Timeline of Trump–Russia Connections: 1984 to Present

“This timeline sets out events, denials, investigations, and other information about contacts between Russian and pro-Russian individuals and Donald Trump and his associates from 1984 through present. You can explore the timeline by scrolling through all events, or limit the events you review by topic. The timeline is a work in progress, and will be continually updated as news emerges.” More …

Special Counsel Ups the Stakes for Trump Empire

Legal threats to Trump’s business empire and presidency were largely diffuse before former FBI Director Robert Mueller was named by the Justice Department as special counsel. Almost everything now falls into the broad authority given to special counsel Robert Mueller. He was authorized to investigate “any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated” with the Trump campaign and “any matter that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.” More …

Trump’s FCC Kicks Off Effort to Roll Back Net Neutrality Rules

“Scandal isn’t slowing down one part of the Republican agenda: The Federal Communications Commission took the first formal step toward dismantling Obama-era net neutrality rules Thursday, kicking off what’s likely to be a bitter and months-long lobbying battle over the future of internet regulation. The commission voted along party lines to begin the process of rolling back the rules, which require internet service providers like Verizon and Comcast to treat all web traffic equally. The telecom industry has criticized the rules as burdensome and unnecessary regulations, but supporters among startups and online tech companies say they ensure ISPs don’t abuse their position as internet gatekeepers to favor some websites over others. The net neutrality order, passed by the FCC’s then-Democratic majority in 2015, represents one of the signature policy achievements of the Obama administration.” More …

Globalization: Sending Jobs Overseas

“In his 1998 book Turbo-Capitalism, Edward Luttwak gave what is still the most succinct and accurate reading of the new system’s economic consequences. ‘It enriches industrializing poor countries, impoverishes the semi-affluent majority in rich countries, and greatly adds to the incomes of the top 1 percent on both sides who are managing the arbitrage.’ Left unexplained was what had happened to make trade suddenly produce consequences so widely divergent from those it had produced for centuries.” More …