Politics

Dan Benjamin reviews the history of the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK) and its support from many American former officials and politicians:

Supporters of ‘White Lives Matter’ rallying in the Texas Capitol on Sunday were met by supporters of ‘Black Lives Matter’ near a monument honouring the contribution of African Americans to the state of Texas. Eight individuals were arrested during clashes as one side called for the “preservation of white people,” and the other for recognition that “refugees are welcome here.” White Lives Matter and Black Lives Matter American supporters each insisted that respective of colour, their lives do matter, with some White Lives Matter supporters openly carrying weapons to argue the point.

Paul Pillar isn’t impressed with Trump’s national security appointments so far. Here he comments on Flynn’s views:

Senator John McCain has promised to go head-to-head with President-elect Donald Trump if he follows through on campaign promises to reinstate the use of waterboarding and other methods of torture as interrogation techniques. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) which tries to remain neutral in politics has also raised serious concerns over some of Trump’s campaign promises and cabinet appointments.

A Kremlin spokesman said that Russia has every right to and will protect itself against NATO’s eastward expansion. Commenting on Russia’s deployment of ballistic missiles in the Kaliningrad Region, spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “Russia is doing all that is necessary to protect itself against the backdrop of NATO’s expansion toward its borders.