Foreign Policy
The risks of war in the Middle East, as the US confronts Syria and Iran
The US says it has put Syria "on notice" that it will pay “a heavy price” if it uses chemical weapons against its own people.<p>The White House says Syria appears to be preparing just such an attack, the latest escalation in a multisided civil war in Syria since 2011.<p>“A heavy price,” in this context, …
Middle East5 Democratic Reps: The U.S. Can Turn Putinism Into An Opportunity
Our country faces a new crisis, one which endangers the underpinnings of representative democracy and freedom worldwide. The threat emanates from …
GeopoliticsTrump is destroying America's image around the world
It might seem like a subjective judgment to say that Donald Trump is wrecking America’s image. But a new Pew poll of 37 countries shows that this is measurable reality: Perceptions of the United States have collapsed since President Trump took office.<p>Pew asked people in countries ranging from …
PoliticsPew poll: More people in the world have confidence in Putin than Trump
<b>Washington (CNN) —</b> Donald Trump is the fairly elected leader of the most prominent democracy in the world. Vladimir Putin is an authoritarian with a long record of punishing political allies and suppressing views divergent from his own.<p>And yet, according to a new Pew survey of citizens in 37 …
PoliticsColombia’s FARC Turn in Weapons, Ending Role in Half-Century War
MESETAS, Colombia — Colombia's Marxist FARC rebels concluded their disarmament on Tuesday, handing in all but a few of their individual weapons to the United Nations and ending their role in a half-century war that killed more than 220,000 and displaced millions.<p>The Revolutionary Armed Forces of …
Latin AmericaTo cut waste, it's time to close more military bases
Lawmakers hate the idea—but the Pentagon says closing excess bases would save $2 billion a year.<p>Another week, another finding of wasteful defense spending. Last Wednesday, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) charged that the Pentagon wasted some $28 million over the …
WarMerkel welcomes US offer to resume TTIP talks
US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has told a Berlin audience that the US remains open to a free trade pact with the EU. German Chancellor Angela …
Donald TrumpTrump's disdain for diplomacy is making the world more dangerous
The US president’s preference for public bellicosity and instant military action has potential to cause a lot of damage<p>Donald Trump’s warning of renewed US military action against Syria, backed by Britain and condemned by Russia, fits a now established pattern of aggressive White House behaviour …
North KoreaNAFTA hearings start with Democratic lawmakers urging strong labor rules
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two Democratic congressmen on Tuesday called on the Trump administration to demand strong labor provisions in its renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement to reverse chronic wage erosion in Mexico.<p>At a public hearing in Washington tied to the imminent trade …
NAFTAThe Latest: 911 calls led to military post lockdown
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — The Latest on reports of an active shooter at an Alabama military post (all times local):<p>4 p.m.<p>The commander of an Alabama military post says two 911 calls about a potential active shooter prompted a lockdown at the installation but no shooter was ever found and no shots …
WarGive Trump a Chance in the Middle East
Bush and Obama already helped destroy the region and damage U.S. interests there. How much worse could it get?<p>In the aftermath of the terrorist …
GeopoliticsThe last thing America needs is a war
<b>(CNN) —</b> Late Monday night, the White House issued an ominous statement, warning about "potential preparations for a chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime" in Syria. If Assad conducts another chemical attack, the statement vowed, "he and his military will pay a heavy price."<p>We don't know …
World PoliticsSweden's Smart Idea for Reducing Global Killing
A "democracy clause" for arms exports is difficult to get, but an example of moral leadership.<p>Sweden is about to take a bold step: Its government wants to be the first in the world to impose a legislative ban on selling weapons to undemocratic regimes. If other big arms exporters did the same, …
GeopoliticsWhat was the Srebrenica massacre?
In July 1995 Bosnian Serb troops stormed the UN safe area around Srebrenica and before the eyes of Dutch UN troops. DW's Zoran Arbutina explains what …
WarHenry Kissinger says Brexit will bring Britain closer to the US
US diplomat believes EU exit is chance for UK to renew transatlantic alliance while keeping some ties with Europe<p>Henry Kissinger believes Brexit is a chance for the UK to renew the transatlantic alliance – but that Britain would be mistaken if it left Europe altogether.<p>The former US national …
World PoliticsThe White House's international credibility collapses in Trump era
During Barack Obama’s presidency, Republicans chose a strange line of attack. As regular readers know, Obama’s GOP detractors seemed absolutely …
Pew Research CenterTrump’s chaos is covering for stealth escalation overseas
While Washington is fixated on President Trump’s tweets, antics, lies and Russiagate, the administration is ramping up a stealth escalation of our military involvement across the Middle East. As Naomi Klein warns, Trump’s “rolling shock of the chaos and spectacle” distracts from radical actions …
Middle EastEurope's once positive world view of US slips under Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — Slightly more Europeans now view the United States unfavorably under President Donald Trump than favorably, according to a survey of public attitudes in three dozen countries that comes as Trump prepares for a return visit to the continent early next month.<p>The Pew Research Center …
PoliticsFrance’s ‘Startup President' Is Just What Europe Needs To Reboot
Emmanuel Macron breathes fresh air into the stagnating cause of European unity.<p>PARIS ― By remaking France and seeking a more federal Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron can make the continent a global player again.<p>Though the youngest president in modern French history, Macron is wasting no …
GeopoliticsTrump's Foreign-Policy 'Adhocracy'
Richard Haass, one of the few foreign-policy experts the president says he respects, had some harsh words for the administration's early stumbles.<p>The Trump administration’s lack of structure or experience is hobbling its ability to conduct an effective foreign policy, argues Richard Haass, …
World PoliticsTrump may be mulling ‘significant military presence in Syria,’ analyst says
NBC News senior national security analyst Jeremy Bash tells TODAY that the White House’s surprise announcement that Syria would pay a “heavy price” for another chemical attack indicates that it is considering a “significant military presence in Syria.” He calls the lack of coordination between the …
WarUAE military buildup draws scrutiny after Yemen allegations
CAIRO (AP) — With soccer sponsorships, record-setting skyscrapers and wintertime golfing, the United Arab Emirates has projected an image of comfort and opportunity in a volatile region. But the quiet expansion of its military footprint is drawing a different kind of attention to the Gulf …
Middle EastChinese Premier Touts 'Unimaginable Job Growth'
DALIAN, China—Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made a strong defense of his signature program aimed at bolstering the country’s new economy as traditional drivers lose steam, saying the initiative has led to significant job creation.<p>The “mass entrepreneurship and innovation” program, put in place in 2014 …
World Economic ForumWhite House Threatened Syria While Trump Yawned, Insiders Say
Tillerson secretly warned the Russians, and Kushner and Bannon were consulted before the White House rattled its saber. But the commander-in-chief was consumed with ‘fake news.’<p>Hours before the White House issued an ominous warning to Syria’s dictator against launching another chemical assault, …
World LeadersDonald Trump's bloodlust for war in the Middle East risks chaos
After a surprise statement on Monday warning Syria about chemical weapons, it looks like the White House is looking for a reason to launch yet another war<p>Lost among the deluge of stories about the Russia investigation and the Republicans’ push to take healthcare away from millions of people, the …
World PoliticsDonald Trump's lack of interest in Africa
In his first half year in office, the US president has spoken very little about Africa, except in the context of a budget proposal that demands deep …
AfricaChina Will Not Accept Syrian Refugees Because It Wants Them to Return Home
As China becomes an increasingly active global player, Beijing offers financial support, but not open borders, for refugees, hoping they will return …
UNHCRSyria may be prepping for another chemical weapons attack
The White House guarantees there will be a heavy price to pay if Syria conducts another chemical attack.
Syrian Civil WarHow Bush, Obama and Trump ended Pax Americana
<i>David Rothkopf is author of “Great Questions of Tomorrow” (TED Books/Simon & Schuster, 2017). He is Visiting Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International …
GeopoliticsDon't Believe the Hype About European Defense
If you’re a Europe-based think tanker, policy wonk, or commentator, Donald Trump and Brexit are great for business. Just about every Brussels pundit …
International Relations