In The News

MIT Technology Review: Biological Teleporter Could Speed Outbreak Response

Brian Alexander August 2, 2017
Synthetic Genomics Inc. linked a group of machines, including a DNA printer and robots, to transmit digital code and print viruses. The digital-to-biological converter, working with pre-loaded chemicals, is reported to have manufactured DNA of the flu virus. “Though still a prototype, instruments like it could one day broadcast biological information from sites of a disease outbreak to vaccine...

Associated Press: China’s Tech-Transfer Demands May Spark Pushback From US

August 2, 2017
China orchestrates special arrangements with foreign technology firm, requiring details on proprietary technology, blocking virtual private networks from devices in China, as well as applying strict search filters to discourage distribution of criticism of Chinese practices or information about the critics themselves. The Trump administration early on showed a willingness to overlook such...

WorldPost: These Days, All Roads Lead to Beijing

Peter Frankopan August 1, 2017
China’s President Xi Jinping has made developing good ties in Central Asia and beyond a foreign policy priority. He anticipates the Silk Road Economic Belt to enhance economic ties, communications and trade across three continents, explains Peter Frankopan for WorldPost in an essay that examines old and recent history. China, positioning itself as a leader, pumps billions into the Silk Road Fund...

Washington Post: South Korea Wants More Firepower

Anna Fifield July 31, 2017
South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in, campaigning for office, had favored diplomacy over military force in handling the impoverished nation to the north. Two intercontinental ballistic missile tests by North Korea during July have forced Moon to shift his stance. “If the ICBM had been launched on a normal trajectory, the missile could theoretically have reached Chicago and perhaps even New York,...

BBC News: What Lies Ahead for Divided Venezuela?

Will Grant July 31, 2017
Venezuela is in crisis even though it has the largest proved oil reserves in the world. The country depends heavily on oil revenues and mismanaged the industry. President Nicolás Maduro, in office since 2013, lacks control and credibility. Election results of assembly members charged with changing the constitution are suspect: The government claims that more than 40 percent of the electorate...

Financial Times: America’s Looming Constitutional Crisis

Edward Luce July 28, 2017
Investigations into interference in the 2016 US presidential election continue, with reports suggesting that the special counsel is examining the Trump Organization’s financial dealings with Russia. Leaders around the globe follow every detail to assess the resilience of US law. Donald Trump has called the investigations a witch hunt, expressing anger after the attorney general, an early...

Challenge to US Power – Chinese Exceptionalism: WSJ

Te-Ping Chen and Josh Chin July 27, 2017
China’s rise has been steady and fast since the country embraced trade and globalization in the 1980s. If the trajectory continues, China will soon surpass the United States in GDP and other areas. Chinese people have taken notice and take increasing pride in their country’s growth and strength, report Te-Ping Chen and Josh Chin for the Wall Street Journal. Surveys suggest that 80 percent of...