Sept. 1 Weekly Update: China’s “Spamouflage” on Meta’s naughty list

And a Time to choose on Ukraine; a Return-to-office policy for Conservatives; and Restoring Thrifted Dress Shoes

September 1, 2023

Good morning, Ambassadors.  Here's your weekly news round-up:  
China is caught red-handed again.  And and we share a perspective on the US involvement with Ukraine-Russia war, and more.
Stay frosty.

Current Affairs

Spamouflage: Meta pins pro-China influence campaign on Chinese law enforcement (Reuters)

Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has identified connections between individuals associated with Chinese law enforcement and the longstanding, yet largely ineffective, pro-China “Spamouflage” influence campaign. This revelation sheds light on potential state-backed efforts to manipulate online narratives with positive stories about China and negative commentary about the United States. Meta removed 7,700 Facebook accounts and hundreds of other pages, groups and Instagram accounts that were active since 2018.


Foreign Policy

Time to Choose What to Do About Ukraine (Townhall)

Townhall discusses the complex situation in Ukraine and outlines four potential courses of action for the U.S. The author argues that none of these options are ideal but emphasizes the need for decisive action, criticizing the current U.S. approach as indecisive and unsustainable:

  1. Fully support Ukraine to win the war
  2. Withdraw support and let Russia prevail
  3. Force a negotiation between the warring parties
  4. Continue the current “meat grinder” strategy of limited support.

What do you think about the Ukraine? What’s the best way to exit? Discuss with us on X / Twitter.


Marketplace

This Company Created a Return-to-Office Plan That Employees Actually Like (WSJ)

J.M. Smucker has implemented a unique return-to-office strategy that mandates its 1,300 Orrville-based corporate employees to be on-site for 22 “core” weeks a year, amounting to as little as six days a month. This flexible approach allows employees to live anywhere in the U.S., provided they can commute to Orrville for these core weeks.

The strategy has been well-received by employees and has led to a rise in “super-commuters.” The company has seen increased productivity during core weeks, with headquarters occupancy rates reaching 70-80%, well above the national average. This innovative model offers a balanced solution to the remote vs. in-office work debate, and could serve as a blueprint for other organizations grappling with post-pandemic work arrangements.

People with Conservative values live all over the country, but especially outside of urban areas where often corporate headquarters are located. This return-to-office strategy would enable conservatives to live and raise their children in their preferred parts of the country.


Men’s Style

How to Sanitize and Restore Thrifted Dress Shoes (The Modest Man)

In a market increasingly driven by sustainability and value, The Modest Man offers a compelling guide on acquiring and restoring thrifted dress shoes. The article meticulously outlines how to select, sanitize, and refurbish high-quality, gently used leather footwear, effectively debunking the stigma around second-hand shoes.

This approach not only aligns with the burgeoning consumer demand for eco-friendly options but also presents an untapped opportunity for cost savings without compromising on quality.

A core conservative value is thrift and we loved this example of how to squeeze some extra life from gently used shoes.

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