Today’s Headlines and Commentary

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced in a video address broadcast Sunday that he has resigned, a move he said will make way “for the daughters or sons” of the country to complete the transitional period, according to CNN. The announcement came after three protesters were killed by Sudanese security forces during anti-coup rallies near the capital. Sudan has been ruled by an uneasy alliance of military and civilian groups since 2019, but the military essentially took control last October and dissolved the power-sharing Sovereign Council and the transitional government, as well as temporarily arresting Hamdok. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement on New Year’s Day condemning Sudan’s security forces’ deadly attacks on civilians.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday expanded eligibility for Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine boosters to children ages 12 to 15 years old and shortened the time needed before receiving a booster shot, says CNBC. For children ages five to 11 with compromised immune systems, the agency authorized a third vaccine dose as part of the primary series of shots. After analyzing data from Israel on 6,300 children ages 12 through 15 who received a Pfizer booster dose, the FDA concluded that no new safety concerns had arisen.

On the second anniversary of the death of General Qassem Soleimani by the United States, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi announced in a speech on Monday that Trump must stand trial for the crime or Iran would retaliate, reports Reuters. Soleimani was killed in Iraq on Jan. 3, 2020, by a drone strike ordered by then-President Trump.

Citizen News, an independent news publication in Hong Kong, announced it would shut down as the city installed a legislature vetted for allegiance to the Communist Party, according to Bloomberg. It is the third newspaper to close in the last six months as national security authorities investigate journalists in Hong Kong. China overhauled Hong Kong’s voting system last year to restrict the number of directly elected members and gave national security officials the authority to screen applicants for Communist Party loyalty. The first legislators elected under that system were sworn in on Monday.

Rep. Liz Cheney said Sunday that the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot has testimony that then-President Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump requested him to intervene as his supporters attacked the Capitol, reports NBC News. According to the testimony, Trump watched the attack on television as the assault on the Capitol occurred and could have appeared on television to tell his supporters to stop at any time. 

Yemeni rebels have taken control of an Emirati-flagged ship in the Red Sea, writes the Guardian. The Saudi-led coalition on the vessel, which supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government, claimed on Monday that the ship was carrying medical supplies, while the rebels claimed they had seized “a military cargo ship with military equipment.” The Houthi rebels posted videos showing what they said was ammunition on board the ship, emphasizing their belief that the UAE is behind the recent attacks in the Shabwa governorate. Despite assurances two years ago that the UAE had withdrawn from the conflict in Yemen, the event highlights how the country remains deeply involved.

With the anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot arriving this week, the congressional committee investigating the attack is grappling with a number of difficult questions, including how strongly to exercise its subpoena power and whether the Supreme Court will impede a key aspect of its inquiry, according to the New York Times. The committee is waiting to see if the Supreme Court will deny Trump’s request to block the committee’s access to White House records related to the attack. The committee aims to release a final report of its findings before the November midterm elections.

Twitter permanently suspended the personal account of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for multiple violations of the platform’s coronavirus misinformation policy, reports the Washington Post. The suspension came hours after Greene falsely claimed “extremely high amounts of Covid vaccine deaths.”

ICYMI: Last Week on Lawfare

Jen Patja Howell shared an episode of the Lawfare Podcast in which Bryce Klehm sat down with Vladislav Zubok to discuss the fall of the Soviet Union.

Erin Sikorsky analyzed the Defense Department’s role in the new sustainability executive order.

Howell also shared an episode of the Lawfare Podcast in which Scott R. Anderson sat down with Jean Lee and Geoff White to discuss Lee and White’s podcast series entitled “The Lazarus Heist” and North Korea's interest in cybercrime.

Jacob N. Shapiro and Alicia Wanless discussed safeguarding the information environment that enables democracy and preparing concrete proposals that will counter the authoritarian vision of central control.

Howell also shared an episode of the Lawfare Podcast in which Shane Harris talks with Noah Shachtman for Chatter.

Dawn Zoldi wrote about the case RaceDayQuads v. FAA and the remote identification rule for drones.

Howell also shared an episode of Rational Security in which the hosts answered questions submitted by listeners.

Howell also shared an episode of the Lawfare Podcast that shared a previous episode of Rational Security.

Dan Maurer talked about the FY 2022 NDAA bill and what reforms it makes.

David Priess shared an episode of Chatter in which Priess and Brian Klaas talk about why certain people seek power, what holding power does to them and how to get better leaders.

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