MNI POLITICAL RISK ANALYSIS - US Daily Brief 21-02-23

Executive Summary:

• President Biden will follow yesterday’s surprise trip to Kyiv with a major foreign policy speech in Warsaw today to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin pre-empted Biden’s speech with his own annual address to the Russian Federal Assembly, accusing the US of starting the war and claiming the “objective of the west is limitless power.”
• The majority of Putin’s allegations and justifications were variations on a regular theme, but he made the worrying announcement that Russia has suspended participation in the New START nuclear treaty.
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), on his second ever Congressional delegation, has met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss China.
• Moderate Republican New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R-NH) continues to make overtures suggesting a White House run may be in the works.
• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has told reporters in Greece that the United States and Israel remain committed to ensuring that Iran “never acquire a nuclear weapon.”
• Democrat House Rep Bennie Thompson (D-MI), the former chair of the January 6 Select Committee, has attacked House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for releasing footage from the Jan 6 riots to Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
• Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has promised to deepen military cooperation with the US following a meeting with a US Congressional delegation.
• Japan will host G7 finance ministers on the margins of the G20 finance ministerial in India on Thursday.
• Poll of the Day: The majority of 2024 presidential campaign launches are likely to come between March 14 and June 6.

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