Ukraine Requests Western Tanks, Chinese spies found in Taiwan, Prince Harry's Controversial Book, Why are the US Republicans in turmoil?
Ukraine Requests Western Tanks
As we head into 2023, the war in Ukraine shows no sign of slowing down. Already, we've seen one of the most catastrophic days for Russia in the war so far, with scores of troops being killed by a Ukrainian missile on New Year's Day. Today, President Zelensky has asked his European partners to provide his nation with heavy tanks in an attempt to boost Ukrainian firepower. So far, Western nations have not agreed to send such tanks but have instead agreed to send armored vehicles and lighter tanks. France, for example, has agreed to send Ukraine French-made AMX 10RC armored combat vehicles. This is the first time that Western-made combat vehicles have been supplied to Ukraine. However, after this announcement, US President Joe Biden said he is considering sending fighting vehicles to Ukraine, although nothing has yet been agreed.
Chinese spies found in Taiwan
We look to Taiwan now, where three active-duty military officers and a retired Air Force officer have been detained on suspicion of spying for China, according to the Central News Agency. The news report alleges that the retired officer left the military in 2013 and then started doing business in China, where he was recruited to build an espionage ring. Prosecutors reportedly suspect that the individual recruited six officers and was paid via a shell company somewhere between 200,000 and 700,000 TWD, the upper end of which would be equivalent to about 22,800 USD. Chinese espionage is a major concern in Taiwan, which is self-governed but considered by Beijing to be an inalienable part of China. Towards the end of last year, Taiwan's Defense Ministry said "spying by China was a serious threat to the island."
Why are the US Republicans in turmoil?
Six votes in two days, and there is still no speaker despite Republicans winning control of the US House of Representatives in November. The party is in total turmoil as a group of hard-line rebels have inflicted six defeats on Kevin McCarthy, the House's top Republican, who is in an increasingly desperate bid to become speaker. The latest ballot, the sixth, was held on Wednesday and ended with 201 votes for McCarthy. There were 20 conservative Republican rebels voting for Brian Donalds and one Republican voting present, meaning McCarthy was well below the 217 votes required. On each of the six ballots, all 212 Democrats voted for their candidate, Hakeem Jeffries. In a sign of just how stuck the situation has become, former President Donald Trump endorsed McCarthy ahead of the fourth round of voting, but this had no effect as McCarthy went on to lose the next three rounds as the once-Trump-loving rebels ignored his endorsement. The House cannot do anything, including swearing in its members, until its Alexa speaker is chosen, so they must vote in successive ballots until one is chosen.
So how could this political standoff actually end? Here are the three possible outcomes: The first is that Kevin McCarthy wins a vote and becomes House Speaker. This could happen on the next vote, the seventh, or it could happen on the one after that, or the one after that, and so on. If he does eventually win, then it will be because he wins over a portion of the 20 or so holdouts by making even more concessions. But while that may secure him the speaker's chair, it would likely weaken his hold on power because it would demonstrate that this kind of political hardball played by the rebels does actually work. Striking a deal would also be difficult, as spoiled rebels are all on the far right of the party. They don't all speak with one voice. Some simply don't like Kevin McCarthy. Some want specific rule changes. Some want commitments that McCarthy would be willing to shut down the government rather than raising the debt ceiling. The second option is that McCarthy agrees to stand aside in favor of another Republican. McCarthy has so far given no indication that this is something he plans on doing. However, if some of the roughly 200 Republican representatives that have consistently voted for McCarthy get sick of the seemingly endless ballots, then they may choose to break ranks and support an alternative to McCarthy.
If enough people make that decision, then it could force McCarthy to step back and allow Republicans to rally around a candidate that's more palatable to the entire House caucus, something like the party's second-in-command in the House, Steve Scalise. The third option is that moderate Republicans work with the Democrats to elect a compromise candidate as speaker. Now, this is very unlikely, as any Republican compromise candidate would increasingly draw the rage of conservative Republicans for relying on Democratic support. Plus, whether or not it would be a wise move by Democrats is another question entirely. So Republicans are scrambling to end the impasse, and we don't know how long it will take. What we do know, though, is that however long it does go on and whoever becomes speaker, the whole saga can be nothing but damaging for the Republican Party.
Prince Harry's Controversial Book
In a week's time, Prince Harry is set to publish his highly anticipated book, Spare. Following years of turmoil and division within the royal family, the book is expected to be highly inflammatory and highlight the rift between King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry. Today, I got a taste of this book as some key sections have been leaked to the press. The Guardian has reported on one particular story in which William and Harry have a physical confrontation at Harry's old house. Harry has claimed that William called Meghan difficult, rude, and abrasive, something Harry claimed was a parroting of the mainstream media narrative. The confrontation escalated, with William eventually grabbing Harry's collar, causing his necklace to be ripped, and pushing Harry to the floor. Harry fell on his dog's water bowl, which smashed and allegedly cut him. Harry claims that William did come back to try and apologize for the incident. It's quite possible that further explosive stories will be published in the book next week.
Sources:
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/04/politics/mccarthy-gop-speaker-hardliners-what-matters
https://www.axios.com/2023/01/04/house-speaker-vote-kevin-mccarthy
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