In The News

End of Oil Dependence and Geopolitics: BBC

James Landale January 4, 2020
Technological advances in renewable energy are putting purveyors of fossil fuels on notice. For example, solar energy is advancing with improved site locations, molten salt and mirrors. Battery and electric vehicle technologies are also advancing, and such developments will impact global politics, suggests James Landale. “From that moment, much of the history of the 20th Century can be seen...

US Kills Iranian Commander: Washington Post

Louisa Loveluck January 3, 2020
The United States used a drone to kill a group of Iranian commanders in Baghdad, including Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, a powerful and popular leader of the elite Qud Force. “After a week in which frictions between the two countries had sparked a siege of Baghdad's U.S. Embassy by supporters of an Iranian-backed militia, Thursday's airstrike appeared to be aimed at crippling a force that...

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...

World Averts Gaze From Impeachment: USA Today

Kim Hjelmgaard December 20, 2019
The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump on two articles, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Only one Republican congressional representative has criticized Trump’s behavior and he left the party. Otherwise, all Republicans in the House opposed impeachment. Removing the president requires 67 votes in a Senate. The Republican majority probably will not convict Trump. Hence,...

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: “...

Public Misled on Afghan War: Washington Post

Craig Whitlock December 9, 2019
The war in Afghanistan has been underway since 2001, and confidential documents suggest that US officials hid evidence that the longest war in US history was unwinnable, reports Craig Whitlock for the Washington Post. Those documents entitled "Lessons Learned" were obtained after a three-year legal battle and include assessments from generals, diplomats, aid workers and Afghan officials...