In The News

New Yorker: Trump Eyes Iran as Bush Once Eyed Iraq

Jonathan Chait February 5, 2019
US intelligence officials testified on live television before a Senate committee that their evidence shows Iran has not resumed efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. Donald Trump initially took offense, before claiming the public mischaracterized the assessment and the officials privately agreed with him. “Trump’s rejection of intelligence assessments of Iran’s weapons of mass destruction...

New York Times: The US in 5G Race With China

David Sanger, Julian Barnes, Raymond Zhong and Marc Santora February 5, 2019
With the advent of the fifth-generation networks – technology that would revolutionize data transfer and better serve virtual reality and artificial intelligence tools – the Trump administration seeks support from NATO allies to prevent China from gaining a foothold in the 5G race. Starting with the United Kingdom and Germany, the Trump administration argues that any economic benefit from using...

Wall Street Journal: Nuclear Arms Treaty

Vivian Salama and Courtney McBride February 1, 2019
The United States announced plans to suspend its obligations under a 1987 nuclear-arms control treaty and “begin withdrawing from the pact, after talks to compel Russia to destroy missiles and launchers the U.S. maintains breach the agreement failed,” report Vivian Salama and Courtney McBride for the Wall Street Journal. “Friday’s announcement from the Trump administration follows revelations...

Modern Diplomacy: Advanced Persistent Cyber Threats

Al Lewis January 31, 2019
Global online connectivity presents and exposes many vulnerabilities. Writing for Modern Diplomacy, Al Lewis explains that advanced persistent cyber threats share six characteristics with terrorism: “asymmetry, cost effectiveness, contributions of loose associations, will to succeed, impossibility to completely defend, and contagion.” However, those waging cyber-attacks, unlike terrorists, are...

RAND: Russia and China as Challenges

James Dobbins, Howard J. Shatz and Ali Wyne January 30, 2019
Russia is intent on subverting the international order while China wants to compete in shaping that order. “Both countries seek to alter the status quo, but only Russia has attacked neighboring states, annexed conquered territory, and supported insurgent forces seeking to detach yet more territory,” suggests a RAND report. “In contrast, China's growing influence is based largely on more-...

Al Jazeera: US Interference Denounced in Venezuela

January 25, 2019
The world is dividing into the usual camps over Venezuela’s president. The United States, Canada and Brazil suggest the election was flawed and Juan Guaido, who leads Congress, should serve as interim president until another election as dictated by the constitution. China, Russia and Turkey support incumbent dictator Nicolas Maduro who presides over an economy in shambles, and Venezuela's...

NBC News: Jared Kushner’s Security Clearance

Laura Strickler, Ken Dilanian and Peter Alexander January 25, 2019
Jared Kushner is the president’s son-in-law whose work experience was in his family’s real estate development firm. Financial difficulties, complicated personal relationships and unexplained foreign contacts can present obstacles for obtaining a top-secret security clearance, and Kushner had to revise his application numerous times. Two career specialists raised concerns about potential foreign...