Profile In Focus | Wikileaks - Part 18 (September 2020 - October 2020)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 2 (2000s)
Profile In Focus | Wikileaks - Part 18 (September 2020 - October 2020)
“London (United Kingdom), August 18, 2014, Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño and Julian Assange offered a press conference with the presence of international media. Photo: David G Silvers. Foreign Ministry of Ecuador” by The Foreign Ministry of Ecuador under CC BY-SA 2.0.
In September 2020, a series of significant events unfolded, encompassing both domestic and international affairs. The poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny became a focal point. Navalny was targeted with a nerve agent called Novichok, drawing attention to the use of chemical weapons and raising concerns about Russia's involvement. World leaders demanded answers from Russia, but President Trump remained silent on the issue.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg led to a political battle over her replacement. President Trump vowed to nominate a woman to fill the vacancy, setting the stage for a contentious confirmation process. The nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, a conservative judge, faced opposition from Democrats who feared a shift in the court's balance.
Amidst these political developments, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact the nation. President Trump himself contracted the virus, causing uncertainty and disrupting the final stages of his re-election campaign. Misinformation about the virus spiked, and concerns grew about the administration's handling of the pandemic. The country grappled with the repercussions of Trump's diagnosis and the implications for the transfer of power.
Throughout this period, Russia remained a topic of concern, both for its alleged interference in the U.S. election and its approach to handling the COVID-19 crisis. Russian intelligence officers were charged with major cyberattacks, highlighting the ongoing threats posed by foreign actors. Additionally, experts warned of Russia's potential impact on the U.S. election and its infrastructure.
Protests against racial injustice continued, with the presence of far-right extremists raising questions about their involvement in the violence. It was revealed that most of the arrests made during these protests were not connected to leftist radicals, challenging preconceived notions about the nature of the demonstrations.
Jared Kushner, senior advisor to President Trump, came under scrutiny for his role in the administration's COVID-19 response. His remarks about taking the country "back from the doctors" raised concerns about the decision-making process.
Overall, September and October 2020 were marked by a combination of political, health, and international events. The poisoning of Navalny, the Supreme Court nomination, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia's actions all contributed to a period of heightened tension and uncertainty.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 5, 2023
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Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6 (2022+)
Sources for Profile In Focus | Wikileaks - Part 18 (September 2020 - October 2020):
A KGB Man to the End – The Atlantic September 2020
Alexei Navalny: Russia opposition leader poisoned with Novichok – Germany – BBC September 2, 2020
Navalny ‘poisoned’: What are Novichok agents and what do they do? – BBC September 2, 2020
Navalny ‘Novichok poisoning’ a test for the West – BBC September 2, 2020
Experts: mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 does not alter DNA – AP News September 4, 2020
Russia’s Navalny out of coma after poisoning – BBC September 7, 2020
Alexander Vindman: Trump Is Putin’s ‘Useful Idiot’ – The Atlantic September 14, 2020
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Champion Of Gender Equality, Dies At 87 – NPR September 18, 2020
Howie Hawkins Is No Kanye West – The Atlantic September 19, 2020
Agents of Chaos – HBOMax September 23, 2020
Notorious ACB? No and no. Trump’s nominee is no RBG. – Washington Post September 26, 2020
Trump to far-right extremists: ‘Stand back and stand by’ – AP News September 30, 2020
Trump adds to election anxiety by pushing legal boundaries – AP News October 1, 2020
US panel tackles race, poverty in virus vaccine priorities – AP News October 2, 2020
The Latest: Brown dean calls Trump case ‘failure’ of WH team – AP News October 2, 2020
Trump COVID infection thrusts world in uncharted territory – AP News October 2, 2020
Trump cancels plans for Arizona rallies after diagnosis – AP News October 2, 2020
Trump’s virus hospitalization rocks final stage of campaign – AP News October 2, 2020
Misinformation spikes as Trump confirms COVID-19 diagnosis – AP News October 2, 2020
The Latest: Trump campaign manager tests positive for COVID – AP News October 2, 2020
Cavalier White House approach to COVID catches up to Trump – AP News October 2, 2020
Trump, stricken by COVID-19, flown to military hospital – AP News October 2, 2020
From Trump’s taxes to virus: News moves at breakneck pace – AP News October 2, 2020
Trump’s virus hospitalization rocks final stage of campaign- AP News October 2, 2020
Timeline of Trump’s activities in week coronavirus hit home – AP News October 2, 2020
Trump said to be improving but next 48 hours ‘critical’ – AP News October 3, 2020
What we know, and what we don’t, about Trump’s diagnosis – AP News October 3, 2020
AP Explains: Transfer of power under 25th Amendment – AP News October 3, 2020
GOP faces reckoning over Trump’s virus strategy, diagnosis – AP News October 3, 2020
Will America’s disregard for science be the end of its reign? – Big Think October 3, 2020
Russia shuns tough restrictions even as infections soar – AP News October 18, 2020
The World Health Organization – Last Week Tonight with John Oliver October 19, 2020
AP finds most arrested in protests aren’t leftist radicals – AP News October 20, 2020
Amy Coney Barrett Confirmed To Supreme Court, Takes Constitutional Oath – NPR October 26, 2020
Amy Coney Barrett: Who is Trump’s Supreme Court pick? – BBC October 27, 2020