The ancient Silk Road that linked China to the rest of Eurasia and East Africa is being reborn. For centuries, goods, technology, and ideas spread throughout the Old World, linking together once disparate civilizations. This was most evidenced by the Venetian explorer Marco Polo’s journey to the court of the […]
Recently, the Trump administration has decided to end sanction waivers for countries buying Iranian oil. In an effort to put increasing pressure on the Iranian government, this decision will likely impact not only the Iranian economy, but global oil markets. Effective May 2, Washington’s decision will impact a wide range […]
On 16 March, thousands of supporters of Catalan independence marched through the Spanish capital, Madrid, to protest the ongoing trial of 12 separatist leaders. Demonstrators, many from Catalonia, peacefully marched through Madrid, carrying signs with messages such as “self-determination is not a crime.” They also called for a new vote […]
On 16 February, a video emerged in which some gilets jaunes protestors were shown hurling abuse and anti-Semitic insults against prominent French Jewish philosopher and intellectual Alain Finkielkraut. Among the words heard were, “dirty Zionist,” “We are the people,” “France is ours,” and “Go back to Tel Aviv.” The son […]
On 28 January, the United States Department of Justice charged Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei with fraud and theft, further escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing. Huawei was charged for having violated sanctions against Iran by selling equipment and for having stolen trade secrets and US technologies, particularly from American telecommunications […]
Recent clashes between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas in the Gaza Strip have placed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government into stormy waters. Beginning on November 11, violence broke out between the IDF and Hamas, resulting in the deaths of 11 Palestinians and one Israeli commander and tens […]
This week Southeast Asian and other foreign leaders gathered in Singapore for the 33rd annual ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) meeting at a time when there are growing tensions in Asia. U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence, speaking at the meeting, said, “We all agree that empire and aggression has no […]
This past week, North Korean official Kim Yong-chol abruptly cancelled a planned meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for this Thursday. As both countries seek to reconcile their differences and pursue détente, the latest developments in the bilateral relationship pose deep challenges for maintaining peace and stability on […]
A recent France 24 television debate, “Khashoggi effect? U.S. calls for ceasefire in Yemen,” discussed the impact of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder on the recent decision by Western leaders to refocus attention on the ongoing Yemeni Civil War. At the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C. […]
From October 25 to November 7, NATO forces will take part in what its Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg calls, “NATO’s biggest exercise since the end of the Cold War.” 50,000 soldiers from 31 countries, 250 aircraft, 65 naval vessels, and 10,000 military vehicles will take part in the military exercises, taking […]
