4/29/2024

April 29, 2024

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

Today, you got only 1 mention in the NYT & 0 in the G. Lucky for you, the folks at the WP found several ways to keep your name in the news (11 mentions), including a feature about Ro Khanna (RK)’s trip to WI college campuses to assuage the concerns of young voters about your support of Bibi.

            You’re fortunate to have RK on your team! According to USA Today, he “sends an important signal to people that you can be opposed to Biden's policy, with respect to Israel and Palestine, & still support his reelection …He’s able to lead in a way that doesn't marginalize folks within the party, even though they may not agree with him.” His grandpa was a freedom fighter during India’s fight for independence, so he’s got non-violence in his blood.

Best of all he shares my view that WINTA! At a recent speech at Stanford RK said, “There is nothing weak about peace. A just and lasting peace is the highest ideal for a people who believe, as we do, that every human being is endowed by their Creator with dignity & basic rights.” He said this in the context of “a constructive rebalancing with China” through trade & diplomacy.

According to the Hill, Burma presents a possibility for collaboration with China.  Folks at the U.S. Institute of Peace suggest joint counternarcotics efforts could provide a framework for cooperation on combating criminal groups engaged in cyber scams. Please ask Sec Blinken if this was discussed on his recent visit.   

            If you & XJ could put the screws to Saw Chit Thu, the mastermind of the criminal underworld in Burma, the Karen & everyone else in the region would rejoice. It would be a nice win!

            I wonder what RK thinks of Modi. I was troubled to read that he ordered Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to be killed in NYC. Assassinating folks never solved anything. I hope the Israelis have learned that lesson, too.

            BYBS,