In The News

Bahamas Defends Dorian Response

September 9, 2019
The Bahamas is a disaster zone after Hurricane Dorian, and this is a story of globalization in many ways: climate change, immigration, international aid and a global race to the bottom on taxation. The country reports widespread property damage and 45 deaths, with many more anticipated. Researchers suggest that climate change, due to the world’s reliance on fossil fuels, has intensified such...

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...

Armed Conflict Possible in Europe? Spiegel

Dirk Kurbjuweit September 6, 2019
The rise of antagonistic nationalism triggered World War II – and a wake of destruction with more than 60 million dead worldwide. Fears emerge that another wave of nationalism, with disregard for minorities and democratic institutions and emphasis on competition, could put an end to 75 relatively peaceful years. Writing for Spiegel Online, Dirk Kurbjuweit summarizes the events leading to 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...

Israel-Iran Shadow War: New York Times

David M. Halbfinger, Ben Hubbard and Ronen Bergman September 2, 2019
Conflicts in the Middle East tend to attract interventions and proxy wars with regional players trying to reduce the influence of rivals. A team of writers for the New York Times reports that a shadow war between Israel and Iran is escalating with Israel pushing back at Iran's expansion in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. “Israel accuses Iran of trying to establish an overland arms-supply...

China’s Missing Million: New Statesman

Morgan Meaker August 31, 2019
China has been accused of detaining as many as 3 million Uyghurs and other Muslims, most from Xinjiang province, including the highly educated and even members of the Chinese Communist Party, in reeducation camps. China targets the Uyghurs out of insecurity over any separatist movement and ideological competition from religion. “During the past decade, Uyghurs have reported ongoing human rights...

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...