The National Interest Foundation Newsletter, Issue 14

The National Interest Foundation Newsletter

Issue 14, October 3, 2019

Welcome to the latest edition of the NIF Newsletter. In this week’s domestic headlines: The United States House of Representatives approves a resolution to overturn President Trump’s border wall emergency declaration and the CEO of Boeing gets set to testify before Congress at the end of this month on the grounded 737 MAX. Meanwhile, around the world: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman comments on the Khashoggi killing and the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York City.


United States

House Resolution on Border Wall

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution to end President Trump’s border wall emergency declaration by a vote of 236-174, which included 11 Republicans and the chamber’s lone independent. (Photo from AP)

House Approves Resolution to Overturn Border Wall Emergency

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a resolution to override President Trump’s emergency declaration for a border wall. This is the second time the resolution has been passed, as it was approved in both Congressional chambers in March. Previously, President Trump vetoed the resolution in an effort to build a wall on the southern border, and keep his campaign promise. Although there is some bipartisan support, this vote lacks the required 2/3 majority to override another veto, should the President issue one again as expected.

Boeing CEO to Testify on 737 MAX

Boeing has faced a whirlwind of scrutiny since two of its 737 MAX aircrafts crashed in a five-month period. (Photo from Boeing)

Boeing CEO to Testify Before Congress This Month on 737 MAX

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg is set to testify before Congress on the grounded 737 MAX at the end of this month on October 30th. The panel hearing will take place in the United States House of Representatives, in front of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. This will be Muilenburg’s first public hearing since the worldwide grounding of the aircraft after two fatal crashes within five months of each other, which killed 346 people. At the hearing, Muilenburg will be joined by the company’s chief engineer, John Hamilton, and chief 737 pilot, Jennifer Henderson.

                                 Around the World

Saudi Arabia

In the lead up to the one-year anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s killing last year at the hands of Saudi operatives, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made his first public comments on the incident in a recent interview. (Photo from Reuters)

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Comments on Khashoggi Killing

October 2nd, 2019 marked the one-year anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman went on the record to discuss the Khashoggi murder, and denied having any part in orchestrating it. The CIA, the United States Senate, and the United Nations have all reached conclusions that bin Salman was, at the very least, aware that the killing was being planned. 11 Saudi government employees, including the former Deputy Chief of the Saudi intelligence agency, are currently standing trial for the murder. However, there have been no convictions yet in the trials against his alleged killers.

United Nations

The 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly took place in New York City from September 17, 2019 until September 30, 2019. (Photo from Reuters)

74th Session of the UN General Assembly Convenes in New York

The 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened in New York City on September 17th and concluded this past Monday on September 30th. Some of the main topics of discussion included climate change, reducing geopolitical tensions, and globalism. Prominent world leaders such as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and United States President Donald Trump gave speeches to the General Assembly during the session. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were among the notable absentees this time around.

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NIF USA