In The News

Vindman Deposition

November 11, 2019
Nations must carefully assess the motivations behind any request from foreign leaders as well as the benefits for their country and the common good. Supporting or targeting a citizen of another country for questionable purposes, can jeopardize bipartisan support. In congressional testimony, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander S. Vindman detailed how he consistently issued warnings – advising the...

Hill Deposition

November 9, 2019
Fiona Hill oversaw interactions pertaining to Europe and NATO as well as Russia, Turkey and Ukrainewas with the National Security Council as. a senior director with the National Security Counci since early 2017. During that time, she observed sloppy security practices, manipulations, internal score setting and targeted leaks to undermine colleagues along with lack of transparency in...

Taylor Deposition

November 8, 2019
William Taylor reported to work at the US embassy in Ukraine on June 17, appointed chargé d'affaires by the Secretary of State and the president. He soon realized that the president’s private attorney Rudy Giuliani was promoting shadow US policies and priorities counter to US security interests. Taylor raised alarm, sending a cable to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after learning that the...

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...

Russia's Internet Law: DW

Timothy Jones November 3, 2019
The internet is a required tool for most workers in advanced economies, helpful for connecting with others and exploring data, systems and methods. A new law in Russia allows the government to isolate the country from parts of the global internet. “The government says the law aims to keep the Russian network functioning smoothly in the event of a crisis or external attack,” reports Timothy Jones...

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...