In The News

New York Times: The US in 5G Race With China

David Sanger, Julian Barnes, Raymond Zhong and Marc Santora February 5, 2019
With the advent of the fifth-generation networks – technology that would revolutionize data transfer and better serve virtual reality and artificial intelligence tools – the Trump administration seeks support from NATO allies to prevent China from gaining a foothold in the 5G race. Starting with the United Kingdom and Germany, the Trump administration argues that any economic benefit from using...

Foreign Policy: China’s Slowing Economy

Keith Johnson February 4, 2019
China injected a record $83 billion stimulus package in January, highlighting the world’s second-largest economy’s desire to jumpstart growth in the new year after scoring a 28-year low in its rate of growth for 2018. Even though the Chinese government posted a 6.6 percent growth last year, experts question the accuracy of official data. So what is the true extent of China’s economic slowdown?...

Wall Street Journal: Russia and North Korea Ties

Anatoly Kurmanaev and Thomas Grove February 3, 2019
Despite the Russian government’s support for the UN economic sanctions against North Korea in 2017, some Russian business owners, along with ethnic Koreans living in the Far East, are speaking out in opposition to the labor and trade freeze. Anatoly Kurmanaev and Thomas Groves report from Sakhalin where ethnic Koreans maintain a strong presence. Writing for the Wall Street Journal, they explain...

BBC: UK Ready for No-Deal Brexit?

Chris Morris February 1, 2019
The United Kingdom, as an EU member, shares four decades of laws on trade, immigration, finance, health and safety, and more. If the EU and the UK part ways with no deal or extension for the negotiations and if the UK does not prepare replacement laws, that could pose uncertainty and serious disruption in most policy areas, reports Chris Morris for the BBC news. The report outlines progress on...

Wall Street Journal: Nuclear Arms Treaty

Vivian Salama and Courtney McBride February 1, 2019
The United States announced plans to suspend its obligations under a 1987 nuclear-arms control treaty and “begin withdrawing from the pact, after talks to compel Russia to destroy missiles and launchers the U.S. maintains breach the agreement failed,” report Vivian Salama and Courtney McBride for the Wall Street Journal. “Friday’s announcement from the Trump administration follows revelations...

Modern Diplomacy: Advanced Persistent Cyber Threats

Al Lewis January 31, 2019
Global online connectivity presents and exposes many vulnerabilities. Writing for Modern Diplomacy, Al Lewis explains that advanced persistent cyber threats share six characteristics with terrorism: “asymmetry, cost effectiveness, contributions of loose associations, will to succeed, impossibility to completely defend, and contagion.” However, those waging cyber-attacks, unlike terrorists, are...

Washington Post: Fight in Venezuela

Mariana Zuñiga, Anthony Faiola and Rachelle Krygier January 31, 2019
In an attempt at a temporary cooling-off, Caracas and Washington agreed to hit pause for 30 days before repatriating each other’s diplomats as leaders of the two countries butt heads on the state of democracy and electoral integrity in Venezuela. After President Donald Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó, European allies like Germany, France and the UK issued an eight-day ultimatum,...