In The News

The Washington Post: What the Royal Purge Means for Saudi Arabia and Oil

Steven Mufson November 6, 2017
Global investors study a series of events in Saudi Arabia and how those may disrupt global oil prices. The crown prince announced a modernization drive, Vision 2030, with plans to create a new city. He also launched an anti-corruption drive, quickly followed by arrests of princes and ministers who might be seen as potential rivals. Saudi Arabia is in the process of selling a small portion of...

The Diplomat: US Allies in the Age of Trump

Robert Dujarric November 3, 2017
Barack Obama had emphasized a “pivot to Asia," but the Trump administration promotes "America First" policies. US allies in the region will listen closely during Donald Trump’s 12-day trip to Asia for any signals on priorities. His policies, especially termination of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and baiting of Kim Jong Un in North Korea, do not align with the allies’ interests,...

The Guardian: Russia Tried to Co-opt a Leader of Occupy Wall Street

Micah White November 2, 2017
Social movements can expect infiltration by undercover domestic or foreign intelligence agents. Micah White, an Occupy Wall Street organizer, describes an interviewer who asked questions about an online group, later learning that the phony group was “run by the nefarious Internet Research Agency, a Russian private intelligence and propaganda firm.” Such troll groups target both conservatives and...

CNN: "Kill Them All" – Russian-Linked Facebook Accounts Called for Violence

Curt Devine October 31, 2017
Representatives of social media companies are testifying to US Congress about Russian meddling in the US election through fake accounts and provocative posts on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms. Prior to the hearing, Facebook admitted that more than 100 million Americans may have viewed Russian-made posts. At least 25 messages from a small number of accounts called for violence against...

BBC: Catalans Declare Independence as Madrid Imposes Direct Rule

October 27, 2017
Catalan voters chose to seek independence from Spain in a special referendum and the Catalan regional parliament soon followed suit with 70 members in favor, 10 opposed, two abstained and more than 50 members not indicating a position. The Spanish Constitutional Court is expected to rule the regional parliament’s decision as illegal. Spain has responded by approving direct rule over the region,...

Financial Times: Inside China’s Secret “Magic Weapon” for Worldwide Influence

James Kynge, Lucy Hornby and Jamil Anderlini October 26, 2017
The United States once charmed the world with innovations and a confident culture – but stagnation, insecurity and a lack of civility have weakened what Harvard’s Joseph Nye identified in the 1980s as soft power. China’s Xi Jinping, in consolidating his own power, sees value in presenting a confident and caring face to the world. The headquarters for China’s soft-power strategy is in Beijing and...

The Japan Times: Abe Emerges Stronger With Win; Nation Still Divided Over Constitutional Revision

Reiji Yoshida October 23, 2017
Despite a low turnout by voters who had to contend with a typhoon, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s coalition has won a supermajority in Japan’s Lower House of Parliament after Sunday’s election. Reporters in Japan expect a continued push for constitutional changes that would dispense with severe limits on the country’s self-defense. A national referendum for considering such changes requires two-...