News Roundup 1/20/21

by | Jan 20, 2021

News Roundup 1/20/21

by | Jan 20, 2021

News Roundup from The Libertarian Institute by Kyle Anzalone

US News

  • The US has filed an appeal in UK court in hopes to overturn a judge’s decision not to extradite Assange to the US. [Link]
  • In his final day in office, Trump failed to pardon Julian Assange or Edward Snowden. He did pardon Steve Bannon and Lil Wayne. [Link]
  • The US sanctioned a network of oil trading firms, individuals, and ships accused of helping to bring Venezuelan oil to Asia. [Link]
  • Russia says it is hoping for a quick extension of the New Start Treaty that expires on February 5th. [Link]

Confirmation Hearings

  • Biden’s Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken says his State Department will keep the US embassy in Israel in Jerusalem. [Link]
  • Blinken said the US needs to revitalize alliances to combat foes like Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. [Link]
  • Blinken says Biden will maintain Trump’s Venezuela policy and recognize Juan Guaido as president. [Link]
  • Biden’s Director of National Intelligence nominee Avril Haines said the US should take an aggressive stance against China. Blinken said that Trump was right to take a hardline stand against China. [Link]
  • Avril Haines says the US is a long way from returning to the JCPOA. [Link]
  • Blinken said the US is a long way from returning to the JCPOA and the US will consult with Israel and Gulf states before returning to the deal. [Link]
  • Biden’s Department of Homeland Security nominee says Biden will stop building the wall but not abolish ICE and CBP. [Link]

Biden’s Political Appointments 

  • Biden picked Ely Ratner to advise the Pentagon on China. Ratner is from the hawkish CNAS think tank that is funded by weapons makers. He led a report that concluded the US needed to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific countries, especially India. [Link]
  • A list of Biden’s political appointments to the Pentagon. [Link]

Afghanistan

  • The Pentagon employs about 18,000 contractors in Afghanistan. About a third are Americans. [Link]
  • At least 40 members of the Afghan security forces and 40 Taliban members have been killed in recent fighting. [Link]

Israel

  • The Israeli government announced it was building 780 new settler homes in East Jerusalem. [Link]
  • Israel is looking to rein in rights groups that call out Israel for being an apartheid state. [Link]

Africa

  • About 700 US troops withdrew from Somalia and redeployed in the region. After pulling out the troops, the US carried out several airstrikes. [Link]
  • The Ugandan government said the US is trying to subvert the recent election result by sending the US envoy to the loser of the election’s home. [Link]

Kyle Anzalone

Kyle Anzalone

Kyle Anzalone is news editor of the Libertarian Institute, opinion editor of Antiwar.com and co-host of Conflicts of Interest with Will Porter and Connor Freeman.

View all posts

Our Books

Shop books published by the Libertarian Institute.

Podcasts

scotthortonshow logosq

coi banner sq2@0.5x

liberty weekly thumbnail

Don't Tread on Anyone Logo

313x0w (1)

313x0w (1)

313x0w (1)

Our Books

Recent Articles

Recent

News Roundup 10/20/2025

News Roundup 10/20/2025

Venezuela Report: At Least One US Strike on Boat in The Caribbean Targeted Colombians AWC Trump Orders CIA to Conduct Lethal Covert Operations in Venezuela Nap US Flies B-52 Bombers Near Venezuela Nap Head of US Southern Command To Step Down Amid Strikes on Boats and...

read more
News Roundup 10/14/2025

News Roundup 10/14/2025

US News Boeing Awarded $2.7 Billion Contract for Patriot Missile Components Nap Venezuela Defense Officials Say Strikes on Cartels Could Happen Inside Venezuela The Institute  Maduro Offered the US Access To Venezuela’s Oil and Mineral Resources To Avoid War AWC US...

read more
News Roundup 10/9/2025

News Roundup 10/9/2025

Venezuela Trump Calls Off Diplomacy With Venezuela’s Maduro, Making Regime Change War More Likely AWC White House Has Not Provided Proof That Boats Destroyed in Caribbean Were Carrying Drugs The Institute  Report: Trump Administration Working on Strategy To...

read more

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This