Built to hunt Russian submarines, Canadian frigate HMCS Calgary is instead chasing Japanese and U.S. subs in western Pacific drills as Canada joins other maritime nations in seeking to contain Chinese influence in the Indo Pacific. “The expectation is to see one, if not two ships, on a year round ... Read More »
With Trump shackled at home, Europeans fear more disruption abroad
Stymied at home by Democrats determined to subvert his domestic agenda, President Donald Trump could double down on his disruptive foreign policy in the years ahead, with conflicts over trade a particular concern, politicians, diplomats and analysts in Europe said. Democrats wrested control of the U.S. House of Representatives from ... Read More »
Turkish foreign minister says dangerous to isolate Iran: Anadolu
Turkey foreign minister criticized on Tuesday the U.S. renewal of sanctions on Iran’s oil and shipping industries, saying it was dangerous to isolate Iran and unfair to punish its people, Anadolu news agency reported. Mevlut Cavusoglu’s comments to reporters in Japan came a day after Washington reimposed sanctions, abandoning a ... Read More »
Russia seen adopting new tactics in U.S. election interference efforts
Russian actors believed to be connected to the government have been actively involved in spreading divisive content and promoting extreme themes in the run-up to Tuesday’s U.S. mid-term elections, but they are working harder to hide their tracks, according to government investigators, academics and security firms. Researchers studying the spread ... Read More »
Midterms 2018: High early turnout a good omen for Democrats – but the party is still on edge
‘All across the country, what I’m seeing is a great awakening,’ says Barack Obama but many in the party are wary of a surprise like in 2016 One of the major factors that would help Democrats in their quest to control of at least one chamber of Congress in the ... Read More »
Trump and Obama trade blows as midterm elections loom
As the final countdown begins to Tuesday’s midterm elections, the contest is turning into a tale of two presidents. The current occupant of the White House is fighting to retain control over Congress. He is also locked in mortal combat with his immediate predecessor, who is battling to hold on ... Read More »
Japan’s nuclear industry growing, but slower than government hoped
Japan’s resurgent nuclear industry will miss a government target of providing at least a fifth of the country’s electricity by 2030, a Reuters analysis shows. With eight reactors running and one more set to come online in November, nuclear has this year overtaken non-hydro renewables in power output for the ... Read More »
Rouhani says Iran to sell oil, break U.S. sanctions
Iran will sell its oil and break sanctions reimposed by the United States on its vital energy and banking sectors, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told economists at a meeting broadcast live on state television on Monday. “America wanted to cut to zero Iran’s oil sales … but we will continue ... Read More »
Xi Jinping vows to open up China to trade and makes veiled criticism of Donald Trump
President Xi tells foreign investors he will tighten laws to protect their intellectual property rights China’s president Xi Jinping has issued a veiled criticism of Donald Trump during the opening of a major trade fair in Shanghai, saying China will reduce tariffs and “open up its market to the world”. ... Read More »
U.S., Iran policy depends not just on sanctions but on flexibility
As U.S. President Donald Trump resumes sanctions on Iran, the success of his push to curb its nuclear, missile and regional activities may hinge on how flexible he is willing to be on his extensive demands to coax Tehran into talks. Washington will reintroduce sanctions on Monday targeting Iran’s most ... Read More »