Wednesday 18 August 2021

Seven Things I Expect for Remaining Months of 2021 With Afghanistand/Biden

 1.  I don't think you will see a live Q-and-A with President Biden for remainder of 2021.  There might be an agreed upon format....one moderator, and agreement NOT to bring up Afghanistan at all.  It'll be January of 2022 before he does a real interview session. 

2.  The Taliban, within the next month or two....will give out a statement thanking President Biden for his help in conquering the opposing force.  It'll be a serious statement but done in a cynical way.  Even comedians will laugh over how the 'insult' was created.

3.  President Biden will try to drum up a European 'visit' (I'd suggest October, after the German election).  He'll find that virtually no one really at ease in having him visit.  The visit discussion will come and go.  Maybe by December....India or Russia will agree to a visit.

4.  Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, said she'd leave before the end of the year.  I suspect she'll speed it up and probably be gone by the end of September.  Whoever comes....I will go and predict that they last no more than four months, before resigning.

5.  Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser to President Biden, is going to be 'rewarded' with a lesser-position in the State Department (you will perceive as a demotion).  Several bungled episodes leading back to him (even in the Obama White House) will add up and he'll be eased out.  Pointed questions to Psaki will get responses that indicate her dislike for the guy.  

6.  VP Harris distances herself even more from the insider meetings at the White House....realizing that competent authority is marginal.  

7.  Finally, some rumor by January will start up about the DNC reviewing options for the 2024 Presidential election.  Both the WaPo and NY Times will be covering the confidential talks and Biden hostility will brew over how he is excluded from the discussions.  The DNC will eventually suggest that they don't want any support statement or 'blessing' from Biden for their top two or three choices.