Originally published by Ian Bremmer on LinkedIn: #Winners and #Losers - What a trip it's been
The Week in Once and Future FBI Directors
Winner: James Comey—never in history have the words “he took notes” inspired so much simultaneous excitement and dread. #ComeyKeepsComing
Loser: Joe Lieberman—the former Democratic vice presidential candidate-turned-Independent-turned-John McCain endorser is reportedly the frontrunner to replace Comey. #Mo-Joe-Mentum
The Week in Gender Politics
Winner: French President Emmanuel Macron—appoints women to 11 of his 22 cabinet posts, following the gender-balanced cabinet of Canada’s Justin Trudeau. Kids today, with their gender equality and what not. #FemmeTastic
Loser: Saudi Women—the Saudi foreign minister announces that Melania Trump won’t need to wear the traditional headscarf while visiting the Kingdom. #DontLetHerDrive
The Week in Protecting Reputations
Winner: Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein—the White House first tried to pin the Comey firing on Rosenstein before Trump claimed the credit for himself. This week, Rosenstein appointed a respected former FBI director as special counsel to lead the Russia investigation--and only gave the White House a few minutes heads-up. #HowYouLikeMeNow
Loser: National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster—spent 30 years building a reputation as a military professional who spoke truth to power. His defense of Trump’s decision to share classified info with the Russian foreign minister tarnished that reputation in an instant. #GoingDownWithDonald
The Week in Violent Protests
Winner: Protestors in Washington—protests against the Turkish President Erdogan turned violent in Washington this week, as Erdogan’s bodyguards roughed up a group of protestors outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence. Sounds bad, but these protestors and their issues are getting much more attention than they would otherwise. Which is kind of the point of protesting. #ToughWin
Loser: Protestors in Greece—protests against additional austerity measures roiled Athens this week. The measures passed parliament, just like they always do. #NoRestForSisyphus
Trump’s First Trip Abroad
Winner: Saudi Arabia—they get to buy whatever American arms they want, and they have a US president that hates Iran. #SunniSkiesAhead
Loser: Vatican City—if anyone is going to try Pope Francis’ patience, this is the guy. #PatienceOfAPope
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Ian Bremmer is president of Eurasia Group, foreign affairs columnist at TIME and Global Research Professor at New York University. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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