Today's Headlines and Commentary

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) announced that his committee’s Russia probe will examine President Donald Trump’s long-time financial relationship with Deutsche Bank, according to the Washington Post.

Prosecutors with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office revealed in a hearing last Thursday that their focus on a meeting between Paul Manafort and Russian associate Konstantin Kilimnik, about a peace plan in Ukraine, goes “very much to the heart of what the special counsel’s office is investigating,” the New York Times details.

President Trump will sign an executive order establishing a national artificial intelligence initiative intended to strengthen U.S. leadership in the field, according to CNN.

American Media Incorporated, the publisher of the National Enquirer, requested guidance from the Justice Department on whether it should register as a foreign agent after publishing a promotional magazine touting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, despite previously denying any connection with Saudi Arabia, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Rebuffing Trump’s troop deployment on the U.S.-Mexico border, California Governor Gavin Newsom will withdraw 400 California National Guard troops deployed there, the Times reports.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned central European allies against using equipment from Chinese telecom giant Huawei, saying it could threaten America cooperation in those countries, Reuters details.

Recent White House pressure on Iraq to cease buying electricity and natural gas from Iran, in an effort to shore up the sanctions regime against Iran, has deteriorated the U.S.-Iraq relationship in recent weeks, according to the Times.

A princess from the United Arab Emirates, who attempted to flee from her country’s repressive social system, was forcibly captured during her escape, brought back to Dubai, and declared to be mentally ill, a narrative seemingly endorsed by former Irish president and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, the Times details.

ICYMI: Last Weekend on Lawfare

Mieke Eoyang, Ben Freeman, Ryan Pougiales and Benjamin Wittes shared the results from the January edition of their polling project on public trust in institutions and the handling of national security matters.

Jen Patja Howell shared an episode of The Lawfare Podcast featuring a panel on the future of warfare from Arnold & Porter’s Veterans and Affiliates Leadership Organization.

For the weekly Foreign Policy Essay, Maira Seeley examined the unique needs of refugee communities that require a tailored approach for countering violent extremism programs.

Elena Kagan shared a Bonus Edition of The Lawfare Podcast featuring a condensed, no-bull version of Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker’s Friday testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.

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