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Ukraine war: US$60 billion in US military aid a major morale boost but no certain path to victory

Retrieved on:

Mardi, avril 23, 2024

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The bill is still subject to Senate approval and then needs to be signed into law by the US president, Joe Biden.

Key Points:

The bill is still subject to Senate approval and then needs to be signed into law by the US president, Joe Biden.
But given the Senate’s previous approval of a similar measure and Biden’s vehemence of the need to support Ukraine, this should be a formality.
Together with the morale boost for troops, this means that improvements in the situation on the front are likely – even before new US supplies will arrive.

Political will

It is above all one of political will.
The months-long delay in the US Congress was primarily an issue of domestic political posturing in a presidential election year.
While their influence on funding decisions is much more limited, they could certainly create significant problems in Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.

Economic capacity

There is some confidence that production capacity in the US and Europe, as well as in Ukraine, will significantly increase as of 2025.
But even in an optimistic scenario of sustained investments in the defence industrial base of the collective west and increasing Russian economic and logistical difficulties to sustain its defence sector, a gamechanging shift in the balance of power is unlikely in the near future.

Russia holds the initiative, for now

It also enjoys air superiority in light of depleted Ukrainian air defence systems, and has the operational momentum on the battlefield.
If anything, Russia will now double down on its current offensive pushes.
Given the continuing rhetoric of victory in Moscow and Kyiv, another forever-war might just have become more sustainable – for now.

Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU's Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

Christine Lagarde: Unlocking the power of ideas

Retrieved on:

Mardi, avril 23, 2024

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Since 2022 rising housing costs have, on average, largely been offset by growth in household income, leading to stable housing cost to household income ratios.

Key Points:

Since 2022 rising housing costs have, on average, largely been offset by growth in household income, leading to stable housing cost to household income ratios.
The housing cost burden has, however, increased slightly for both renter and mortgage households at the upper end of the income distribution.

Caring for older Americans’ teeth and gums is essential, but Medicare generally doesn’t cover that cost

Retrieved on:

Vendredi, avril 19, 2024

As dentistry scholars, we believe Koop also deserves credit for something else.

Key Points:

As dentistry scholars, we believe Koop also deserves credit for something else.
Americans who rely on the traditional Medicare program for their health insurance get no help from that program with paying their dental bills aside from some narrow exceptions.
This group includes some 24 million people over 65 – about half of all the people who rely on Medicare for their health insurance.

‘Medically necessary’ exceptions

The list of circumstances that would lead patients to be eligible is short.
Some examples include patients scheduled for organ transplants or who have cancer treatment requiring radiation of their jaws.
But we believe that dental care is necessary for everyone, especially for older people.

Chew, speak, breathe

While many working Americans get limited dental coverage through their employers, those benefits are usually limited to as little as $1,000 per year.
And once they retire, Americans almost always lose even that basic coverage.
Rich Americans with Medicare coverage are almost three times more likely to receive dental care compared to those with low incomes.

Connected to many serious conditions

Having diabetes makes you three times as likely to develop gum disease because diabetes compromises the body’s response to inflammation and infection.
At the same time, treating diabetes patients for gum disease can help control their blood sugar levels.

Chemo can damage your teeth

Many cancer treatments can damage teeth, especially for older adults. As a result, Medicare has started to reimburse for dental bills tied to tooth decay or other oral conditions after they get chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

More than nice to have

Doctors and dentists are educated separately, and doctors learn very little about dental conditions and treatments when they’re in medical school.
Most dental electronic health records aren’t linked to medical systems, hindering comprehensive care and delivery of dental care to those in need.
Medical insurance was designed specifically to cover large, unpredictable expenses, while dental insurance was intended to mainly fund predictable and lower-cost preventive care.

Medicare Advantage plans

Until Medicare expands coverage to include preventive dental services for everyone, alternative plans such as Medicare Advantage, through which the federal government contracts with private insurers to provide Medicare benefits, serve as a stopgap.
In 2016, only 21% of beneficiaries in traditional Medicare had purchased a stand-alone dental plan, whereas roughly two-thirds of Medicare Advantage enrollees had at least some dental benefits through their coverage.

Frank Scannapieco is affiliated with The Task Force on Design and Analysis in Oral Health Research, and consults for the Colgate-Palmolive Company. Ira Lamster is a member of the Santa Fe Group. He currently receives consulting fees from Colgate, and research support from the CareQuest Institute.

5 years after the Mueller report into Russian meddling in the 2016 US election on behalf of Trump: 4 essential reads

Retrieved on:

Jeudi, avril 18, 2024

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But the nearly two-year investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election dominated headlines – and revealed what has become Trump’s trademark denial of any wrongdoing.

Key Points:

But the nearly two-year investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election dominated headlines – and revealed what has become Trump’s trademark denial of any wrongdoing.
For Trump, the Russia investigation was the first “ridiculous hoax” and “witch hunt.” Mueller didn’t help matters.
“While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him,” the special counsel stated.

1. Obstruction of justice

But Orentlicher wrote that obstruction of justice is “a complicated matter.” According to federal law, obstruction occurs when a person tries to impede or influence a trial, investigation or other official proceeding with threats or corrupt intent.
But in a March 24, 2019, letter to Congress summarizing Mueller’s findings, then-Attorney General William Barr said he saw insufficient evidence to prove that Trump had obstructed justice.

So it was up to Congress to further a case against Trump on obstruction charges, but then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi declined, arguing that it would be too divisive for the nation and Trump “just wasn’t worth it.”

Read more:
Trump and obstruction of justice: An explainer

2. Why didn’t the full report become public?

Charles Tiefer is a professor of law at the University of Baltimore and expected that Trump and Barr would do “everything in their power to keep secret the full report and, equally important, the materials underlying the report.” Tiefer was right.
To keep Mueller’s report private, Barr invoked grand jury secrecy – the rule that attorneys, jurors and others “must not disclose a matter occurring before the grand jury.”

Trump and Barr also claimed executive privilege to further prevent the release of the report. Though it cannot be used to shield evidence of a crime, Tiefer explained, “that’s where Barr’s exoneration of Trump really helped the White House.”

Read more:
How Trump and Barr could stretch claims of executive privilege and grand jury secrecy

3. Alternative facts

Perhaps the most disappointing finding, they argued, is that there are no known fixes to this problem.
They found that fact-checking has little impact on changing individual beliefs, and more education only sharpens the divisions.
And with that, they wrote, “the U.S. continues to inch ever closer to a public square in which consensus perceptions are unavailable and facts are irrelevant.”
Read more:
From 'Total exoneration!'

4. Trump’s demand for loyalty

What sets Trump apart, Ouyang wrote, is his “exceptional emphasis on loyalty.” Trump expects personal loyalty from his staff – especially from his attorney general.
“Trump values loyalty over other critical qualities like competence and honesty.
Read more:
Why does a president demand loyalty from people who work for him?

Columbia president holds her own under congressional grilling over campus antisemitism that felled the leaders of Harvard and Penn

Retrieved on:

Jeudi, avril 18, 2024

Two of them resigned shortly thereafter.

Key Points:

Two of them resigned shortly thereafter.
Here, Lynn Greenky, a scholar of communication and rhetoric, gives her take on how Shafik handled being in the same hot seat as her colleagues.

How did today’s hearing differ from the one on Dec. 5?

Of course, they had the benefit of being able to first see what happens when you don’t.
Shipman in particular made it clear that Columbia is suffering a “moral crisis” on its campus.
They even thanked the committee for the investigation and asked for the committee’s help to address antisemitism on campus.

What did committee members say about faculty?

Several members of the Congressional committee singled out Massad, who on Oct. 8, 2023, described the Hamas attack on Israel as “awesome” and “innovative” in an online article, for particular scorn.
The committee’s chairperson, Virginia Foxx, a Republican from West Virginia, warned that radical faculty remain a huge problem at Columbia.
If not, she says, Columbia will be brought before the committee again.

Was there any conflict over what is hate speech?

Shafik seemed reluctant to label students or faculty as engaging in hate and harassment.
She tried very hard, sometimes unsuccessfully, to assert the need to balance constitutionally protected speech with the educational mission of the university.
Still, Shafik frequently testified that the policies and structures in place at Columbia prior to the Oct. 7 attack were inadequate.

What action did Shafik and her colleagues say they would take?

They said they are working on revising policies and practices that will promote vigorous debate while protecting student safety.
As a result of some of the preliminary recommendations of Columbia’s Task Force on Antisemitism, the university has updated the reporting and response process regarding harassment and discrimination.

How will all this affect free speech on campus?

Certainly, a college or university has a compelling interest in protecting its students, faculty and staff’s freedom, safety and integrity.
Often, when colleges and universities undertake the task, I believe it is the freedom to speak one’s mind that suffers.

Lynn Greenky does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

‘We have thousands of Modis’: the secret behind the BJP’s enduring success in India

Retrieved on:

Jeudi, avril 18, 2024

These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a likely third consecutive victory in the Indian general election, starting today.

Key Points:

These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a likely third consecutive victory in the Indian general election, starting today.
As part of my research on members of right-wing populist parties, I’ve conducted interviews with dozens of BJP party members and officials.
(They spoke to me on condition of anonymity, so are only represented by their first initial here).

A well-oiled campaign machine

Maintaining a large membership-based organisation provides the BJP with a campaign machine that has no equal in India.
The focus of this organisation is on the polling booth.
Each booth has ten women, and each woman is allotted 15 houses where they roam around for about three days [before election day].
The BJP is effectively engaging in micro-campaigning on a nationwide scale, and so gaining a significant advantage in mobilising voters.

Training members in Hindu nationalism

In addition, the BJP is the Indian party with the most well-defined ideological platform, which combines fervent Hindu nationalism with right-wing populism based on religious polarisation.
Its grassroots organisation enables the BJP to socialise and train its members in this ideology.
My research on both BJP party voters and members shows how these people hold right-wing populist attitudes and worldviews that closely match the party’s platform.
In the case of grassroots members, these ideologies are ingrained through an extensive training network.

Bringing welfare to the poor

Alongside Hindu nationalism, the expansion of welfare to hundreds of millions of low-income earners is another reason why Modi is so popular.
He always makes sure to put the words “prime minister” before the names of welfare programs and print his face on handouts.
When it comes to welfare program implementation, however, it is BJP party members who do the heavy lifting.
According to my interviews, this was the main activity of party members, whether in the form of cleaning the streets, distributing food or setting up bank accounts for the poor.

Party survival is a priority

Finally, the extensive grassroots party organisation enables the BJP to thrive by providing a steady source of candidates, officials and leaders.
Members affirmed that the BJP, contrary to other parties, is meritocratic when it comes to the distribution of offices.
As N., a Marathi car shop owner, explained:
The BJP is not dominated by one family.
Maintaining a large membership also facilitates the BJP’s survival in the long run.

Sofia Ammassari does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

FPF Celebrates 15 Years! Spring Social Marks Board Transition as Data Protection Leaders Toast to FPF’s Success

Retrieved on:

Jeudi, avril 18, 2024

Leaders in Data Protection Take Center Stage at FPF’s Spring Social The week started with FPF’s 15th Anniversary Spring Social, where FPF CEO Jules Polonetsky thanked FPF’s Board Chair and Founder Chris Wolf, who served for 15 years, and welcomed FPF’s new Board Chair, Alan Raul. Three leading data protection regulators lauded FPF’s effectiveness in [?]

Key Points:

Leaders in Data Protection Take Center Stage at FPF’s Spring Social The week started with FPF’s 15th Anniversary Spring Social, where FPF CEO Jules Polonetsky thanked FPF’s Board Chair and Founder Chris Wolf, who served for 15 years, and welcomed FPF’s new Board Chair, Alan Raul. Three leading data protection regulators lauded FPF’s effectiveness in [?]

FTC Issues Report to Congress on Collaboration with State Attorneys General

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Vendredi, avril 12, 2024

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The Federal Trade Commission today issued a report to Congress detailing the FTC’s law enforcement cooperation with state attorneys general (AGs) nationwide and presenting best practices to ensure continued effective collaboration.

Key Points:

The Federal Trade Commission today issued a report to Congress detailing the FTC’s law enforcement cooperation with state attorneys general (AGs) nationwide and presenting best practices to ensure continued effective collaboration.
The report, directed by the FTC Collaboration Act of 2021, “Working Together to Protect Consumers: A Study and Recommendations on FTC Collaboration with the State Attorneys General” makes legislative recommendations that would enhance these efforts, including reinstating the Commission’s authority to seek money for defrauded consumers and providing it with the independent authority to seek civil penalties.
The report is divided into three sections: 1) The FTC’s Existing Collaborative Efforts with State Attorneys General to Prevent, Publicize, and Penalize Frauds and Scams; 2) Recommended Best Practices to Enhance Collaboration; and 3) Legislative Recommendations to Enhance Collaboration Efforts.
Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

FTC Issues Report to Congress on Collaboration with State Attorneys General

Retrieved on:

Vendredi, avril 12, 2024

The Federal Trade Commission today issued a report to Congress detailing the FTC’s law enforcement cooperation with state attorneys general (AGs) nationwide and presenting best practices to ensure continued effective collaboration.

Key Points:

The Federal Trade Commission today issued a report to Congress detailing the FTC’s law enforcement cooperation with state attorneys general (AGs) nationwide and presenting best practices to ensure continued effective collaboration.
The report, directed by the FTC Collaboration Act of 2021, “Working Together to Protect Consumers: A Study and Recommendations on FTC Collaboration with the State Attorneys General” makes legislative recommendations that would enhance these efforts, including reinstating the Commission’s authority to seek money for defrauded consumers and providing it with the independent authority to seek civil penalties.
The report is divided into three sections: 1) The FTC’s Existing Collaborative Efforts with State Attorneys General to Prevent, Publicize, and Penalize Frauds and Scams; 2) Recommended Best Practices to Enhance Collaboration; and 3) Legislative Recommendations to Enhance Collaboration Efforts.
Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

House of Representatives holds off on Ukraine aid package − here’s why the US has a lot at stake in supporting Ukraine

Retrieved on:

Mercredi, avril 10, 2024

The U.S. has been the largest single donor backing Ukraine since Russian troops invaded the country in February 2022.

Key Points:

The U.S. has been the largest single donor backing Ukraine since Russian troops invaded the country in February 2022.
Biden has asked Congress to approve another $95 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel and other allies.
While the Senate passed this foreign aid bill in February 2024, it is stalled in the House of Representatives.
It is not entirely clear when and how the House will vote on Ukraine.
Still, as a scholar of Eastern Europe, I think there are a few important reasons why the U.S. is unlikely to cut funding to Ukraine.

Republicans are divided over Ukraine aid

Johnson is facing pressure to delay voting on the Ukraine foreign aid bill for a few reasons.
One major factor is fighting between Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the House.
While some centrist Republican politicians support Ukraine funding and are pushing for a vote on the foreign aid package, others – hard-right Republicans – want a bill that prioritizes what they say are American interests, meaning more of a focus on domestic U.S. problems.

Delays on Ukraine benefit Putin

As the House continues to stall on a vote, Ukraine is rationing ammunition and supplies.
Delays with foreign aid to Ukraine give Putin time to move forward with plans to purchase ballistic missiles from Iran.
Without foreign aid from the U.S., Ukraine will face a strategic disadvantage that could lead to Russia winning the war.

The US needs Europe to compete with China

One factor is U.S. global power competition with China.
Russian and Chinese leaders declared a military and political partnership days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
They announced on April 9, 2024, that they want to find ways to strengthen their joint security work across Asia and Europe.
U.S. political and military leaders have noted that supporting Ukraine and pushing back against Russia is one clear way to deter China from strengthening its global political power and military reach.
The U.S. needs its long-standing allies in Europe to help push back against China – and deterrence is only as effective as the size of the force doing the deterring.

Foreign aid benefits US arms industry

Most of America’s military aid to Ukraine consists of arms and ammunition from existing U.S. stockpiles.
If Congress approves an additional $60 billion for Ukraine, more than half of this money would go to U.S. factories that manufacture missiles and munitions.
In December 2023, Biden signed a U.S. defense policy bill that authorizes a record-high $886 billion in spending from July 2023 through June 2024.
But it also allows for the purchasing of new ships, aircraft and other types of ammunition.

Americans continue to support Ukraine aid

A majority of Americans still favor U.S. support of Ukraine, though about half of Republicans said in December 2023 that the U.S. is giving too much money to the country. Even though politicians do not always follow public opinion, there are clear reasons why it is not in the U.S.’s best interests to cut funding to Ukraine.
Tatsiana Kulakevich does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.