In The News

Internationalizing the Kashmir Issue: Hindu Times

Karan Thapar November 1, 2019
A small group of EU members of parliament, mostly representing right-wing, anti-immigrant and anti-trade interests, visited Kashmir. Other MPs pointed out they were disinvited after insisting upon meeting ordinary people of Kashmir and opposing the tight restrictions imposed by the Modi government that would prevent hearing opposition voices. Violence broke out in Kashmir during that visit,...

Impeachment Rules Set: Time

Alana Abramson November 1, 2019
The US House of Representatives voted along party lines, except for two votes, to set rules for the impeachment inquiry of US President Donald Trump. Even supporters of impeachment express concern that the partisan divide will doom the effort to remove Trump from office: “the partisan breakdown of the vote shows the uphill battle Democrats will face as they try to convince their Republican...

Informant on Baghdadi: Washington Post

Joby Warrick, Ellen Nakashima and Dan Lamothe October 31, 2019
An informant who “lost faith” in the Islamic State helped the United States identify and kill ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. “The mole’s detailed knowledge of Baghdadi’s whereabouts as well as the room-by-room layout of his sanctuary proved to be critical in the Oct. 26 raid that ended with the death of the world’s most-wanted terrorist, the officials said,” reports the Washington Post. The...

Ukraine Testimony: National Review

Jim Geraghty October 29, 2019
US congressional committees gather evidence against the US president, focusing on a July 25 telephone call with Ukraine’s president. Testimony reveals that multiple officials expressed concerns to their superiors about the call after Trump suspended military aid to the country under siege by Russia, with some officials urging Ukrainian counterparts to investigate a political opponent. “Bill...

Invading Vietnam’s Waters: Times of India

Nayan Chanda October 28, 2019
China’s expansive claims over the South China Sea and ongoing aggression push Vietnam to consider filing a suit with the Hague for violating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The international court has already ruled that China’s claims are overly expansive, but the country has not complied. In July, Chinese survey ships entered Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone and disrupted oil drilling...

Trump Lifts Sanctions on Turkey: New York Times

Michael Crowley and Lara Jakes October 24, 2019
The price may be heavy for the US abandoning Kurdish allies and its role in stabilizing territory in northeast Syria – delegating security to Russia and Turkey. Turkey’s president advised the US president about its plans to invade northern Syria on Oct 6, and Trump ordered US troop withdrawal. Not waiting for the US troops to exit, Turkey made its move October 9, touting plans to create a buffer...

Educate Afghan Youth to Ensure Peace: NYT

Roya Mahboob October 20, 2019
International aid for Afghanistan funds programs that strengthen democracy, while improving health and education systems. The young country, with a median population of 25 and a population of 35 million, struggles with poverty, extremism, political divisions and large numbers of children going uneducated. The World Bank estimated the per capita income at $560. “Human rights groups continue to...