In Other News: Russia Accused of Test-Firing "Anti-Satellite Weapon," Consulate Closures in Escalating U.S.-China Tensions & More – July 24, 2020
July 24, 2020 The U.S. and UK have accused Russia of test-firing a “projectile with the characteristics of a weapon” from one of its satellites, raising concerns that the Kremlin may be positioning itself to gain leverage over other countries’ assets in space. According to a U.S. Space Command statement, evidence points to the projectile […]
In Other News: Russia Accused of Trying to Steal Vaccine Research, Brazil Claims Modest Growth & More – July 17, 2020
The UK, U.S., and Canada have accused Russia’s intelligence services of hacking into research centers to steal information on Covid-19 vaccine development efforts. The UK’s official statement on the matter links the hacks to APT29, also known as Cozy Bear, the state-backed group behind the hack of the Democratic National Committee in the lead-up to […]
In Other News: US-Mexico Bilateral Meeting, US Sanctions on Chinese Officials & More – July 10, 2020
July 10, 2020 Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador seized the moment to cozy up to the United States and President Trump in his first international trip as President. The July 8 White House meeting between Trump and AMLO, as he is popularly known in Mexico, was a celebration of the new United States Mexico […]
In Other News: Russia's Referendum, Mexican President Meeting w Trump, Hong Kong & More – July 6, 2020
July 6, 2020 A Russian referendum on a wide variety of issues, including presidential term limits, has passed in Russia, setting the stage for Vladimir Putin to stay in power through 2036. The vote had all the hallmarks of a Soviet-era election, with strong turnout and an improbable level of support – more than 75%, […]
In Other News: China's "Disease Diplomacy" in Latin America, China-India Truce, Turkey Flexing & More – June 26, 2020
June 26, 2020 China sees an opening in Latin America with “disease diplomacy.” China has taken the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to increase its presence and influence in Latin America, sending personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators to a number of countries and looking to partner with Brazil for Covid-19 vaccine trials. Even before […]
In Other News: China-India Border Clash, North Korea-South Korea Tensions & More – June 19, 2020
June 19, 2020 A border clash between Chinese and Indian soldiers this week killed at least 20 and raises the specter of escalating conflict over a long-unresolved dispute. The Actual Line of Control, established to end a 1962 border war between the two countries, has been the site of frequent small-scale brawls, but this marks […]
In Other News: Demonstrations in Europe and Around the World, Brazil's Democracy Under Threat, New Start Negotiations with Russia & More – June 12, 2020
June 12, 2020 Demonstrators have taken to the streets in Europe and around the world, inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests in the United States. Protests against the police killing of American citizen George Floyd in the United States have had global reverberations. Demonstrations have been seen in major cities of Europe, including Paris, […]
In Other News: UK Pushes Back Against China, Russia's Nord Stream II & More – June 5, 2020
June 5, 2020 The UK has begun to push back against China’s move to bring Hong Kong further under its control, pledging to open up the possibility for 2.9 million Hong Kong citizens who are eligible for British National Overseas passports to reside and work in the UK. Currently 300,000 Hong Kong residents hold BNO […]
In Other News: China Undermines Hong Kong, Brazil's President Under Fire, Mexico & More – May 29, 2020
May 29, 2020 China’s approval of a new Hong Kong national security law severely undermining the island’s autonomy will test U.S. willingness to take punitive action against one of its largest trading partners, and has the potential to scuttle the trade deal signed by the two countries in January of this year. President Trump will […]
In Other News: Social Unrest Returns to Chile, Venezuela Awaiting Fuel from Iran & More – May 22, 2020
Beijing has announced plans to implement new national security legislation in Hong Kong that would expand its powers to break up large gatherings – like protests – a significant move in China’s push to bring Hong Kong fully under mainland authority. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called it a “death knell” for the partial […]
