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
Trump Predicts Truce in Oil Price War Between Russia and Saudi Arabia
President Donald Trump said Thursday evening that the oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia may end soon. Trump said he had just had a 90-minute conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud about their oil price war, on the same day that the Organization of the…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
State Department’s Terrorist Designation of Russian Imperial Movement Is Important Step in Keeping America Safe
With so many in the U.S. and abroad at home and online during this COVID-19 pandemic, homeland security, counterterrorism, and law enforcement officials have kept an eye on self-radicalization and extremist recruitment over the internet. The Trump administration demonstrated it is keeping its eye on the ball with the State Department’s new designation of the…Lora Ries -
- Opinion
UN Human Rights Council Disappoints Yet Again
The U.N. Human Rights Council last week appointed China to its Consultative Group in spite of Beijing’s deplorable record on human rights. The five-member body interviews applicants for roles as independent United Nations experts of the Human Rights Council and makes recommendations to the president of the council. As noted by U.N. Watch, that means…Brett Schaefer -
- Opinion
This Congressman Wants to End US Reliance on Pharmaceutical Products From China. Here’s How.
Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., says he wants to end the United States’ dependence on China for pharmaceutical products. Gallagher recently introduced legislation with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., to accomplish that. He joins The Daily Signal Podcast to talk about why it’s so important to end China’s influence or involvement in creating America’s pharmaceuticals. We also…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
Japan Dodged a COVID-19 Bullet … Or Did It?
There has been far less international focus on Japan’s low-key response to COVID-19 than on South Korea’s extensive testing program. The latter strategy is now extolled as an international model for bending the curve, but with few early cases in Japan, media reports questioned how the country had done so well with such little effort….Bruce Klingner -
- News
Trump Asks Reporter If She’s Working for Chinese Government After Pro-Beijing Questions
President Donald Trump pressed a reporter on Monday about whether she was working for the Chinese government after she asked a question about medical supplies that Beijing has provided the United States. The reporter, who said she was with Phoenix TV, a Hong Kong-based outlet sympathetic to Beijing, began her question by noting that the…Chuck Ross -
- Opinion
When America Gets Coronavirus Under Control, Africa Will Need Our Help
We know too little about the new coronavirus to say how it will progress in Africa, but we know enough to realize it is likely to pummel the continent. As of April 6, Johns Hopkins University reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 51 of Africa’s 54 countries, with a total of over 9,400 cases. The…Joshua Meservey -
- Opinion
Advancing Economic Freedom: Key to Africa’s Future
During his first trip to Africa as secretary of state earlier this year, Mike Pompeo highlighted the importance of economic freedom. In his speech entitled “Liberating Africa’s Entrepreneurs,” Pompeo said: We want basic security for our families. We want opportunity and reward for the hard work that we invest in. And we want the freedom…Anthony B. Kim -
- Opinion
Decreasing US-China Trade Is Worrisome
It’s sometimes said that China is the world’s manufacturer, but the U.S. is the world’s consumer. When there’s less trade happening between these two giants, it’s not good for either one. Neither are the tariffs on that trade. It’s been a little over two months since China began shutting down its domestic economic activity (restricting travel,…Riley Walters -
- News
‘Subservience to Beijing’: Marco Rubio Says WHO Needs to Be ‘Held to Account’
The leaders of the World Health Organization need to be “held to account” for their “subservience to Beijing” during the coronavirus pandemic, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said in an op-ed Wednesday. WHO, an arm of the United Nations, has provided cover for Chinese authorities as they attempt to shirk responsibility for the global coronavirus pandemic….Peter Hasson -
- News
Chinese Journalists Keep Disappearing. This Congressman Wants Answers.
Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., has sent a letter to the U.S. State Department requesting an investigation into the disappearances of three Chinese journalists who challenged the communist regime’s narrative in the coronavirus’ early stages. “All three of these men understood the personal risk associated with independently reporting on coronavirus in China, but they did it…Peter Hasson -
- Opinion
For the Chinese, Political Warfare Is War by Other Means
Even amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, China’s efforts at political warfare remain in full swing. China assiduously tries to shape the world’s view of COVID-19, and China’s role in it, by denying any responsibility for the rise and spread of the new coronavirus as well as attempting to shift the blame toward the United States….Dean Cheng -
- Opinion
This Is Xi’s Virus. The Chinese Ought to Pay for It.
After passing a record $2.2 trillion bill last week to aid millions of Americans who lost their livelihoods as a result of the coronavirus, Congress already is talking about another spending bill. Rather than pouring out another bundle of billions at tremendous cost to the American taxpayer, we should be cashing a check from the…Rep. Mark Green -
- News
World Health Organization Spends Twice as Much on Travel as on Medical Supplies
The World Health Organization spends twice as much on travel as it does on medical supplies, according to its most recent financial report. Eight percent of WHO’s budget in 2018 went to travel expenses, while just 4% went to medical supplies and materials, the report shows. “Of total travel expenditure, only 45% was for staff…Peter Hasson -
- Opinion
Western Media Falls Into China’s Propaganda Trap
The idea that some American and European news outlets are giving more credibility to the Chinese party line on the coronavirus than they do to their own governments is nothing less than bizarre. Yet, here we are. Even in this time of national crisis, sheer hatred for the U.S. president causes many in the mainstream…Helle Dale -
- Opinion
North Macedonia’s Accession to NATO an Important Milestone
North Macedonia is set to officially become the 30th member of NATO this week with the deposit of its “instrument of accession” at the U.S. Department of State. On March 17, the Spanish Senate ratified North Macedonia’s accession protocol, becoming the 29th and final NATO member state to do so. The U.S. Senate by a…Daniel Kochis -
- News
5 Things Americans Should Know About South Korea’s Handling of Coronavirus
This week in South Korea, a 97-year-old woman—well into the age group most susceptible to the coronavirus—fully recovered from COVID-19. This was one more victory for South Korea, a U.S. ally that is viewed as a success story to the world in combating the coronavirus pandemic. The small country of South Korea is close to…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
South Korea Provides Lessons, Good and Bad, on Coronavirus Response
Early international media reporting on the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus in South Korea was both alarming and alarmist. News coverage emphasized that, outside of China, South Korea had the highest number of coronavirus cases, which led 170 other countries to impose travel entry bans on South Koreans. But, after new cases peaked in late…Bruce Klingner -
- Opinion
A Government-Managed Alliance With Saudi Arabia Isn’t the Solution for Low Oil Prices
As the world collectively battles with the coronavirus pandemic, leaders on the world stage also are grappling with how to address the oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. As prices plummeted, one idea floated is for the U.S. to form an alliance with Saudi Arabia to stabilize prices. Although it’s not clear what…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
Coronavirus Takes Growing Toll on Latin America’s Economies
The countries of Latin America so far have escaped the worst public health consequences of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Economic damage, however, is already substantial, and has been greatest for Latin America’s most market-oriented countries. Most prominently hurt has been Chile's export-oriented economy, which is ranked No. 15 out of 180 countries scored in The…James M. Roberts