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
Russia and the Pottery Barn Rule
“You break it, you own it.” This adage, a variation of the Pottery Barn Rule, was first coined by columnist Thomas L. Friedman in 2003. Friedman used it as an expression of foreign policy, suggesting that the launch of a military invasion comes with the responsibility of rebuilding a country. The adage now certainly applies… -
opinion
Biden’s Weakness in Ukraine-Russia Conflict Has Only Further Emboldened China in a New Kind of War
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin deserves the world’s unmitigated scorn, but not the United States’ undivided attention. For while Russia today may be an enemy of the West, it is not really a rival. For that, we must look to China. Putin’s fantasy of resurrecting a greater Russian empire is just that, a… -
opinion
America Should Launch a 21st-Century ‘Berlin Airlift’ for Ukrainian Civilians
Recently, my wife and I had the opportunity to visit Poland and travel to the Ukraine border where we witnessed the heartbreaking sight of women and children fleeing their homeland to escape the brutality of the Russian invasion. We traveled to Krakovets, Ukraine, just inside the border, with Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian charity working to… -
opinion
Getting Squeezed at Pump? Blame Biden, Not Putin
All across the country, Americans are facing staggering gasoline prices, pinching their wallets even further as inflation runs rampant. But what’s causing gas prices to skyrocket? The Biden administration blames Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine, as well as greedy U.S. business owners, for the sharp rise in prices. But that doesn’t pass the… -
opinion
10 Realities of Ukraine
1. Reassuring an enemy what one will not do ensures that the enemy will do just that and more. Unpredictability and occasional enigmatic silence bolster deterrence. But President Joe Biden’s predictable reassurance to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he will show restraint means Putin likely will not. 2. No-fly zones don’t work in a big-power,… -
opinion
Should America Enact a No-Fly Zone in Ukraine?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a speech in front of Congress Wednesday. Zelenskyy urged America to continue supporting Ukraine as Russian forces march their way through the country. He also encouraged America to enact a no-fly zone around Ukraine to stop Russian terror in the skies. But what is a no-fly zone? And is it… -
opinion
She Was in Kyiv the Day Russia Invaded Ukraine. Here’s What She Saw.
Kateryna Shapovalenko woke up at 5 a.m. Feb. 24 to the sound of missiles slamming into buildings in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Confused and terrified, the 23-year-old woman began receiving calls from her friends and family confirming her worst fears: Russia was invading. “February 24th was a very terrible moment. I think it was… -
news
Biden Encourages China by Lax Response to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Pompeo Says
The West’s slow response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has the Chinese Communist Party eager to get its own “free bite at the apple” by taking Taiwan, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday during a speech at The Heritage Foundation. Pompeo noted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s remote address earlier in the day to… -
news
‘Effects of Aggression’ Will Last, Nonprofits Aiding Ukraine Say
As Russian troops continue their onslaught against Ukraine, nonprofits on the ground are asking for support to aid both refugees and those suffering within the borders of their homeland. In a remote address to Congress on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked for more U.S. assistance as nearly 600 civilian deaths have been confirmed in… -
opinion
Russia Wrongly Escapes Suspension From Interpol
For years, Russia has been one of the worst abusers of Interpol. It uses the international police organization to harass political opponents and to brand as criminals any business leaders who own property the Kremlin wants to steal. No serious observer of Interpol denies these facts. When Anat Granit, former head of the agency that… -
opinion
Ukrainian-American Pastor Says His Homeland Is Watching for God to Show Up
In the darkest of times, we are tempted to give in to despair. For those living in war-torn Ukraine, the temptation must be enormous. But all around the world, people are seeing images of hope and faith amid Ukraine’s gloom. In basements, rubble-strewn streets, and underground rail stations, the Ukrainian people are coming together. Pastor… -
opinion
China’s Legislative Session Focuses on Stability, Bolsters Xi’s Position Ahead of Major CCP Gathering
China’s annual session of the National People’s Congress—a “rubber-stamp” parliament whose outcomes are predetermined by Chinese Communist Party officials—concluded on March 11. The overriding message of the session was simple: Make sure nothing gets in the way of President Xi Jinping’s bid for a third term in power. The purpose of the session was to… -
opinion
With Regard to Ukraine, What’s in America’s Interest?
As a result of the Russian invasion and partial destruction of Ukraine, the question “What is in America’s interest?” is the question of the day. Specifically, how much should America get involved in defending Ukraine? On the left, the question “What is in America’s interest?” is moot. On the left, “America’s interest” is regarded as… -
opinion
Biden’s Burnt Bridges Exacerbate Ukraine-Related Oil Crisis
Although Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has helped to unify Europe against Russia, it has had a divisive effect in the Middle East, where many countries recently have hedged their bets by boosting ties to Moscow to offset declining confidence in U.S. leadership. Even before the Biden administration’s Afghanistan withdrawal debacle last August, U.S. allies and… -
opinion
US-South Korea Free Trade Agreement Turns 10. It Is Key to Further Elevating Both Countries’ Alliance.
The free trade and investment agreement between the U.S. and South Korea will hit the 10-year mark on March 15. With bilateral trade having expanded nearly 70% over the past decade, the agreement between the two long-time allies deserves renewed support and greater strategic utilization for years to come. The U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement… -
opinion
In a Period of Brute Force, China Increases Its Military Budget Yet Again
The Chinese Communist Party announced this week it will increase the budget for the People’s Liberation Army by 7.1%. The announcement occurred at the opening session of the National People’s Congress—the annual rubber-stamp parliament. Thus, it is just a matter of time before the extra resources start following to the People’s Liberation Army. This increase… -
opinion
Russia’s Claim of Chemical, Bio Labs in Ukraine Is a Ruse
In the latest in a series of specious and outlandish justifications for its illegal, immoral, and brutal invasion of sovereign Ukraine, Russia is claiming that Washington and Kyiv are working together to develop chemical and biological weapons. Pure Putin propaganda. Indeed, according to the U.S. State Department this week: The United States does not own… -
opinion
What’s Life Like in North Korea? A Defector Explains
Growing up in North Korea, Hyun-Seung Lee says, he had no real understanding of the concept of freedom or human rights. The communist regime monitors citizens so closely, he couldn’t speak freely even in his own home, says Lee, who goes by the nickname Arthur. “I believe that in my home, there [were] bugs or listening… -
opinion
South Korea’s New President Is Welcome Development for US Policy on North Korea, China
South Korea concluded a bitterly divisive presidential campaign season Wednesday with the election of Yoon Suk Yeol. Both he and his opponent, Lee Jae-myung, engaged in a battle of mudslinging and accusations, making this an acrimonious campaign. Both candidates were highly unfavorable, making this a true “election of the undesirables.” The contest was unusual since,… -
opinion
If Putin Attacks a NATO Country, What Are Our Legal Obligations?
What are the United States’ legal obligations if Russian President Vladimir Putin orders his military to invade a NATO country and NATO invokes Article 5 of the treaty, the collective self-defense provision? The answer to this legal question, which is complicated, is the narrow focus on this article. Before diving in, however, it’s important to…