Cipher Brief Highlights and Exclusives

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH -- Hopefully its a good one for you. OPEN SOURCE COLLECTION --  Here's a look at the global stories on our radar today: The FTC says it may seek an injunction against Facebook over antitrust issues -- what could that mean?; President Trump gives a thumbs up to the terms of a trade deal with China, so who wins in the deal?; China increases investment in south and central Asia; a financial news provider blocks some stories about Hong Kong from reaching China; the U.S. now has a new Ambassador to Russia after the Senate voted 70-22 confirming John Sullivan into that very interesting position; Russia's only aircraft carrier catches on fire; Washington expresses its displeasure over Germany's gas pipeline with Russia; the UK's Conservative Party wins Thursday's election; and the EU extends sanctions on Russia over Crimea;  Get all the details in today's Open Source Collection stories below. CIPHER BRIEF TWITTER POLL -- How confident are you that  the limited trade deal with China announced yesterday will be signed and implemented by both countries?  Let us know what you think here. YESTERDAY'S POLL RESULT -- We asked those of you who watched Inspector General Michael Horowitz's testimony this week to tell us if it impacted your level of confidence in the FISA process. 53% of you told us you had less confidence, 10% said you had more confidence and 37% said Horowitz's testimony didn't change the way you feel about FISA. THIS WEEK'S DEAD DROP JUST DROPPED --  Here's a sneak peek at this week's Cipher Brief collection of gossip and interesting nuggets from the national security world: NEW VARIANT OF HELLFIRE -- The missile, known as the AGM-114R9X, reportedly substitutes the standard exploding warhead with a set of folding sword-like blades designed to minimize collateral damage. One popular publication calls it a “flying Ginsu” missile.   NOT A PARTY LINE: The State Department has reportedly issued orders that will cut down on the number of officials who are able to listen in on phone calls between the Secretary or other senior officials and their foreign counterparts.  Full Cipher Brief Members (only $10/mo) can pick up the full Drop here.  Members can also access all of our past Dead Drops, which make for incredibly interesting reading if you've missed any.  Something to do while you're waiting in line to buy holiday gifts perhaps. WORLD LEADERS TO WATCH (AND WHAT FOR) IN 2020: A former Regional Medical Officer/Psychiatrist who spent 5 years at the U.S. Embassy Moscow shares his thoughts on which leaders to keep an eye on in 2020. Read the opinion piece Leaders to Watch in 2020 by Kenneth Dekleva only in The Cipher Brief KIM JONG-UN ON THE RADAR -- Not surprisingly, one of the leaders Dekleva writes about is North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.  Here's a look at what Cipher Brief experts have to say this week about the status of negotiations with the Pyongyang. Read Kim Jong-Un's Frustration and the Risk of Hybrid Warfare by Tim Willasey-Wilsey only in The Cipher Brief Read Kim Jong-Un's Bad Advice by Ambassador Joseph DeTrani   ON THE MOVE -- The Pentagon's top policy official for Asia is leaving his government post. Randall Schriver is moving on to the private sector.   RECOMMENDED READ -- Read Despite the Pensacola Shooting, Its a Good Thing for the U.S. to Train Foreign Militaries by Cipher Brief Expert Admiral James Stavridis (Ret.) in TIME.   ANNOUNCEMENTS   FREEBIES FOR STUDENTS -- The Cipher Brief knows that our student readers are busy studying for finals, but this is the very best time to take a moment and share news of TCB's Academic Incubator Program with your professors. It could be like holiday shopping for yourself, as an academic partnership with TCB comes with complimentary subscriptions for students enrolled with partner Universities.  Just have your Advisor or Professor drop an email to Editor@thecipherbrief.com for details on joining.   Asia China: Study Assesses Financial Diplomacy.  China is increasing investment and financial support in south and central Asia.  Pakistan received 30% and Kazakhstan received 26% of China’s international financing from 2000-2018.  “Beijing’s financial diplomacy – representing an estimated $126 billion in committed, implemented or completed in the South and Central Asia region dwarfs its other public diplomacy tools in sheer scale and visibility,” the study said.  The study is called Silk Road Diplomacy and was conducted by the non-profit AidData in collaboration with the Asia Society Policy Institute and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.  Asia Times Filters Used To Block Negative News About Hong Kong From Reaching China.  Refinitiv, a financial news provider that distributes Reuters news to mainland China, used filters to block negative stories about the Hong Kong protests from reaching China.  According to Reuters, the censorship began earlier in 2019, under pressure from China. Reuters India: Two Protesters Die.  Protesters rioted across three Indian on Thursday in response to the Citizenship Amendment Bill.  The bill will grant citizenship to thousands of migrants for religious reasons. The government blocked the internet and deployed troops to one state to enforce the previously emplaced curfew.  Police shot and killed two protesters in the state of Assam.  The New York Times