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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- Opinion
I Used to Be Transgender. Here’s My Take on Kids Who Think They Are Transgender.
When a 9-year-old boy who identifies as Stormi, a transgender girl, started selling Girl Scout cookies, one neighbor was not amused, according to Buzzfeed. The neighbor rebuffed him, reportedly saying, “Nobody wants to buy Girl Scout cookies from a boy in a dress.” The neighbor is being called transphobic—but perhaps the neighbor thought he was…Walt Heyer -
- News
How One Ukrainian Teenager Declared War on Post-Traumatic Stress
KYIV, Ukraine—Ivona Kostyna couldn’t leave the war even if she wanted to. It was December 2014 and, at age 18, the civilian volunteer was delivering supplies to Ukrainian troops stationed in the front-line town of Debaltseve. Her car broke down, and in the six days it took to make repairs she lived among the soldiers….Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
Obama Administration Once Again Concedes to Putin in Syria
Washington has succumbed to another diplomatic mirage: the Russian promise of a limited pause in the intensifying war in Syria. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that they had agreed to an arrangement to “accelerate and expand” deliveries of humanitarian aid to starving civilians in besieged areas, to be…James Phillips -
- News
Internet Governance CEO Under Fire for Role in Chinese Conference
Three senators have challenged the head of a U.S.-funded Internet management organization to show that his leadership role in a Chinese-run conference doesn't conflict with his commitment to an open Internet. Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla.; Ted Cruz, R-Texas; and Mike Lee, R-Utah, last week sent a letter to Fadi Chehadé, chief executive officer of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names…Mariana Barillas -
- Opinion
North Korea’s Missile Launch Shows It Could Target US Homeland
North Korea has again successfully put a satellite into orbit, demonstrating the same technology needed to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and showing that its long-range missile program is becoming increasingly reliable. In 2015, the U.S. commanders of U.S. Forces Korea, Pacific Command, and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) publicly assessed that North Korea…Bruce Klingner -
- News
‘A Real War Going On’: Mixed News From the Front Lines in Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine—The two-year-old Ukraine war has hit a grim milestone amid the longest and most durable lull in fighting since the conflict began. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko last week said 2,269 Ukrainian soldiers have died since the conflict in eastern Ukraine began in spring 2014. That toll almost matches the 2,381 American troops killed during roughly…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
Finally, Europe Is Waking Up to Dangers of Multiculturalism
It may be late in the game, but Europeans are finally waking up to how decades of indoctrination into multiculturalism is now imperiling their safety. British Prime Minister David Cameron has led this campaign, but even the leaders of France and Germany are now following. The fear that national identity is being eroded stands behind much…Mike Gonzalez -
- Opinion
US Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea
Some 90 days after the last attempt at conducting a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea, the American destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island in the Paracels. The central point of this mission was to sail near the islands without prior notification. Unlike the October case,…Dean Cheng -
- Opinion
A Chilling Account of Vladimir Putin’s Brutal Regime
For anyone who ever harbored doubts about the brutal nature of the Russian regime, an afternoon reading the newly published British report of the death of defected Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko should be a frightful reminder of the ruthlessness behind the Putin regime. Litvinenko defected to Britain in 2000, after becoming a whistleblower and bold…Helle Dale -
- Opinion
China Announces Third Major Military Reform Measure
In a move that will make the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) a more competitive and capable force for any future conflict contingency, Chinese leader Xi Jinping today announced the reorganization of the major Chinese military commands. From seven “military regions (junqu),” the PLA will now move to five “major war zones (da zhanqu),” or five…Dean Cheng -
- News
What Message Iran Was Sending by Awarding Medals to Those Who Captured US Sailors
As the U.S. and Iran aim to position their nuclear deal to the public, a new provocation by Iran’s supreme leader, experts say, was meant to show there remain limits to the countries’ relationship. On Sunday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei awarded medals to the navy commanders who captured U.S. sailors last month. According to Iran’s state…Josh Siegel -
- News
See What Happened When a Man Who Appeared Homeless Walked Into a Chick-fil-A
A Tennessee father is crediting Chick-fil-A with helping teach his daughter “life lessons” in his viral Facebook post about a store manager’s kindness toward a man in need. “I love teaching my daughter life lessons, and I also love being there to watch other Christians teach her life lessons. Thank you, Chick-fil-A, for taking care of…Mariana Barillas -
- News
Texas Grand Jury Indicts 2 Undercover Filmmakers Who Exposed Planned Parenthood
A grand jury in Houston indicted two undercover filmmakers who exposed Planned Parenthood’s alleged sale of aborted baby body parts in a series of videos last summer. The news came late Monday in an investigation requested by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick after the videos surfaced. BREAKING: Harris County grand jury clears Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast…Robert B. Bluey -
- Opinion
How Europe’s Radical Refugee Shakeup Could Push Britain out of the EU
The European Commission is seeking a radical shakeup on refugee policy–and that means big trouble is brewing for British Prime Minister David Cameron. At present, the geographical location of Italy and Greece to the Mediterranean Sea means that these countries are taking on a particularly heavy burden from refugees arriving from the Middle East and…Robin Simcox -
- Opinion
Chinese Military Announces Major Changes in Organization
Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced a massive overhaul in the organization of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) headquarters structure. This comes after the announcement that three new services will be created (Ground Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Support Force). The PLA is different from the U.S. military in several major respects. First, it is…Dean Cheng -
- News
Senate Confirms Obama Court Nominee Who Called Reagan a Bigot
Minnesota jurist Wilhelmina Marie Wright’s written accusation that President Reagan tolerated racism did not hinder her ascent to the federal bench. The Senate voted 58-36 on Tuesday evening to confirm President Barack Obama’s nominee to U.S. District Court in Minnesota. While a student at Harvard Law School in 1989, Wright wrote an article published in the prestigious…Philip Wegmann -
- News
World Watches How Iran, Now Free of Nuclear Sanctions, Will Act
“Implementation day” of the nuclear deal among Iran, the U.S., and five other world powers came and went on Saturday after international inspectors confirmed that Tehran had fulfilled the terms of the agreement. The implications of the deal will play out over many years, as nations watch what Iran makes of itself now that Tehran has…Josh Siegel -
- Opinion
Implementation Day: Time for Iran to Cash In on Sanctions Relief and Hostages
The arrival of Implementation Day triggered celebrations in Tehran. And well it should. Iran is now set to cash in, gaining access to an estimated $50 billion immediately and eventually pocketing up to one hundred billion dollars more in frozen assets as sanctions are lifted. In addition, Tehran recovered seven Iranians charged with sanctions violations in return for four…James Phillips -
- Opinion
Ukraine Goes Dark: Russia-Attributed Hackers Take Down Power Grid
As many as 80,000 residents in western Ukraine lost power for six hours on Dec. 23. Cybersecurity firm iSight Partners has attributed the blackout to Russian hacking group Sandworm and its malicious software, BlackEnergy 3. Cyberattacks on power grids and other critical infrastructure are not new, but this most recent attack seems to be the first use…Riley Walters -
- Opinion
China’s Big Military Reforms
Amidst the New Year transition from 2015 to 2016, the Chinese announced the first set of long-awaited major military reforms. This constitutes an enormous shift in the organization of the Chinese military. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Dec.31 the creation of—essentially—three new services for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). These new services will join…Dean Cheng