MNI POLITICAL RISK ANALYSIS – US Daily Brief 04-04-22

Executive Summary:

• The war in Ukraine continues amid concerns that Russia has engaged in war crimes in occupied Ukrainian territory. US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said that the US will take additional actions against Russia soon. President Biden has yet to speak on the latest news and will be expected to make an address and outline stepping up sanctions on Russia in light of the new reports.
• A YouGov poll has shown more Americans now believe that Ukraine is winning the war, reflecting the changing dynamics in public perception of the war.
• National Economic Council Director Brian Deese said that the White House is not planning to overturn the cancelation of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Deese said that the Biden administration will instead concentrate on policies to address rising energy prices in the short and medium term.
• This week the Senate will be dominated by the push to confirm Biden’s Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. 10:00 ET 15:00 GMT: The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on sending Jackson’s SCOTUS nomination to the full Senate.
• Congressional Democrats are attempting another push for their flagship social spending package. The package, once known as Build Back Better before being rebranded ‘Building a Better America,’ was torpedoed by moderate Democrat Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) over concerns that it would contribute to inflation.
• Iran still believes an agreement with the US over the restoration of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear accord is close to ratification despite the month-long breakdown of talks.
• Poll of the Day: 70 percent of Russians now believe their financial situation is set to worsen.

MNI POLITICAL RISK ANALYSIS – US Daily Brief 04-04-22 .pdf