Weekly News Roundup - 2/16/24
Alexei Navalny's death exposes the hypocrisy of those who claim to love freedom of speech
Hello friends
Welcome to the seventh weekly news roundup of 2024. The archive for all weekly news roundups is here. If you notice stories or issues you’d like to see mentioned in these roundups, let me know. In 2024, this Substack is featuring one news update a week, and one book a month, with weekly posts on each book. The book of the month schedule is here.
The big stories this week
Russian dissident Alexei Navalny dies in prison. "Putin tried and failed to murder Navalny quickly and secretly with poison, and now he has murdered him slowly and publicly in prison," Garry Kasparov wrote Friday morning. "He was killed for exposing Putin and his mafia as the crooks and thieves they are. My thoughts are with the brave man's wife and children."
Inflation continues to slow but not as fast as expected, reducing expectations of an interest rate cut before summer.
Democrats deal with the fallout from the Special Counsel report highlighting Biden's age and ability to serve, and calls to replace Biden grow more serious. "Whose duty it will be to organize victory — I love that. That’s what a convention is supposed to do. It’s what a political party is supposed to do: organize victory. Because victory doesn’t just happen. It has to be organized," Ezra Klein says.
House Speaker Mike Johnson rejects a bipartisan foreign aid bill passed by the Senate, for lack of a border security provision, a week after Johnson opposed a bipartisan bill that included those very border security measures.
Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis comes under intense scrutiny about her use of government funds, threatening to derail the criminal case against Trump in that state.
Mourning Navalny, and lamenting the embrace of authoritarianism & tyranny by those on the right
The same week that Donald Trump said he would "encourage" Russia to invade other countries in Europe, and a week after right-wing populist Tucker Carlson sucked up to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin with a softball interview, Putin's most prominent critic was found dead in a Russian jail.
Alexei Navalny was a man of unusual courage. He was the biggest thorn in Putin's side. He was poisoned in 2017 by Putin's security agents and nearly died. He embarrassed the Kremlin by releasing deeply researched and slickly produced videos identifying his attackers. And then he returned to Russia, knowing that he was almost certain to be thrown back into prison by Putin's dictatorial regime.
"Putin doesn't care how it looks or what you say. He only cares about action, and he will not stop killing until he is stopped," Garry Kasparov wrote. "We may use this tragic moment to shame those who openly side with Putin's murderous efforts, from Orban, Trump & Speaker Johnson to propagandists like Tucker & Musk. But they cannot be shamed. Dozens of Western leaders said they would stand for Navalny and now he is dead. And?"
"Western politicians prefer opposition fighters to be martyrs. They can leave flowers & say nice words while negotiating with the murderer, unchallenged in their hypocrisy. Navalny was a fighter, & unless they're going to fight they should keep his name out of their mouths today," Kasparov wrote.
The full timeline of Navalny's life is here.
The next domino to fall is Ukraine. But as Ukraine's military runs out of ammunition while repelling Russia’s invasion, America's efforts to help Ukraine rebuff Putin's invasion of their country are wavering, as Trumpist Republicans in Congress stymie efforts to send them the next round of military aid. They do so in the name of investing in our country here at home. But when members of both parties tried to do this very thing last week — a bill to invest in border security and to send aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan — House Speaker Mike Johnson blocked that too, at Trump's urging.
The Situation in Ukraine
Here's Anne Applebaum:
Were their front line to fall back dramatically, the horrific violence alone would trigger a shock wave through the rest of Europe. Russian occupation of more territory would continue to mean what it has meant for the past two years: torture chambers, random arrests, and thousands of kidnapped children. But an even deeper, broader shock wave would be triggered by the growing realization that the United States is not just an unreliable ally, but an unserious ally. A silly ally.
The looming end of American aid to Ukraine is not a policy decision. For two years, the Biden administration successfully led an international coalition to provide not soldiers but rather military aid to Ukraine. Officials convened regular meetings, consulted with allies, pulled in military support from around the world. Majorities in the U.S. continue to support Ukraine. Majorities in both houses of Congress do too. The Senate is said to have its legislation almost ready to go. But now, for reasons that outsiders find impossible to understand, a minority of Republican members of Congress, in a fit of political pique, are preparing to cut it all off. They might succeed.
By abandoning Ukraine in a fit of political incompetence, Americans will consent to the deaths of more Ukrainians and the further destruction of the country. We will convince millions of Europeans that we are untrustworthy. We will send a message to Russia and China too, reinforcing their frequently stated belief that the U.S. is a degenerate, dying power. Less than a year ago, when Biden made his surprise trip to Kyiv, the U.S. projected confidence and unity as the leader of a functional alliance. Now, suddenly, we don’t.
Tim Mak has a heartwrenching, visceral firsthand account of what it's like to be a medic on the front lines in Ukraine. Read it here.
The role of freedom of speech in all this
Musk, Carlson, Trump and others all talk about freedom of speech and censorship to gain followers and stoke outrage. They are tapping into something real. I agree that there are concerns around this topic, and that some complaints on this topic are legitimate.
But be wary by those who make loud claims on the topic. From my 2021 interview with Peter Pomerantsev:
[Pomerantsev's] book "This is Not Propaganda," is a beautifully written, deeply reported look at how "freedom of speech" is now used by authoritarian leaders around the world to justify what he calls "censorship by noise."
"What if the powerful can now use 'information abundance' to find new ways of stifling you, flipping the meaning of freedom of speech on its head to crush dissent, while always leaving enough anonymity to be able to claim deniability," he wrote.
And in a recent article he did with two others, Peter said that authoritarians “use freedom of speech as an excuse to spread massive amounts of disinformation at the click of a button, while employing online mobs and troll farms to drown out and intimidate critical voices and obscure truth."
They talk about freedom of speech, but then align themselves with a dictator who kills those who speak out against him.
What Happens When You Put a Neophyte in Charge
A reminder: last week House Speaker Mike Johnson tanked a bill to strengthen border security and send aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. (You can see what was in that bill here -- it was negotiated by Republicans and Democrats in the Senate). Johnson said the border security measures weren't strong enough. However, many observers noted that the border security measures were among the strongest to gain enough support to pass into law in the last two decades. And, they added, Democrats weren't asking or pushing for any of their priorities.
So Johnson's opposition of last week's border security/foreign aid bill made the perfect the enemy of the good. The real motivation -- as some Republicans admitted -- appeared to be that Johnson was doing Donald Trump's bidding: keeping the border a mess for political gain, in hopes it will help Republicans win the next election.
So, after Johnson tanked the border security bill, the Senate separated out the foreign aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. Ukraine, in particular, is in desperate need. Russia's invasion grinds on and Ukrainian soldiers are rationing supplies and running out of ammunition. The Senate worked through the weekend to pass the aid bill, and sent it to the House Tuesday morning.
Johnson, the Speaker, then said that he would oppose this bill because it did not include border security measures. Remember, he tanked the bill last week that did include border security.
Some reporting from Politico Wednesday stood out, regarding Johnson. They portray a leader completely in over his head, just as Brendan Buck predicted last year when Johnson was suddenly, unexpectedly and chaotically elevated into the top spot in the House.
We caught up last night with several House GOP insiders, and each one told us it appears as though Johnson is flying by the seat of his pants, polishing his reputation for dithering in the face of tough decisions.
There are some options being informally discussed, but they aren’t entirely under Johnson’s control. A leader with a firmer grasp on power, for instance, could take the Senate bill and tack on H.R. 2, the House’s tough border bill, or perhaps move to break up the bill into constituent pieces for separate votes.
But doing either would require cooperation from the House Rules Committee, where conservative hard-liners appointed by former Speaker KEVIN McCARTHY exercise a de facto veto.
Johnson’s own senior leadership team remains entirely in the dark about what he’s thinking, and there are plenty in that cadre who say flat-out that this ain’t going anywhere — ever.
“I’m as confused as ever about what he wants,” one House GOP insider told us. “He hasn’t given us any direction. … I think right now he’s in survival mode.”
“Kevin would have a strategy, he’d shop it around, then he’d make a play call,” another said. “The more I’m around Johnson, the more it’s clear to me he doesn’t have a plan.”
The forces who could put pressure on Johnson to act, meanwhile, are in disarray. GOP defense hawks who want to see money flow to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are holding their fire amid a fight over surveillance powers that is coming to a head this week.
Rather than light up the speaker for ignoring the supplemental, we’re told, they’re saving their political capital to try to keep new surveillance warrant requirements out of the pending spy-powers reauthorization.
Thursday morning, Punchbowl News chimed in: "This is the most chaotic, inefficient and ineffective majority we’ve seen in decades covering Congress. It started this way under former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and has gotten worse under Johnson." There's a lot of evidence for this statement in the report at the link.
These are the consequences when we so demonize expertise and experience, and listen to those who say we should throw everything out and start over.
Week in Review
Friday, Feb. 9
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, enters the U.S. Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat. Hogan, who has been an outspoken critic of former President Trump, is nonetheless welcomed into the race by Senate Republicans, since he could help them regain the Senate majority if he wins. Polling shows Hogan is competitive.
Saturday, Feb. 10
Donald Trump says, "I would encourage [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want" to countries in Europe who were behind in payments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an alliance formed after World War II to protect the U.S. and European countries from hostile militaries. Nikki Haley responds: "We do want NATO allies to pull their weight. But there are ways you can do that without sitting there and telling Russia, 'Have your way with these countries.'”
Trump also mocks Nikki Haley's husband, Michael, who is deployed with the South Carolina National Guard in Africa.
Sunday, Feb. 11
The Kansas City Chief win Super Bowl LVIII (that's #58) in overtime, 25-22. It is the most watched television program in U.S. history, with 123.7 million viewers.
A 36-year old woman opens fire inside a Houston megachurch where Joel Osteen is the pastor. She is confronted by two off-duty police officers who shoot and kill her. A 7-year old boy who accompanied the woman into the church is shot in the head and taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Monday, Feb. 12
Israeli soldiers rescue two hostages from Gaza in a raid that kills at least 60 people, including civilians.
Tuesday, Feb. 13
In the early morning hours, after a weekend of preliminary votes, the U.S. Senate passes a $95 billion aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, with 70 votes for it and 29 against (22 Republicans voted for it). House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who — just one week ago — opposed a different bill that included border security measures with the foreign aid, says that now he will oppose this bill because it does not have a border security component. Johnson's own House Republicans admit that the foreign aid bill would pass the House easily if he allowed a vote.
House Republicans impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, in a vote that breaks down along party lines and will do nothing to remove Mayorkas, since the Senate holds that power. Read Gabe Fleisher's breakdown on the impeachment here.
Democrat Tom Suozzi wins a special election in New York's 3rd congressional district to replace disgraced former Rep. George Santos, a Republican who was expelled from Congress. Suozzi's message blamed Republicans for failing to take up border security provisions.
A winter storm' brings snow to the northeast, with 3 inches in Central Park but around 15 inches in parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Inflation data shows a higher than expected rise. Analysts see it as a hiccup rather than a trend, but it further cools expectations of an interest rate cut before the summer, and the stock market drops.
Nikki Haley responds to Trump's comments about her husband: "The reality is — [Trump]’s never been anywhere near military uniform. He’s never had to sleep on the ground. He’s never known how to sacrifice. And the most harm he’s ever possibly had is getting hit by a golf ball when he's sitting in a golf cart. That’s the truth."
Wednesday, Feb. 14
One person is killed and 20 are injured when gunfire breaks out in Kansas City at the Super Bowl parade to celebrate the chiefs win.
President Biden rejects meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson to negotiate over the border bill and Ukraine aid. "What is the one-on-one negotiation about when he’s been presented with exactly what he’s asked for? He’s negotiating with himself," the White House says.
Thursday Feb. 15
Republicans and Democrats in the House say they are working on an alternative bill to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, and to strengthen the U.S.-Mexico border.
A Manhattan judge sets March 25 as the start date for Trump's trial in which he is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush-money payments to two women, including a porn actor, with whom he is alleged to have had affairs.
Georgia prosecutor Fanni Willis testifies in a hearing to disqualify her from the case against Trump over his attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Willis' status as the lead prosecutor, and the fate of that particular case, are both in doubt.
Friday, Feb. 16
Russian dissident Alexei Navalny dies in prison in Siberia, after years of surviving assassination attempts by the Kremlin. He was 47.
Vice President Kamala Harris tries to reassure European allies that the U.S. remains committed to democracy at home and abroad, at the Munich Security Conference. The mood there, after Trump's comments, Carlson's Putin interview, and Navalny's death, is grim.
Interesting Reads
How a liberal billionaire became America’s leading anti-DEI crusader by Elizabeth Dwoskin for The Washington Post
What the Hell is Wrong with the Democrats? by Damon Linker for Notes from the Middleground
Democrats Might Need a Plan B. Here’s What It Looks Like by Charlie Mahtesian and Steven Shepard for Politico Magazine
The Increase in Measles Cases Is Utterly Avoidable by Zeynep Tufekci for The New York Times
How Trump urging Russia to invade ‘delinquent’ NATO members distorts how the alliance works by Vanessa Gera for The Associated Press
Lindsey Graham, a longtime foreign policy hawk, bows to Trump on Ukraine, by Liz Goodwin and Leigh Ann Caldwell for The Washington Post
Egypt is threatening to void its decades-old peace treaty with Israel. What does that mean? by Julia Frankel for The Associated Press