In The News

RAND: Russia and China as Challenges

James Dobbins, Howard J. Shatz and Ali Wyne January 30, 2019
Russia is intent on subverting the international order while China wants to compete in shaping that order. “Both countries seek to alter the status quo, but only Russia has attacked neighboring states, annexed conquered territory, and supported insurgent forces seeking to detach yet more territory,” suggests a RAND report. “In contrast, China's growing influence is based largely on more-...

Al Jazeera: US Interference Denounced in Venezuela

January 25, 2019
The world is dividing into the usual camps over Venezuela’s president. The United States, Canada and Brazil suggest the election was flawed and Juan Guaido, who leads Congress, should serve as interim president until another election as dictated by the constitution. China, Russia and Turkey support incumbent dictator Nicolas Maduro who presides over an economy in shambles, and Venezuela's...

NBC News: Jared Kushner’s Security Clearance

Laura Strickler, Ken Dilanian and Peter Alexander January 25, 2019
Jared Kushner is the president’s son-in-law whose work experience was in his family’s real estate development firm. Financial difficulties, complicated personal relationships and unexplained foreign contacts can present obstacles for obtaining a top-secret security clearance, and Kushner had to revise his application numerous times. Two career specialists raised concerns about potential foreign...

Reuters: Guaido Claims Venezuela’s Presidency

Mayela Armas, Angus Berwick and Corina Pons January 24, 2019
Venezuela’s Juan Guaido, head of the opposition-run Congress, declared himself as interim president soon after the United States, Brazil, Colombia, Canada and Costa Rica granted him formal recognition. Nicolas Maduro claimed to start his second term on January 10 following what many described as a corrupt election. Maduro quickly described the situation as a coup and broke relations with the...

Guardian: May Endures Historic Defeat

Andrew Sparrow January 15, 2019
The United Kingdom scrambles on what to do next after Parliament soundly rejected Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan. After a campaign of misleading information and interference by foreign interests, British voters narrowly approved exit from the European Union in June 2016. Numerous trade, security and immigration agreements formed over the course of decades have long guided British...

Washington Post: Trump-Putin Revelations

Anne Applebaum January 14, 2019
News reports increasingly suggest that Donald Trump is serving Russian interests – an assertion that follows reports of Russian meddling during the 2016 presidential election including a social media campaign. “Trump’s connection to Putin has been out in the open for years, long before he decided to run for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination,” explains Washington Post columnist Anne...

Reuters: Erdoğan Rebukes US Security Adviser

Steve Holland and Orhan Coskun January 8, 2019
Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw US troops from Syria, adding that the Islamic State had been defeated. This followed a December telephone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who offered assurances that Turkey would manage final stages of the military campaign. Turkey and the United States, both NATO members, disagree about terms for the withdrawal. John Bolton, the US...