In The News

Israel-Iran Shadow War: New York Times

David M. Halbfinger, Ben Hubbard and Ronen Bergman September 2, 2019
Conflicts in the Middle East tend to attract interventions and proxy wars with regional players trying to reduce the influence of rivals. A team of writers for the New York Times reports that a shadow war between Israel and Iran is escalating with Israel pushing back at Iran's expansion in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. “Israel accuses Iran of trying to establish an overland arms-supply...

A Different Economy: Sydney Morning Herald

Ross Gittins September 2, 2019
Advanced economies no longer work the way they once did, and no one should expect a return to "normal" anytime soon. Economists disagree about the reasons. For now, governments and citizens must adjust to a new normal, explains Ross Gittins for the Sydney Morning Herald. Some Australian leaders prepare to adjust for declines in economic growth, productivity and interest rates. Australia...

How a Lifeline From China Changed Greece: Fortune

Vivienne Walt September 1, 2019
China’s investment in the historic port of Piraeus has lifted Greece’s economy and dampened populist opposition to foreign investment. “Situated at the edge of Athens – a short sail from the Middle East and Africa – the port has been a strategic jewel for nearly 2,500 years, ever since the Athenians and Spartans defeated the Persian emperor in a nearby sea battle for Mediterranean supremacy,”...

Stateless People in India: Diplomat

Rudabeh Shahid, Champa Patel and Ravi Hemadri September 1, 2019
Far-right governments abruptly revise policies and eliminate rights for immigrants and religious minorities, leaving some stateless. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimates there are 10 million stateless people worldwide. India has stripped the state of Jammu and Kashmir of autonomy and special status, and similar disenfranchisement is underway for as many as 4 million Muslims in Assam....

China’s Missing Million: New Statesman

Morgan Meaker August 31, 2019
China has been accused of detaining as many as 3 million Uyghurs and other Muslims, most from Xinjiang province, including the highly educated and even members of the Chinese Communist Party, in reeducation camps. China targets the Uyghurs out of insecurity over any separatist movement and ideological competition from religion. “During the past decade, Uyghurs have reported ongoing human rights...

China's Social Credit System: DW

August 29, 2019
China already ranks its companies and citizens on social reputation, and plans to extend rankings to individuals and firms with China operations by 2020. Large firms can expect to be ranked on about 30 categories and as many as 300 requirements including licensing, tax payments, environmental protections, billing, logistics and more. China’s government regards the system as a prerequisite for...

Italy Has New Government: ANSA

August 29, 2019
Italy has formed a new government under Premier-designate Giuseppe Conte nine days after he resigned. The new coalition of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the center-left Democratic Party is less hostile to the European Union than the previous coalition that included the far-right Nationalist League. The 5-Star Movement led all parties in the 2018 legislative election, with more than...