U.K. Political Turmoil & The QAnon Shaman’s Running For Congress
November 14, 2023
Brand New Dance, It’s Called The Sunak Shuffle
There’s a massive shakeup taking place in the U.K. government as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scrambles to save his sinking ship ahead of general elections slated to take place by January 2025.
In a breathtaking display of political ineptitude, Home Secretary Suella Braverman decided to write an entire article in the Times of London about London police’s treatment of pro-Palestine protestors. She accused the police of “playing favorites,” described protests as “pro-Palestinian mobs,” and referred to people calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as “hate marchers.”
London police and the rest of Sunak’s government were, unsurprisingly, not impressed with her actions. Braverman has come under repeated fire for a series of tasteless comments in the past, including referring to a rise in migrants as “an invasion” and calling homelessness a “life choice.” She’s also in charge of the Sunak government’s plan to ship migrants off using one-way trips to Rwanda.
He’s also reorganized multiple other government agencies, appointing a new secretary for environment, food, and rural affairs; a new Chief secretary to the Treasury; a new health secretary; and a new Home secretary, among others. Multiple other ministers have announced their departure from the government as well, but the biggest other headline was Sunak appointing former prime minister David Cameron as his new foreign secretary. Cameron had tanked his premiership after calling for the 2016 Brexit referendum which saw the U.K. withdraw from the E.U.
On the whole, the new appointees skew more moderate than their predecessors, signaling a centrist turn for Sunak’s government. He likely hopes that the shakeup will act as a fresh start as the Conservative Party is losing to the Labour Party by double digits in national polls.
Some Good News
- In two studies, experimental drugs for cholesterol show ‘revolutionary’ promise (NBC)
- First-ever images prove ‘lost echidna’ not extinct (BBC)
Speak Softly And Offer Your Big Stick To Korea
- On Monday, the U.S. and South Korea signed an update to their bilateral security agreement, with the intent of strengthening South Korea against the increasing threat of North Korea. The White House and Blue House (South Korea’s White House equivalent) also discussed enhancing defense ties between South Korea and Japan as the U.S. seeks to build up its allies in East Asia.
- The new security pact will allow the U.S. to utilize its full range of military powers (yes, even nuclear capabilities!) to defend South Korea if Pyongyang ever launches a nuclear attack. “Our deterrence commitment to the ROK remains ironclad — that includes a full range of our nuclear, conventional and missile defense capabilities,” said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during his visit to Seoul.
Deutschland Doubles Down
- Germany is set to double its military aid to Ukraine even as the rest of the West becomes increasingly disinterested in funding Kyiv’s war with Russia. The country’s coalition government, led by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, says it’s agreed in principle to send 8 billion euros ($8.5 billion) in military aid to Ukraine next year, though the plan still needs to be voted on by parliament.
- If the aid plan is passed, it will bring Germany’s defense spending to 2.1% of its gross domestic product target, just above the 2% pledged by NATO members. It’s expected to pass parliament with support from the ruling Social Democrats, the Free Democrats, and the Green party. “It is a strong signal to Ukraine that we will not leave them in the lurch,” said German defense minister Boris Pistorius.
Additional World News
- Israel weapons makers leave stands empty at Dubai Airshow (Reuters)
- US airstrikes target more Iran-backed bases in Syria (BBC)
- Greta Thunberg brushes off interruption at massive Dutch climate march days before election (AP)
- Rescuers dig to reach 40 workers trapped in collapsed road tunnel in north India (NPR)
- Duterte critic Leila de Lima granted bail after six years in jail (Guardian)
- Kremlin says report on Zelenskiy’s alleged ignorance of Nord Stream attack is ‘alarming’ (Reuters)
- Tea and nickel are on the agenda as Biden hosts Indonesia’s president (AP)
“Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.” – Laurence Sterne
A Shift In Israel’s Closest Ally
- In a memo obtained by Axios, a hundred U.S. government officials from the State Department and Agency for International Development (USAID) signed their name to a criticism of the White House for its current approach to the bombardment of Gaza by Israel. The memo was organized by a “junior diplomat” within the State Department and sent to the policy office through the “dissent cables,” which allow employees to express concerns about policies.
- The memo says the White House is “disregarding the lives of Palestinians” and showing an “unwillingness to de-escalate” the conflict. It also blames Biden for failing to counter Israeli “war crimes” in Gaza like cutting off electricity. It says that the administration has “doubled down on our unwavering military assistance to the [Israeli government] without clear or actionable redlines.” It also accuses Biden specifically of “spreading misinformation.” Over 11,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Hamas’ October 7th attack on Israel, including about 4,000 children.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent an email to staff on Monday acknowledging the issue. “I know that for many of you, the suffering caused by this crisis is taking a profound personal toll,” Blinken wrote, saying he also feels “anguish” seeing footage of Gaza. “We’ve organized forums in Washington to hear from you, and urged managers and teams to have candid discussions at posts around the world precisely so we can hear your feedback and ideas,” he said, though it’s unclear how seriously the dissent is taken.
A Supreme Code Of Conduct
- On Monday, the Supreme Court announced that it’s adopting a code of conduct in an attempt to smooth over the chaos caused by Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito’s being bribed by billionaires. The justices released a brief statement explaining that the code is essentially the same as the one adopted by lower courts.
- The court claims the code of conduct “largely represents a codification of principles that we have long regarded as governing our conduct” but acknowledged it might need additional resources to “perform initial and ongoing review of recusal and other ethics issues.” They also didn’t explain how the code would be enforced, or who would enforce it, and admitted that it’s only a starting point for solving the ethical conundrums.
Additional USA Reads
- Tim Scott, lone Black Republican in US Senate, ends White House bid (Reuters)
- Sinema left the Democratic party. Democratic donors left her too. (Politico)
- ‘Heart of a champion’: father grieves son beaten to death by mob in Las Vegas (Guardian)
- Secret Service agent protecting Biden’s granddaughter opens fire during government vehicle break-in (NBC)
- Democrat Abigail Spanberger to quit Congress and run for Virginia governor (Guardian)
- Nikki Haley campaign announces $10 million ad buy in Iowa, New Hampshire (WaPo, $)
- Here’s How Biden Can Turn It Around (Politico)
Don’t Stage An Insurrection Where You Want To Work
- If you paid any attention to media coverage of the January 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol building, you might have seen a shirtless guy wearing red-white-and-blue face paint and a massive furry headdress with horns waving a U.S. flag attached to a spear. We know that was a lot to take in, but there’s more – that guy, known as the “QAnon Shaman,” appears to be running for Congress.
- Jacob Chansley pleaded guilty to one count of felony obstruction in official proceedings regarding the January 6 insurrection. He served 27 months of that sentence in prison before being transferred to a halfway house. Chansley has now filed paperwork to run for Congress in the state of Arizona, apparently looking to parlay his brush with infamy into a political career.
- He’s running as a libertarian in the state’s 8th Congressional District, where incumbent Republican Representative Debbie Lesko recently announced that she wouldn’t be running for re-election. While he appeared remorseful for running wild in the Capitol during his sentencing hearing, we’ll see what tone he takes on the campaign trail. Hopefully, he’ll at least have a shirt on when he’s shaking hands and kissing babies…but he can keep the hat on. The hat was kind of cool.
Additional Reads
- Regents Exams May Become Optional for High School Graduation in New York (NYT, $)
- Titanic first-class menu and victim’s pocket watch each sell at auction for over $100,000 (CBS)
- Exxon Mobil Plans to Produce Lithium in Arkansas (NYT, $)
- The night train revolution has been hailed as an alternative to airplanes. Here’s how that’s going (CNN)
- Jason Aldean and Kid Rock Will Headline ‘Rock the Country’ Tour of Small Towns (Rolling Stone)
- Inside the Battle Over Fran Drescher’s “Robin Hood Fund” (Hollywood Reporter)
- Astronauts accidentally drop tool bag during ISS spacewalk (CNN)