NEWS WRAP

FBI recovers remnants of Chinese balloon shot down over US territory 

• Closest images yet of recovered Chinese balloon | The balloon, which appeared over the United States sparking a diplomatic furore, has been recovered by the FBI who will analyse it. China insists it is for civilian use. The episode, which led Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel his trip to Beijing, also stirred tension between Republicans and Democrats over the US response. READ MORE HERE
   
• Thousands dead in earthquake | At the time of writing, more than 7,000 people have died in a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck near Gazientep in Turkey. The Turkish region already faced considerable instability due to its proximity to the Syrian conflict. The United States is sending two USAID teams and equipment to help recovery efforts.
  READ MORE HERE
   
• High jobs and lower inflation, but US economic challenges persist | A significant 517,000 jobs were added to the US economy in January and inflation slowed, but recession fears remain. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the jobs report shows why curbing inflation will "take a bit of time." READ MORE HERE
   
• DNC changes for 2024 primaries approved | The shakeup of the party’s presidential nominating calendar leaves New Hampshire and Iowa in the cold. Democrats from both of those states are fighting the proposal.
  READ MORE HERE

EVENT

A conversation with Walter Russell Mead

At his inauguration more than two years ago, President Biden promised that America was back, ready to resume its leadership role in world affairs. But, as a multitude of crises present increasingly complicated policy problems for world leaders, how can the Biden administration hope to manage these tumultuous international relations? What is the United States trying to accomplish in its foreign policy? And why is it that the world seems so constantly unstable and in flux? Understanding US foreign policy and strategy has never been more important.

To discuss these questions the United States Studies Centre is delighted to host foreign policy expert and esteemed academic, Walter Russell Mead in conversation with USSC Professor of US Politics and US Foreign Relations, Brendon O’Connor.

WHEN
SYDNEY | Tuesday, 14 February, 1:00pm-2:00pm AEDT

COST
Free, but registration is essential

HOT TAKE

China's alleged spy balloon and the spectre of diplomatic breakdown

Sophie Mayo, Research Associate 

The existence of Chinese spy balloons in and of themselves is not wholly surprising.

Spy balloons were seen multiple times in the Trump presidency and one balloon was previously spotted during the Biden presidency. The incident has, however, underscored to the public the seriousness of US – China competition, albeit in a rather cinematic fashion.

More importantly, the incident foreshadows challenges to overcoming future crises, as political pressures on both sides have prevented cooperation; US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Beijing has been postponed and China continues to double down on claims the balloon was civilian.

When trust breaks down over an incident like this, the spectre of genuine crisis is worrying.

BY THE NUMBERS

Mammoth job figures have buoyed President Joe Biden's assessment of the US economy in his State of the Union address.

In January alone 517,000 jobs were added, far more than estimates which put the expected figure in the high 100,000s.

It is the highest figure since July 2022, and a little under double the average jobs figure over the last 12 months. However, inflation and debt remain an ominous challenge for the US economy. 

THE WEEK IN TWEETS

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