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
Is Obama Sidestepping Congress and Going to UN on Iran Deal?
The letter to Iran signed by 47 Republican senators has provoked a lot of commentary—and some welcome clarification on the White House’s negotiations with Iran. The letter argued that any deal President Obama makes with Iran isn’t binding past his second term. “[W]e will consider any agreement regarding your nuclear-weapons program that is not approved…Brett Schaefer -
- News
Ukraine’s Grassroots Drone Program Takes Flight
KYIV, Ukraine—In the infield of a practice track outside this city’s Olympic Sports Complex, a motley group of college students and engineers from the Kyiv IT Academy gathered on a cold, cloudy day to showcase their latest achievement—a portable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system that can be unpacked from a suitcase and deployed in less…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
China’s Military: Not a Giant, but Not a Midget
In support of the U.S.–China Economic and Security Commission, the RAND Corporation provided a report on the limitations of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Immediately, a chorus of voices was citing the report to show that the Chinese threat was overblown. Time magazine’s Mark Thompson wished that more people would read the report, since…Dean Cheng -
- News
High-Ranking Democrat Pushes Back Against Obama Administration Policy to Counter Russia
Amid whisperings that the Justice Department will file criminal corruption charges against Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., the long-time senator today spoke about the importance of the U.S. standing strong against Russia and warned that inaction could embolden countries with nuclear capabilities. “The simple fact is we all want a diplomatic solution to this problem. But…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Netanyahu’s Speech Alerted Americans to Obama’s Risky Iran Deal
Putting both countries’ politics aside (talk about heavy-lifting!), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress was essential—if for no other reason than it threw a spotlight on an issue hiding in diplomatic darkness. Few probably realized, especially outside Washington, D.C., that while Netanyahu was speaking to Congress, Secretary of State John Kerry was in…Peter Brookes -
- News
Ukraine Showcases Captured Russian Military Hardware
Normally the square outside St. Michael’s Cathedral in central Kyiv is filled with sightseers taking photos of the famous golden-domed monastery while souvenir merchants hawk their goods. But this past week one of Kyiv’s most famous tourist spots was filled with evidence of the nearly year-old war in eastern Ukraine, including a Russian drone aircraft…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
Mind the Gap! China Increasing Its Defense Spending, While U.S. Holds Defense Dollars Constant
Despite the much-vaunted “Asia pivot,” American defense spending and force allocations haven’t shifted that much to Asia. As China’s economy exhibits signs of slowing down, there have been questions about whether this would affect Chinese defense spending. China’s officials made clear that it would not when they announced this week that defense spending would again…Dean Cheng -
- News
What Members of Congress Tweeted About Netanyahu’s Speech
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed members of Congress today. The speech focused on the deal that President Barack Obama and his administration is trying to reach with Iran over nuclear capabilities. During and after Netanyahu’s speech, members of the House and Senate took to Twitter to react. I welcome opportunity to hear Israel PM…Ben Smith -
- Opinion
Congress Should Listen to Netanyahu’s Warnings on the Obama Iran Deal
Jimmy Carter had one of the worst foreign and defense policy records of any modern president. But, at least he cut one good deal. The speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu before a joint session of Congress makes clear President Obama can’t even match Carter’s level of competency. The high point of Carter’s…James Carafano -
- News
Lone Jewish Republican in Congress on What You Should Expect From Benjamin Netanyahu’s Speech Today
The lone Jewish Republican in Congress says American leaders should present a united front in support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before lawmakers this morning. In an interview with The Daily Signal, Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., called on his Jewish colleagues to uniformly embrace Netanyahu's appearance before Congress and to empathize with Israel’s concern…Josh Siegel -
- Opinion
Who Has the Last Word When It Comes to Redistricting?
The Supreme Court heard a vigorous debate today over who ultimately has the constitutional authority to determine where the boundary lines are drawn for congressional districts. Paul Clement, former solicitor general under the George W. Bush administration, argued on behalf of Arizona state legislators in Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. He was up…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
Why Netanyahu’s Speech to Congress Is Churchillian
Tomorrow, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress, warning against the military potential of Iran’s nuclear program. The Israeli leader will do so at the invitation of House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and much to the dismay of the White House, which is close to signing an agreement with Tehran…Helle Dale -
- Opinion
What Netanyahu Should Say to Congress
What do you get when a foreign prime minister slights the president of the United States by accepting a secret invitation from the speaker of the House to address Congress in an attempt to thwart U.S. policy two weeks prior to an election? Well, you get a plot worthy of “House of Cards.” But those…Beverly Hallberg -
- News
For the First Time on Camera, Meet the Man Who Exposed the Gruber Videos
Rich Weinstein is the single person considered most responsible for exposing one of the biggest blows to the Affordable Care Act’s image: a series of videos in which a key Obamacare architect discusses the “stupidity of the American people” and how that helped get the bill passed. Now, Weinstein is speaking on camera for the…Sharyl Attkisson -
- Opinion
Russia and China Aren’t Less Committed to Nuclear Force. So Why Are We?
As Russia and other nations around the world flex their “nuclear muscles,” when it comes to the United States, maintaining a credible nuclear force is certainly a tough task. Challenges include: declining research, development and acquisition budgets; uncertain prospects for modernization, and an American public that lacks a clear understanding of how nuclear weapons contribute…Michaela Dodge -
- News
Emails Show State Department Aides Knew Early On Benghazi Attack Had Terror Ties
On Sept.11, 2012, State Department aides knew that the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya was under attack by armed assailants and soon after, that a terrorist group was claiming credit for the attack, according to documents from the U.S. Department of State obtained by Judicial Watch and released Thursday. “These emails leave no doubt that…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Labor Force Participation: Who Is Working Less?
Robert Hall caused a stir among labor economists when he presented evidence before the Senate Finance Committee last month that the decline in labor force participation since the 1990s is concentrated among affluent families, not poor ones. From the late 1990s to recent years, Hall and co-author Nicolas Petrosky-Nadeau found that men ages 35 to 59 in families making less…Salim Furth -
- Opinion
In Australia, the Green Energy Fantasy Has Collapsed
If you are sailing miles from shore and come upon the rusted prows of sunken ships, you can be sure that water is not that deep and it would be a good idea to change course. Australia is just the latest ship’s prow to warn us away from the treacherous path of green energy mandates, taxes, and subsidies….David Kreutzer -
- Opinion
Germany, Rest of Europe Proves Lack of Backbone
German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently negotiated a cease-fire in Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Within days, Ukrainian troops lost the city of Debaltseve to a new Russian-backed rebel offensive. At the same time, European negotiations on the Greek financial crisis broke down in acrimony. This is the hour of Europe, and it’s a disaster….Ted Bromund -
- Opinion
Putin Adversary Boris Nemtsov Fought for Freedom in Russia
The barbaric assassination today of Boris Nemtsov, a brave adversary of the Putin administration, is a stark reminder of the grave dangers faced by political dissidents in Russia. Nemtsov’s brutal murder took place in the shadow of the Kremlin against a backdrop of mounting repression in Moscow, implemented by an increasingly authoritarian regime that suppresses…Nile Gardiner