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☆ Opinion: Is the US on the brink of another civil war?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Opinion Bruce Hoffman | Jacob Ware | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The most dismal assessment, though, is that of Canadian journalist Stephen Marche who, in his 2022 book, The Next Civil War: Dispatches form the American Future, contends that a new American civil war is inevitable. Remember that the United States leads the world — by far — in the number of firearms in private hands. There are an estimated 393 million privately held firearms in the United States — more than one gun per person. In fact, there are more civilian-held guns in the United States than the other top 25 countries in the world combined. Indeed, more guns were purchased in the United States in 2020 — nearly 23 million — than any other year on record.

Persons: Bruce Hoffman, Jacob Ware, Donald Trump, Biden, … ” Bruce Hoffman Michael Lionstar, Barbara F, Walter, ” Jacob Ware Jacob Ware Accelerationism, Barack Obama, Steven Simon, Jonathan Stevenson, “, ”, Stephen Marche, —, Simon, Stevenson, Bois —, Timothy McVeigh, Richard Haass, ” Haass, ” Robert Miles Organizations: of Foreign Relations, Georgetown University, DeSales University, . Press, CNN, Department of Homeland Security, Oklahoma City, National Security, University of Maryland’s Center for Democracy, Washington Post, University of Maryland, “, Capitol, ”, Survey, Foreign, Irish Republican Army, IRA Locations: America ”, Columbia, Texas, Western, America, Northern Ireland, United States, Switzerland, Northern, Ireland

☆ Merely winning has never been enough for Putin — and this year's presidential election is no different
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

There's little doubt Putin, 71, will win, even as the Ukraine war drags into its third year, analysts say. After all, his challengers — who were approved to run by the country's election commission — are far from his level of clout and influence. But for Putin, merely winning has never been enough — and 2024 looks no different. Putin needs to show that Russians really want him to leadFor Putin, it's not about winning. As Thomas Graham, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote on March 7, "Just winning has never been enough for Putin.

Persons: —, There's, Putin, it's, It's, Thomas Graham, David Szakonyi, Elvira Nabiullina, Nabiullina, they're, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Service, Business, International Monetary Fund, Council, Foreign Relations, George Washington University, Profit, Central Bank of Russia, Putin Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Policymaking, Russia, Polish

☆ Russia keeps threatening world leaders when they go to Ukraine. What happens if someone gets hurt?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In the two years since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion, allied dignitaries visiting Ukraine have been harried by strikes — and in one case, a drone — in the cities they've visited. "Definitely, I think Russia has been trying to be quite aggressive and intimidate Western leaders," he told Business Insider. President Joe Biden with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an unannounced visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 20, 2023. NATO's principle of collective defense — Article 5 — doesn't apply to armed attacks in this scenario as they would not be in NATO space, Loss told BI. Russia is 'greasing' a slippery slopeRussia is testing NATO's attitude to risk, Loss told BI, and the incidents involving leaders visiting Ukraine can be read as part of a much wider strategy of provocations.

Persons: —, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mitsotakis, Vladimir Putin, they've, Joe Biden's, Josep Borrell, António Guterres, Frank, Walter Steinmeier, Cristian Nitoiou, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Evan Vucci, Annalena Baerbock, scurrying, Nitoiou, Rafael Loss, Ukraine's, we've, JOHN THYS, Emmanuel Macron's, Putin Organizations: Service, Business, Reuters, UN, UK's Loughborough University, European Union, German Defense, European Council, Foreign Relations, NATO, Getty Locations: Russia, Ukrainian, Odesa, Mitsotakis, Ukraine, Kyiv, United States, Russian, Mykolaiv, Moscow, Poland, Baltic, Polish, AFP

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., attends a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol to call for the reversal of the Biden administrations Title 42 expansion and proposed asylum transit ban on Thursday, January 26, 2023. Indicted Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is considering running for re-election in November as an independent, two sources who spoke with him directly tell NBC News. He is now making calls to allies about his record and career and is preparing to collect petitions to run in November as an independent, the sources said. But running as an independent would give him more time; in that case, he would need only 800 signatures by June 4 to qualify for the ballot. Several New Jersey Democrats have already filed to run for Menendez's seat, including Rep. Andy Kim and the state's first lady, Tammy Murphy.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Biden, Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Andy Kim, Tammy Murphy Organizations: U.S, Capitol, NBC, New, New Jersey Democrat, Senate Foreign, Democrat, New Jersey Democrats, Democratic Locations: New Jersey

☆ Opinion: Intelligence briefings for Trump are risky – but so is denial of briefings
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Opinion Frederick D. Baron | Dennis Aftergut | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The White House reportedly plans to follow tradition and authorize national security briefings for Trump after he officially becomes his party’s nominee at the Republican National Convention in July. Serious financial need is a top reason for denial of clearances for federal government positions requiring access to classified national security information, due to vulnerability to bribery or coercion. Given the risks posed by Trump’s access to national security intelligence, we must ask whether Biden’s asymmetrical belief in sticking to political norms is an Achilles heel. In opting to provide intelligence briefings to candidate Trump, they are likely to impose conditions on the briefings for security reasons. In granting intelligence briefings to his rival, he clearly reasoned that preserving a nonpartisan tradition was the wisest decision at this difficult moment in the nation’s history.

Persons: Frederick D, Baron, Dennis Aftergut, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Frederick Baron, Cooley, Biden, Trump, Jamie Raskin, Robert Hur’s, Jack Smith, Raskin, “, Putin, ”, Steve Benen, John Bolton, Obama, John Brennan, Adam Schiff, • Organizations: of National Security, Department of Justice, Intelligence, Defending American Democracy, CNN, Trump, White, Republican National Convention, Sensible, Southern District of, Maryland, Foreign Relations, Helsinki Trump, NATO, MSNBC, Mar, National Security Council, National Security, CIA, House Intelligence, Thursday’s State, Union Locations: Southern District, Southern District of Florida, Russia, Helsinki, “, New York, Thursday’s

☆ U.S. legal immigration policy should prioritize the economy, experts argue
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Juhohn Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. has more foreign-born residents than any other country, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. But today, less than 1% of those looking to reside permanently in the U.S. can do so legally, according to research by the Cato Institute. "Most other developed nations in the world have a much higher percentage of their immigration system based on economics," according to Theresa Cardinal Brown, a senior advisor on immigration and border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. The U.S. legal immigration system is in dire need of reform to make it work for the U.S. economy, experts say. Watch the video above to see why the U.S. is having so much trouble solving the immigration crisis.

Persons: Theresa Cardinal Brown, Brown, Simon Hankinson Organizations: U.S, Foreign Relations, Cato Institute, Center, Department of Homeland Security, Heritage Foundation Locations: U.S

☆ Bob Menendez’s Bribery Case Reminds Us Why Proving Corruption Is So Hard
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Alan Feuer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In the last decade, it has proved surprisingly hard to put politicians accused of corruption behind bars. And juries have occasionally thought the officeholders’ behavior didn’t meet the high standard for corruption. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, who was arraigned yesterday in a federal bribery case, is both an example of the conundrum and a test of whether federal prosecutors now know how to overcome it. In the senator’s last corruption trial, in 2017, jurors couldn’t make sense of the gifts and favors he’d received from a wealthy eye doctor. In exchange, prosecutors say, he attempted to disrupt criminal cases and used his position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee inappropriately.

Persons: didn’t, Bob Menendez, he’d, Menendez Organizations: Bob Menendez of New, Democrat, Benz, Senate Foreign Relations Locations: Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Egypt

☆ Former U.S. official's work for Chinese client stirs concern over disclosure loopholes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Advocating for foreign clients is legal and U.S. law includes a public disclosure exemption for lawyers. The Paul, Weiss law firm declined to comment on the letter, and Lynch did not respond to Reuters emails. The U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments say DJI supported biometric surveillance and tracking of Muslim Uyghur minorities in China. "It is appalling that former senior U.S. officials use their connections to serve the interests of U.S. adversaries," Risch said. Others argue that stricter FARA rules on disclosure could give authoritarian countries like Russia and China cover for their own stifling of free speech.

Persons: Loretta Lynch, Obama, Lynch, Paul, Weiss, DJI, FARA, Jim Risch, Risch, Jonathan Turley, Turley Organizations: U.S, senior Defense Department, SZ DJI Technology Co, U.S . Department of Justice, Reuters, Department of Defense, China's Communist Party, U.S . Treasury, Commerce, The Defense Department, Pentagon, Justice, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, American Civil Liberties Union, Justice Department, George Washington University Locations: FARA, U.S, China, WuXi, Russia

☆ Kyrsten Sinema’s exit puts the spotlight on the Senate’s shrinking pool of dealmakers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

For months, the two of them had worked tirelessly alongside Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma to craft a bipartisan deal on immigration. “The base of each party wants individuals who will fight, but not individuals who will reach across the aisle to get things done,” Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah said. “I’ve seen a shift towards basically really not wanting to do anything,” West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said. Last cycle alone saw the retirement of Ohio Republican Sen. Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, another GOP pragmatist, retired after the 2022 election, replaced by Sen. Eric Schmitt.

Persons: Sen, Kyrsten, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, Republican Sen, James Lankford of, Sinema, Murphy, ” Murphy, “, ” Sinema, Donald Trump, Mitt Romney, Joe Manchin, he’d, Romney, Trump, ” Romney, I’ve, ” West Virginia Republican Sen, Shelley Moore Capito, Ohio Republican Sen, Rob Portman, J.D, Vance, Trump . Missouri Republican Sen, Roy Blunt, GOP pragmatist, Eric Schmitt, appropriator Sen, Richard Shelby of, Richard Burr of, Bob Corker, Marsha Blackburn, Anna Moneymaker, we’ve, Lamar Alexander, ”, Tim Kaine, “ We’re, Kari Lake, –, Mark Kelly, ” Corker, Kaine, Todd Young, Thom Tillis, It’s, Brian Schatz, ” Sen, Mark Warner, Nathan Howard, Manchin, John Cornyn of, John Thune of, isn’t Organizations: Democratic, Connecticut, Republican, CNN, Senate, ” West Virginia Republican, Ohio Republican, GOP, Trump . Missouri Republican, Intelligence, Senate Foreign Relations, 118th, Democrat, North Carolina Republican, Getty, America Locations: Arizona, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, Ohio, Richard Shelby of Alabama, Richard Burr of North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, Hawaii, Washington , DC, John Cornyn of Texas, John Thune of South Dakota, America

☆ With Super Tuesday over, China and Xi may be praying for Trump to beat Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

With Super Tuesday setting the US up for a Biden-Trump rematch, it looks like China has no good choices. But a rising perspective among experts on China posits that Beijing has good reason to hope Trump retakes the White House. Both President Joe Biden and Trump are expected to continue their aggression toward China, with Biden locking away US tech exports and Trump more recently threatening a 60% tariff on Chinese goods. Whichever way Beijing is betting, it's hard to say which man its preferred pick would be. AdvertisementWith close-to-clean sweeps across the board on Super Tuesday, both Biden and Trump are now all but confirmed to be their respective parties' nominees.

Persons: Trump, —, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, Chengxin, Pan, MAGA, skittish, Stanley Rosen, Agathe Demarais, Demarais, shelve, China that's, it's, Ian Ja Chong, they're Organizations: Biden, Trump, Service, China, Associated Press, University of Macau, University of Southern California's China Institute, geoeconomics, European Council, Foreign Relations, Foreign Policy, National University of Singapore, White Locations: China, Beijing, Shanghai, Ukraine, Russia, New York

☆ Everyone is angry at Germany after a series of snubs and screw-ups
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Leaked German military discussions about sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine have caused discord. It's the latest diplomatic spat related to Germany and aid to Ukraine. After the US, Germany is the country sending the most military aid to Ukraine, at least in terms of volume. A mortifying leakPart of this anger was triggered by Russian state broadcaster RT publishing a 38-minute leaked recording of four German officials discussing how Ukraine could deploy German Taurus missiles. Taurus missiles are — very broadly speaking — Germany's equivalent to the Storm Shadow: powerful, long-range weapons with a strong ability to evade air defenses.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, —, Emmanuel Macron, Le, Ben Wallace, Scholz, Germany —, Der Westen, Dmitry Medvedev, Vladimir Putin, It's, Edward Hunter Christie, — Scholz, Antoine Gyori, Macron, Le Monde, Rafael Loss Organizations: Taurus, Service, RT, German Taurus, Associated Press, Storm, France, Politico, MOD, government's Foreign, France's Ministry of Defence, NATO, Russian Security, Finnish Institute of International Affairs, Macron, Ukraine Challenger, Ukraine, European Council, Foreign Relations Locations: Ukraine, France, Germany, allyship, German, Kerch, Crimea, Korea, Russia, Europe, Macron Germany

☆ Premarket stocks: What ‘Super Tuesday’ means for your portfolio
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Welcome to “Super Tuesday.” Today, a whopping 16 states and territories hold primary elections. But stock market analysts say not to fret and to hold tight. Based on annualized returns for the S&P 500, stocks gained an average 13.75% during Trump’s presidency. Election year math: History shows that stocks typically gain during the fourth year of presidential terms. The S&P 500 has gained 6.2% on average during the fourth year of presidential terms since 1932, according to Yardeni Research.

Persons: ’, Edward Jones, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Angelo Kourkafas, ” Kourkafas, Raymond James, Trump, Obama, ”, Simon Hamilton, Barack Obama, “ That’s, it’s, Hamilton, Goldman Sachs, Allison Morrow, Bitcoin, —, Simone McCarthy, Premier Li Qiang, Hong Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, ”, Markets, White House, Congress, CNN, Republicans, Republican, “, Research, Dow Jones, University of Cincinnati, University of Missouri, Securities and Exchange, Bloomberg, Premier, National People’s Congress Locations: New York, Washington, Hamilton, United States, China, Beijing

☆ Sen. Bob Menendez faces new obstruction of justice charges
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is seen after the senate luncheons in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. New obstruction of justice crimes were added Tuesday to charges against Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife that allege they accepted gold bars, cash and a luxury car in return for favors the senator carried out to assist three businessmen. New charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice were added against Menendez and his wife, Nadine. Attorneys for Bob and Nadine Menendez and the other defendants in the case didn't immediately respond to emails requesting comment. Prosecutors allege that Menendez also caused his lawyer to say in the September meeting that Menendez in 2022 had learned that the payments were loans.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Nadine, Bob, Nadine Menendez, Prosecutors Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, Menendez's, Benz, Prosecutors Locations: Manhattan, New Jersey, Egypt, Jersey

☆ China might have a friendlier face now, but it's not giving up on its aggressive Wolf Warrior diplomacy, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The move has also fueled speculation about the end of Wolf Warrior diplomacy. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesChina is also aware that the shock value of Wolf Warrior diplomacy brings diminishing returns. "I think the limits of wolf warrior diplomacy are apparent," Loh said. The Wolf Warrior will be backThat said, Wolf Warrior diplomacy will return, depending on the issue at hand, said Loh. LEAH MILLIS/Getty ImagesSo why did Liu tell reporters and academics in New York that Wolf Warrior diplomacy would never return?

Persons: —, Liu Jianchao, Liu, China's, Antony Blinken, ROBERTO SCHMIDT, Ian Ja Chong, Chong, Zhao Lijian, Zhao, Rather, Stanley Rosen, Rosen, you'll, Zhao dismissively, Nancy Pelosi's, Anthony Kwan, Pan Chengxin, Donald Trump's, Pan, Dylan Loh, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, Loh, Qin Gang, LEAH MILLIS Organizations: Service, Communist Party's International Department, of Foreign, Business, US, AFP, Getty, National University of Singapore, Foreign Ministry, University of Southern, China Institute, U.S . House, Deakin University, Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, Getty Images, Chinese Foreign Locations: New York, China, West . China, Beijing, University of Southern California's US, Maryland, Ukraine, Weibo, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, Gaza, AFP, Getty Images China, West

☆ Co-defendant in Sen. Bob Menendez corruption case pleads guilty
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Jose Uribe leaves the Federal Court, after a hearing on bribery charges, in New York City, U.S. September 27, 2023. A co-defendant in the criminal corruption case against Sen. Bob Menendez pleaded guilty in New York federal court on Friday and agreed to cooperate with the prosecution of the New Jersey Democrat. Menendez's co-defendant Joe Uribe pleaded guilty to seven counts, including conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services fraud, and obstruction of justice. The other defendants in the case — Menendez, the senator's wife Nadine, and two other New Jersey businessmen — are scheduled to stand trial beginning May 6 in Manhattan federal court. The Clifton, New Jersey, resident and other two businessmen men were accused of having a "corrupt relationship" with Menendez and Nadine Menendez.

Persons: Jose Uribe, Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez's, Joe Uribe, — Menendez, Nadine, —, Uribe, Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Wael Hana Organizations: New, New Jersey Democrat, Mercedes, Benz, Agriculture Department, Senate Foreign Locations: New York City, U.S, New York, New Jersey, Jersey, Manhattan, Clifton , New Jersey, Egypt

☆ Opinion | The Wars in Ukraine and Gaza Have Changed. America’s Policy Hasn’t.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( The Ezra Klein Show | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Joe Biden’s presidency has been dominated by two foreign policy crises: the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. The funding the United States has provided in those wars — billions to both Ukraine and Israel — has drawn backlash from both the right and the left. Richard Haass is an icon of the U.S. foreign policy establishment. He’s recently been making the case that our foreign policy is insufficiently independent — that we’ve become captured by allies that have interests that diverge from our own. His view of this moment is a signal of larger shifts that could be coming in the U.S. foreign policy consensus.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Israel —, “, Ezra Klein, Richard Haass, He’s, we’ve Organizations: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google, Foreign Relations, Republican, America’s Locations: Ukraine, Gaza, States, Israel, U.S

☆ Nasdaq and S&P 500 soar to record highs as markets appear unsinkable
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index and S&P 500 broke records Thursday afternoon. The S&P 500, meanwhile, gained 0.5% to close at a new high of 5,096.27. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day slightly higher, up 47 points, or 0.1%. The S&P 500 was up 5.2% for the month, the Dow was 2.2% higher and the Nasdaq gained 6.1%. All S&P 500 subsectors ended the month in positive territory.

Persons: Austan Goolsbee, ”, “, subsectors, Bitcoin, bitcoin Organizations: New, New York CNN, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Dow Jones, Commerce Department, Fed, Investors, Chicago Fed, Council, Foreign Relations, Dow, Deutsche Bank, Nvidia Locations: New York

☆ There's concern China is building significant overcapacity in the auto sector: CFR’s Michael Froman
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThere's concern China is building significant overcapacity in the auto sector: CFR’s Michael FromanMichael Froman, Council on Foreign Relations President and former U.S. Trade Representative in the Obama administration, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the security risks posed by China, the auto competition between U.S. and China, and more.

Persons: Michael Froman Michael Froman, Obama Organizations: Foreign Relations, U.S . Trade Locations: China

☆ Sweden clears final hurdle in bid to join NATO after Hungary approves accession
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Joshua Berlinger | Stephanie Halasz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Of the 194 members of parliament who voted, just six rejected Sweden’s accession. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that Sweden will join the alliance now that all allies have approved Sweden’s bid to join. As NATO states, Finland and Sweden will enjoy the protection granted under Article 5 of the treaty that established the alliance – which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack against all. While most NATO members quickly approved Finland and Sweden’s applications, Hungary and Turkey held out for some time. Video Ad Feedback Turkish parliament approves Sweden's NATO membership bid 01:05 - Source: CNNShortly after the Turkish vote, Orban told NATO chief Stoltenberg that his government would also support Swedish membership.

Persons: CNN —, Vladimir Putin, Ulf Kristersson, Viktor Orban, Sweden’s, ” Kristersson, Jens Stoltenberg, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Orban, Stoltenberg, Putin, Luke McGee, Lauren Kent Organizations: CNN, NATO, Stockholm, Swedish, Gripen, “, United, Russia, Ukraine, Union, EU, Sweden’s, Budapest, Kyiv Locations: Budapest, Hungary, Swedish, “ Sweden, Sweden, United States, Atlantic Treaty, Eastern Europe, Russia’s, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Stockholm, EU, Europe, Israel

☆ Ukraine claims it shot down a key A-50 Russian spy plane — again
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine's air force said it has shot down another Russian A-50 spy plane. Ukraine previously said it shot down a Russian A-50 in January. AdvertisementUkraine's air force said it shot down another Russian A-50 spy plane on Friday. The A-50 is a crucial spy plane that allows Russian to detect incoming Ukrainian missiles and identify ground targets. AdvertisementIn mid-January, Ukraine said it shot down another Russian A-50 spy plane over Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region on the same day it also said it shot down an Ilyushin Il-22 airborne command post.

Persons: —, Gustav Gressel, Natalie Musumeci, Sinéad Baker Organizations: Service, CNN, Business, Ilyushin, UK's Defense Ministry, European Council, Foreign Relations Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Zaporizhzhia, Azov, Kyiv

☆ A quarter of smokers quit within a year or two of menthol bans, researchers find
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Menthol cigarette bans are effective at getting people to quit smoking, new research finds. The pooled results show that about a quarter of menthol smokers quit within a year or two when the substance is banned from cigarettes. Menthol cigarette smoking rates were lower in settings with national bans and highest when there were only local or statewide bans. Even if just a quarter of menthol smokers quit, it could improve the health of thousands of people. Menthol itself isn’t addictive, but menthol cigarettes are more attractive to new smokers, studies show, because the flavoring masks the harsh taste and smell that may put some new smokers off.

Persons: Biden, Dr, Sarah Mills, ”, Mills, Menthol, ” Mills, We’ve, menthols, Rafael Meza, Sanjay Gupta, Meza, There’s, ” Meza Organizations: CNN, US Food and Drug Administration, Tobacco Research, European Union, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health, Gillings School of Public Health, US Centers for Disease Control, CDC, Studies, Foreign Relations, CNN Health, Cancer Research Institute Locations: Canada

☆ Turkey is back in from the cold with NATO and F-16 moves, but thorny issues remain
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Turkey spent nearly two years — along with Hungary — holding up Sweden's accession to NATO. Within hours of Ankara's decision, the U.S. approved a $23 billion sale for F-16 fighter jets to Turkey that had been delayed since 2021. It's worth noting that Hungary has yet to approve Sweden's NATO bid, and remains the only member of the alliance standing in the way of the Nordic country's accession. Turkey seemingly has a unique position that allows it to push the envelope and cross lines with its NATO allies. "My approval of Turkey's request to purchase F-16 aircraft has been contingent on Turkish approval of Sweden's NATO membership.

Persons: Turkey Recep Erdogan, It's, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it's, Victoria Nuland, David Lepeska, Ben Cardin Organizations: NATO, Conference, Hungary —, UAE, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations Locations: Turkey, Vilnius, Lithuania, Hungary, Sweden, Washington, Russian, Turkish, Eastern

☆ Australia unveils plan for largest navy buildup since World War II
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Australia on Tuesday announced plans to build its largest navy since World War II, allocating more than $35 billion for the defense project over the next 10 years, in a move analysts said pointed to heightened tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific. The independent review noted Australia had “the oldest fleet Navy has operated in its history,” according to the government statement. John Bradford, Council on Foreign Relations international affairs fellow, said Australia would need to be steadfast in sticking with the plan. “This investment provides a clear pathway for the shipbuilding industry and workforce in South Australia and Western Australia,” the release said. However, the opposition Greens party called the plan a “multi-billion-dollar mistake” driven by local political concerns to protect shipbuilding jobs – and political ones.

Persons: ”, Mark Hammond, Collin Koh, ” Jennifer Parker, Parker, John Bradford, Bradford, Andrew Hastie, ” Hastie, that’s, ” Koh, Pat Conroy, Sen, David Shoebridge, CNN’s Angus Watson, Hilary Whiteman Organizations: CNN, Australia, Royal Australian Navy, US Navy, Navy, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, UNSW Canberra, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC, Hobart, Foreign Relations, Greens, ” Greens Locations: China, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, South, Northeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Spain, Australian, South Australia, Western Australia

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. lawmakers are raising alarms about what they see as America’s failure to compete with China in biotechnology, warning of the risks to U.S. national security and commercial interests. Bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to bar “foreign adversary biotech companies of concern” from doing business with federally funded medical providers. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesCritics of the legislation warn that restrictions on Chinese companies would impede advances that could bring a greater good. “It’s not just a supply chain battle or a national security battle or an economic security battle; I would submit it’s a moral and ethical battle,” Gallagher said. He said any restrictive U.S. measures should be tailored to address military concerns and concerns about genomic data security.

Persons: walling, ”, Abigail Coplin, Rachel King, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, “ It’s, ” Gallagher, “ we’re, Biden, Tom Bollyky, Bollyky, Ray Yip, Yip, “, Anna Puglisi, Puglisi, ” Puglisi, BGI, WuXi AppTec, Dake Kang Organizations: WASHINGTON, — U.S, Biotechnology, Bills, Embassy, Biden, Vassar College, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, National Security Commission, Emerging Biotechnology, U.S . Senate, Chinese Communist Party, Wisconsin Republican, “, Bloomberg, Council, Foreign Relations, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Georgetown University’s Center for Security, Emerging, The Defense Department, Commerce Department, Associated Press Locations: China, U.S, ”, South China, Wisconsin, Boston, United States, WuXi, Beijing

☆ 'China has a lot more to lose': U.S. considering sanctioning Chinese firms aiding Russia's war
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a meeting in Beijing on October 18, 2023. The provisions would mark the first direct penalties against Beijing despite long-held Western suspicions over its support for Russia's military operations. So I would hope China would calculate carefully that there are consequences around the corner for supporting Russia's violence and depravity in Ukraine." Asked whether the U.S. is considering similar sanctions on China as those proposed by the EU, U.S. A separate January report found that China has become key conduit in funnelling critical Western tech into Russia.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Sergei Guneyev, Gerald Connolly, CNBC's Silvia Amaro, Connolly, Ben Cardin, Biden, Josep Borrell, Alexei Navalny Organizations: Afp, Getty, Congress, CNBC, Democratic, U.S . House, Foreign Relations, European Union, Beijing, Saturday, Munich Security, EU, U.S, Russia, U.S . National Security Council Locations: Beijing, Munich, GERMANY, The U.S, Russia, Ukraine, China, Washington, U.S

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