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
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
opinion
Cartoon: North Korea’s Background Check
Heritage Foundation expert Bruce Klinger wrote this week on North Korea: North Korea announced Wednesday that it has conducted a successful H-bomb nuclear test of a miniaturized warhead. Prior to the announcement, sensors had detected a 5.1-magnitude seismic event at the same approximate location of North Korea's 2013 nuclear test. Nuclear experts are continuing to analyze… -
news
Why China Is the Biggest Deterrent to Stopping North Korea’s Nuclear Program
North Korea’s fourth nuclear test may be its most consequential, but the world is limited in how far it can escalate its response. Though the Obama administration disputed North Korea’s assertion that it had tested a hydrogen bomb, which would be the most powerful nuclear weapon the country has ever tested, the act violated international… -
news
Christmas in Kyiv: Ukraine’s Holiday From the War Comes to an End
KYIV, Ukraine—Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7. So in Ukraine’s capital city, the holiday season is still in full swing. The festivities in Kyiv leading up to Thursday reflect the continuance of normal life despite the frozen conflict in eastern Ukraine and looming battles on the nation’s domestic political front. At the Gulliver shopping mall, children line… -
opinion
North Korea Claims Successful H-Bomb Nuclear Test
North Korea announced Wednesday that it has conducted a successful H-bomb nuclear test of a miniaturized warhead. Prior to the announcement, sensors had detected a 5.1-magnitude seismic event at the same approximate location of North Korea's 2013 nuclear test. Nuclear experts are continuing to analyze the data, but preliminary assessments are that North Korea did… -
news
In Ukraine, Lenin Gets the Boot From Uncle Sam
KYIV, Ukraine—There’s a saying in Ukraine about the four stages of being poor. It goes like this: First, you don’t have any hryvnias (the Ukrainian currency). Second, you don’t have any food. Third, you don’t have any dollars. And finally, you don’t have your $2 bill. For Ukrainians, dollars are a precious and jealously guarded rainy-day… -
news
GOP Opens Investigation Into Allegations of White House Spying on Congress, Netanyahu
Republicans in Congress vowed to investigate the Obama administration after a report revealed that U.S. intelligence collection ensnared private conversations between lawmakers and top Israeli officials during negotiations on the Iran nuclear agreement. The House Intelligence Committee opened a probe Wednesday into The Wall Street Journal report that the White House eavesdropped on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu… -
news
What Could Happen If China Relaxes Its Grip on This Mountain Pass
NAMCHE BAZAR, Nepal—A network of cameras now monitors China’s side of the Nangpa La pass, say Tibetan traders who used to cross it regularly. A series of guard towers manned by border patrol troops lines the way. The Nangpa La bridges the Himalayas between Tibet and Nepal. Chinese soldiers on this mountain pass shoot at anyone… -
opinion
Genocidal Rhetoric on the Rise in One African Nation
Located in central Africa, the small nation of Burundi is on the brink of civil war once again. In April, current President Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would run for a third term, a decision denounced by the opposition as a violation of the nation’s constitution. His subsequent election in July was widely criticized by…