International News
Coverage of international events and global policy shifts. The Daily Signal offers news reporting with opinion and commentary on world affairs.
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- News
The 2 Largest Land Armies in Europe Tiptoe to the Edge of War and Back
KYIV, Ukraine—A planned missile test over the Black Sea spurs a Kremlin threat to shoot down the missiles and possibly target the launch sites. An eleventh-hour compromise is reached, defusing an act of brinkmanship, which could have sparked an all-out war. An episode between NATO and Moscow during the Cold War? Or, perhaps, the latest…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
As South Korea Impeaches President, US Must Remain Steady Ally
The South Korean National Assembly impeached President Park Geun-hye Friday by a resounding vote of 234-56. Under the country’s constitution, Park will immediately cede all her authorities to Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn but remain in office until the Constitutional Court reviews the impeachment proceedings. The largest liberal opposition party has declared that it will not…Bruce Klingner -
- Opinion
What African-Americans Have to Gain From a Trump Presidency
A lot of strong words were thrown about in this year’s presidential campaign, but few packed as powerful a punch as a single question that Donald Trump asked black voters in August. “What do you have to lose?” The pundits didn’t seem to understand, but many of us knew exactly what he meant. While the black…Kay C. James -
- News
Britain’s Daniel Hannan Explains Why Obama’s 8 Years Were a ‘Wasted Opportunity’
Daniel Hannan was a supporter of Barack Obama when he ran for president in 2008. Eight years later, the British member of the European Parliament sees Obama’s presidency as a failure. “He approached the economy like he approached everything else: He wanted to spend more. And he, therefore, exacerbated the problem instead of soothing it,”…Jamie Gregora -
- Opinion
Japanese Prime Minister’s Pearl Harbor Visit Will Further Reconciliation
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced he would travel to Pearl Harbor later this month, the first Japanese leader to do so. Abe commented he would accompany President Barack Obama to “pay tribute [and] comfort the souls” of those who died from both countries during World War II. He emphasized his intent to “send messages…Bruce Klingner -
- Opinion
Has North Korea Reopened an Old Prison Camp?
Recent satellite images reveal that a North Korean political prison camp, former Camp 18, may have been reopened. It is unclear when and why this may have happened. The time lag in obtaining detailed information from North Korea means this could be somewhat dated information. But even the possibility that the camp has reopened raises…Soo Jin Hwang -
- News
‘My Soul Is Here’: A Thanksgiving on the Front Lines of the War in Ukraine
MARINKA, Ukraine—In the night I wake with a start to the sounds of artillery and gunfire. The shelling is loud enough and close enough to shake the walls. A stir from the body lying next to me. I look over at my brother, Drew, sleeping there. Both of us cocooned in our sleeping bags. Above…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
Is the Chinese Economy Hitting Stagnation?
For roughly three decades, the Chinese economy registered a staggering annual growth rate in the vicinity of 10 percent. Over the past four years, however, it has clearly slowed from that breakneck speed. There has also been increased skepticism about the reliability of the old growth figures, and even whether today’s slower pace of expansion…William T. Wilson -
- News
‘We Need to Know We’re Not Alone’: Ukraine’s Soldiers Carry the Burden of a Nation at War
MARINKA, Ukraine—As the war in Ukraine nears its fourth calendar year, Ukrainian troops remain entrenched along a static front line in eastern Ukraine where they exchange small arms and artillery fire with combined Russian-separatist forces every day. More than 21 months after it was signed, the cease-fire is a charade. The war may be at a…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
Russia’s Ban on LinkedIn Reflects Global Decline of Internet Freedom
The decision by a Russian court earlier this month to shut down the professional social network LinkedIn came right on cue. The court ruling coincided with the publication of “Freedom on the Net 2016,” an annual report on internet freedom published by the human rights organization Freedom House. As noted in the report, freedom on…Helle Dale -
- News
What You Need to Know About Gov. Nikki Haley, Trump’s Pick for UN Ambassador
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Trump’s transition team announced Wednesday. “Gov. Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical policies forward for the betterment of her state and our…Melissa Quinn -
- News
Trump Picks Ex-General for National Security Adviser. Who Is Mike Flynn?
President-elect Donald Trump chose Michael Flynn, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, to fill the role of assistant to the president for national security affairs. Flynn accepted the position Friday. My transition team, which is working long hours and doing a fantastic job, will be seeing many great candidates today. #MAGA — Donald J. Trump…Leah Jessen -
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Meet the Candidates Who Want to Lead House GOP’s Largest Caucus
Two House Republicans are in the running to be the next chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a caucus of 178 Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives. Members of the RSC are voting for their next chairman today. Reps. Andy Harris of Maryland and Mark Walker of North Carolina are the two candidates running…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Ex-Georgian President Saakashvili Says Ukraine Is ‘Running Against the Clock’ to Prevent Another Revolution
KYIV, Ukraine—Mikheil Saakashvili sits at a desk devoid of any photos or personal memorabilia. On this day, the 48-year-old former Georgian president has only been on the job for four days as leader of a startup Ukrainian opposition political party called Wave. This is the next chapter of Saakashvili’s anti-corruption crusade following his resignation as…Nolan Peterson -
- News
With Trump Win, Ukraine Hopes to Score a US Presidential Visit
KYIV, Ukraine—Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko congratulated Donald Trump on his election win by inviting the newly minted U.S. president-elect to visit the war-torn, Eastern European country. “This is a symbol of true democracy when nobody knew the results of the elections until the very last moment,” Poroshenko told U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch during…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
North Korean Women Live Desperate Lives, Even After Escape
A recent report from The Washington Post detailed some of the grimmest experiences faced by escaped North Korean refugees: sexual abuse and human trafficking. Through the vivid recounting of Suh, the Post captured a portrait of one female North Korean defector and her tragic sojourn from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Thailand. Sadly,…Olivia Enos -
- News
Who Pays for Politicking on Air Force One? Here’s the Formula for How Costs Are Split
President Barack Obama hit the skies in Air Force One in the week before the presidential election, stumping for who he hopes to be his successor—at a cost that will mostly be covered by taxpayers, but will be partially refunded by the campaign. The president stumped for Hillary Clinton, stopping for speeches in Columbus, Raleigh,…Fred Lucas -
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Senators Slam Obama for Misleading Other Countries to Pass UN Climate Treaty
Republican lawmakers have asked the Obama administration to be more “forthright” with the international community about the limits of his authority to implement a United Nations climate treaty without Senate approval. “We are concerned the administration has not been forthright in acknowledging the legal limitations of the president’s domestic climate actions,” Republicans on the Senate…Michael Bastasch -
- News
Euthanasia Deaths Hit Record High in Belgium. Why That Matters for the US.
A record number of people died last year under Belgium’s 13-year-old euthanasia law, according to an oversight commission. In 2015, a total of 2,022 Belgians were legally euthanized. In 2002, the first year the practice was legal, 24 people died by euthanasia. Since the law took effect, a total of 12,762 people officially have been…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
Eastern Europe Arms Itself Against Russian Military Aggression
KYIV, Ukraine—Countries across Eastern Europe are militarizing to defend themselves from Russia, underscoring how Kremlin brinkmanship could spark a regional conflict. “If you’re in Estonia, or Latvia, and Russia’s sitting there on your border, it’s scary,” Jill Russell, teaching fellow in the Defense Studies Department at King’s College London, told The Daily Signal. “And those…Nolan Peterson