In The News

Trump Briefed on Russian Bounties Report: NYT

Charlie Savage, Eric Schmitt, Nicholas Fandos and Adam Goldman June 30, 2020
US intelligence agencies briefed Donald Trump in late February on reports that a Russian military intelligence unit paid bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill US and coalition troops in Afghanistan, according to two sources, reports the New York Times. The White House claims the report lacked consensus or verification, and the president did not receive a briefing. Uncertainty often...

Vandalism Against Multilateral Systems: El País

Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León June 29, 2020
The United States has withdrawn from many global organizations, reducing its own leadership role while enhancing influence for China and Russia. Latin American governments could respond to the Trump administration’s efforts to place a US citizen in charge of the Inter-American Development Bank, disrupting traditional governance. The administration often selects individuals who reject the mission...

“Warning Cry From the Arctic”: Reuters

Matthew Green and Emma Farge June 25, 2020
Rapid Arctic warming poses dire consequences for the planet. Record-breaking heat – 38 degrees Celsius, or 100 Fahrenheit – is reported from the Arctic, with dry peatlands and conifers that serve as tinder for wildfires. “That extreme heat is fanning the unusual extent of wildfires across the remote, boreal forest and tundra that blankets northern Russia,” reports Reuters. “Scientists fear the...

Uncertainty for Middle East: Syndication Bureau

Dnyanesh Kamat June 11, 2020
Rising Chinese-US tensions create strategic uncertainty around economic-development, foreign policy and even internal politics in the Middle East. US plans to relocate strategic industries, including healthcare and technology, away from China may benefit economies like Egypt or Morocco. “On the other hand, the increasingly zero-sum nature of economic competition between China and the US means...

Pentagon Sends Troops to DC: Stars and Stripes

Corey Dickstein June 3, 2020
Protests sweep throughout the United States after a handcuffed man died in police custody in Minneapolis. Onlookers filmed and pleaded with police officers to stop, after one held his knee to the back of the man’s neck for more than eight minutes. Some extremists disrupt the peaceful protests, and Donald Trump, stating he wanted to end rioting and property destruction, ordered active-duty troops...

Covid-19 Conspiracy Theories and US Campaign: CNN

Stephen Roach May 11, 2020
US presidential candidates have paused campaigns due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The world learned about the deadly disease in early January, and incumbent Donald Trump repeatedly insisted the United States had Covid-19 under control. Months later the United States represents one third of the world’s confirmed cases and more than one quarter of the deaths, outcomes that expose layers of inequality...

Russia Wants Trump Reelected? Washington Post

Ellen Nakashima, Shane Harris, Josh Dawsey and Anne Gearan February 21, 2020
US intelligence officials confirmed previous reports that Russia favors reelection of President Donald Trump. A Washington Post suggests that notification to members of congress angered Trump, who questioned why the House intelligence committee was briefed before the White House. He removed the acting director of national intelligence. “Trump announced Wednesday that he was replacing [Joseph]...