Post #136

Two other things to know: ▶Venezuela has released 10 Americans as part of a prisoner exchange with the U.S. The deal is likely to draw protests in some corners for further incentivizing hostile governments to take Americans hostage. It’s also likely to fuel charges from Biden’s detractors that his admin is too lenient in its deals with U.S. adversaries. ▶The Senate wrapped up 2023 without action on aid for Ukraine and Israel or border security policy. While leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell issued a rare joint statement touting “encouraging progress” in the talks, we won’t see further action until “early in the new year.”