Topic: Diplomatic Immunity

The hosts discuss the presence of OSCE election observers in Texas and the state's threat to prosecute them if they interfere with voting. A State Department spokesperson's "shut up slave" response confirms that these observers are eligible for full diplomatic immunity under a 1996 proclamation.

A Hong Kong pro-democracy protester, Bob Chang, was reportedly dragged into the Chinese consulate in Manchester and beaten by staff. Consul General Zhang Shiyuan admitted to pulling Chang's hair, claiming it was his "duty" to defend his country's honor. The UK government has summoned the Chinese ambassador and warned of diplomatic consequences if immunity is not waived for the officials involved.

The death of British teenager Harry Dunn, killed by the wife of a U.S. diplomat driving on the wrong side of the road, has sparked an international incident. Anne Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity and fled to the U.S., leading to allegations that she and her husband were intelligence "spooks" stationed at a UK listening base. President Trump's attempt to facilitate a meeting between the families at the White House was rejected by Dunn's parents.

The U.S. State Department ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in San Francisco, the oldest in the country, dating back to 1852. Black smoke was seen billowing from the consulate chimney as staff reportedly burned records before the Saturday deadline. The closure is a retaliatory move following Russia's expulsion of hundreds of U.S. diplomats.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the FBI's planned search of Russian diplomatic properties in Washington and San Francisco as an "invasion." The search of apartments belonging to staff with diplomatic immunity is highlighted as a potentially dangerous violation of international norms that could be interpreted as an act of war.

In a retaliatory move following the strip-search of an Indian diplomat in New York, the Indian government ordered the US Embassy in New Delhi to shut down its recreational club. The club, which featured a swimming pool and tennis courts, was deemed in violation of the Vienna Convention because it served non-diplomatic personnel. This escalation has led to the cancellation of high-level diplomatic visits between the two nations.

A diplomatic row has erupted between Russia and the Netherlands following the arrest of a Russian diplomat in The Hague and the subsequent beating of a Dutch diplomat in Moscow. The tension is exacerbated by the detention of 30 Greenpeace activists on the Arctic Sunrise vessel and the suicide of Russian activist Alexander Dolmatov in Dutch custody. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were recently pelted with tomatoes in Moscow as a result of these strained relations.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) sends observers to monitor U.S. elections, prompting a standoff with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. Abbott threatens to arrest observers who violate state law, while State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland asserts they have diplomatic immunity. The hosts mock the "shut up slave" rhetoric used by the State Department during press briefings.

The British government threatens to revoke the diplomatic status of the Ecuadorian embassy using the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act to arrest Julian Assange. The Ecuadorian government expresses indignation over the leaked letter from the Foreign Office. The hosts argue that the UK is acting as a "lapdog" for the Obama administration's crackdown on whistleblowers.

Christine Lagarde faced criticism for telling Greek citizens to pay their taxes while she herself enjoys diplomatic immunity from taxation. Meanwhile, the foreign exchange platform Oanda announced it would halt trading on Sunday, June 17th, due to expected volatility from the Greek elections. Rumors of impending ATM withdrawal limits in Europe are also discussed.

An American official, Raymond Davis, was arrested in Lahore, Pakistan, after shooting two men he claimed were attempting to rob him. Despite U.S. demands for his release based on diplomatic immunity, Pakistani authorities have kept him in custody amidst widespread public protests. The hosts suggest Davis is a "spook" involved in a botched intelligence operation and note the media's focus on Anderson Cooper's assault in Egypt has overshadowed this story.

A Colombian court has suspended a deal that would have granted the U.S. military access to seven bases within the country. The hosts suggest the military presence is aimed at destabilizing Hugo Chavez in Venezuela rather than fighting the war on drugs. They highlight the provision of "diplomatic immunity" for the 800 U.S. troops and 600 contractors involved in the deal.