Today’s Headlines and Commentary

The Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council asked the Ukrainian parliament to impose a nationwide state of emergency amidst escalating fears of a full-scale Russian invasion, reports the Hill. Ukrainian security officials report that the 30-day state of emergency would be introduced with the intention of keeping Ukrainians calm and protecting the nation’s economy. A state of emergency in Ukraine would allegedly allow officials to impose restrictions on transportation and give local authorities the power to enact curfews and other security measures. In addition to the consideration of enacting a state of emergency, the Ukrainian parliament also drafted a proposal to allow its citizens to bear arms in self-defense. 

Ukrainian authorities reported that government websites, foreign ministry and state security service were shut down on Wednesday as a result of a “massive” denial of service attack, according to Reuters. Cybersecurity officials reported earlier in the week that they had seen online warnings of hackers preparing to launch attacks on Ukrainian government agencies, banks and the defense sector. Ukraine previously blamed Russia for the string of attacks that occurred in recent weeks. Russia has denied any involvement. 

Latvian Prime Minister Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš reported that Russian troops have entered into the eastern region of Ukraine that Moscow officially recognized as  “independent” nation states, writes CNN. Prime Minister Kariņš said he has intelligence that indicates that “Putin is moving additional forces and tanks into the occupied Donbas territories. By any definition that's a crossing of a sovereign territory into a neighboring country.” Russia reportedly deployed two so-called battalion tactical groups, which amounts to approximately 1,600 troops. 

President Biden sent additional American troops and weaponry to eastern Europe amid rising Russian military aggression against Ukraine, according to Reuters. The U.S. will send 800 infantry soldiers, eight F-35 fighter jets and 32 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. A U.S. defense official reported that the additional personnel and aircrafts are being repositioned to “reassure our NATO allies, deter any potential aggression against NATO member states, and train with host-nation forces.”

Biden announced additional sanctions against Russia following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to send Russian troops into Ukraine, writes CNN. The new U.S. sanctions individually target family members of those in Putin’s inner circle. Adult-children of top Putin associates will now have U.S.-held assets frozen and are to be barred from dealing with any U.S. persons. Biden said that the sons of these Putin advisors “share in the corrupt gains of the Kremlin policies and should share in the pain as well.”

The U.K. announced sanctions against Russia after the Kremlin ordered troops into two separatist regions in Ukraine, reports BBC. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that five Russian banks and three Russian billionaires have had their assets frozen. The billionaires also face U.K. travel bans. Johnson reported that Russia’s military activity in eastern Europe amounted to a “renewed invasion” and the sanctions served as a “first barrage.” 

Hong Kong’s chief executive announced that the city is planning to enforce a mass coronavirus testing regime for its population, according to the New York Times. The city’s 7 million residents will have to undergo three tests over a short period of time, beginning in March. The new testing requirements come amid Hong Kong’s worst outbreak to date. Hong Kong will also expand its testing capacity from 200,000 tests a day to 1 million by next month. 

The National Guard and other law enforcement are preparing for possible trucker protests in the D.C. area, writes the Wall Street Journal. Protests organizers are calling for convoys of trucks to occupy the Washington area just days before Biden’s State of the Union address on Capitol Hill. The planned D.C. protests echo the Canadian “Freedom Convoy” of truckers protesting coronavirus restrictions that caused disruption in downtown Ottawa and temporarily shut down two U.S.-Canada border crossings. In preparation for the American version of the trucker protests, the Defense Department approved the deployment of 700 national guard troops to assist with traffic control and provide other support. 

ICYMI: Yesterday on Lawfare

Jen Patja Howell shared an episode of the Lawfare Podcast in which Amy Zegard discussed her new book “Spies, Lies, and Algorithms: The History and Future of American Intelligence.”

Jim Dempsey discussed how federal agencies could use their authority to improve the cybersecurity of private actors under their jurisdiction.

David A. Martin analyzed judicial imperialism and the “Remain in Mexico” ruling.  

David M. Driesen explained how courts can protect democracy from abuse of emergency powers. 

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