In The News

Obsession With Ukraine: New York Times

Kenneth P. Vogel, Julian E. Barnes, Maggie Haberman and Sharon LaFraniere September 26, 2019
US interest in Ukraine focuses on the country’s shared border with Russia, the Russian invasion and annexation of Crimea soon after a puppet’s departure in 2014, and interference in the country’s eastern section. US President Donald Trump’s emphasizes other priorities, including improved relations with Russia, according to a non-verbatim transcript of a July telephone call between Trump and...

US Withheld Ukraine Military Aid: Washington Post

Seung Min Kim and Colby Itkowitz September 24, 2019
A political leader can legally use aid money and other policies as leverage in guiding countries on specific behaviors. Use of government money or policies for personal political gain is corruption. Donald Trump confirms that he delayed almost $400 million in aid for Ukraine due to concerns about levels of funding provided by European nations. On July 25, shortly after the aid was delayed, the US...

Iran’s Strategy Is Working: Stratfor

Reva Goujon September 13, 2019
After the United States abandoned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – an international agreement limiting Iran’s nuclear weapons program – and reinstated sanctions, Iran remained defiant, this despite economic hardship accompanyng reduced oil exports and high inflation. The United States expresses a willingness to talk, but Iran refuses without some sanctions relief. “Over the past three...

Concerns About US-Taliban Peace Deal: Reuters

September 6, 2019
The United States has fought extremist forces in Afghanistan since 2001, including the Taliban. The war resulted in more than 3200 US and coalition military deaths, more than 20,000 wounded along with tens of thousands of more deaths and wounded among civilians and Afghan forces. The Trump administration is in a hurry to withdraw US forces. “The deal, which would see around 5,000 U.S. troops...

Dousing Sovereignty Wildfires: Project Syndicate

Jean Pisani-Ferry September 3, 2019
The world is more connected and informed on global events than ever before, and possibly more competitive over limited resources. Conflicts over sovereignty – the right for nations to do as they please, disregarding the interests of the world at large – could become more common. A quarrel between the presidents of France and Brazil over reflects a larger battle over national sovereignty: Emmanuel...

Israel-Iran Shadow War: New York Times

David M. Halbfinger, Ben Hubbard and Ronen Bergman September 2, 2019
Conflicts in the Middle East tend to attract interventions and proxy wars with regional players trying to reduce the influence of rivals. A team of writers for the New York Times reports that a shadow war between Israel and Iran is escalating with Israel pushing back at Iran's expansion in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. “Israel accuses Iran of trying to establish an overland arms-supply...

Tensions at G-7: Wall Street Journal

Rebecca Ballhaus, Noemie Bisserbe and Max Colchester August 26, 2019
G7 leaders tried to present a cooperative image despite tensions over issues like trade, climate change and Iran. The United States under Donald Trump is isolated in this forum. “G-7 leaders tried to squeeze concessions from Mr. Trump on Iran and other issues over closed-door meals, beyond the reach of White House advisers and TV cameras,” reports the Wall Street Journal. “But Mr. Trump responded...