.@ForeignPolicy published a sweeping new profile of Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick to be the next top intel official
Among the details:
- her questioning young Syrian girls at refugee camp about whether they were really bombed by Assad's air force
- paying political consultant who shared ties with her to a religious movement that some former members described as a cult
- fears in Congress over whether she would out identity of famous 'Caesar' whistleblower who brought to public evidence on Assad's war crimes
- amplifying Russian propaganda by promoting those claims of US biolabs in Ukraine
The Trump transition team has defended Gabbard's record:
- On the religious group, Alexa Henning, a spokesperson for the Trump transition team, said that while Butler is one of Gabbard’s spiritual mentors, she has no affiliation with the Science of Identity Foundation or any religious group
- Henning said account on Syrian refugee girls was 'false'
- And response to criticism from former senior intelligence officials: “These unfounded attacks are from the same geniuses who have blood on their hands from decades of faulty ‘intelligence,’ including the non-existent weapons of mass destruction,” Henning said
Book of the week - Killing a King: The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Remaking of Israel (@danephron). Gripping story of the assassination of PM Rabin by a Jewish extremist; depressing story of how the rise of extremists on both sides (Hamas too) spoiled the peace process
Israeli officials obtained Hamas’s battle plan for the Oct. 7 terrorist attack more than a year before it happened. But they dismissed the plan as aspirational, considering it too difficult for Hamas to carry out. @ronenbergman Adam Goldman https://t.co/FIB8C4qC30
"The war in Gaza will end eventually. But when it does, Israelis and Palestinians will have no political horizon to look to, no peace process to rekindle, and little hope for a better future. That, too, is a legacy of Netanyahu’s long years in power." https://t.co/Vdo7V1JMK3
Good for @ForeignPolicy to suggest a balanced list for those who seek more genuine understanding of this tragic conflict than broadly available in western media. How else to begin to imagine just and durable solutions?
FP has compiled a list of ten books that offer insight into the origins of today’s conflict between Israel and Hamas—and what may come next.
https://t.co/xwcsoFRZhM
Anyway. I hope this book gives people comfort in some way — or at least makes them feel less alone. Thanks to @zandoprojects and @TheAtlantic for making it all happen. 5/5 Again: https://t.co/tS8ZIdEEc9
Today’s the day! @ForeignPolicy's first edition of World Brief (written by yours truly) will hit your inboxes this evening. If you haven’t already subscribed (FYI: It’s free!), sign up here: https://t.co/6bX6iBLc7b
The show doesn't have to be about solving the crime. It can be about memory. Or justice. Or grief. Find the theme that ties it together. And be honest with your listeners.
Suggestion for podcasters investigating an old crime. Let me know in ep 1 whether you solved it. And if not, tell me why to listen anyway. A better narrative model.
22/ Reporters @PatrickMRucker and @mayatmiller will discuss this story in detail this Tuesday at “Medically Necessary,” a virtual panel discussion about America’s broken health insurance system.
RSVP for free:
https://t.co/Q5bu9zSAMt
Catch our next FP Live, when FP's @danephron will be joined by @amirtibon, a senior editor @Haaretz / @haaretzcom, to discuss Israel’s new far-right government.
Register here:
https://t.co/05e1lnrZzL