text: ENERGY UPDATE: The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+ are meeting today and tomorrow, however, observers say that any substantial changes to current policy are unlikely. Previously, the Biden administration lobbied OPEC to increase production, which did lead to successive production increases in May and June. Over the weekend, French President Emanuel Macron was seen telling President Biden that the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia don’t have room to substantially increase production. Meanwhile, U.S. power companies are warning of “major challenges,” according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (AC: The rest of the United States is facing similar conditions as California experienced several years ago: shutting down power plants and reducing production capacity going into a period of higher demand will lead to brownouts and blackouts. U.S. utilities say that it’s not just a problem of production capacity, but a supply chain problem as they’re trying to source spare parts and equipment. Not only are pole-mounted transformers in short supply, according to utility companies, but spare parts are backlogged up to a year. The perennial grid issues faced every summer and winter could be particularly acute this year and for years to come. – M.S.)POLITICAL WARFAREJAN 6 COMMITTEE SURPRISE WITNESS: The House Select Committee on Jan 6 featured a former Secret Service agent who testified that former President Trump attempted to choke the agent and take control of the President’s limo. Additional testimony from a former White House staffer said President Trump knew Capitol Hill protesters were armed with pistols, brass knuckles, and AR-15s. (AC: The House panel seeks to show the former President as having direct knowledge of the protests and Capitol breach. This is designed to make Trump politically radioactive in 2024 and dissuade voters from supporting Trump-endorsed candidates in November. The assault allegations, with or without charges, will paint a picture to voters of an unhinged former President seeking to maintain political power after the election. Clips of Tuesday’s testimony will be used in attacks against Republicans through November. These arguments may turn off some would-be Republican supporters, but a more probable outcome is that the messaging emboldens left wing political opposition to a GOP-controlled House and Senate widely expected after midterm elections. – D.M.)GEOSTRATEGIC INTSUMBIDEN TO EXTEND TROOP DEPLOYMENTS IN EUROPE: During this week’s NATO Summit in Madrid, President Biden announced an extension of troop deployments in Europe. The announcement coincides with NATO’s new Strategic Concept and already announced expansions to the Enhanced Forward Presence and Response Forces. Simultaneously, ‘hundreds’ of troops from the 101st Airborne Division left Ft. Campbell, KY, for a nine month deployment to Europe. “We’re going to check the Russian influence, and we’re going to impact the Russians’ decision-making for probably the next 10-20 years,” said Col. John Lubas during a pre-deployment briefing. – D.M.U.S. NAVY SET TO CHALLENGE LATEST CHINESE CLAIMS ON TAIWAN STRAITS: A U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer, the USS Benfold, entered the South China Sea over the weekend, one day after a Navy P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft flew through the nearby Taiwan Strait. China declared the Taiwan Strait to be Chinese territorial waters earlier this month, sparking concerns that it would militarize the strait and block transit of the key area separating Taiwan and mainland China. The Benfold, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, sailed through the East China Sea through the Verde Island Passage before entering the South China Sea. The U.S. Navy said the Benfold was on routine patrol and declined to confirm it planned to challenge China’s latest claims on the Taiwan Strait with a freedom of navigation transit. – M.M.