How U.S. Intelligence Agencies Underestimated North Korea
Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, with the Hwasong-15 missile in a photo released by the government news agency in November. CreditKorean Central News Agency WASHINGTON — At the start of Donald Trump’s presidency, American intelligence agencies told the new administration … Read More
As U.S. freezes, Russia’s still waiting for winter to start
Through Christmas and New Year’s there were no flakes at all. That hasn’t been great news for Russian landscape photographer Ivan Boiko. “It is indeed very untypical for this time of year and for this geography. It’s quite a rare thing, I … Read More
Iranian protests and Israeli-Palestinian consequences
In foreign policy everything is connected. Every great power’s foreign policy is calculated with respect to every other big power’s foreign policy. What happens of importance in one country doesn’t have effects only in that country. There are ripple effects … Read More
Is time running out for Germany’s Merkel?
Angela Merkel now has what appears to be a last shot to cobble together a coalition government. BERLIN — For a dozen years, Angela Merkel seemingly floated above the laws of political gravity, making her calm and consensual leadership style … Read More
Protests For, Against Government Continue Throughout Iran
Thousands of pro-government Iranians have rallied in cities across the country for a fourth day in a show of support for the clerical leadership, while antigovernment protests reportedly continued in at least nine cities across the country, including the capital, … Read More
5.1 magnitude earthquake rocks Iran’s western Kermanshah
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian media is reporting that a magnitude 5.1 earthquake has jolted the country’s western province of Kermanshah. Semi-official ISNA news agency says the temblor rocked the Kurdish town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 520 kilometers, or 320 … Read More
China might not win attack, but Taiwan needs to spend more on defense
Military drills in Taiwan. (By Associated Press) TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – An eventual military attack by China against Taiwan would not necessarily end with a victory for Beijing, but the island needs to step up its military spending, according to an … Read More
Study: Europe’s Muslim population to grow, migration or not
BERLIN — Europe‘s Muslim population will continue to grow over the next several decades even if all immigration to the continent should stop, according to a study published Thursday. The Pew Research Center report modeled three scenarios for estimating the … Read More
U.S. Will Withhold Security Aid From Pakistan
A protest against President Trump’s tweets about Pakistan took place in Karachi on Tuesday.CreditAsif Hassan/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images WASHINGTON — The United States will suspend nearly all security aid to Pakistan, the Trump administration announced on Thursday, in a … Read More
Israel launches plan to expel thousands of African migrants
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Abir Sultan, pool via AP, File) Jerusalem – Israel on Wednesday began implementing a plan to force tens of thousands of African migrants out of the country by April, threatening to arrest those who stay. … Read More
Death Penalty for Terrorists Sparks Fierce Debate in Israel
Israel’s Knesset on Wednesday voted 52-49 in favor of a bill that would enable both military and state courts to sentence convicted terrorists to death. Technically, Israeli courts can already sentence convicts to death, but only via the unanimous decision … Read More
Israel on high alert as winter storm approaches
A stormy day in Jerusalem (illustrative photo credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) Israel on Thursday prepared to weather an approaching storm with police, rescue services, and local authorities dusting off their emergency equipment and advising residents to take extra precautions against the high … Read More
Insured losses in 2017 most ever at $135 billion after hurricanes
Insurers will have to pay claims of around $135 billion for 2017, a new report shows Insurers will have to pay claims of around $135 billion for 2017, the most ever, following a spate of hurricanes, earthquakes and fires in … Read More
2017: A year like never before for Infectious disease outbreaks [Nigeria]
IN the year 2017, like never before, Nigeria was faced with several outbreaks: cerebrospinal meningitis, Lassa fever, yellow fever, cholera and most recently Monkeypox. There was definitely no quiet period for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) – the … Read More