2/19/24: Ukraine Retreats From Stronghold, Russia Claims Navalny Sudden Death Syndrome, Fani Willis Humiliated On Witness Stand, CIA Cooked Russiagate Intel, Elon Attacks Matt Taibbi, Israel Splits Gaza Ahead Of Rafah Invasion, Lula Compares Bibi To Hitler, Tlaib Says No Biden Vote In Primary
Topics discussed include Ukraine retreating from a stronghold, Russia's claims about Navalny's death, prosecutor humiliation, CIA's Russiagate intel, Elon vs. Taibbi feud, Israel splitting Gaza, Lula comparing Bibi to Hitler, and Tlaib's Biden stance in Michigan primary.
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Quick takeaways
CIA manipulated Russiagate intel to frame Russia for election interference.
Fani Willis faces scandal for untraceable cash payments and lavish vacations.
Elon Musk accuses Substack of data theft, leading to content search ban.
Navalny's evolving political stance from far-right to leftist poses challenge to Putin's rule.
Deep dives
The Trump-Russia scandal was based on false claims
According to a new report by Matt Taibbi, the Trump-Russia scandal was based on a lie. The intelligence community assessment published in 2017 wrongly claimed that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help Trump and harm Clinton. The report was influential and shaped public opinion, but it was dead wrong.
Georgia prosecutor faces hot water over alleged corruption
Fanny Willis, a prosecutor in Georgia, is facing scrutiny after it was revealed she had an affair with the top prosecutor she hired in the Trump case. She is accused of not reimbursing him for lavish vacations paid for with state funds, as required by law. During a hearing, she struggled to provide proof of reimbursement, claiming she paid in untraceable cash amounts. The situation could potentially lead to dismissal or other consequences.
New report suggests CIA cooked intelligence in Russiagate scandal
According to a report by Matt Taibbi, several sources claim that the CIA cooked the intelligence in the Russiagate scandal to falsely conclude that Russia preferred Trump in the 2016 presidential election. This false claim had a significant impact and shaped public opinion. The report suggests that the intelligence was selectively manipulated to fit a predetermined narrative.
Elon Musk accuses Matt Taibbi of wrongdoing
Matt Taibbi, a journalist, revealed text messages from Elon Musk claiming that Musk accused Substack of stealing a mass amount of data from his company, resulting in a search ban on Substack-related content. However, Taibbi maintained that he had nothing to do with Musk's beef with Substack and was being unfairly punished by the search ban.
Navalny's Political Evolution
Alexei Navalny's political career has undergone several transformations during his 15 years in public life. He started with far-right, xenophobic views but eventually moved towards the liberal center and even adopted some left-leaning policies. While his support base predominantly consists of liberal centrists, he also experimented with leftist populist initiatives such as raising the minimum wage and reviving unions. Navalny's ability to mobilize young people and engage in street politics made him a significant threat to Putin's regime, even though his overall support among the Russian population remains limited.
The Perception of Navalny in Russia
Perceptions of Navalny in Russia vary significantly due to ideological biases, as media coverage tends to be heavily influenced by both pro-Putin propaganda and liberal center media. Navalny projects his main goal of defeating Putin as the central theme of his political career. While he espoused some right-wing nationalist views early on, his populist strategies led him to adopt more liberal and even leftist policies. His support is strongest among a passionate, mainly young population residing in big cities, particularly Moscow. However, his overall base of support is not large enough to pose a significant threat in free elections.
The Importance of Navalny's Symbolic Resistance
Despite differing opinions on Navalny's politics, his existence as a political figure and symbol of resistance to the oligarchic regime in Russia is crucial. His political assassination was not only meant to eliminate him as an individual but also to erase him as a symbol. By refusing to play a part in erasing his symbolic importance, individuals can challenge the attempt to silence dissent and stand in solidarity against the regime's actions.
Navalny's Imprisonment and Putin's Fear
Despite being initially skeptical of Navalny, Putin considered him a significant threat due to his relentless focus on targeting and undermining Putin's rule. Navalny's ability to mobilize youth and engage in street-level politics posed a threat to Putin's regime, prompting Putin to take drastic measures such as imprisoning him. Navalny's constant search for ways to maximize his base of support, even experimenting with leftist populist policies, alarmed Putin, who viewed him as a direct enemy.
Ryan and Saagar discuss Ukraine retreating from a stronghold as Hillary copes, Russia claims sudden death syndrome for Navalny, Trump prosecutor humiliated on witness stand, CIA cooked Russiagate intel, Elon tells Taibbi 'you are dead to me', Israel splits Gaza in half ahead of Rafah invasion, Brazilian President Lula compares Bibi to Hitler, MSNBC freaks after Rashida Tlaib says don't vote Biden in Michigan primary.
