2003 all over again: Donald Trump has rejected the CIA’s concern over Russian hacking in part by pointing to the failures of U.S. intelligence agencies in the lead-up to the war in Iraq. That’s ironic, Will Saletan writes, because it’s Trump who’s repeating the CIA’s mistakes of the early aughts by “developing a rigid, self-serving conviction and ignoring evidence to the contrary.”
The oil statesman: What kind of secretary of state will Rex Tillerson, chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil, be? Daniel Gross sees a tiny silver lining—at the very least, the head of a multinational corporation cannot be a know-nothing nationalist—but wonders if Tillerson is ready to pay attention to all countries, not just those with resources.
The idea of it: Reflecting on the lasting meaning of the protests at Standing Rock, Susan Matthews sees a crucial spirit of resistance to our current crisis of short-termism. Her piece accompanies beautiful photos by Christian Hansen.
A titan falls: The Walking Dead is at a four-year ratings low. (It’s not quite as bad as it was when the gang was stuck on that farm, but it’s pretty bad.) Sam Adams blames Negan.
For fun: SNL’s best Trump sketch yet.
Surreal and perfect,
Rebecca
