- Trump plans to upgrade US tanks as a part of his military build up. [Link]
- Ryan Zinke has been confirmed by the Senate to be Interior Secretary. The vote on Zinke confirmation was 68-31. [Link]
- A DHS report shows that the border wall has only about $20 million in funding allocated to it so far. The border wall is expected to cost over $20 billion. [Link]
- A founder of the environmentalist movement, Rachel Carson, pushed for regulations to outlaw DDT based on false science. The banning of DDT would eventually lead to millions of deaths worldwide. [Link]
- After a winter snowstorm, an Idaho man was issued a $200 ticket by police for placing or depositing material on a public right of way. The material placed in the public right of way was snow that the man was shoveling from his and his elderly neighbor’s sidewalk. When the story received media attention, it created public outrage and the man fought his fine in court. The charges against him were dismissed, but he will still have to pay a 75 dollar fine. [Link]
- Bitcoin has reached a new all-time high. Bitcoin is valued at over $1,230. [Link]
- Lockheed Martin was awarded a $427 million dollar contract to upgrade the Hellfire missile. Lockheed was also awarded a $1.06 billion contract for logistical support and mechanical upkeep of the F-35 Lighting II. [Link]
- The US has begun massive joint military exercises with South Korea. The government claims the purpose of the military drills is to prepare a defense if North Korea attacks. Tensions between the US and North Korea are already heightened after a North Korean ballistic missile test. These drills typically result in heightened tensions and threats of violence from the North Korea leader. [Link]
- Venezuela only has $10.5 billion remaining in reserves. The country owes $7.7 billion to its debtors in 2017. [Link]
- The leaders of Turkey and Iran met on Wednesday. The leaders of the two countries agreed to work to improve ties between the two countries. [Link]
- The Syrian army has entered Palmyra and could shortly be in control of the city. ISIS and the Syria government have traded control of Palmyra a few times since the Syria civil war started. [Link]
- Turkish forces and rebels allied to Turkey are attacking Syrian Kurdish forces outside of the city of Manbij. [Link]
- Russian and Syrian bombs land near US forces in Syria. The bombs hit US allied Syrian Democratic Forces. The Russian and Syrian planes had seen ISIS fighters in the area and believed they were bombing ISIS. US forces used an established hotline to warn the Russians they were bombing allied forces. [Link]
- Saudi Arabia is delaying humanitarian aid ships from reaching Yemen. These delays are causing Yemeni children to die while waiting for the medical supplies that are on the ships. [Link]
On FPF #8 I break down Trump’s speech to the joint session of Congress. Trump talked about several foreign policy subjects including defense spending, defeating ISIS, the refugee crisis, and US involvement in the Middle East. I explain how all of America’s foreign policy issues can be best solved with a non-interventionist foreign policy. LISTEN HERE!!
