BURNOUT — "America's digital defender is underfunded, outmatched and 'exhausted,'" by Eric Geller: "Staffers are worn out, money is tight and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is struggling to keep up with multiple competing crises, including the recently uncovered intrusions blamed on Russia and China, according to interviews with 15 people familiar with CISA's work. Among them are four current employees and five former agency officials. … "Many of those who track the nation's cyber defenses say they're worried that CISA — with roughly 2,000 employees — is so consumed with recovering from the existing breaches that it's too stretched to prepare for the next attack, potentially making future breaches more widespread or more damaging to U.S. economic and national security." FOR THOSE KEEPING TRACK — "Trump's Appeal in Defamation Case Dismissed by N.Y. Court," Bloomberg WAR REPORT — "The Taliban Think They Have Already Won, Peace Deal or Not," NYT: "The Taliban's swagger is unmistakable. From the recent bellicose speech of their deputy leader, boasting of 'conquests,' to sneering references to the 'foreign masters' of the 'illegitimate' Kabul government, to the Taliban's own website tally of 'puppets' killed — Afghan soldiers — they are promoting a bold message: We have already won the war. And that belief, grounded in military and political reality, is shaping Afghanistan's volatile present. "On the eve of talks in Turkey next month over the country's future, it is the elephant in the room: the half-acknowledged truth that the Taliban have the upper hand and are thus showing little outward interest in compromise, or of going along with the dominant American idea, power-sharing. While the Taliban's current rhetoric is also propaganda, the grim sense of Taliban supremacy is dictating the response of a desperate Afghan government and influencing Afghanistan's anxious foreign interlocutors." FOR YOUR RADAR — "Dozens of LGBT students at Christian colleges sue the U.S. Education Dept., hoping to pressure Equality Act negotiations," WaPo: "The suit says the religious exemption the schools are given that allow them to have discriminatory policies is unconstitutional because they receive government funding. The class-action suit, filed by the nonprofit Religious Exemption Accountability Project, references 25 schools across the country." SPORTS BLINK — "How Blowing Up College Sports Became a Rallying Cry for Some in Washington," NYT: "The N.C.A.A. is embroiled in perhaps the most crucial stretch of its long relationship with Washington, where top government officials have increasingly voiced doubts about the management and restrictions of college sports. … "The confluence of events could ultimately push Washington toward a few outcomes, including national protections for student-athletes or sustained scrutiny on the N.C.A.A. from Capitol Hill and the Justice Department. What lawmakers say is already clear, though, is that the N.C.A.A.'s political standing has eroded in recent years, diminished by protracted internal debates and bipartisan, coast-to-coast pressure for changes that benefit athletes." — AND WITH OPENING DAY ON DECK … "Trump never made it to an Opening Day. Will Biden bring the tradition back?" Frederic Frommer writes in a column for WaPo (FWIW: According to press secretary JEN PSAKI, the answer is no, at least for this year.) MEGATREND — "U.S. home prices soared in January by most in seven years," AP MEDIAWATCH — Fox News announced that Kayleigh McEnany will be a co-host of "Outnumbered." More from Ben Leonard — Greg Mott is now a news editor for POLITICO's new economy and business team. He previously was a financial regulation editor at Bloomberg. Mark McQuillan, P.J. Joshi, Toby Eckert, Zachary Warmbrodt and Lorraine Woellert will also be taking on new roles as part of the expanded team. Staff memo — Ximena Bustillo is now a food and agriculture policy reporter and author of Morning Agriculture. She previously was a Legislative Compass reporter. TRANSITIONS — Former South Carolina Gov. and Rep. Mark Sanford has joined Shumaker Advisors. … Nate Adams has returned to Sen. Dan Sullivan's (R-Alaska) office as press secretary. He previously was the comms and digital director on Sullivan's re-election campaign. … Yasmin Rigney Nelson is joining Bracewell's Policy Resolution Group as a senior principal. She most recently was a senior policy adviser for Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and is a Debbie Stabenow, Cory Booker, Ron Wyden and Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus alum. … … Nicholas Scoufaras is now manager of public and government affairs at the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association. He previously was legislative director for former Rep. Rob Woodall (R-Ga.). … Jeremy Crane is now deputy press secretary for Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.). He previously was policy outreach coordinator and press assistant at CPI. … Rama Yade is now director of the Atlantic Council's Africa Center. She is France's former deputy minister for foreign affairs and human rights. … Andrew Bremberg is joining the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation as president and CEO. He previously was ambassador and permanent representative of the U.S. to the Office of the United Nations and is a Trump White House alum. | 
