In The News

Sondland Deposition

November 6, 2019
US President Donald Trump often approaches foreign affairs topics as a dealmaker, hedging and withholding commitment in search of better terms. US Ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland describes the struggle of diplomats to discern the president’s goals and their concern that he might not follow through after they have given their word to overseas counterparts. Sondland's deposition also...

Yovanovitch Deposition

November 5, 2019
Ambassadors who represent their nations must have support from leadership or they cannot be effective at their jobs. Maria Yovanovitch left her post as US ambassador to Ukriane in May and describes her concern in congressional testimony. She described concerns about a shadow campaign to influence policies in Ukraine, undertaken by the US president’s personal attorney without going through normal...

Impeachment Rules Set: Time

Alana Abramson November 1, 2019
The US House of Representatives voted along party lines, except for two votes, to set rules for the impeachment inquiry of US President Donald Trump. Even supporters of impeachment express concern that the partisan divide will doom the effort to remove Trump from office: “the partisan breakdown of the vote shows the uphill battle Democrats will face as they try to convince their Republican...

Ukraine Testimony: National Review

Jim Geraghty October 29, 2019
US congressional committees gather evidence against the US president, focusing on a July 25 telephone call with Ukraine’s president. Testimony reveals that multiple officials expressed concerns to their superiors about the call after Trump suspended military aid to the country under siege by Russia, with some officials urging Ukrainian counterparts to investigate a political opponent. “Bill...

Fernández's Rise in Argentina: Bloomberg

Patrick Gillespie and Jorgelina do Rosario October 25, 2019
Alberto Fernández’s began planning to run as Argentina’s president early in 2018 when current President Mauricio Macri was still popular and the economy showed signs of recovery. He set out to unite splintered Peronists who favor workers over business owners and reconcile with former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner as his deputy. Fernández had resigned from her cabinet after she tried to...

Three Dead in Chile Protests: Santiago Times

October 22, 2019
Rising energy costs lead to consternation in emerging economies, especially net importers of oil as well as the many that rely on fuel subsidies. A proposed hike in subway fares by Chile's President Sebastián Piñera prompted protests that led to protests, clashes with security forces – leading to more than 300 arrests and three deaths. “The protest by students began on Monday when hundreds...

Liberals Win in Canada: Toronto Star

Tonda MacCharles October 22, 2019
Justin Trudeau will continue on as Canada’s prime minister but without winning a majority in the 338-seat Commons, he will be forced to negotiate with other parties. Preliminary results showed he was 13 seats short. Conservatives won the overall popular vote, defeating some high-profile ministers. “The overall result reflected voter ambivalence toward the two major federal parties, which had been...