Geopolitics

New Mideast matrix: Iran, Israel now see war as inevitable

Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Oct. 10 at the memorial for the fatalities of the October 1973 War. He strongly hinted of the possibility of both an Israeli preemptive military strike against Iran and the specter of a major protracted regional war. Read More.

'Whimpering' ISIS leader detonates self, children

After “running into a dead-end tunnel, whimpering and crying and screaming all the way,” Islamic State (ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi detonated his own suicide vest, killing himself and his three children as U.S. Special Forces closed in, President Donald Trump said on Oct. 27. Read More.

Pence clarifies: U.S. ‘stands with’ Hong Kong protesters

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence slammed the NBA and Nike for taking the side of the “authoritarian regime” in communist China over the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong. Read More.

China's Oct. 1 parade called 'war plan' for Taiwan

China’s massive display of firepower at the Oct. 1 military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party was in part showing off its “war plan” for the CCP’s centennial in 2049, an analyst said. Read More.

Uighur woman tells of life and death in Chinese gulag

The mostly Muslim detainees at China’s re-education camps are subjected to brutal torture, according to a Uighur woman who was detained at one of the camps. They are forced to take drugs which cause memory loss and infertility. Women are raped by guards in front of other prisoners. Read More.

Trump points to ‘great outcome’ in Turkey-Kurds showdown

Turkey has agreed to end its military operation against U.S.-allied Kurds in Syria and the U.S. is lifting sanctions it had imposed on Turkey, President Donald Trump said on Oct. 23. Read More.

Obama's FSA called 'the new ISIS'

The Free Syrian Army, which was regarded as a strong ally by the Obama administration, is in reality “the new ISIS” and is committing atrocities against civilians in Syria, the president of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) told a group of U.S. congressional representatives on Oct. 21. Read More.

Pro-U.S. protests baffles Seoul sophisticates

Americans hardly know how to respond to all those American flags seen in central Seoul on Saturday afternoons and evenings. Read More.

Update on Red China for those who were unaware

Many Western observers assumed that the incorporation of market economics into China’s political system would result in a freer China with close, warm relations with the U.S., the West and China’s free Asian neighbors. Read More.

Graham now 'increasingly optimistic' about Syria

One of the most vocal critics of President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northeastern Syria appears to have changed his stance. Read More.

Zelenskiy in Tokyo talks investment projects for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has kicked off a four-day working visit to Japan during which he'll attend Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony. Read More.

U.S. forces pulled from Syria to fight ISIS in Iraq

American troops being withdrawn from northern Syria will be moved to western Iraq to continue the fight against Islamic State (ISIS), U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said. Read More.

Japan goes it alone in protecting oil shipments from Gulf

Japan says it will not join a U.S.-led coalition to protect shipping in vital commerce lanes in the Middle East but will send its own vessels to ensure safe delivery of oil to Japan. Read More.

Seriously: Venezuela joins UN Rights Council

The United Nations has rewarded the repressive socialist regime of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro with a spot on the world body’s Human Rights Council. Read More.

In 5G world, Pentagon has lost its tech edge

There is a growing consensus that China has taken the lead in the 5G era as the regime of supreme leader Xi Jinping builds toward its goal of regional domination and rivaling the U.S. on the world stage. Read More.