In The News

US Cancels Taliban Talks: Voice of America

September 9, 2019
The United States has been at war in Afghanistan since October 2001. For almost a year, US negotiators have met with Taliban leaders to work out a peace deal. All the while, the Taliban extremist refused to work with the Afghan government. “The revelation of planned peace talks with the Taliban leaders and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at Camp David and the cancellation of the meetings are the...

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...

Hong Kong Protests Turn Violent: Reuters

Twinnie Siu August 27, 2019
After 11 weeks, mostly peaceful protests in Hong Kong have turned into violent with petrol bombs, destruction of surveillance cameras and injuries. Police responded with water cannons, teargas, gunfire and more than 80 arrests. The protests began in June over an extradition bill allowing Hong Kong people to be sent to China for trial. “But the demonstrations have evolved over 12 straight weeks...

South Asia and Trump: Times of India

Nayan Chanda August 25, 2019
Donald Trump, intent on winning reelection as US president and avoiding corruption investigations, is doubling down on “America first” policies and transactional foreign policies. “America’s foreign partners will now more than ever be evaluated on whether they help or hurt his election outlook,” explains Nayan Chanda in his column for the Times of India. Chanda is the founding editor of...

Compromise in Khartoum: Economist

August 22, 2019
Following a coup in Sudan and negotiations, the longtime leader is on trial for corruption. An economist leads the transitional government and elections are scheduled in 2022. Generals “signed the agreement only after coming under intense pressure from foreign powers,” reports the Economist, describing the new government made of five soldiers and six civilians. Many of the generals became wealthy...

North Korea Fires Two Projectiles: Korea Times

Jung Da-min August 17, 2019
North Korea fired two projectiles into the East Sea, making that six tests conducted within the last month. Analysts report the characteristics suggest short-range ballistic missiles. The central news agency in North Korea also dismissed calls for dialogue by South Korea President Moon Jae-in’s calls for dialogue. South Korea’s National Security Council convened, and a joint military drill...

Jammu and Kashmir, India and China: Diplomat

Samanvya Hooda August 16, 2019
India's change in status for Jammu and Kashmir, a lockdown and dividing the state into two union territories suggest a strategy toward China, argues Samanvya Hooda for the Diplomat. “Undivided Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) consists of the erstwhile Indian state of J&K, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and Aksai Chin, controlled by China,” he explains. “China also controls the Shaksgam Tract...