NEED TO KNOW

Al-Zawahri Killed

Ayman al-Zawahri, the current leader of al-Qaida, was killed in a US-led drone strike in recent days, according to multiple sources yesterday. Al-Zawahri, one of the world's most wanted men, was one of Osama bid Laden's top deputies and a key architect of the 9/11 attacks. 

The Egyptian-born terrorist assumed control of al-Qaida following bin Laden's death in 2011, helping oversee the expansion of the organization and becoming a leading figure among Islamic militants. Analysts portray the relationship (see retrospective from 2002, paywall, New Yorker) between bin Laden and al-Zawahri as one of funder and strategist, with al-Zawahri leading the planning of the group's operations while bin Laden played a public-facing role. 

Reports suggest the operation was carried out by the CIA in the Afghanistan capital of Kabul, coming just under one year since the US withdrew forces from the country. Al-Zawahri had a $25M bounty offered by the US government, though there has been no word of whether it has been paid out. 

Pelosi to Visit Taiwan

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to arrive in Taiwan tonight during her tour of Asia, despite warnings from China and the Biden administration. Viewing the trip as a provocation, China warned it would take action if the visit goes through, though no details on a potential retaliation were given. The trip would be the most high-profile visit by a US official to Taiwan since 1997—though Taiwan is not listed on the official itinerary.

The news comes a week after President Joe Biden told China that the US position on Taiwan remains unchanged. The island nation broke away following China’s Communist revolution. Beijing views Taiwan as under its control, while Taiwan maintains it is a sovereign nation. The US has long supported Taiwan’s independence but has adopted a neutral stance on the question of its sovereignty. See background here.

China scheduled military exercises in the South China Sea, with Pelosi's visit coinciding with the anniversary of the founding of China's People’s Liberation Army.

Deshaun Watson Suspended

An independent arbiter suspended Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for six games yesterday for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Watson has been accused of sexual misconduct during massage treatments by at least 24 women, allegations he has denied. 
 

Accusations first arose against Watson last March (see timeline), with dozens of women bringing civil lawsuits. Earlier this year, two grand juries opted not to pursue criminal charges against Watson, while all but one of the 24 civil suits have been settled out of court. 

The NFL had been seeking a full season suspension and has three days to appeal. Regardless, Watson will keep his five-year, $230M contract minus six game checks, and will be required to use only club-approved massage therapists in authorized venues.

The suspension comes three months after the Houston Texans traded Watson to the Browns, opting to replace their former No. 1 draft pick and four-year starting QB Baker Mayfield, who ultimately signed with the Carolina Panthers. 

See a list of players disciplined under the NFL's personal conduct policy. 

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Dawn of the Motor Age

MIT Press Reader | Peter Norton. For many urban Americans in the 1920s, cars and their divers were not only seen as a menace to life and limb, but also as aggressors to their rights to city streets. (Read)

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