In The News

US Embassy in Iraq as Target of Anger: NPR

Larry Kaplow January 1, 2020
Supporters of an Iraqi militia surrounded the US Embassy in Baghdad and breached a gatehouse. The United States held off the group with teargas and blames neighboring Iran for the unrest. After a rocket attack killed a US contractor, the United States responded with airstrikes on five compounds in Syria and Iraq held by the Kataib Hezbollah militia, reports Larry Kaplow for NPR. “U.S. officials...

Norms for Cyberspace Stability: Project Syndicate

Joseph S. Nye Jr. December 30, 2019
The internet is vital communications infrastructure. The Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace with experts from 16 nations met over three years to consider security challenges, rules and norms for information technology. The aim: encourage safe, secure use of cyber services, manage change in peaceful and organized ways, resolve disputes and reduce tensions while relying on...

Clash of Killer Robots? Japan Times

Daisuke Akimoto December 22, 2019
Development of robots, artificial intelligence and autonomous machines outpaces regulations and leads to human rights concerns. “Although no ‘fully autonomous’ weapon exists at this stage, several countries, such as the United States, Russia, China, South Korea, and Israel, are thought to have developed ‘semi-autonomous’ weapons equipped with artificial intelligence,” explains Daisuke Akimoto for...

Turkey May Close Two Bases: Anadolu Agency

Cigdem Alyanak December 16, 2019
While the current set of US legislators do not agree on much, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide, 1915 to 1923. As the Ottoman Empire declined and World War I began, Turkey sided with Germany and accused Armenians of supporting Russia. Targeted by Turks, as many as 1.5 million Armenians died during the period. US President Donald Trump opposed the...

Regime-Change Merchants: South China Morning Post

Teddy Ng December 12, 2019
Candidates who support democratic rights for Hong Kong swept district elections in November, and protesters continue to remind the government about their expectations. More than 800,000 marched on December 8. China wants to bring Hong Kong under its control and blames foreign interference, with diplomats expressing frustration. The Chinese vice foreign minister spoke at a human rights forum: “...

China Pushes NATO Together: CNN

James Griffiths December 6, 2019
NATO members gathered to celebrate the alliance’s 70th anniversary in London, but relations seemed rough. NATO, a legacy of the Cold War, originally focused on confronting the Soviet Union and communism. However, with the collapse of the common enemy, NATO member states increasingly disagree about the meaning of its existence. Under President Donald Trump, the United States has questioned the...

Limits of Russian Strategy in Middle East: RAND

Becca Wasser December 3, 2019
Russia, trying to restore its great power status, accrues influence in the Middle East. “Both the unrest in Syria and the Arab Spring presented Russia with the opportunity to increase its engagement in the region and were accompanied by a rapid uptick in Russian economic and political activities across the region,” explains Becca Wasser for RAND. Shared interest in selling fossil fuels helps, yet...