PBC News & Comment: Partying With Despotic Monarchs, Trump Tries to Divide Muslims

Exhibiting his ignorance and attraction to dictators, Trump delivers weapons deal to Saudis, attempts to split Sunni and Shia Muslims…
--while Iran is hardly a western-style democracy, Rouhani’s re-election contrasts with Trump’s embrace of Saudi and Egyptian despots
--Prof. Juan Cole of UMich has some good analysis here and here
--in latest sordid transaction, Jared Kushner negotiated $110 billion arms deal, then Saudis agree to kick back $100 million to Ivanka’s fund for women entrepreneurs
--federal ethics watchdog battles White House over waivers given to former lobbyists appointed by Trump
--Trump arrived in Israel today, as Netanyahu battles hardline Zionists over meaningless gestures to Palestinians
--in major disclosure, NY Times reveals that under Obama, China shut down more than a dozen US spies by killing or imprisoning them
--using passive-aggressive tactics, TrumpCo works to kill Obamacare by rattling insurance markets and prolonging uncertainty over 2018
--new estimates show 629,000 visitors overstayed US visas in 2016
--Loathesome Bills: Cosby trial enters jury selection phase; O’Reilly is eyed by smaller networks after Fox firing
--Assange says he will stay at London embassy of Ecuador, NY Times offers weak support in editorial
--turning the tables, Turkey protests DC security last week during Erdogan visit where Turkish goons attacked protesters
--in tight race for state party chair, California Dems battle and Berniecrat demands audit after narrow loss
--Notre Dame grads walked out of Mike Pence speech in healthy numbers, but some commencement speakers are being silenced