Current Events

Politics

John O. Brennan chosen by Obama as new CIA director

Republican senators (inc. KY Rand Paul) filibustered acceptance of Brennan b/c of concerns over drone program and Libya attack

Filibuster condemned by some other GOPs, revealing divisions w/i the party (such as SC Lindsay Graham and AZ John McCain)

Rand Paul is being considered as the 2016 GOP presidential candidate.

Obama's new drone program

Obama criticized that drone program is more unethical than torture in detention, b/c it kills w/o giving a chance--- But the argument glosses over the difference between killing that is authorized by the state—such as in self-defense in combat and police raids—and torture of a defenseless captive, which is always illegal.

(BACKGROUND)September attack on a U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya.

Economy

The death of Hugo Chavez. Former VP and now acting president is Nicolas Maduro, trying to ride off Chavez emotional outpour. Elections expected in April.

Chavez, though autocratic, used country's oil reserves for heavy social spending throughout his 14 years. He was highly popular among poor.

Opponent of Maduro is Henrique Capriles, centrist politician who lost to Chavez in October.

Many don't like that Maduro is both acting president and running in the April election.

Maduo is a Baba devotee. Wasn't expecting that.

North Korea's 2/13 nuclear test marks "new phase of confrontation" w/ U.S. U.N. imposes new sanctions, supported by China. In respose, NK vows to null all nonaggression pacts w/ SK.

Noted trend in aggressive flares right after election of new SK president; this time, Park Geun-hye.

If there is a military clash, US likely to get involved.

Uhuru Kenyatta wins Kenya election with 50.07% of vote, 3/13. Rival Odinga refuses to concede. ICC accuses him of bankrolling death squads in 2007 election. Stress for U.S., since Kenya is a major African ally.

The U.S. and Kenya have had good relations since Kenya's independence from Britain in 1963. The U.S. provides Kenya notable monetary and charity-based support.

Ethnic tension.