Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- January 10, 2017

(L-R) FBI Director James Comey, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper, CIA Director John Brennan and NSA Director Admiral Michael Rogers testify before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on “Russia’s intelligence activities' on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

George Friedman, Geopolitical Futures: The CIA, Russia and the American Election

The CIA’s report on the Russian attempt to influence the American presidential election has been issued. The report asserts that the Russians stole emails belonging to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and John Podesta to embarrass Hillary Clinton and cause her defeat. In addition, it says that the Russians engaged in propaganda and disinformation and had access to several state and local electoral boards, but did not tamper with the votes. Also according to the report, the Russians favored Donald Trump for president.

The report may or may not create a controversy, but if it does, it has the potential to cause significant turbulence in the American system. It is useful to look at it from that perspective, as it reveals some of the deeper vulnerabilities of the American political system at this moment.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- January 10, 2017

Donald Trump versus the spies: Is there friction ahead? -- Shashank Joshi, CNN

When Trump and Putin sit down together, what will it be like? -- Andrew Roth, Washington Post

If Trump wants waterboarding, this could be why -- Anna Mulrine Grobe, CSM

How Mexico Is Bracing Itself for Donald Trump’s Presidency -- Ioan Grillo, Time

Barack Obama's record is a legacy under threat -- Michael Knigge, DW

Farewell to the Chief: Our Columnists Assess Obama's Presidency -- Bloomberg

One final Iran blunder by Obama -- Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post

Iran after Rafsanjani: What the passing of a 'pillar of pragmatism' means -- Scott Peterson, CSM

In Iran, Part of the Revolution Passes On -- Stratfor

Russia isn't the bad guy you've been led to believe it is -- Tom Switzer, Sydney Morning Herald

Contrarian Thoughts on Russia and the Presidential Election -- Jack Goldsmith, Lawfare

North Korea Missile Threat Seen as Test of Incoming Trump Team -- Brian Padden, VOA

Six months after the EU referendum, the government in Britain still has no plan for leaving the bloc. What does Brexit really mean? -- Christoph Scheuermann, Spiegel Online

Mexico protests: how gas prices lit the flame under a quietly smoldering rage -- David Agren, The Guardian

5 Ways 2017 Could Be As Historic as 2016 -- Daniel R. DePetris, National Interest

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