Today's D Brief: US gives safe haven to Hong Kongers; India’s new carrier; Facebook cuts off disinfo researchers; Artifacts return to Iraq; And a bit more.
By Ben Watson
August 5, 2021 10:58 AM ET
The D Brief
U.S. President Joe Biden is giving temporary safe haven to thousands of Hong Kong residents targeted by China’s anti-democratic crackdown, the White House announced Thursday morning. “There are compelling foreign policy reasons to defer enforced departure for Hong Kong residents presently in the United States,” the president said in his memo codifying the 18-month delay.
“Given the politically motivated arrests and trials, the silencing of the media, and the diminishing space for elections and democratic opposition, we will continue to take steps in support of people in Hong Kong,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. “This action demonstrates President Biden’s strong support for people in Hong Kong in the face of ongoing repression by the People’s Republic of China,” she added, and said this action “makes clear we will not stand idly by as the PRC breaks its promises to Hong Kong and to the international community.”
“The United States is committed to a foreign policy that unites our democratic values with our foreign policy goals, which is centered on the defense of democracy and the promotion of human rights around the world,” Biden said in his memo. “Offering safe haven for Hong Kong residents who have been deprived of their guaranteed freedoms in Hong Kong furthers United States interests in the region.” More here.
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2021/08/the-d-brief-august-05-2021/184308/
