A Diplomat’s Trip to Taiwan Draws the Ire of the CCP
The Chinese foreign ministry has expressed outrage over an ambassador’s visit to discuss the pandemic.
Democracy
Iran, Terrorism Finance, and Money Laundering: A Status Update Before FATF Meets Next Week
When the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) convenes its plenary next week, while not formally on the agenda, buzz on the sidelines will concern Tehran’s constant push to be removed from the FATF blacklist....
Insights
Tehran’s al Qaeda connection
One of the reasons Biden should not enrich Iran’s rulers
Op-eds
Oil Prices Reach Highest Level Since Beginning of Pandemic
The Brent and West Texas Intermediate oil benchmarks are both now back up to their pre-COVID-19 lockdown levels, reaching their highest point last week since March 2020. While oil prices took a dip today...
Policy Briefs
What Saudi Arabia Is Thinking
There’s talk of the new American administration moving closer to Iran. Could a Saudi step toward peace with Israel protect Riyadh from the troubles that might ensue?
Op-eds
The world order is being hijacked
Despots now call the shots at the U.N. and other international organizations
Op-eds
See No Evil: Europe Supports Genocidal Regime in Iran
Swiss and German economic deals might be aiding Iran’s illicit nuclear weapons program…. The Swiss firm Ceresola TLS reached an agreement [in 2010] with the Rahab Engineering Establishment...
Op-eds
Weaponizing technology
How Russia and China manipulate the media and more
Op-eds
Why Downplaying China’s Election Interference Could Backfire
Following the release of U.S. intelligence assessments exposing Russian, Chinese and Iranian interference in the 2020 election—as well as revelations that cyber actors from all three countries were...
Op-eds
Keeping China’s Digital Trojan Horses at Bay
Imagine if the people of ancient Troy had received advanced warning that the giant horse outside their fortified walls was not a gift, but instead an elaborate ruse to enable Greek infiltration of the city. According...
Op-eds
The tyrants’ reach
Despots now threaten free speech even in free countries
Op-eds
Lebanon Is Collapsing and Urgent Reform Is Desperately Needed
Lebanon is unraveling. Last year’s massive public protests over the government’s failure to collect trash or provide other key services now seem like minor quibbles. The COVID-19 pandemic has...
Op-eds
Bipartisan strategy for countering China’s challenge to international order
Excerpt John Bolton’s new book describes President Trump alternately bashing and begging China’s leadership, all driven by shifting electoral considerations. If Bolton’s description is correct,...
Op-eds
Military and Veteran Groups Decry ICC Investigation
The Military Coalition, “representing more than 5.5 million current and former service members, veterans, and their families and survivors,” delivered a letter yesterday to the president and congressional...
Policy Briefs
Hezbollah permits Lebanon to be rescued by the West
That’s nice but conditions should be attached before any checks are written
Op-eds
Algeria’s ‘Revolution of Smiles’ Democracy Movement Hit Hard by COVID-19
The coronavirus outbreak has provided Algeria’s regime a pretext to consolidate its political control by repressing independent media and activists affiliated with the Hirak democratic protest movement....
Policy Briefs
Iran vs. Trump: Suleimani’s Legacy, and Khamenei’s Ambitions
The supreme leader and Trump may well end the long-running, region-defining clash. We just don't know yet quite how.
Op-eds
US debunks Berlin leaders’ allegations that it seized 200,000 face masks amid coronavirus pandemic
The U.S. government and German commentators sharply criticized officials in Berlin for manufacturing a scandal, alleging that the Trump administration improperly seized 200,000 face masks destined for...
Op-eds
Big Takeaways from the Biden-Sanders Debate
Our experts weigh in on the first head-to-head debate between the two main remaining Democratic contenders.
Op-eds
The trouble with religious freedom
Some members of Congress disapprove of USCIRF’s defense of faith communities