to help the country. Lebanon's collapse is due to Western meddling, which has made life for the average Lebanese even harder.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that there will cease to be a Maronite President of Lebanon, a Sunni Prime Minister of Lebanon, or a Shia Speaker of Parliament of Lebanon by March 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Day 380: Wagner Taking 'Operational Pause' in Bakhmut, US Think Tank Says
The Russian mercenary group Wagner PMC appears to have taken a "temporary tactical pause" in the fight for the Donetsk city of Bakhmut, according to analysis from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US think tank covering military affairs.
While ISW confirmed that Wagner appears to have captured Dubovo-Vasylivka, a settlement northwest of Bakhmut, in recent days, it stated that: "There have been no reports of Wagner fighters conducting offensive operations from eastern Bakhmut into central parts of the city since Russian forces captured all of eastern Bakhmut located east of the Bakhmutka River on March 7."
Pro-establishment narrative
In leading Russia's charge of Bakhmut, Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has risen to great heights. While his success may bring him a certain level of protection, the higher he ascends and seemingly challenges the authority of Russian Pres. Putin, the harder he may fall. Putin has a history of sidelining political rivals.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russian volunteer groups including Wagner continue to make progress in Bakhmut. This simply would not be possible if they did not have sufficient ammunition. Hence, these allegations are false. Attempts to drive a wedge between Wagner and the Russian military are distractions that only help the enemy.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Vladimir Putin will cease to hold the office of President of Russia by Sept. 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Deadly Shooting at German Jehovah's Witness Hall Kills at Least 7
At least seven people were killed in a shooting at a Jehovah's Witness meeting hall in the German city of Hamburg on Thursday night.
The gunman shot and killed six worshippers before taking his own life. Eight people were also wounded in the shooting, including a woman who was 28 weeks pregnant and lost the baby. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the death toll may rise.
Left narrative
While gun control laws in Germany are already strict, more needs to be done to save lives and keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous people. The police were previously tipped off about the shooter and failed to screen him properly. This isn't the only mass shooting in recent years, and the recent threat of an armed coup underlines the importance of stringent gun regulations and mental health screenings.
Right narrative
While this shooting is a tragedy and shouldn't have happened, the police did their due diligence and acted quickly to deter the shooter. The weapons authority was tipped off about the suspect and followed through appropriately but didn't find any evidence that he was physically or psychologically unsuitable to own a firearm. While this particular case needs to be investigated, this doesn't mean that the laws need to change.
DeSantis Visits Iowa Ahead of Potential Presidential Bid
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday visited Iowa, an early-nominating state in US presidential campaigns, for the first time, amid reports he has decided to run in the 2024 race.
DeSantis has not officially announced his candidacy but has reportedly told people privately that he’s going to join the race. In addition to his trip to Iowa, DeSantis will visit Nevada on Saturday; the forming Thursday of a pro-DeSantis PAC, called Never Back Down, was another indication of DeSantis’ plans.
Republican narrative
It’s been decades since Republicans have been able to look toward an executive as effective as DeSantis, whose positive impact on Floridians has been great and continues to grow. The grassroots energy is all going toward this great leader and fighter, and it could push DeSantis to the GOP nomination and then the White House. Either way, it would be a vibrant primary against Trump.
Pro-Trump narrative
This is Trump’s time for a resurgence, and DeSantis shouldn’t get in the way now. There’s no reason to create discord in the party. DeSantis, who’s been a great governor, should serve out his term, and then he could consider a future presidential run. He needs more experience before he gets in the mix for such a big job.
Democratic narrative
Whether it’s Trump or DeSantis doesn’t matter, because both represent the worst of the Republican party with their extreme-right positions and culture-war politics. Women and working-class voters in rural counties, which Biden has prioritized, are most likely going to vote for Democrats if Republicans tie themselves to the former president or the governor.
Iran, Saudi Arabia Agree to Restore Diplomatic Relations
Iran and Saudi Arabia announced on Friday a Chinese-brokered agreement to re-establish diplomatic relations after years of open hostility and proxy conflicts across the Middle East.
Iranian and Saudi state media reported that both countries agreed to reopen their embassies within two months, reimplement a security cooperation agreement signed in 2001, and not interfere in each other's internal affairs.
Republican narrative
This Chinese-brokered deal between US ally Saudi Arabia and US rival Iran reveals how disastrous the Biden admin. has been to US interests in the Middle East. By not showing a clear commitment to the interests of its regional allies, the White House has pushed them into the arms of China and Russia, its main geopolitical enemies.
Democratic narrative
While the US and China are indeed competing for global leadership, Beijing's growing influence in the Middle East doesn't represent a threat to US interests – except in some specific areas in which it's moving to avert Chinese activism. China-brokered reconciliation talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia have de-escalated tensions, which is also good for the US.
Regulators Shut Down Silicon Valley Bank
Financial regulators have closed Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and taken control of its deposits, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC), marking the largest US bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis.
As California regulators shut down the tech lender, the FDIC has taken over the receiver. The FDIC will likely liquidate the bank’s assets to back its customers, and the agency says all insured depositors will have full access to their insured deposits no later than Monday.
Pro-establishment narrative
While there is a fear that SVB’s collapse is a sign of a financial crisis similar to that of 2008, that is not the case. The problems that faced SVB were company-specific and tied specifically to the tech sector. The banking sector as a whole is stable, and there is no need to worry about a new financial crisis.
Establishment-critical narrative
SVB’s collapse was not surprising to anyone other than the global markets and so-called “experts.” Rising interest rates have caused massive losses that happen to have dramatically hit SVB first, but the problem is not isolated to SVB. Just like SVB, other banks will look to sweep their losses under the rug and we will continue to see the largest collapses since 2008.
China: Xi Jinping Wins Record Third Term
Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping has achieved an unprecedented third five-year term as China’s leader after the National People’s Congress (NPC) voted for him unanimously 2,952 to 0 on Friday.
Xi ran unopposed and had named himself to a third five-year term as party general secretary in October, despite Chinese leaders traditionally handing over power once every decade.
Pro-China narrative
Xi Jinping is the man to lead China to glory just as he has been doing for the last decade. China has seen unprecedented innovation and modernization under Xi’s leadership, rising to the world’s second-largest economy. Xi has also helped eradicate poverty and build the largest education, social security, and healthcare systems in the world. Xi is the people’s president.
Anti-China narrative
China and its ruling party have completely desecrated themselves as Xi Jinping firmly took autocratic rule while NPC officials sycophantically clapped. Xi has only done things for himself and to consolidate his own power. Now, he will implement even more agencies to lie on his behalf about China’s numbers and promote propaganda for his regime.