NEWS WRAP

US launches more strikes in the Middle East

• US launches more strikes in the Middle East | The United States launched targeted airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in Iraq and Syria in response to an attack on a US military base in Jordan resulting in the deaths of three American service members and wounding more than 40 other personnel. Further US military operations are expected in the coming days with tensions escalating throughout the region. READ MORE HERE
   

• No immunity for Trump, court rules | A federal appeals court has unanimously ruled former president Trump is not immune from criminal prosecution for acts committed while in the presidency. It means Trump can be prosecuted on charges relating to alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election result which was originally scheduled to commence trial on 4 March but is now delayed. The decision will likely be appealed to the US Supreme Court. READ MORE HERE  
   

• GOP flops Mayorkas impeachment | Four House Republicans joined all House Democrats to sink an impeachment vote (214-216) mounted against US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his alleged mishandling of the southern border. Had Republicans secured the majority needed, the impeachment would have been the first House impeachment of a cabinet official in nearly 150 years. READ MORE HERE 
   

• Standalone Israel aid bill fails | The US House of Representatives failed to pass a standalone aid bill for US$17.6 billion in funding for Israel. The vote which required two-thirds of support separated Israel assistance from other foreign assistance funding efforts which are bogged down in Congressional negotiations. The Senate now looks to double down its national security package guaranteeing funding for Ukraine, Taiwan as well as a deal on US border policy. READ MORE HERE
   

• Manslaughter for mum of school shooter | The mother of a teenager responsible for Michigan’s deadliest school shooting in 2021 has been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter. The high-profile case is the first in the country to hold a parent responsible for gun violence carried out by a minor. READ MORE HERE 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Did you USSC?

• BRIEF | What does 'economic security' mean to Australia in 2024?
  The USSC Economic Security team explains the latest trends in economic security, the challenges and possible responses for Australia in 2024. The explainer summarises findings from a 'track two' dialogue of leading economic thinkers held in late 2023. READ MORE HERE
   
• COMMENTARY | The only privacy we have left is what's in our head, and that will soon be public
  "Disinformation will be supercharged by the introduction of neurotechnology," Director of Emerging Technology Dr Miah Hammond-Errey and Research Associate Tom Barrett write in The Sydney Morning Herald. They discuss the risks around the rise of neurotechnology, especially in this election year. READ MORE HERE
   
• EXPLAINER | Tariffs, travel bans and firing bureaucrats: What’s in store for a second Trump term?
  Research associates Ava Kalinauskas and Samuel Garrett track former president Trump's policy statements on issues from Taiwan to abortion. READ MORE HERE

BY THE NUMBERS

A predictable primary, for an increasingly unpredictable state 

By Victoria Cooper, Research Editor 

Nevada has long been the site of fierce rivalry for each party’s candidates to secure the nomination, but this year, changes not just to the format, but also the number of elections have changed the playing field completely. The state GOP decided to host a caucus in addition to the newly mandated state-primary and will use the caucus decision to send Nevada’s 26 delegates to the Republican National Convention, making the state’s Republican elections this week uncompetitive and basically meaningless. 

The Nevada election, which all but guarantees Trump’s victory on Thursday, is not without controversy. Many allege the Republican frontrunner and his allies rigged the process of this and several other state elections to boost his chances at the nomination. The caucus is supposedly more favourable for the Trump campaign because the caucus requires in-person, open declarations of support which suit Trump’s more established base of vocal supporters and disadvantages campaigns with more marginal support.  

The predictable result of the Nevada Republican election might not inspire election thrill seekers, but when it comes to the general election in November – Nevada is far from predictable.  

Nevada has backed the Democratic candidate in every presidential election since President Obama in 2008, but increasingly slim victories by Democrats – less than three per cent in 2016 and 2020 – have cast doubt about a Biden victory in 2024. The Republican’s close (0.6 per cent) gubernatorial victory in the 2022 midterms by Sheriff Joe Lombardo also signals shifts in the Nevada electorate. In fact, Nevada was the only state in 2022 where an incumbent Democrat lost. 

Nevada may only carry six electoral college votes, but those six votes could make all the difference to a potential Biden versus Trump match up which, unlike its primaries, is expected to be anything but uncompetitive and meaningless. 

THE WEEK IN TWEETS

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