Geopolitics

New dual-use export restrictions target China, Russia, Venezuela

The Trump administration announced on April 27 new export control actions aimed at preventing efforts by entities in China, Russia, and Venezuela from acquiring U.S. technology for commercial purposes and then diverting the technology for military use. Read More.

U.S. opts out of WHO’s 'landmark' vaccine collaboration

The United States said it will not participate in the World Health Organization (WHO) global initiative to speed the development, production and distribution of coronavirus drugs and vaccines. Read More.

China specialist warns U.S. must close growing 'strategic gap'

There is a high level of concern among U.S. officials that China may be preparing to resume nuclear testing, an analyst noted. Read More.

Poll: China’s propaganda not persuading Americans

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is engaged in a massive propaganda campaign aimed at deflecting criticism over its coronavirus negligence. It has not convinced Americans, who widely blame China for the devastation the virus has caused. Read More.

Flurry of Trump-Putin calls prompted by oil crisis

On March 30, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by telephone, the first of five calls between the two over the next five weeks, a flurry of communication unprecedented during Trump's 3 1/2 years in office. Read More.

China reportedly pushed text messages to terrify America

The New York Times, the same newspaper which analysts say has sought to create panic and promoted the coronavirus lockdown in the United States, is now reporting that China last month directed a campaign of fake news through social media and text messages to scare Americans about the Trump administration's plans to respond to the Wuhan coronavirus. Read More.

Rocked by exit of U.S., Japanese firms, Xi sees 'protracted battle'

China may lose big as foreign firms relocate out of the country and move elsewhere in the aftermath of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is most concerned about the large-scale business withdrawal from U.S. and Japanese firms operating in China. Read More.

Results coming in on Sweden's no-lockdown strategy

Sweden’s top epidemiologist said “herd immunity” to coronavirus could be reached in Stockholm within weeks. Read More.

Trump to Navy: 'Destroy' Iranian gunboats that harass U.S. ships

U.S. President Donald Trump says he has ordered the Navy to attack and destroy any Iranian vessel that harasses U.S. ships after Iranian ships appeared to harass U.S. vessels last week in the Persian Gulf. Read More.

Cotton: Circumstantial evidence ‘all points to the Wuhan labs’

The evidence is increasingly pointing to laboratories in Wuhan, China as the source of the coronavirus outbreak, Sen. Tom Cotton said. Read More.

Where is Kim Jong-Un? Spotlight shifts to his sister

Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun and other news outlets reported on April 22 on the possibility of Kim Jong-Un's sister, Kim Yo-Jong, taking over as supreme leader should an emergency regarding the North Korean leader's health arise. Read More.

Brexit's Farage: If Trump alone confronts China, it will rule world

U.S. President Donald Trump can't go it alone when it comes to the world shaking off its dependence on Chinese goods, Brexit leader Nigel Farage said. Read More.

Sweden trusts Swedes to cope with coronavirus

Taking a different approach to the coronavirus crisis than its Scandinavian neighbors, Sweden has left its schools, gyms, cafes, bars and restaurants open throughout the pandemic. The government is relying on citizens to act responsibly and follow social distancing guidelines. Read More.

As world reels from coronavirus, top Hong Kong activists arrested

In a series raids on April 18, Hong Kong police arrested 15 pro-democracy activists in what reports said was the biggest crackdown on the city's pro-democracy movement since the outbreak of mass protests last year. Read More.

Apollo 13 and the 'Secret War' in review

I flew my last sortie just over 50 years ago on April 3, 1970. Or at least I thought it was my last combat sortie in Southeast Asia! Read More.