freebeacon--2020-09-25--LEADERSHIP GAP: Donald Trump Gives Seniors $200 Medicare Cards While Joe Biden Does ‘Debate Prep’

Thanks to Donald Trump 's leadership skills , millions of American seniors will soon receive $ 200 cards in the mail to help them cover the cost of prescription drugs .
The president announced the initiative on Thursday at an event with health professionals in North Carolina .
`` Under my plan , 33 million Medicare beneficiaries will soon receive a card in the mail containing $ 200 that they can use to help pay for prescription drugs , '' Trump told the cheering heroes .
`` Joe Biden wo n't be doing this . ''
Unlike Trump , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor the authority to provide financial relief to seniors before the end of the year .
Biden , who has been largely absent from the campaign trail of late , recently told reporters he intended to focus `` really heavily '' on preparing for next week 's presidential debate in Cleveland .
It is merely the latest example of the so-called `` leadership gap '' between President Trump and his Democratic rival .
Earlier this month , Trump forged a historic peace agreement between Israel , Bahrain , and the United Arab Emirates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ten college football , and presided over the celebrated `` Cactus Jack '' collaboration between McDonald 's and hip-hop artist Travis Scott .
Biden , by comparison , was engaged in activities that are n't typically associated with leadership .
He committed an embarrassing gaffe by reading aloud the phrase `` end of quote '' during a teleprompter-assisted speech , spoke incoherently about what it would be like to work `` in the second-floor ladies department , '' and attempted to woo Hispanic voters by playing the 2017 smash hit `` Despacito '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked by bugs during an `` environmental justice '' event .
Biden is going to need all the preparation he can get ahead of next week 's debate .
He has consistently struggled to form coherent sentences on the campaign trail , and has displayed an inability to control his emotions when challenged .
His failed attempt to recite the pledge of allegiance , for example , does not bode well .
`` I pledge allegiance to the United States of America , one nation , indivisible , under God , for real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech in Wisconsin .
It 's not the first time Biden has flubbed an esteemed patriotic phrase .
His struggle to quote from the Declaration of Independence earlier this year raised concerns among a number of independent cognitive health experts .
`` We hold these truths to be self-evident , '' Biden said .
`` All men and women created by .
Go !
You know .
You know the thing . ''
The outcome of this year 's presidential election boils down to a simple question : Will voters who value presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax hikes ?
Stay tuned !

Thanks to Donald Trump's leadership skills, millions of American seniors will soon receive $200 cards in the mail to help them cover the cost of prescription drugs.
The president announced the initiative on Thursday at an event with health professionals in North Carolina. "Under my plan, 33 million Medicare beneficiaries will soon receive a card in the mail containing $200 that they can use to help pay for prescription drugs," Trump told the cheering heroes. "Joe Biden won't be doing this."
FACT CHECK: TRUE!
Unlike Trump, the former vice president has neither a plan nor the authority to provide financial relief to seniors before the end of the year. Biden, who has been largely absent from the campaign trail of late, recently told reporters he intended to focus "really heavily" on preparing for next week's presidential debate in Cleveland.
It is merely the latest example of the so-called "leadership gap" between President Trump and his Democratic rival. Earlier this month, Trump forged a historic peace agreement between Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. He also helped bring back Big Ten college football, and presided over the celebrated "Cactus Jack" collaboration between McDonald's and hip-hop artist Travis Scott.
Biden, by comparison, was engaged in activities that aren't typically associated with leadership. He committed an embarrassing gaffe by reading aloud the phrase "end of quote" during a teleprompter-assisted speech, spoke incoherently about what it would be like to work "in the second-floor ladies department," and attempted to woo Hispanic voters by playing the 2017 smash hit "Despacito" on his phone. Biden was also attacked by bugs during an "environmental justice" event.
Biden is going to need all the preparation he can get ahead of next week's debate. He has consistently struggled to form coherent sentences on the campaign trail, and has displayed an inability to control his emotions when challenged. His failed attempt to recite the pledge of allegiance, for example, does not bode well. "I pledge allegiance to the United States of America, one nation, indivisible, under God, for real," Biden said during a campaign speech in Wisconsin.
It's not the first time Biden has flubbed an esteemed patriotic phrase. His struggle to quote from the Declaration of Independence earlier this year raised concerns among a number of independent cognitive health experts. "We hold these truths to be self-evident," Biden said. "All men and women created by. Go! You know. You know the thing."
The outcome of this year's presidential election boils down to a simple question: Will voters who value presidential leadership outnumber those who value Antifa and tax hikes? Stay tuned!


freebeacon--2020-09-25--Mark Kelly Dodges on Ending Filibuster

Mark Kelly Dodges on Ending Filibuster

Arizona Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly is skirting questions on ending the Senate filibuster , as he seeks to appeal to both moderates and a party base that supports the contentious proposal .
Kelly , the frontrunner against incumbent Republican Martha McSally , danced around the subject Wednesday , telling The View that he thought the issue `` shouldn ’ t be part of the discussion . ''
`` It ’ s also very hypothetical .
And it ’ s kind of more of the same stuff from a broken Washington , '' he said .
The filibuster is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoided or delayed taking a clear stance throughout the campaign .
Others include the Green New Deal , school reopening , and impeaching President Donald Trump .
Multiple Democratic leaders and candidates have called for ending the filibuster if the party regains control of the Senate in 2020 .
Former president Barack Obama endorsed ending the practice over the summer , calling it a `` Jim Crow relic , '' and vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris has also voiced support for the idea .
Other Democrats , however , have cautioned against it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Basil Smikle told The Hill that Joe Biden should avoid the subject , warning that it could `` elicit backlash from the moderate voters . ''
Under current rules , the chamber can not vote on most matters unless at least 60 senators agree to end debate and move the issue to the floor .
Without the filibuster , a simple majority of 51 senators could make that call .
Kelly told Arizona podcast The Gaggle last month that he still had to study the issue before he could come to a decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a big decision .
It ’ s not in the Constitution .
It ’ s been used to stop progress by both parties , '' Kelly said .
`` So it ’ s something that I will take very seriously .
And I 'll look at both sides . ''
When pressed by the Arizona Republic this week , a Kelly spokesman said he couldn ’ t do `` much to expand '' on the candidate 's answer .
The Kelly campaign did not respond to the Washington Free Beacon ‘ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not the only divisive issue Kelly has ducked during the campaign .
He has yet to say whether he would support Democratic proposals to pack the Supreme Court—or even if he would vote for Sen. Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) to continue as party floor leader .
He similarly equivocated in early August about school reopening during the coronavirus outbreak .
`` Well , we ’ ve got to do it safely , first of all , '' he said .
`` And the federal government , clearly , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment for students . ''
Kelly also gave conflicting answers on supporting his party 's nominee before finally endorsing Biden in March , and he stonewalled for months before coming out against the Green New Deal legislation last year .
When The View ’ s Sunny Hostin quizzed Kelly last September about whether he was in favor of impeaching Trump , Kelly said he was unsure because he had n't read the hearing transcript .
`` I have it here if you would like to , '' offered Hostin .
`` Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have enough time , '' said Kelly .
`` But I , you know , I think this is serious and , you know , we ’ ve got to work through the details and it ’ s a process . ''
Five months later , after Trump was impeached by the House and acquitted by the Senate , Kelly stated that he would have voted to impeach .

Arizona Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly is skirting questions on ending the Senate filibuster, as he seeks to appeal to both moderates and a party base that supports the contentious proposal.
Kelly, the frontrunner against incumbent Republican Martha McSally, danced around the subject Wednesday, telling The View that he thought the issue "shouldn’t be part of the discussion."
"It’s also very hypothetical. And it’s kind of more of the same stuff from a broken Washington," he said.
The filibuster is one of many issues on which Kelly has avoided or delayed taking a clear stance throughout the campaign. Others include the Green New Deal, school reopening, and impeaching President Donald Trump.
Multiple Democratic leaders and candidates have called for ending the filibuster if the party regains control of the Senate in 2020. Former president Barack Obama endorsed ending the practice over the summer, calling it a "Jim Crow relic," and vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris has also voiced support for the idea.
Other Democrats, however, have cautioned against it. Former New York Democratic Party executive director Basil Smikle told The Hill that Joe Biden should avoid the subject, warning that it could "elicit backlash from the moderate voters."
Under current rules, the chamber cannot vote on most matters unless at least 60 senators agree to end debate and move the issue to the floor. Without the filibuster, a simple majority of 51 senators could make that call.
Kelly told Arizona podcast The Gaggle last month that he still had to study the issue before he could come to a decision.
"I think everybody recognizes it as a big decision. It’s not in the Constitution. It’s been used to stop progress by both parties," Kelly said. "So it’s something that I will take very seriously. And I'll look at both sides."
When pressed by the Arizona Republic this week, a Kelly spokesman said he couldn’t do "much to expand" on the candidate's answer. The Kelly campaign did not respond to the Washington Free Beacon's request for comment.
Ending the filibuster is not the only divisive issue Kelly has ducked during the campaign. He has yet to say whether he would support Democratic proposals to pack the Supreme Court—or even if he would vote for Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) to continue as party floor leader.
He similarly equivocated in early August about school reopening during the coronavirus outbreak.
"Well, we’ve got to do it safely, first of all," he said. "And the federal government, clearly, has to help school districts provide a safe environment for students."
Kelly also gave conflicting answers on supporting his party's nominee before finally endorsing Biden in March, and he stonewalled for months before coming out against the Green New Deal legislation last year.
When The View’s Sunny Hostin quizzed Kelly last September about whether he was in favor of impeaching Trump, Kelly said he was unsure because he hadn't read the hearing transcript.
"I have it here if you would like to," offered Hostin.
"Well, I don’t know if we have enough time," said Kelly. "But I, you know, I think this is serious and, you know, we’ve got to work through the details and it’s a process."
Five months later, after Trump was impeached by the House and acquitted by the Senate, Kelly stated that he would have voted to impeach.


freebeacon--2020-09-25--Saudi King Slams Iranian Terror Funding in U.N. Speech

The 84-year-old King Salman of Saudi Arabia blasted Iran for its production of `` chaos , extremism , and sectarianism '' on Wednesday in his first speech to the United Nations since taking the throne in 2015 .
`` [ Saudi Arabia ] ’ s hands were extended to Iran in peace with a positive and open attitude over the past decades , but to no avail , '' Salman told his fellow U.N. members .
`` Time and again , the entire world witnessed how the Iranian regime exploited these efforts in order to intensify its expansionist activities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorism , and in the process squandering the resources and wealth of the Iranian people for the purpose of its expansionist projects which produced nothing but chaos , extremism , and sectarianism . ''
Salman cited Iran ’ s efforts to destabilize Yemen , Lebanon , and its launching of over 700 drone and missile strikes through proxies on Saudi Arabia to date .
In Yemen and Lebanon , Iran uses proxy forces such as Houthi militias and the terrorist group Hezbollah to inflict violence .
Salman blamed Hezbollah for the massive explosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 people .
The Saudi king also briefly touched on coalition efforts to root out ISIS and al Qaeda groupings in Yemen as a part of the larger efforts Riyadh has made in combating extremism in the region .
Aside from detailing the record of Iranian aggression , Salman made clear his interest in achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East .
To this end , he took note of major deals brokered by Washington between Israel and neighboring Gulf states .
`` Peace in the Middle East is our strategic option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the efforts of the current U.S. administration to achieve peace in the Middle East by bringing the Palestinians and the Israelis to the negotiation table to reach a fair and comprehensive agreement . ''
While relations are not normalized between Riyadh and Jerusalem at present , Salman ’ s explicit mention of developments between the Israelis and Gulf neighbors are significant .
As more states continue to normalize their ties with Israeli , many hope Saudi Arabia will follow suit .
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner indicated earlier this month that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement with Israel .
`` I do believe it ’ s an inevitability that all countries in the Middle East '' will eventually make peace with Israel , Kushner said during a phone call with reporters .
`` I think [ the agreement ] was noticed by everyone in the region , how well the deal with Israel and UAE was received . ''

The 84-year-old King Salman of Saudi Arabia blasted Iran for its production of "chaos, extremism, and sectarianism" on Wednesday in his first speech to the United Nations since taking the throne in 2015.
"[Saudi Arabia]’s hands were extended to Iran in peace with a positive and open attitude over the past decades, but to no avail," Salman told his fellow U.N. members.
"Time and again, the entire world witnessed how the Iranian regime exploited these efforts in order to intensify its expansionist activities, create its terrorist networks, and use terrorism, and in the process squandering the resources and wealth of the Iranian people for the purpose of its expansionist projects which produced nothing but chaos, extremism, and sectarianism."
Salman cited Iran’s efforts to destabilize Yemen, Lebanon, and its launching of over 700 drone and missile strikes through proxies on Saudi Arabia to date. In Yemen and Lebanon, Iran uses proxy forces such as Houthi militias and the terrorist group Hezbollah to inflict violence. Salman blamed Hezbollah for the massive explosion in Beirut in August that killed nearly 200 people.
The Saudi king also briefly touched on coalition efforts to root out ISIS and al Qaeda groupings in Yemen as a part of the larger efforts Riyadh has made in combating extremism in the region.
Aside from detailing the record of Iranian aggression, Salman made clear his interest in achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East. To this end, he took note of major deals brokered by Washington between Israel and neighboring Gulf states.
"Peace in the Middle East is our strategic option," Salman said. "We support the efforts of the current U.S. administration to achieve peace in the Middle East by bringing the Palestinians and the Israelis to the negotiation table to reach a fair and comprehensive agreement."
While relations are not normalized between Riyadh and Jerusalem at present, Salman’s explicit mention of developments between the Israelis and Gulf neighbors are significant. As more states continue to normalize their ties with Israeli, many hope Saudi Arabia will follow suit.
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner indicated earlier this month that Saudi Arabia could soon reach a peace agreement with Israel.
"I do believe it’s an inevitability that all countries in the Middle East" will eventually make peace with Israel, Kushner said during a phone call with reporters. "I think [the agreement] was noticed by everyone in the region, how well the deal with Israel and UAE was received."


freebeacon--2020-09-26--Trump Admin Seeks to Combat Chinese Influence at U.N.

The Trump administration is engaged in a behind-the-scenes effort at the United Nations to wrench control over key bodies from China , which has used its influence at the international organization to push anti-American measures , according to senior U.S. diplomats involved in the effort .
Nowhere has this been more evident than at the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , which came under intense scrutiny earlier this year for efforts to help China mislead the world about the coronavirus pandemic and its origins .
U.S. officials said the WHO controversy was a wake-up call .
`` The whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem is , '' according to a senior Trump administration official , who told the Washington Free Beacon about the years-long battle to dampen China ’ s influence over the WHO and other key U.N. bodies .
The official spoke only on background about ongoing diplomatic efforts .
`` The fact that the Chinese succeeded in getting [ WHO director ] Mr. Tedros and his folks to withhold scientific data of a pandemic , putting China ’ s domestic agenda of freezing the Taiwanese out , ahead of global health—that ’ s our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations is reaching a critical mass , sources say , as Beijing mounts a bully pulpit-style campaign in the U.N. and elsewhere to defend its domestic interests .
`` The Chinese have done a very good job in going after leadership in multilateral organizations , '' the senior administration official said .
Chinese officials lead 4 of the 15 key U.N.-based multilateral organizations , more than the five other members of the U.N. Security Council combined .
No other country , including the United States , has an administrator leading more than one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration has been working to shift this dynamic by enlisting allied nations to join a variety of international organizations , a perch from which they can promote Western ideology and U.S. interests .
A central battleground in this fight is Africa , where China has invested great resources cultivating developing nations .
Senior Trump administration officials have been concerned with China ’ s influence at the U.N. for some time .
Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley told the Free Beacon in May that `` China is constantly working behind the scenes to gain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true at the U.N. , whether it 's distracting from their own human-rights abuses , manipulating to gain control of U.N. agencies , or bullying smaller countries to vote their way . ''
The administration is raising the issue with allies and taking further steps to undermine China .
One victory came in March , when a Singaporean candidate for the head of the U.N. ’ s intellectual property organization beat out Beijing ’ s candidate , a result that came in no small part due to America ’ s mobilization of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` battle is going to be won or lost in the developing world , '' the senior administration official said .
If the United States invests in these countries and helps to educate its burgeoning leaders , it can cultivate the next generation of diplomats .
`` We ’ ve just got to make this more painful for them than we have in the past . ''
While organizational leadership from any given country may not appear harmful , the Chinese have successfully steered multilateral organizations toward protecting their national interests .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals go into leadership positions , they do not act independently , '' according to the senior administration official .
`` This flies in the face of what the U.N. charter says . ''
Efforts to combat China are often procedural , yet still vital to depleting CCP sway at the U.N. , sources said .
The State Department , for instance , recently identified efforts by Beijing to expand into Afghanistan its Belt and Road Initiative , a massive Communist Party campaign to increase its global footprint .
By inserting its language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Afghanistan assistance , China hoped to justify an increased presence in the country that the United States viewed as damaging .
The United States quashed the measure and later touted it as one of the few wins that year at the U.N. '' What the Chinese have been doing for some time , is inserting its language into U.N. documents ; most basically these go against the spirit of multilateral negotiating documents , '' the senior official said .
Bret Schaefer , a former Pentagon official and senior research fellow at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to insert pro-CCP language into U.N. documents `` sounds innocuous , but then [ the Chinese ] get to refer back to that in other documents , '' creating an echo-chamber for Communist policies .
Schaefer warned that much of the progress made by the Trump administration could be lost under a Biden presidency .
The Democratic candidate has vowed to rejoin U.N. groups such as the Human Rights Council , which the Trump administration abandoned due to its anti-Israel bias and inclusion of some of the world ’ s foremost human-rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes president and rejoins the HRC [ and other international organizations ] without any kinds of demands for reform prior to that reengagement , you ’ re just going to affirm to other countries that the U.S. isn ’ t serious about reform , '' he said .

The Trump administration is engaged in a behind-the-scenes effort at the United Nations to wrench control over key bodies from China, which has used its influence at the international organization to push anti-American measures, according to senior U.S. diplomats involved in the effort.
Nowhere has this been more evident than at the World Health Organization (WHO), which came under intense scrutiny earlier this year for efforts to help China mislead the world about the coronavirus pandemic and its origins. U.S. officials said the WHO controversy was a wake-up call.
"The whole WHO saga is illustrative of what the problem is," according to a senior Trump administration official, who told the Washington Free Beacon about the years-long battle to dampen China’s influence over the WHO and other key U.N. bodies. The official spoke only on background about ongoing diplomatic efforts. "The fact that the Chinese succeeded in getting [WHO director] Mr. Tedros and his folks to withhold scientific data of a pandemic, putting China’s domestic agenda of freezing the Taiwanese out, ahead of global health—that’s our problem."
Chinese influence in multilateral organizations is reaching a critical mass, sources say, as Beijing mounts a bully pulpit-style campaign in the U.N. and elsewhere to defend its domestic interests. "The Chinese have done a very good job in going after leadership in multilateral organizations," the senior administration official said. Chinese officials lead 4 of the 15 key U.N.-based multilateral organizations, more than the five other members of the U.N. Security Council combined. No other country, including the United States, has an administrator leading more than one of these multilateral organizations.
The Trump administration has been working to shift this dynamic by enlisting allied nations to join a variety of international organizations, a perch from which they can promote Western ideology and U.S. interests. A central battleground in this fight is Africa, where China has invested great resources cultivating developing nations.
Senior Trump administration officials have been concerned with China’s influence at the U.N. for some time. Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley told the Free Beacon in May that "China is constantly working behind the scenes to gain more influence globally. That's especially true at the U.N., whether it's distracting from their own human-rights abuses, manipulating to gain control of U.N. agencies, or bullying smaller countries to vote their way."
The administration is raising the issue with allies and taking further steps to undermine China. One victory came in March, when a Singaporean candidate for the head of the U.N.’s intellectual property organization beat out Beijing’s candidate, a result that came in no small part due to America’s mobilization of its allies prior to the vote.
The "battle is going to be won or lost in the developing world," the senior administration official said. If the United States invests in these countries and helps to educate its burgeoning leaders, it can cultivate the next generation of diplomats. "We’ve just got to make this more painful for them than we have in the past."
While organizational leadership from any given country may not appear harmful, the Chinese have successfully steered multilateral organizations toward protecting their national interests. "The problem with this is when these individuals go into leadership positions, they do not act independently," according to the senior administration official. "This flies in the face of what the U.N. charter says."
Efforts to combat China are often procedural, yet still vital to depleting CCP sway at the U.N., sources said. The State Department, for instance, recently identified efforts by Beijing to expand into Afghanistan its Belt and Road Initiative, a massive Communist Party campaign to increase its global footprint. By inserting its language into a 2019 U.N. Security Council resolution on Afghanistan assistance, China hoped to justify an increased presence in the country that the United States viewed as damaging. The United States quashed the measure and later touted it as one of the few wins that year at the U.N.
"What the Chinese have been doing for some time, is inserting its language into U.N. documents; most basically these go against the spirit of multilateral negotiating documents," the senior official said.
Bret Schaefer, a former Pentagon official and senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said China’s efforts to insert pro-CCP language into U.N. documents "sounds innocuous, but then [the Chinese] get to refer back to that in other documents," creating an echo-chamber for Communist policies.
Schaefer warned that much of the progress made by the Trump administration could be lost under a Biden presidency. The Democratic candidate has vowed to rejoin U.N. groups such as the Human Rights Council, which the Trump administration abandoned due to its anti-Israel bias and inclusion of some of the world’s foremost human-rights abusers.
"If Vice President Biden becomes president and rejoins the HRC [and other international organizations] without any kinds of demands for reform prior to that reengagement, you’re just going to affirm to other countries that the U.S. isn’t serious about reform," he said.


freebeacon--2020-09-26--Biden Ducks Media With Week of Lids

Biden Ducks Media With Week of Lids

Joe Biden 's presidential campaign called a lid in the morning three times in the past week , avoiding the @ @ @ @ @ cutting down on how many gaffes he could make on camera .
But when he @ @ @ @ @ the 77-year-old candidate has bungled coronavirus statistics and alluded to the possibility of dying in @ @ @ @ @ his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) .

Joe Biden's presidential campaign called a lid in the morning three times in the past week, avoiding the media for whole days and cutting down on how many gaffes he could make on camera.
But when he has spoken to reporters, the 77-year-old candidate has bungled coronavirus statistics and alluded to the possibility of dying in office and being replaced by his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.).


freebeacon--2020-09-26--This Week In Campus Insanity Vol. 12

This Week In Campus Insanity Vol. 12

Welcome back to Campus Insanity , a weekly roundup of the craziest developments at our nation 's 4,000-plus institutions of higher education .
6 .
University Professor Promised to Spy on Conservative Student Nick Sandmann | The College Fix Avery Tompkins , an assistant professor at Transylvania University , pledged to monitor student Nick Sandmann—who last year became famous after being confronted by Native American activists for wearing a `` MAGA '' hat and was slammed by mainstream media outlets .
5 .
ASU Journalism School Removes People and News Accused of Being Too Pro-Police | LaCorte News Arizona State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incoming dean , deleted a Twitter poll about looting , and took down an interview with a police officer because the posts were deemed too friendly to police .
Students , professors , and faculty at Boston University penned a letter to the university claiming that aspects of the school 's plan to return students to campus upheld `` white supremacy culture . ''
3 .
University of Chicago Activists Vow Year of Protests After School Refuses to Defund the Police | The College Fix The # CareNotCops student group at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year without `` peace or quiet '' after the university rejected the group 's demands to defund the police .
University of Alabama-Birmingham archaeology professor Sarah Parcak gave a tribute to the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg , saying she `` was stronger in her mid-80s than any M*GA f*ckstick bootlicker could ever dream of . ''
Yale University published a comprehensive guide for how to have sex amid the coronavirus pandemic—so comprehensive , in fact , that it includes detailed descriptions of the sex acts thought to spread the virus .
Want more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .
If you have any suggestions for our Top 6 stories please email chrissy @ freebeacon.com & nester @ freebeacon.com .

Welcome back to Campus Insanity, a weekly roundup of the craziest developments at our nation's 4,000-plus institutions of higher education.
6. University Professor Promised to Spy on Conservative Student Nick Sandmann | The College Fix
Avery Tompkins, an assistant professor at Transylvania University, pledged to monitor student Nick Sandmann—who last year became famous after being confronted by Native American activists for wearing a "MAGA" hat and was slammed by mainstream media outlets.
5. ASU Journalism School Removes People and News Accused of Being Too Pro-Police | LaCorte News
Arizona State University's school of journalism removed an incoming dean, deleted a Twitter poll about looting, and took down an interview with a police officer because the posts were deemed too friendly to police.
4. Boston University Professors Claim School's COVID Reopening Plans Enforce 'White Supremacy Culture' | The Daily Free Press
Students, professors, and faculty at Boston University penned a letter to the university claiming that aspects of the school's plan to return students to campus upheld "white supremacy culture."
3. University of Chicago Activists Vow Year of Protests After School Refuses to Defund the Police | The College Fix
The #CareNotCops student group at the University of Chicago pledged to protest for a year without "peace or quiet" after the university rejected the group's demands to defund the police.
2. Professor Uses Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Death to Attack 'MAGA F—stick Bootlicker' Republicans | Campus Reform
University of Alabama-Birmingham archaeology professor Sarah Parcak gave a tribute to the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, saying she "was stronger in her mid-80s than any M*GA f*ckstick bootlicker could ever dream of."
1. Yale Publishes Graphic Guide to COVID-Proof Sex | Washington Free Beacon
Yale University published a comprehensive guide for how to have sex amid the coronavirus pandemic—so comprehensive, in fact, that it includes detailed descriptions of the sex acts thought to spread the virus.
Want more Campus Insanity? Read Vol. 11 here.
If you have any suggestions for our Top 6 stories please email chrissy@freebeacon.com & nester@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-09-25--CNN Bans Conservative Ad Featuring RBG Until After Burial

CNN is refusing to air an ad pushing for a swift confirmation of the next Supreme Court justice until Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died Friday , is formally buried .
The network alerted the 45Committee on Friday that it would not air the ad , which features video of Ginsburg stating that presidents are elected to serve a full four-year term , until after Ginsburg ’ s burial next week , according to a source familiar with the negotiation .
Ginsburg pressed the Republican-led Senate to take up President Barack Obama ’ s Supreme Court nominee , Merrick Garland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the ad suggests , despite reports that her dying wish was that she not be replaced until `` a new president is installed , '' that Ginsburg understood that the Constitution dictated the opposite .
While the network routinely rejects advertisements from right-leaning groups , it is rare to accept an ad but object to its timing .
The network accepted a second ad from the group for air immediately that does not feature video footage of the late justice .
A CNN spokeswoman did not immediately respond to questions about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond liberal icons .
President Donald Trump is expected to announce a nominee to replace Ginsburg on Saturday , and the 45Committee launched an ad blitz on Friday featuring video clips of the late justice in which she says plainly that presidents are elected to four-year terms .
`` The president is elected for four years , not three years , and so the power that he has in year three continues into year four , '' Ginsburg said in a 2016 appearance at Georgetown Law arguing at the time for the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad zeroes in on Ginsburg ’ s statement and argues that the best way to respect the late justice is by heeding her words .
`` How do you respect Ruth Bader Ginsburg ? ''
the ad asks .
`` Remember her wise words on Supreme Court nominees in an election year . ''

Standard would mandate liberal icons are buried before they appear in paid advertising
CNN is refusing to air an ad pushing for a swift confirmation of the next Supreme Court justice until Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday, is formally buried.
The network alerted the 45Committee on Friday that it would not air the ad, which features video of Ginsburg stating that presidents are elected to serve a full four-year term, until after Ginsburg’s burial next week, according to a source familiar with the negotiation.
Ginsburg pressed the Republican-led Senate to take up President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, even in an election year, and the ad suggests, despite reports that her dying wish was that she not be replaced until "a new president is installed," that Ginsburg understood that the Constitution dictated the opposite.
While the network routinely rejects advertisements from right-leaning groups, it is rare to accept an ad but object to its timing. The network accepted a second ad from the group for air immediately that does not feature video footage of the late justice.
A CNN spokeswoman did not immediately respond to questions about the new advertising standard and whether it extends beyond liberal icons.
President Donald Trump is expected to announce a nominee to replace Ginsburg on Saturday, and the 45Committee launched an ad blitz on Friday featuring video clips of the late justice in which she says plainly that presidents are elected to four-year terms.
"The president is elected for four years, not three years, and so the power that he has in year three continues into year four," Ginsburg said in a 2016 appearance at Georgetown Law arguing at the time for the Senate to vote on Garland.
The new ad zeroes in on Ginsburg’s statement and argues that the best way to respect the late justice is by heeding her words. "How do you respect Ruth Bader Ginsburg?" the ad asks. "Remember her wise words on Supreme Court nominees in an election year."


freebeacon--2020-09-26--Republicans Prepare for Accelerated Supreme Court Confirmation

Senate Republicans and the White House are laying the groundwork for an accelerated confirmation process for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett , culminating with a late October confirmation vote .
Sources close to the process anticipate a final confirmation vote before the presidential election during the week of Oct. 26 .
A hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee would come the week of Oct. 12 at the latest , and conceivably as early as Monday , Oct. 5 .
Supreme Court nominees generally appear before the panel for three days .
Introductory statements are delivered on the first day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from senators .
`` She is a woman of unparalleled achievement , towering intellect , sterling credentials and unyielding loyalty to the Constitution , '' President Donald Trump said of Barrett before an ecstatic crowd in the Rose Garden .
`` This should be a straightforward and prompt confirmation , '' he added .
Nominees usually meet with as many lawmakers as possible before the confirmation vote .
Those so-called courtesy meetings are expected to begin almost immediately after the nominee is named .
White House lawyers and Barrett will also have two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must complete a lengthy questionnaire for the Judiciary Committee disclosing past writings , speeches , professional activities , and relevant legal experience .
Justice Brett Kavanaugh 's completed questionnaire ran over 100 pages .
Lawmakers can also submit supplementary questions , called questions for the record or QFRs , for the nominee .
Senate Democrats sent almost 1,300 QFRs to Kavanaugh , and may do the same to delay progress on Barrett 's nomination .
A team of lawyers intimately familiar with the nominee will be on hand to complete both the questionnaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with written questions may only buy a couple of days in a best-case scenario , but on a tight confirmation timeline even minor holdups could be decisive .
Rachel Bovard , policy director for the Conservative Partnership Institute and a Senate procedure maven , told the Washington Free Beacon that Democrats can blunt progress by forcing procedural votes or leveraging institutional rules .
One such move might be to invoke an arcane rule requiring that committee work end no later than two hours after the Senate gavels into session , but Bovard said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that move on his own .
Democrats might also make motions to adjourn , which must be voted on .
`` The GOP can easily overcome them , it just takes 51 votes .
But you have to have 51 people there to do it , '' Bovard said .
All told , a strong-arm approach from Republicans can overcome whatever dilatory tactics Democrats try , but the strategy is not without risks .
Half a dozen Republican incumbents are in tight races for reelection .
Every day spent in Washington clearing procedural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign trail .
While traditional stumping and glad-handing are n't possible due to the coronavirus pandemic , lawmakers may be loath to leave their home states wide open to Democratic challengers .
The consequences of a miffed Supreme Court confirmation could be worse , however .
`` The stakes could n't be higher for the Republican Party , '' Bovard told the Free Beacon .
`` This is what they were elected to do .
Just this .
And effectively this has been their entire agenda .
Mitch McConnell 's entire legacy hangs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't get this judge across the finish line , what 's the point ? ''
`` This is the most high-stakes , high-consequence vote that any of these senators will take , '' she added .

Senate Republicans and the White House are laying the groundwork for an accelerated confirmation process for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, culminating with a late October confirmation vote.
Sources close to the process anticipate a final confirmation vote before the presidential election during the week of Oct. 26. A hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee would come the week of Oct. 12 at the latest, and conceivably as early as Monday, Oct. 5. Supreme Court nominees generally appear before the panel for three days. Introductory statements are delivered on the first day, followed by consecutive days of questions from senators.
"She is a woman of unparalleled achievement, towering intellect, sterling credentials and unyielding loyalty to the Constitution," President Donald Trump said of Barrett before an ecstatic crowd in the Rose Garden.
"This should be a straightforward and prompt confirmation," he added.
Nominees usually meet with as many lawmakers as possible before the confirmation vote. Those so-called courtesy meetings are expected to begin almost immediately after the nominee is named.
White House lawyers and Barrett will also have two logistical gauntlets to clear. The nominee must complete a lengthy questionnaire for the Judiciary Committee disclosing past writings, speeches, professional activities, and relevant legal experience. Justice Brett Kavanaugh's completed questionnaire ran over 100 pages. Lawmakers can also submit supplementary questions, called questions for the record or QFRs, for the nominee. Senate Democrats sent almost 1,300 QFRs to Kavanaugh, and may do the same to delay progress on Barrett's nomination.
A team of lawyers intimately familiar with the nominee will be on hand to complete both the questionnaire and the QFRs. Overwhelming the nominee with written questions may only buy a couple of days in a best-case scenario, but on a tight confirmation timeline even minor holdups could be decisive.
Rachel Bovard, policy director for the Conservative Partnership Institute and a Senate procedure maven, told the Washington Free Beacon that Democrats can blunt progress by forcing procedural votes or leveraging institutional rules. One such move might be to invoke an arcane rule requiring that committee work end no later than two hours after the Senate gavels into session, but Bovard said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could break that move on his own. Democrats might also make motions to adjourn, which must be voted on.
"The GOP can easily overcome them, it just takes 51 votes. But you have to have 51 people there to do it," Bovard said.
All told, a strong-arm approach from Republicans can overcome whatever dilatory tactics Democrats try, but the strategy is not without risks. Half a dozen Republican incumbents are in tight races for reelection. Every day spent in Washington clearing procedural logjams is a day spent off the campaign trail. While traditional stumping and glad-handing aren't possible due to the coronavirus pandemic, lawmakers may be loath to leave their home states wide open to Democratic challengers.
The consequences of a miffed Supreme Court confirmation could be worse, however.
"The stakes couldn't be higher for the Republican Party," Bovard told the Free Beacon. "This is what they were elected to do. Just this. And effectively this has been their entire agenda. Mitch McConnell's entire legacy hangs on confirming judges. So if you can't get this judge across the finish line, what's the point?"
"This is the most high-stakes, high-consequence vote that any of these senators will take," she added.


freebeacon--2020-09-27--Notorious RBG’s Woke Stans Duped By ‘Fake News’ Conspiracy Website

Prominent members of Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's minion army of woke stans were duped into promoting `` fake news '' about the late Supreme Court justice , a sign that highly educated liberals are particularly vulnerable to misinformation that reinforces their ridiculous worldview .
The Babylon Bee , a confirmed `` fake news '' and conspiracy theory website , recently published an article suggesting that NBA players would don frilly lace collars to honor the passing of Ginsburg , who on Friday became the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol .
The story is false , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose cult-like reverence for `` Notorious RBG '' has raised concerns among independent mental health experts , from promoting it on social media .
Even prominent members of the elite media were duped by the right-wing conspiracy website , including New York Times reporter Robin Pogrebin and Elle editor in chief Nina Garcia .
Other libs who promoted the fake story include 23andMe cofounder Linda Avey , CNN medical analyst Céline Gounder ( who tweeted a fake quote from the fake story ) , and former Harvard president Drew Gilpin Faust .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-elite libs joined in on the action .
The # Resistance could n't resist the urge to believe that the NBA had taken yet another symbolic step on the road to wokedom .
They wanted to believe and lacked the intellectual curiosity to check the facts .
Of course , not all RBG stans were duped by the fake news .
Instead of celebrating the NBA honoring the late justice , they were calling out the league for failing to do so .
ESPN host Rachel Nichols , for example , scolded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chadwick Boseman but doing nothing to acknowledge the death of an icon of female empowerment .
`` In a league that absolutely holds equality as a core value , the icons of that equality ca n't only include those who helped the men we see on TV , but those who paved the way for the women who work right alongside them , '' Nichols tweeted .
Elite liberals are perhaps the loudest opponents of conspiracy theories and so-called `` fake news '' websites because they worry about their influence on unsophisticated common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This week , those same elite libs proved they are just as susceptible to false stories that reinforce their own steadfast belief in their moral superiority over the rubes .
Should they even be allowed to vote in elections ?
That 's a question for another day .

Prominent members of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's minion army of woke stans were duped into promoting "fake news" about the late Supreme Court justice, a sign that highly educated liberals are particularly vulnerable to misinformation that reinforces their ridiculous worldview.
The Babylon Bee, a confirmed "fake news" and conspiracy theory website, recently published an article suggesting that NBA players would don frilly lace collars to honor the passing of Ginsburg, who on Friday became the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.
NBA Players Wear Special Lace Collars To Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg https://t.co/V2LJH4Proz — The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) September 22, 2020
The story is false, but that didn't stop grief-stricken libs, whose cult-like reverence for "Notorious RBG" has raised concerns among independent mental health experts, from promoting it on social media.
Even prominent members of the elite media were duped by the right-wing conspiracy website, including New York Times reporter Robin Pogrebin and Elle editor in chief Nina Garcia. Other libs who promoted the fake story include 23andMe cofounder Linda Avey, CNN medical analyst Céline Gounder (who tweeted a fake quote from the fake story), and former Harvard president Drew Gilpin Faust.
Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of non-elite libs joined in on the action. The #Resistance couldn't resist the urge to believe that the NBA had taken yet another symbolic step on the road to wokedom. They wanted to believe and lacked the intellectual curiosity to check the facts.
Of course, not all RBG stans were duped by the fake news. Instead of celebrating the NBA honoring the late justice, they were calling out the league for failing to do so. ESPN host Rachel Nichols, for example, scolded the NBA for honoring the life of actor Chadwick Boseman but doing nothing to acknowledge the death of an icon of female empowerment.
"In a league that absolutely holds equality as a core value, the icons of that equality can't only include those who helped the men we see on TV, but those who paved the way for the women who work right alongside them," Nichols tweeted.
Elite liberals are perhaps the loudest opponents of conspiracy theories and so-called "fake news" websites because they worry about their influence on unsophisticated common folk who get their news on Facebook. This week, those same elite libs proved they are just as susceptible to false stories that reinforce their own steadfast belief in their moral superiority over the rubes. Should they even be allowed to vote in elections? That's a question for another day.


freebeacon--2020-09-27--This Week in Leftist Intimidation and Violence Vol. 5

Molotov cocktails flew in cities across the United States this week .
In Portland , protesters justified looting because `` property does n't bleed , '' while vandalism and violence rocked Seattle , the former home of `` CHOP '' and now a jurisdiction deemed by the Department of Justice to permit anarchy .
Here are some of the week 's most striking examples of leftist violence and intimidation tactics .
A protester in Portland , Ore. , told CNN , `` Property doesn ’ t bleed , but I do .
If ending systematic oppression means a store gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s hurt , how is that any worse than living in a situation where I have to fear for my life every day ? ''
Protesters accosted diners in St. Petersburg , Fla. , chanting `` stand up , fight back '' and driving diners from their table .
Tampa Bay Times reporter Josh Fiallo also filmed protesters attacking a car , and at least one of the assailants recorded was also at the restaurant .
Attica Scott , a Democratic state representative in Kentucky , was arrested along with her daughter for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group of protesters wrecked a public library in Louisville .
Scott and the others were arrested in the parking lot of a unitarian church nearby , and Scott has since been released from jail .
3 .
Vandalism and Anti-Police Violence Rock Former Home of ‘ CHOP ’ It may not have an `` autonomous zone '' anymore , but Seattle is dealing with waves of increased violence that are pervasive enough that the Department of Justice censured it for `` permitting anarchy , '' as videos from the scene suggest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starbucks , and a black woman confronted them and said , `` Who the f— are you doing this for ? ''
Chopper video from Los Angeles captured a driver desperately trying to escape a mob of protesters who tried to prevent him from driving on the road and then chased after him when he got clear of them .
LAPD says the incident is under investigation .
As anti-police violence and rhetoric continues , two Louisville officers were shot responding to reports of gunfire during large-scale protests against the lack of charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
Both officers survived , and suspect Larynzo Johnson is charged with 2 counts of first-degree assault of a police officer and 14 counts of wanton endangerment .
He pleaded not guilty .

Molotov cocktails flew in cities across the United States this week. In Portland, protesters justified looting because "property doesn't bleed," while vandalism and violence rocked Seattle, the former home of "CHOP" and now a jurisdiction deemed by the Department of Justice to permit anarchy.
Here are some of the week's most striking examples of leftist violence and intimidation tactics.
6. Portland ‘Protester’ Justifies Looting Businesses Because ‘Property Doesn’t Bleed’ | CNN
A protester in Portland, Ore., told CNN, "Property doesn’t bleed, but I do. If ending systematic oppression means a store gets burnt or looted, and nobody’s hurt, how is that any worse than living in a situation where I have to fear for my life every day?"
5. BLM Mob Threatens Florida Diners and Drivers | Tampa Bay Times
Protesters accosted diners in St. Petersburg, Fla., chanting "stand up, fight back" and driving diners from their table.
Protestors are now going restaurant by restaurant to chant at diners on Beach Dr. in St. Pete. A lot of diners yelled back, starting multiple confrontations. This one was the most significant. Protestors took over a couple’s table. Not sure why they were targeted specifically. pic.twitter.com/dzLM7KuCW9 — Josh Fiallo (@ByJoshFiallo) September 24, 2020
Tampa Bay Times reporter Josh Fiallo also filmed protesters attacking a car, and at least one of the assailants recorded was also at the restaurant.
Today’s protest in St. Pete had been conflict free until this .... A car tried to get through a temporary road blockade. Protestors tried to stop it from getting through, hitting it with skateboards and standing in front of it. There’s about 60 marchers tonight. pic.twitter.com/o9BY2LeNc3 — Josh Fiallo (@ByJoshFiallo) September 23, 2020
4. Kentucky Democrat Arrested for Rioting After Group Smashes Library Windows | Daily Mail
Attica Scott, a Democratic state representative in Kentucky, was arrested along with her daughter for unlawful assembly and first degree rioting after a group of protesters wrecked a public library in Louisville. Scott and the others were arrested in the parking lot of a unitarian church nearby, and Scott has since been released from jail.
Someone broke the library door glass and threw a flare inside. #Louisville pic.twitter.com/jJN1zWqcOW — Rae Hodge (@RaeHodge) September 25, 2020
3. Vandalism and Anti-Police Violence Rock Former Home of ‘CHOP’
It may not have an "autonomous zone" anymore, but Seattle is dealing with waves of increased violence that are pervasive enough that the Department of Justice censured it for "permitting anarchy," as videos from the scene suggest. In one, protesters surveyed a smashed Starbucks, and a black woman confronted them and said, "Who the f— are you doing this for?"
https://twitter.com/KatieDaviscourt/status/1308980492893655041?s=20
2. Prius Driver Survives Harrowing Chase Through L.A. Streets | KCAL-TV
Chopper video from Los Angeles captured a driver desperately trying to escape a mob of protesters who tried to prevent him from driving on the road and then chased after him when he got clear of them. LAPD says the incident is under investigation.
MOMENTS AGO: Prius drives through a protest in Hollywood, protestors then chase the vehicle down, smash the windows with a skateboard while attempting to pull the driver out of the car. The driver then speeds away and is pulled over by LAPD and handcuffed. @NBCLA @elianamoreno pic.twitter.com/OZuU1r8QoG — Kenny Holmes (@KHOLMESlive) September 25, 2020
1. Louisville Police Officers Shot During Black Lives Matter Protest
As anti-police violence and rhetoric continues, two Louisville officers were shot responding to reports of gunfire during large-scale protests against the lack of charges in the case of Breonna Taylor's death. Both officers survived, and suspect Larynzo Johnson is charged with 2 counts of first-degree assault of a police officer and 14 counts of wanton endangerment. He pleaded not guilty.


freebeacon--2020-09-27--Study: Biden’s Foreign Policy Circle Has History of Failed Predictions

Several of the foreign-policy hands most likely to join a Biden administration have been `` consistently wrong '' in their prognostications about the Trump administration ’ s global diplomacy , including their predictions that Trump 's hardline policies would ignite war in the Middle East and make Israel less safe , a new report says .
The Democratic Alliance Initiative , a new conservative foreign-policy group , recently issued an investigation into leading liberal voices who are likely to play a central role in a Biden administration .
It details how these so-called experts have consistently predicted catastrophe and conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump ’ s foreign-policy decisions , particularly toward Iran and its allies .
Many of Biden 's top advisers , including prominent names who served with him during the Obama administration , predicted that Trump ’ s efforts would isolate the United States and incite a military conflict .
In reality , these policies have constrained Iran ’ s atomic weapons program , bolstered Israel ’ s security , and brought the Middle East closer to peace than ever before , the study says .
If Biden wins the 2020 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back most of Trump 's signature foreign-policy achievements .
This would include rejoining the landmark nuclear deal and altering policies meant to bolster Israel 's border security against an encroaching Iranian threat .
Former top Obama officials Samantha Power and Susan Rice , for instance , both foresaw bloodshed and even warfare after Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian terrorist leader Qassem Soleimani in January .
Power , the former United Nations ambassador , predicted things would get `` very ugly very quickly , '' while Rice , the former national security adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was `` hard to envision how this ends short of war . ''
Power is a secretary of state contender should Biden win the presidency , and Rice was on the shortlist to be his 2020 running mate .
These predictions did not materialize , and Iran backed down when faced with the threat of a full-scale war with the United States .
Other foreign-policy minds likely to be considered for a Biden National Security Council or State Department have also been wrong in their doomsday predictions about Trump 's Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's former national security adviser and point person on Iran issues , declared Trump had started a `` war '' with Iran after Soleimani 's killing .
He also repeatedly bemoaned Trump exiting the Iran nuclear deal and said war would eventually ensue .
He argued the decision , along with moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem , would ultimately help Iran , but Israel 's hand has strengthened in the region since 2017 .
Gulf Arab countries Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates increasingly view Iran as a common threat and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin Indyk , another veteran of Democratic administrations who tried unsuccessfully for decades to negotiate Middle East peace , claimed the Soleimani killing would push Iranians to `` unite in hostility towards the United States . ''
But Iran ’ s democratic protest movement has only grown in strength since the terrorist leader was killed , and continues to threaten the hardline regime ’ s grip on power .
Indyk , who has moved between Democratic administration roles and perches at prominent Washington think tanks , also claimed in January of this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Iraqi government to expel U.S. forces from the region .
These `` logical consequences '' of Trump ’ s actions , as Indyk put it on Twitter , failed to materialize .
Indyk made similar predictions about relocating America ’ s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem .
This move `` would likely spark an explosion of anger in the Palestinian , Arab , and Muslim worlds , and generate a rallying cry for Islamic extremists everywhere , '' Indyk wrote in a December 2016 report for the liberal Brookings Institution think tank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Muslim countries would likely be targeted by violent demonstrators , '' he said at the time in another example of what the study identifies as multiple failed predictions .
Ilan Goldenberg , another Biden ally who served as chief of staff to the special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations from 2013 to 2014 , argued that Trump ’ s withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran would result in `` a weak sanctions regime . ''
American sanctions , he wrote in a 2018 article , `` will be a fraction of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years after Goldenberg authored this piece , sanctions on Iran remain the toughest in history .
The Trump administration this month forced the United Nations to reimpose all international sanctions on Iran that were lifted as part of the nuclear agreement , a move likely to block Tehran ’ s access to cash .

Several of the foreign-policy hands most likely to join a Biden administration have been "consistently wrong" in their prognostications about the Trump administration’s global diplomacy, including their predictions that Trump's hardline policies would ignite war in the Middle East and make Israel less safe, a new report says.
The Democratic Alliance Initiative, a new conservative foreign-policy group, recently issued an investigation into leading liberal voices who are likely to play a central role in a Biden administration. It details how these so-called experts have consistently predicted catastrophe and conflict across the globe as a result of President Donald Trump’s foreign-policy decisions, particularly toward Iran and its allies.
Many of Biden's top advisers, including prominent names who served with him during the Obama administration, predicted that Trump’s efforts would isolate the United States and incite a military conflict. In reality, these policies have constrained Iran’s atomic weapons program, bolstered Israel’s security, and brought the Middle East closer to peace than ever before, the study says. If Biden wins the 2020 election, his administration is poised to roll back most of Trump's signature foreign-policy achievements. This would include rejoining the landmark nuclear deal and altering policies meant to bolster Israel's border security against an encroaching Iranian threat.
Former top Obama officials Samantha Power and Susan Rice, for instance, both foresaw bloodshed and even warfare after Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian terrorist leader Qassem Soleimani in January. Power, the former United Nations ambassador, predicted things would get "very ugly very quickly," while Rice, the former national security adviser, wrote in the New York Times that it was "hard to envision how this ends short of war." Power is a secretary of state contender should Biden win the presidency, and Rice was on the shortlist to be his 2020 running mate.
These predictions did not materialize, and Iran backed down when faced with the threat of a full-scale war with the United States.
Other foreign-policy minds likely to be considered for a Biden National Security Council or State Department have also been wrong in their doomsday predictions about Trump's Middle East policy.
Colin Kahl, Biden's former national security adviser and point person on Iran issues, declared Trump had started a "war" with Iran after Soleimani's killing. He also repeatedly bemoaned Trump exiting the Iran nuclear deal and said war would eventually ensue. He argued the decision, along with moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, would ultimately help Iran, but Israel's hand has strengthened in the region since 2017. Gulf Arab countries Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates increasingly view Iran as a common threat and have officially forged diplomatic ties with Israel.
Martin Indyk, another veteran of Democratic administrations who tried unsuccessfully for decades to negotiate Middle East peace, claimed the Soleimani killing would push Iranians to "unite in hostility towards the United States." But Iran’s democratic protest movement has only grown in strength since the terrorist leader was killed, and continues to threaten the hardline regime’s grip on power.
Indyk, who has moved between Democratic administration roles and perches at prominent Washington think tanks, also claimed in January of this year that Soleimani’s death would prompt the Iraqi government to expel U.S. forces from the region. These "logical consequences" of Trump’s actions, as Indyk put it on Twitter, failed to materialize.
Indyk made similar predictions about relocating America’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. This move "would likely spark an explosion of anger in the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim worlds, and generate a rallying cry for Islamic extremists everywhere," Indyk wrote in a December 2016 report for the liberal Brookings Institution think tank. "American embassies and American citizens in Muslim countries would likely be targeted by violent demonstrators," he said at the time in another example of what the study identifies as multiple failed predictions.
Ilan Goldenberg, another Biden ally who served as chief of staff to the special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations from 2013 to 2014, argued that Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran would result in "a weak sanctions regime." American sanctions, he wrote in a 2018 article, "will be a fraction of what it was in 2012."
Two years after Goldenberg authored this piece, sanctions on Iran remain the toughest in history. The Trump administration this month forced the United Nations to reimpose all international sanctions on Iran that were lifted as part of the nuclear agreement, a move likely to block Tehran’s access to cash.


freebeacon--2020-09-27--Biden Again Won’t Say Whether He Supports Court Packing

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden again would not give a committal answer Sunday on whether he supported packing the Supreme Court .
`` I know you 're going to be upset with my answer , '' he said .
`` But what I 'm not going to do is play the Trump game—which is a good game he plays—take your eye off the issue before us .
If I were to say yes or no to that , that becomes a big issue . ''
Some Senate Democrats have called for expanding the Supreme Court 's size if they take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filling Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's seat .
Biden said he opposed the idea while running for the 2020 nomination and earlier in his career called it a `` bonehead idea . ''
His rhetoric has shifted since Ginsburg 's death on Sept. 18 , however , as he also said Monday he would not give his opinion because it would shift the `` focus '' from Trump .
Many of the 2020 Democrats running for Senate seats oppose court packing or have not committed to an opinion on the subject .
The Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden again would not give a committal answer Sunday on whether he supported packing the Supreme Court.
"I know you're going to be upset with my answer," he said. "But what I'm not going to do is play the Trump game—which is a good game he plays—take your eye off the issue before us. If I were to say yes or no to that, that becomes a big issue."
Some Senate Democrats have called for expanding the Supreme Court's size if they take power next year as retaliation for Republicans filling Ruth Bader Ginsburg's seat. Biden said he opposed the idea while running for the 2020 nomination and earlier in his career called it a "bonehead idea."
His rhetoric has shifted since Ginsburg's death on Sept. 18, however, as he also said Monday he would not give his opinion because it would shift the "focus" from Trump.
Many of the 2020 Democrats running for Senate seats oppose court packing or have not committed to an opinion on the subject. The Supreme Court has had nine justices since 1869.


freebeacon--2020-09-27--BEASTMODE: Kennedy Tells Democrats Not to Get Into ‘Foothills of Kinky’ in Supreme Court Process

Sen. John Kennedy ( R. , La . )
asked Democrats on Sunday to show more respect for Judge Amy @ @ @ @ @ nomination process than they did for Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 , when some leveled outrageous @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We do n't need another freakshow , '' Kennedy said .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ into the foothills of kinky and bring back Michael Avenatti and all that other stuff @ @ @ @ @ disgraced attorney and former cable news darling , represented a woman who accused Kavanaugh of @ @ @ @ @ parties as a teenager .

Sen. John Kennedy (R., La.) asked Democrats on Sunday to show more respect for Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court nomination process than they did for Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, when some leveled outrageous gang rape accusations against him.
"We don't need another freakshow," Kennedy said. "I hope they won't get into the foothills of kinky and bring back Michael Avenatti and all that other stuff."
Avenatti, the disgraced attorney and former cable news darling, represented a woman who accused Kavanaugh of repeatedly participating in gang rape parties as a teenager.


freebeacon--2020-09-28--For Mark Kelly, Attending Forum Hosted by CCP Was the Beginning of Lucrative Relationship with China

The Chinese government invited then-astronaut Mark Kelly , now an Arizona Democratic Senate candidate , to an all-expenses-paid retreat at a countryside resort in 2003 .
He left China five days later not only with a future spouse , former Rep. Gabby Giffords ( D. , Ariz. ) , but also with lucrative regime business contacts .
Kelly attended the annual Young Leaders Forum , a five-day junket cohosted by the Chinese People 's Institute of Foreign Affairs , which is `` under the leadership of the Communist Party of China . ''
The conference allowed Kelly an opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising stars in Chinese society .
Attendees included Cui Tiankai , now Chinese ambassador to the United States ; Fang Xinghai , former director of the CCP 's top committee on the economy ; and Zhou Mingwei , the party 's former top foreign propaganda honcho .
China analyst Gordon G. Chang said that party connections—such as those Kelly fostered—are `` absolutely essential '' for securing Chinese business deals .
`` The Communist Party tries to control everything , whether it 's a state enterprise or a private company , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important to have Communist Party contacts [ to do business ] . ''
Kelly has also had extensive ties with China since becoming a civilian .
World View Enterprise , an aerospace company he cofounded and in which he still holds investments , received funding from Chinese tech giant Tencent , which censors the internet for Beijing .
As the Washington Free Beacon reported , he also held a financial stake in a Colorado company that courted investments from a Chinese state-funded tech enterprise .
He now has assets worth up to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosure .
Kelly and Giffords told multiple media outlets that they met during the Young Leaders Forum , without mentioning the Chinese People 's Institute of Foreign Affairs .
The retreat took place in a luxury hotel in the scenic Chinese countryside , where attendees went on pleasure cruise rides in between their panel discussions .
Kelly gave a one-hour speech about his space experience , while Giffords participated in a panel discussion with Chinese politicos .
Kelly would participate in the 2004 and 2005 conferences as well .
He called the experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my life , second only to flying in space , '' and even took a Forum banner into space in 2006 .
Kelly 's campaign has been trying to deflect concerns about the candidate 's business ties by emphasizing his military service and calling China a `` threat to American interests . ''
Nevertheless , they have remained contentious in the race , with Republicans spending millions on ads accusing him of dependence on China .
He holds a 5.5 point lead against Republican incumbent Martha McSally , according to RealClearPolitics .

The Chinese government invited then-astronaut Mark Kelly, now an Arizona Democratic Senate candidate, to an all-expenses-paid retreat at a countryside resort in 2003. He left China five days later not only with a future spouse, former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D., Ariz.), but also with lucrative regime business contacts.
Kelly attended the annual Young Leaders Forum, a five-day junket cohosted by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, which is "under the leadership of the Communist Party of China." The conference allowed Kelly an opportunity to mingle with high-profile Communist Party officials and rising stars in Chinese society. Attendees included Cui Tiankai, now Chinese ambassador to the United States; Fang Xinghai, former director of the CCP's top committee on the economy; and Zhou Mingwei, the party's former top foreign propaganda honcho.
China analyst Gordon G. Chang said that party connections—such as those Kelly fostered—are "absolutely essential" for securing Chinese business deals.
"The Communist Party tries to control everything, whether it's a state enterprise or a private company," he said. "And so it's extremely important to have Communist Party contacts [to do business]."
Kelly has also had extensive ties with China since becoming a civilian. World View Enterprise, an aerospace company he cofounded and in which he still holds investments, received funding from Chinese tech giant Tencent, which censors the internet for Beijing. As the Washington Free Beacon reported, he also held a financial stake in a Colorado company that courted investments from a Chinese state-funded tech enterprise.
He now has assets worth up to $27 million, according to his financial disclosure.
A Kelly campaign spokesman said that the former aviator's participation was "coordinated by NASA," but did not answer questions about whether the Democrat used any of the contacts he met on the YLF trip for his business ventures. Instead, the campaign said that prominent Republicans also participated in the campaign.
Kelly and Giffords told multiple media outlets that they met during the Young Leaders Forum, without mentioning the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs. The retreat took place in a luxury hotel in the scenic Chinese countryside, where attendees went on pleasure cruise rides in between their panel discussions. Kelly gave a one-hour speech about his space experience, while Giffords participated in a panel discussion with Chinese politicos.
Kelly would participate in the 2004 and 2005 conferences as well. He called the experience "one of the absolute highlights of my life, second only to flying in space," and even took a Forum banner into space in 2006.
Kelly's campaign has been trying to deflect concerns about the candidate's business ties by emphasizing his military service and calling China a "threat to American interests." Nevertheless, they have remained contentious in the race, with Republicans spending millions on ads accusing him of dependence on China. He holds a 5.5 point lead against Republican incumbent Martha McSally, according to RealClearPolitics.


freebeacon--2020-09-28--Gun-Control Group Dodges Guns in Swing State Attack Ads

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund ignores guns to press health care in key states The nation 's largest gun-control group dodged guns entirely in a new swing state ad campaign that abandons the group 's core issue to focus on health care .
Documents obtained by the Washington Free Beacon show Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund , supported in large part by donations from billionaire Michael Bloomberg , is funding ads that assail Republicans on health care rather than gun control .
The ads target state-level politicians in Pennsylvania , Iowa , North Carolina , Arizona , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which are posted to the back end of the group 's website , have nearly identical wording .
In an ad against state representative Andrew Lewis ( R. ) , the group accused him of helping to `` take health care away from Pennsylvanians '' but makes no mention of guns .
Everytown has largely avoided Second Amendment issues when trying to woo voters in swing states .
The group minimized gun control in attack ads aimed at Republican senators running for reelection in Iowa and North Carolina earlier this month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ like health care and energy production are more persuasive to swing-state voters—many of whom may have recently become gun owners—according to J .
Miles Coleman , associate editor of Sabato 's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia 's Center for Politics .
`` It looks like they 've made the calculation that emphasizing health care , as opposed to gun control , is a better way to get Democrats elected to those seats , '' Coleman told the Free Beacon .
Everytown did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just looks like they see health care as a more effective issue for the moment , '' Coleman said .
`` If Everytown can help replace Republicans with Democrats , it 's likely those new Democrats will vote with the rest of their caucus to support its legislative priorities . ''
The National Rifle Association , which has only run gun-related ads thus far in the 2020 election , slammed Everytown 's health care ads as misleading .
`` This Bloomberg-funded organization knows Americans do n't want gun control and are less likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impose it , '' Amy Hunter , an NRA spokeswoman , told the Free Beacon .
`` That is why they have to engage in tactics like this—and also bribe felons to vote—to get their gun-control candidates elected .
They hope these tactics will fool swing state voters but we hope voters will see right through their deception . ''

The nation's largest gun-control group dodged guns entirely in a new swing state ad campaign that abandons the group's core issue to focus on health care.
Documents obtained by the Washington Free Beacon show Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, supported in large part by donations from billionaire Michael Bloomberg, is funding ads that assail Republicans on health care rather than gun control. The ads target state-level politicians in Pennsylvania, Iowa, North Carolina, Arizona, and Minnesota. The postcard-style ads, copies of which are posted to the back end of the group's website, have nearly identical wording.
In an ad against state representative Andrew Lewis (R.), the group accused him of helping to "take health care away from Pennsylvanians" but makes no mention of guns.
Everytown has largely avoided Second Amendment issues when trying to woo voters in swing states. The group minimized gun control in attack ads aimed at Republican senators running for reelection in Iowa and North Carolina earlier this month. The decision indicates Everytown has determined issues like health care and energy production are more persuasive to swing-state voters—many of whom may have recently become gun owners—according to J. Miles Coleman, associate editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.
"It looks like they've made the calculation that emphasizing health care, as opposed to gun control, is a better way to get Democrats elected to those seats," Coleman told the Free Beacon.
Everytown did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the ads.
"To me, it just looks like they see health care as a more effective issue for the moment," Coleman said. "If Everytown can help replace Republicans with Democrats, it's likely those new Democrats will vote with the rest of their caucus to support its legislative priorities."
The National Rifle Association, which has only run gun-related ads thus far in the 2020 election, slammed Everytown's health care ads as misleading.
"This Bloomberg-funded organization knows Americans don't want gun control and are less likely to vote for candidates who promise to impose it," Amy Hunter, an NRA spokeswoman, told the Free Beacon. "That is why they have to engage in tactics like this—and also bribe felons to vote—to get their gun-control candidates elected. They hope these tactics will fool swing state voters but we hope voters will see right through their deception."


freebeacon--2020-09-28--Civilian Voters Across Queens Receive Military Mail-In Ballots

Residents across Queens reported receiving military-use mail in ballots for the 2020 presidential election despite not having served in the military , the New York Post reported Monday .
New York City councilman Jimmy Van Bramer ( D. ) told the Post he ’ s already received around a dozen phone calls about the incident .
`` It appears that everyone has gotten this particular ballot , '' resulting in `` mass confusion , '' Bramer said .
`` People were already not trusting this process and they were already not trusting the Board of Elections to count the ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud concerns in a year when millions of voters will cast their ballots by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic .
CNN reported Friday that voters have already requested 28 million mail-in ballots and that 43 million voters will likely receive the ballots automatically .
While many mainstream media outlets have deemed mail-in voter fraud a hoax propagated by President Trump , this election season has already seen fraudulent voting practices and other errors .
In one Brooklyn primary , the Board of Elections found one in four ballots to be invalid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a case in which an election worker improperly threw out nine military ballots .
And Georgia state officials are investigating a case in which 1,000 voters allegedly voted twice .

Residents across Queens reported receiving military-use mail in ballots for the 2020 presidential election despite not having served in the military, the New York Post reported Monday.
New York City councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D.) told the Post he’s already received around a dozen phone calls about the incident.
"It appears that everyone has gotten this particular ballot," resulting in "mass confusion," Bramer said. "People were already not trusting this process and they were already not trusting the Board of Elections to count the ballot right."
The incident only heightens voter fraud concerns in a year when millions of voters will cast their ballots by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic. CNN reported Friday that voters have already requested 28 million mail-in ballots and that 43 million voters will likely receive the ballots automatically.
While many mainstream media outlets have deemed mail-in voter fraud a hoax propagated by President Trump, this election season has already seen fraudulent voting practices and other errors.
In one Brooklyn primary, the Board of Elections found one in four ballots to be invalid. A Pennsylvania district attorney is reviewing a case in which an election worker improperly threw out nine military ballots. And Georgia state officials are investigating a case in which 1,000 voters allegedly voted twice.


freebeacon--2020-09-28--NYC Principals’ Union Votes ‘No Confidence’ in de Blasio’s School Reopening Plan

New York City 's principals ' union on Sunday declared a vote of no confidence in Mayor Bill de Blasio for his plan to reopen schools and demanded the mayor turn over control of the city 's schools to the state education department .
The Council of School Supervisors and Administrators , which represents principals in the nation 's largest school district , reached the vote after de Blasio flip-flopped on reopening policies and reportedly failed to ensure schools are taking proper health and safety precautions , like stocking personal protective equipment .
The mayor has twice delayed reopening schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City 's Department of Education suddenly changed course on staffing procedures and decided to allow some teachers to work from home .
The principals ' union told CBS2 New York that it was not made aware of the sudden change and said the school district still needs 1,200 more teachers before reopening .
De Blasio promoted his plan to reopen schools on the basis of New York City 's dwindling case rate—though the city 's 23,800 coronavirus deaths are more than the deaths in any other state .
One teacher told CBS2 New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not heeded teachers ' concerns about reopening , like the lack of PPE , inadequate COVID testing , and improper ventilation .
`` I 'm really pretty angry at this point that none of our concerns have really landed with the mayor , '' Nate Floro said .
`` The last thing we need is less Democratic support .
I have absolutely no confidence in the mayor , of course , but I think what we need to do right now is empower schools and teachers to be able to do what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools are set to open on Tuesday , with middle and high schools following on Thursday .
Ninety-thousand preschool and special needs students already returned to classrooms last week .

New York City's principals' union on Sunday declared a vote of no confidence in Mayor Bill de Blasio for his plan to reopen schools and demanded the mayor turn over control of the city's schools to the state education department.
The Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, which represents principals in the nation's largest school district, reached the vote after de Blasio flip-flopped on reopening policies and reportedly failed to ensure schools are taking proper health and safety precautions, like stocking personal protective equipment.
The mayor has twice delayed reopening schools, and on Friday, New York City's Department of Education suddenly changed course on staffing procedures and decided to allow some teachers to work from home. The principals' union told CBS2 New York that it was not made aware of the sudden change and said the school district still needs 1,200 more teachers before reopening.
De Blasio promoted his plan to reopen schools on the basis of New York City's dwindling case rate—though the city's 23,800 coronavirus deaths are more than the deaths in any other state.
One teacher told CBS2 New York that he believes the mayor has not heeded teachers' concerns about reopening, like the lack of PPE, inadequate COVID testing, and improper ventilation.
"I'm really pretty angry at this point that none of our concerns have really landed with the mayor," Nate Floro said. "The last thing we need is less Democratic support. I have absolutely no confidence in the mayor, of course, but I think what we need to do right now is empower schools and teachers to be able to do what we know how to do."
Elementary schools are set to open on Tuesday, with middle and high schools following on Thursday. Ninety-thousand preschool and special needs students already returned to classrooms last week.


freebeacon--2020-09-28--UAE Says Iranian Aggression Prompted Peace Deal With Israel

A top official for the UAE said his country sought peace with Israel due to the growing threat posed by Iran , the Associated Press reported Friday .
Anwar Gargash , the UAE ’ s minister of state for foreign affairs , told reporters that Iran ’ s aggression caused Abu Dhabi to reevaluate its relationship with Israel `` with fresh eyes . ''
In the wake of the historic accords between the Israelis and Emiratis , Gargash offered a highly positive appraisal of the agreement .
The Emiratis are waiting to hear from Jerusalem on a series of economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the weeks following the first steps of normalization .
Even further , talk has emerged of the UAE possibly purchasing its own series of American-made fighter jets to counter Tehran .
Such developments , Gargash said , occurred with little pushback from fellow Gulf states .
`` I would like to say we haven ’ t lost a single friend , '' Gargash said .
Even Palestinian leaders—who have vehemently opposed the peace deal—have tempered their reactions toward the Emiratis .
`` The Palestinians right now are angry , but I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medium term , '' Gargash predicted .
Some Gulf countries have pulled their support from the strongest condemnations of peace led by Palestinians .
According to the minister , the burgeoning strength of Iran was critical to these region-shaping developments .
Obama-era policies , such as the Iran deal , were integral to Iran ’ s growth as a military power .
`` The United States was going to ignore that which is easy to detect—the design and testing of missiles—and focus on what is impossible to detect unless you get really lucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation for Defense of Democracies senior fellow Reuel Marc Gerecht explained in a 2018 Atlantic article .
Gerecht ’ s assertion was corroborated by remarks last week from Elliott Abrams , the U.S. special envoy to Iran .
Abrams noted that because of the Iran deal , Iran ’ s nuclear program is closer than ever to achieving its goals .
Trump administration actions , however—such as the `` snapback '' sanctions triggered this month—are intended to provide a robust slowdown of Iran ’ s march toward acquiring nuclear weaponry .
Under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top staffers were key in pushing the suite of policies that rendered Iran a formidable regional threat .
Well into this year , the Democratic presidential nominee has asked for moderation and easing punishment for Iranian aggression .

A top official for the UAE said his country sought peace with Israel due to the growing threat posed by Iran, the Associated Press reported Friday.
Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s minister of state for foreign affairs, told reporters that Iran’s aggression caused Abu Dhabi to reevaluate its relationship with Israel "with fresh eyes."
In the wake of the historic accords between the Israelis and Emiratis, Gargash offered a highly positive appraisal of the agreement. The Emiratis are waiting to hear from Jerusalem on a series of economic, travel, and investment-related agreements drafted in the weeks following the first steps of normalization.
Even further, talk has emerged of the UAE possibly purchasing its own series of American-made fighter jets to counter Tehran.
Such developments, Gargash said, occurred with little pushback from fellow Gulf states.
"I would like to say we haven’t lost a single friend," Gargash said.
Even Palestinian leaders—who have vehemently opposed the peace deal—have tempered their reactions toward the Emiratis.
"The Palestinians right now are angry, but I think they will see the benefit in the medium term," Gargash predicted. Some Gulf countries have pulled their support from the strongest condemnations of peace led by Palestinians.
According to the minister, the burgeoning strength of Iran was critical to these region-shaping developments. Obama-era policies, such as the Iran deal, were integral to Iran’s growth as a military power.
"The United States was going to ignore that which is easy to detect—the design and testing of missiles—and focus on what is impossible to detect unless you get really lucky ... the development of warheads," Foundation for Defense of Democracies senior fellow Reuel Marc Gerecht explained in a 2018 Atlantic article.
Gerecht’s assertion was corroborated by remarks last week from Elliott Abrams, the U.S. special envoy to Iran. Abrams noted that because of the Iran deal, Iran’s nuclear program is closer than ever to achieving its goals. Trump administration actions, however—such as the "snapback" sanctions triggered this month—are intended to provide a robust slowdown of Iran’s march toward acquiring nuclear weaponry.
Under the Obama administration, Joe Biden and his top staffers were key in pushing the suite of policies that rendered Iran a formidable regional threat. Well into this year, the Democratic presidential nominee has asked for moderation and easing punishment for Iranian aggression.