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
On the Edge of a Forgotten Conflict, Ukraine’s Humanitarian Crisis Simmers
KURAKHOVO, Ukraine—More than two and a half years after the war in Ukraine began, a cease-fire has failed to stop the fighting. And it’s still too dangerous for many of Ukraine’s 1.7 million internally displaced persons to return home. For those who fled the conflict, they’ve had to adapt to life as de facto refugees…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
Rejection of UN Nuke Ban Not Enough, Administration Must Do More to Maintain Arsenal
Although last month the Obama administration led a misguided effort in the United Nations Security Council to pass a resolution on nuclear weapons testing, it apparently understands the downside of supporting a treaty to ban nuclear weapons. In an Oct. 14 statement, the Obama administration rejected a U.N. effort to “declare a ban on nuclear…Michaela Dodge -
- News
‘Hope Is Not Enough’: Ukrainian University Students Prepare for War
KYIV, Ukraine—The young man never told anyone he was going to war. The 20-year-old student at Kyiv’s Taras Shevchenko National University slipped away in June 2014 to join a civilian paramilitary group fighting in eastern Ukraine. The young man, whose name was Sviatoslav Horbenko, was a star pupil at the university’s Institute of Philology, where…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
US Security Benefits When Japan, South Korea Share Intelligence
South Korea recently announced it would restart negotiations with Japan for a military and intelligence sharing agreement. Washington should encourage this growing security cooperation. Moon Sang-gyun, spokesman for South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, said Sept. 27 that North Korea’s “nuclear and missile threats are escalating by the day, so our security situation is becoming…Bruce Klingner -
- Opinion
Here’s Why It’s Wrong That America Refused to Defend Its Embargo on Cuba at the UN
For the first time ever, the United States abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution condemning America’s embargo on Cuba. This breaks decades of bipartisan support for U.S. law on the international stage. It shows just how far the Obama administration is willing to take its misguided and ill-informed Cuba policy. For the past…Ana Quintana -
- Opinion
Russia’s Missile Deployment Adds to NATO’s Worries in the Baltic
In an extremely worrying development for NATO, Russia earlier this month deployed several nuclear-capable Iskander mobile ballistic missile launchers in the Kaliningrad region. The location is a small Russian enclave on the Baltic between Poland and Lithuania that is home to Russia’s Baltic Fleet and several major military installations. The deployment is widely seen as…William Samuel -
- Opinion
US Right to Affirm Necessity of Missile Defense in South Korea
During Wednesday’s bilateral ministerial meeting, Secretary of State John Kerry underscored Washington’s resolve to defend our South Korean ally against missile attacks. The biennial “2+2 meeting” (secretaries of defense and state with their South Korean counterparts) took place in the shadow of an escalating North Korean nuclear and missile threat. Kerry vowed that the U.S….Bruce Klingner -
- News
‘I Don’t Have Anyone Left’: What Life Is Like for Refugees in Ukraine
KURAKHOVO, Ukraine—They all have a reason to go home. For some, it’s to reunite with friends and family, to regain their dignity, or to find a job so they can afford to pay the rent and buy groceries. Others simply want to rejoin the lives they left behind to escape the Russian artillery and rockets….Nolan Peterson -
- News
Meet the Maryland Conservative Who Aims to Take Over the House’s Largest GOP Caucus
Like most Americans, but unlike most of the other 434 members of the House of Representatives, Andy Harris pulls a lengthy commute to work each day. One way and without traffic, the Maryland Republican says he can go door to door in an hour and a half from his home in Cockeysville to his office…Philip Wegmann -
- News
This Is the Percentage of Millennials Who Believe George W. Bush Killed More People Than Stalin
The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation released its first “Annual Report on U.S. Attitudes Towards Socialism” Monday. The survey showed a distinct generation gap regarding beliefs about socialism and communism between older and younger Americans. For example, 80 percent of baby boomers and 91 percent of elderly Americans believe that communism was and still is…Jamie Gregora -
- Opinion
Planned Parenthood’s 100th (Un)Birthday Is No Cause to Celebrate
As this month marks Planned Parenthood’s 100th anniversary, we should pause and consider its destructive legacy. Founded by eugenicist Margaret Sanger in 1916, what is now known as the Planned Parenthood Federation of America began as a small birth control clinic in New York City. Sanger was motivated by her belief that artificial birth control…Melanie Israel -
- Opinion
Heritage Event Explores Geopolitics of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor
On Wednesday, September 28, The Heritage Foundation hosted a panel discussion on “Geopolitics and Economic Development: Assessing the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.” The discussion focused on the economic viability of the proposed $46 billion China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), security concerns impacting CPEC, and the geopolitical and geostrategic implications of the formation of an economic corridor linking…Soo Jin Hwang -
- News
Cease-Fire in Ukraine Could Be at ‘Tipping Point’ as US, EU Spar With Russia Over Syria
KYIV, Ukraine—The shaky cease-fire in eastern Ukraine has reached a “tipping point,” a high-level Ukrainian government official says. The official’s comments underscore how geopolitical events—from the war in Syria to the rise of nationalist parties across Europe—have tested international resolve to maintain sanctions on Russia. “There is no alternative” to the current cease-fire, the official…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
Russia’s Information Warfare Continues
Speculation about Russian interference in the upcoming U.S. presidential election is flowing fast in the U.S. media. Russia was widely believed to be responsible for embarrassing email hacks at the Democratic National Convention. Speculation abounds in the media that the Russian government might try to throw the U.S. election this way or that with a…Helle Dale -
- Opinion
6 Moves Putin’s Russia Could Make in Its Old Stomping Ground
Russia’s invasion of eastern Ukraine and annexation of Crimea have left many wondering: Where next for Moscow? While no one can read Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mind, we can examine historical precedent to construct feasible scenarios for future Russian action. Here, we'll review six such scenarios, each reflecting three assumptions regarding how Putin sees Russia’s…Luke Coffey -
- News
2 Years After Airliner Downed, Eastern Ukraine Remains a De Facto No-Fly Zone
KYIV, Ukraine—More than two years after a Russian surface-to-air missile shot down a civilian airliner over eastern Ukraine, the embattled region remains a de facto no-fly zone for both civilian and military aircraft. On Wednesday, an international investigative team concluded there was “no doubt” the Buk missile that shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 on…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
Report Confirms Russia’s Responsibility for Shooting Down Malaysian Airliner
In interim findings, a team of investigators says Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired from an area controlled by Russian-backed fighters in eastern Ukraine. The team, comprised of investigators from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Ukraine, is conducting a criminal investigation into the downing of MH17 on July 17, 2014, which killed all 298…Daniel Kochis -
- Opinion
China’s Economy Is Headed for a Hard Landing
The world’s second-largest economy is going to make a hard landing one day, China watchers have speculated for several years. The fact is, though, the Middle Kingdom already is well on its way. Let’s first examine the “official” top-line numbers. In 2007, a year before the great global crisis, China’s real gross domestic product expanded…William T. Wilson -
- Opinion
Remembering Douglas Munro, US Coast Guard Medal of Honor Recipient Who Helped Save Hundreds
Of the 3,498 Medal of Honor recipients in American history, only one was from the U.S. Coast Guard: Signalman 1st Class Douglas Albert Munro. On this day 74 years ago, Munro sacrificed himself at the Matanikau River at Point Cruz in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, while saving hundreds of his fellow service members. In recognition, Munro…Jacob Jordan -
- Opinion
Sweden’s Smart Move to Return Troops to an Island Eyed by Russia
Sweden’s decision to reintroduce permanent troops to the island province of Gotland is wise in light of recent Russian aggression. Swedish soldiers exercising on Gotland received an order Sept. 14 not to leave. The 150 troops will remain on the island until mid-2017, when a planned permanent unit should be fully established there. Sweden, which…Daniel Kochis