In The News

How We Broke the World: NYT

Thomas L. Friedman June 2, 2020
Global insecurity has intensified with the gradual dismantling of protections. “Over the past 20 years, we’ve been steadily removing man-made and natural buffers, redundancies, regulations and norms that provide resilience and protection when big systems – be they ecological, geopolitical or financial – get stressed,” explains Thomas Friedman for the New York Times. Obsession with short-term...

Protests Grow Over US Man’s Death: Washington Post

William Booth and Loveday Morris May 31, 2020
When crisis hits a community, some police officers escalate tensions while others show skill in de-escalation. Protests, some peaceful and others violent riots, broke out after four Minneapolis police officers arrested George Floyd on May 25 for forgery, restraining him next to a police vehicle. With Floyd prone, one officer pressed a knee against the back of his neck for more than 8 minutes....

China-India Border Standoff: CBS

Arshad R. Zargar May 29, 2020
China and India move troops to a disputed border, and the US president offered to mediate. “Thousands of Chinese troops have reportedly moved into an area along the eastern Ladakh border, which India considers its territory,” reports CBS News. The two nations share a border that is about 3,400 kilometers long, and both “accuse the other of trespassing.” An India television station reports that...

Moment of Truth for Hong Kong and China: The Hill

Joseph Bosco May 27, 2020
China violates international norms on a number of fronts, from failure to protect intellectual property to ongoing support for North Korea, writes Joseph Bosco for the Hill. Many democracies, eager to protect business interests with the world’s second largest economy, remain silent about steady erosion in rights. In the midst of the pandemic, China moves to take more control over Hong Kong,...

US to Withdraw From Open Skies Treaty: NYT

David E. Sanger May 23, 2020
US President Donald Trump will inform Russia that the United States will begin a six-month clock to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty – “negotiated three decades ago to allow nations to fly over each other’s territory with elaborate sensor equipment to assure that they are not preparing for military action,” reports David Sanger for the New York Times. Sanger expresses concern that the next...

National Security Legislation for Hong Kong: SCMP

Gary Cheung May 22, 2020
China is moving on a national security resolution for Hong Kong, relying on the National People’s Congress rather than waiting for the territory’s Legislative Council to shape its own rules. The resolution would “ban all seditious activities aimed at toppling the central government and external interference in Hong Kong’s affairs” and “target terrorist acts in Hong Kong,” reports Gary Cheung for...

China Endangers the Diaspora: Diplomat

Chauncey Jung May 16, 2020
Covid-19 pandemic costs are immense, as the world heads into recession and unemployment increases. The United States, which may spend as much as $5 trillion to tackle the many challenges, and other nations question China's lack of transparency in late 2019. In turn, China threatens to boycott Australian goods as that government calls for an investigation. The issue has entered political...