@16:25, , 3/22/20

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1

Coronavirus Drives the U.S. and China Deeper Into Global Power Struggle

Michael Crowley, Edward Wong and Lara Jakes at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 hour ago

Many experts warn that an international health and economic crisis calls for more cooperation, not confrontation, between Washington and Beijing.

The published curve does not look "cooked".

2 

The U.S. Shut Down Its Economy. Here’s What Needs to Happen in Order to Restart.

Jim Tankersley at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 hour ago

Whole sectors of the United States economy have gone dark to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Here’s what comes next.

A restart does not look easy from here.

3 

As U.S. Troops Leave Afghanistan, Diplomats Are Left to Fill Uncertain Mission

Lara Jakes at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

The future role of the American Embassy in Kabul is tied to the fate of the peace process and a military withdrawal, even as violence continues.

I see no real prospect of peace in Afghanistan.

4

Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – March 22, 2020

Tony Wikrent at Ian Welsh - 4 hours ago

Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – March 22, 2020 by Tony Wikrent Economics Action Group, North Carolina Democratic Party Progressive Caucus The Financial Collapse The Fed Backfires: Shock and Awe Rate Drop to 0%, Emergency Bond Buying Program Leads to Limit Down Drops in US Equity Futures as Real World Coronavirus Damage Worsens [Naked Capitalism […]

The Trump administration is bad for people.

5 

Young Voters Know What They Want. But They Don’t See Anyone Offering It.

Maggie Astor at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

For the first time, millennials and Generation Z have enough electoral clout to seriously compete with their elders. But many feel more disillusioned than empowered.

Winning is imporetant.

Third parties do not win.

Vote every time.

6 

They Went Abroad to Study. Now They Are Stranded.

Somini Sengupta, Tariro Mzezewa and Sheryl Gay Stolberg at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

As borders closed and airlines canceled flights, the biggest lesson for many Americans studying abroad was this: You’re on your own.

Nowhere is better than anywhere else this week.

The military will bring them home eventually.

7 

Joe Biden’s Campaign Was Cash Poor. He Seized Control of the Nomination Anyway.

Shane Goldmacher and Rachel Shorey at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

New figures show just how big a financial hole the former vice president was in before he pulled off a remarkable turnaround in the Democratic race.

The Democratic party voted for the man and not the Dollar.

Bernie Sanders looks less like a winning candidate.

8 

Top U.S. Intelligence Official Taps New Counterterrorism Chief

Eric Schmitt at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Lora Shiao will be the new acting director for the National Counterterrorism Center amid a broader reshuffling of top intelligences aides and expected personnel cutbacks

Trump listens only to himself.

9 

Push for Cash in Rescue Package Came From Unlikely Source: Conservatives

Carl Hulse at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Republicans are making direct aid to individuals and families a centerpiece of a relief plan to respond to the coronavirus crisis.

The relief bill has stalled.

10 

Used to Meeting Challenges With Bluster and Force, Trump Confronts a Crisis Unlike Any Before

Peter Baker and Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

The ways he dealt with crises in his business, real estate and even his personal life prove jarring as he leads the government’s response to a pandemic.

Trump is not ready for his plague.

11 

Al Qaeda Branch in Somalia Threatens Americans in East Africa — and Even the U.S.

Eric Schmitt and Abdi Latif Dahir at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Several ominous signs indicate that the Qaeda affiliate, the Shabab, is seeking to expand its lethal mayhem well beyond its home base, and attack Americans wherever it can.

Seeing things is easy.

12 

How It All Came Apart for Bernie Sanders

Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

The Sanders campaign appeared on the brink of a commanding lead in the Democratic race. But a series of fateful decisions and internal divisions have left him all but vanquished.

Bernie Saunders has no hope against the united moderates.

13 

As Iran Reels, Trump Aides Clash Over Escalating Military Showdown

Mark Mazzetti, Helene Cooper, Julian E. Barnes, Alissa J. Rubin and Eric Schmitt at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Sharp debates among top administration aides reveal divisions in how to confront Iran and its Shiite militia proxies in Iraq.

Iran has good reason to distrust Trump.

14 

The Lessons of the Elections of 1918

Dionne Searcey at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

A nation ravaged by the Spanish flu figured out how to vote back then. Not without incident, but with democracy intact.

I did not find the column informative.

15 

Biden Takes Charge as Coronavirus Spreads: This Week in the 2020 Race

Maggie Astor and Matt Stevens at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Joe Biden won all three states that held primary contests on Tuesday, forcing Bernie Sanders to reassess the future of his campaign in a race that has been upended by a public health crisis.

The effects are invisable so far.

16 

Open Thread

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 1 day ago

As usual, feel free to use the comments to discuss topics unrelated to recent posts.

Sooner is better.     As soon as you can is best.


17 

Staying Happy In Self-Isolation

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 1 day ago

There are a lot of guides for this going around, so I’m going to skip most, but not all of the more obvious advice. You know how to use watch shows online, play games and read books. Catch up on all that reading! Problems fall into three broad categories: lack of people; other people; and […]

Good advice.

18 

How the Defense Production Act Could Yield More Masks, Ventilators and Tests

Charlie Savage at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

President Trump has delegated the authority to invoke extraordinary powers over private industry, but his administration does not seem to be using it yet.

Trump is slow to start the process.

19 

Richard Burr Seeks Ethics Investigation After Uproar Over Stock Sales

Eric Lipton, Nicholas Fandos, Sharon LaFraniere and Julian E. Barnes at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

The North Carolina Republican is seeking to clear himself through an ethics investigation after the disclosure that he sold most of his holdings before the market tumbled.

He can stew for months.

20 

Trump Cites Coronavirus as He Announces a Border Crackdown

Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Kirk Semple at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

The Trump administration says it will no longer detain most undocumented immigrants at the border, citing the coronavirus as a threat to detention facilities and personnel.

Trump would seize any excuse to halt asylum claims. 

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