Foreign Policy
Where U.S. troops are stationed around the world
There were about 1.3 million active duty military personnel at the end of June this year, according to the Department of Defense's Defense Manpower …
WarJustin Trudeau, unlike Trump, is taking NAFTA renegotiation really seriously
The self-proclaimed master dealmaker is likely to get taken to the cleaners.<p>While the United States spent most of last week embroiled in a controversy over whether some neo-Nazis are “fine people” and whether launching an armed rebellion against the federal government to preserve slavery is worth …
Trans-Pacific PartnershipFact check: At Phoenix rally, Trump revises history, exaggerates accomplishments and makes false claims
President Trump delivered a raucous, error-filled speech in Arizona on Aug. 22, just days after he was uniformly criticized for blaming “both sides” for the deadly violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va.<p>The president gave a revisionist account of his remarks about …
News (U.S.)Trump's shutdown threat raises stakes for lawmakers in looming funding battle
Congressional Democrats are holding their ground in opposition to President Donald Trump's proposed border wall after Trump threatened to "close down the government" if lawmakers do not provide money for the project when they return from August recess.<p>On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Charles …
PoliticsTrump's 'America first' policy has limits, Merkel says
An "America first" attitude, as President Trump is promoting, may hurt the United States in the long run, German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Wednesday.<p>Speaking at a forum sponsored by German newspaper Handelsblatt, Merkel said she understands that such an attitude help get Trump elected, but …
International RelationsTerminating NAFTA would push USA backward
Focus on China trade imbalance, not Mexico and Canada: Our view<p>When the United States, Canada and Mexico began talks this month to rewrite NAFTA,the Trump administration was full of its usual bluster.<p>U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer lectured his counterparts in public. In private, he …
NAFTATrump's Trade Agenda Divides the Nation's Cities
The administration has inserted a wedge between the large metropolitan areas known for top-notch services and the small and mid-sized metros focused on manufacturing.<p>Shifting patterns in how American companies sell to the world are opening a new line of conflict between the Trump administration and …
PoliticsTrump bashes NAFTA in midst of talks to revamp trade deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — Just a week into talks to rewrite the North American Free Trade Agreement, President Donald Trump is already threatening to abandon the 23-year-old pact with Canada and Mexico.<p>At a high-profile campaign-style rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night, Trump predicted that the United …
World PoliticsU.N. Panel Condemns Trump’s Response to Charlottesville Violence
President Trump’s seesawing response to the deadly racial violence in Charlottesville, Va., has been rebuked by countless politicians, business executives, community groups and religious leaders.<p>The leaders of Britain and Germany spoke about the need to condemn such violence.<p>Now the United Nations …
World PoliticsRussia readies for huge military exercises as tensions with west simmer
Display of power involving up to 100,000 people in Belarus, Kaliningrad and Russia itself comes against backdrop of strained relations with west<p>‘We know how to live next to Russia’: Lithuania builds border fence with Kaliningrad<p>Russia is preparing to mount what could be one of its biggest military …
RussiaThree personas in three speeches, but the same president
In the span of 48 hours this week, President Donald Trump has boomeranged among three roles: the commander in chief, the divider and the uniter.<p>Like a contestant on one of his reality TV shows, Trump has taken on contrasting personas, showcasing divergent traits with flourishes seemingly to survive …
PoliticsTrump preaches unity to vets after fiery political speech
RENO, Nev. (AP) — A day after a searing speech tearing into the media and members of his own political party, President Donald Trump returned to calls for unity and love as he spoke to veterans Wednesday at an American Legion conference.<p>"We are here to hold you up as an example of strength, courage …
Donald TrumpTop U.S. general in Afghanistan says Trump's plan means long-term U.S. commitment
KABUL (Reuters) - The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan said on Thursday President Donald Trump's new strategy is a sign of a long-term commitment to what is already America's longest war and called on Taliban insurgents to agree to peace talks.<p>"The Taliban cannot win on the battlefield, …
WarNews Brief: Transgender People In The Military, Mattis In Middle East
The White House is expected to issue guidance soon about President Trump's ban on transgender people in the military. Also, Defense Secretary James Mattis is traveling in the Middle East.
World PoliticsThere are 3,500 troops in Afghanistan the Pentagon didn't tell you about
There are currently more than 12,000 U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan — 3,500 of them the Pentagon failed to publicly disclose, the Wall Street …
WarCambodia calls US democracy 'bloody and brutal' as charity row escalates
Phnom Penh accuses Washington of interference after lobby group is expelled, and blames it for aiding the rise of the Khmer Rouge<p>Cambodia has hit back at criticism over its decision to expel a US-funded pro-democracy group, accusing Washington of political interference and describing American …
World PoliticsTrump's Arizona Visit Reminds GOP of His Agenda---and Baggage
Good morning. Here's Joshua Jamerson's analysis of President Donald Trump's trip to Arizona and a summary of top news. Contact Josh at Joshua.Jamerson@wsj.com and follow him @joshjame . Click here to get the Capital Journal Daybreak newsletter delivered to your inbox.<p>Trump’s Arizona Visit Reminds …
PoliticsHaitians Are Crossing From The U.S. To Canada
As thousands of Haitian asylum-seekers cross illegally from the U.S. into Canada, CBC reporter Ainslie MacLellan tells NPR's David Greene how the Canadian government is reacting.
News (U.S.)Kosovo election winners fail to elect parliament speaker | Miami Herald
The nomination of Kosovo's new prime minister has been delayed after the winners of the June 11 election failed to gather enough votes to elect the …
News (U.S.)Breitbart's war on Trump's top national security aide, explained
Breitbart News, perhaps the most important pro-Trump media outlet in America, didn’t make much effort to hide its disdain for the president’s decision to step up the war in Afghanistan.<p>In a splash headline, the hard-right nationalist site blasted Trump’s primetime speech Monday night announcing …
World PoliticsCan Trump’s Ex-Lawyer Jason Greenblatt Achieve Middle East Peace?
LONDON — President Donald Trump said shortly after taking office that he wants to broker "the ultimate deal" — peace in the Middle East.<p>Helping him to achieve the holy grail of diplomacy — alongside son-in-law, Jared Kushner — is his long-time lawyer, Jason Greenblatt.<p>All eyes will be on the pair …
IsraelSwiss indict woman for 'jihadi traveling'
ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss federal prosecutors have indicted a 30-year-old Swiss woman from the Zurich area suspected of trying to join up with jihadist militants in Syria, they said on Thursday.<p>The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said it had proof that the woman in December 2015 traveled …
World NewsMalaysian Leader in Billion-Dollar Scandal Is Invited to White House
WASHINGTON — President Trump has invited Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia to visit the White House in September despite Mr. Najib’s involvement in a billion-dollar corruption scandal.<p>The White House said in a statement on Wednesday that the visit was intended to “strengthen and broaden our …
News (U.S.)US general vows to annihilate IS in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The top U.S. general in Afghanistan is vowing to annihilate the Islamic State group affiliate in the country, crush remnants of al-Qaida and urge the Taliban to pursue diplomacy, telling them they cannot win on the battlefield.<p>Gen. John Nicholson, in a tough-talking …
World NewsTime Is Up on Rex Tillerson
Having proven a failure at every aspect of being Secretary of State, he should do the country a favor and resign.<p>With U.S. President Donald Trump …
Rex TillersonHow the U.S. Can Pressure Pakistan
Can anything stop the South Asian nation’s support for militants?<p>President Trump announced Monday a new strategic review for the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. He offered tough words for Pakistan, which supports militants inside Afghanistan, but gave few details of how the U.S. could persuade it to …
PakistanTen reasons why true free trade is key to making Brexit a success
Economists for Free Trade was re-launched this week by 16 of Britain’s leading economists to promote the case for true free trade, with zero tariff …
Free TradeDer Spiegel: “Germany Must Abandon Its Military Reluctance and Lead … the era of total dependence on the U.S. military is over”
COGwriter A reader tipped me off from the following in the German publication Der Spiegel: Germany Must Abandon Its Military Reluctance and Lead …
GeopoliticsMysterious signs urging unity appear in Thai capital on eve of Yingluck verdict
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Dozens of big signs with the message "no disunity, no fracture" appeared in the Thai capital on Thursday, a day before a much-anticipated court ruling in a case against ousted, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.<p>Police said they had no idea who put up the signs or why, …
World NewsThe Retreat Of Democracy In Thailand
The Thai military seized power three years ago after months of political turmoil promising a swift return to democratic rule. But the military seems to be digging in for the long haul.
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