World Jun 10 Syrian civilians prepare for a new battle with invisible foe: coronavirus The brutal war in Syria is now in its 10th year, and amid renewed bombing by the air corps of Bashar al-Assad and his Russian backers, a new worry looms: coronavirus. The country’s health care system has been destroyed in…
Nation Jun 09 Why the U.S. military hasn’t made more progress on overcoming racism George Floyd's death and ensuing mass protests over police treatment of black Americans have sparked new calls to improve race relations within the U.S. military, as well. On Tuesday, the U.S. Air Force made history by confirming the first African…
Nation Jun 04 ‘Armed forces exist to protect’ U.S., not police communities, retired general says President Trump's talk of using military force on people protesting police brutality against black Americans has generated a backlash among a number of former senior military officers. Nick Schifrin gets perspective from retired Army Gen. Carter Ham on why these…
Nation Jun 02 What happens when police officers see protesters as ‘the enemy’ Former senior military officials are criticizing Secretary of Defense Mark Esper for participating in a controversial photo op with President Trump and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley for walking through D.C. in his battle-dress uniform. Nick Schifrin talks to…
World May 29 China’s move to tighten control of Hong Kong prompts U.S. policy changes The Trump administration says it is ending special treatment of Hong Kong in response to China’s new security legislation in the territory, as well as Beijing’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The policy change will also sanction Communist Party officials…
World May 28 What China’s move to crack down on Hong Kong means for city’s autonomy China’s National People’s Congress has created a legislative process to criminalize certain behavior in Hong Kong. Pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong, as well as the Trump administration, have criticized the move, arguing it erodes the city’s freedoms and goes against…
World May 27 As China tightens its grip on Hong Kong, how will the U.S. respond? In Hong Kong, demonstrations have intensified as the threats from China mount. Beijing said recently it would make behavior that it deems anti-Chinese illegal, in a move that is prompting the Trump administration to consider rescinding certain trade and travel…
World May 22 How virus research has become a point of tension for the U.S. and China The Trump administration has emphasized the possibility that the novel coronavirus was accidentally released by scientists at a Chinese lab. While that accusation remains unproven, China’s oversight of such scientific research has come under scrutiny in the past, and now,…
World May 21 U.S. points to Russian treaty violations as cause for American withdrawal President Trump said Thursday he will begin withdrawing from a key post-Cold War agreement with Russia and more than 30 other nations. The Open Skies Treaty allows regulated overflights of Russia, the U.S. and Europe by Russian and American planes…
World May 20 Pompeo says he didn’t know fired IG was investigating him State Department Inspector General Steve Linick was actively investigating Sec. of State Mike Pompeo when he was fired by President Trump recently. It was the latest in a series of IG dismissals sending shockwaves through the watchdog community. On Wednesday,…