Monday, August 29, 2022

Solomon Islands challenge

Facing China threat, the U.S. must take a tougher stance towards the Solomon Islands. The government of Manasseh Sogavare is taking orders from Beijing.



Monday, August 22, 2022

Europe-China

China risks losing its European Union linchpin. Beijing's joining of Russian military exercises poses a clear threat to European security. Will the EU make clear its frustration?



Thursday, August 18, 2022

Michael Hayden's damaging tweets

Why is Michael Hayden trying to validate Trump's 'deep state' conspiracy theory? The former CIA and NSA director keeps making assertions on Twitter that are damaging to the Intelligence Community's nonpartisan credibility.



Wednesday, August 17, 2022

India's lack of reciprocity, Xi's miserable summer, China's new lesson for the world in Hong Kong

India has not earned U.S. military's increasing support. Deployments of the U.S. Army to India's border with China and Pentagon access grants are unreciprocated by New Delhi.

Xi's miserable summer. The God president faces escalating challenges at home and abroad.

China sends the world two messages with no-jury Hong Kong trial. Jimmy Lai's treatment encapsulates the Chinese Communist Party's deceptive, evil nature.



Monday, August 15, 2022

China salutes its rational and pragmatic friend Viktor Orban. The Hungarian leader has earned China's approval.



Friday, August 12, 2022

Mar-a-Lago

Everything still depends on what was in the Mar-a-Lago boxes. The evidence must stand on overwhelming merits, or the DOJ will suffer a damaging blow to its credibility.



Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Bolton indictment, Russia Alaska

Justice Department unveils indictments against IRGC official accused of plotting to kill John Bolton. The indictment corroborates my reporting from March.

Russia's hidden messages in Alaska air defense zone intrusions. Moscow is showing solidarity with China, reminding Washington of its retained threat, and exerting influence over the Bering Sea.



Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Milley

Why Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley should step down. He is now subsumed by a political identity. That is not compatible with his uniform service role.



Friday, August 5, 2022

China-Taiwan, Israel-Palestinian violence

China unveils its Taiwan ambitions and enters a new era of escalation. This week has clearly shifted Beijing's calculus as to how it must approach the Taiwan-U.S. concern.

Why Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are fighting again. It's about rocket fire, planned attacks on Israel, and a perceived need to deter Iran.

UN tsar releases idiotic statement on latest Israel-Palestinian violence. The UN once again reminds us why it has no credibility on this conflict.



Thursday, August 4, 2022

Hawley China/NATO, Orban CPAC

Hawley is wrong on Finland-Sweden NATO accession but right on China. The U.S. cannot afford to maintain its military deployment structure in Europe.

Orban tips hat to Putin and plays down China ties at CPAC. The Hungarian prime minister isn't being straight with his American audience.



Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Pelosi's Taiwan visit, Zawahiri

Why China has announced military action in response to Pelosi's visit. The PLA's drills are designed to immediately signify Beijing's claimed sovereignty over Taiwan and express Xi's anger.

How to - and not to - respond to China's military drills in Taiwanese waters. The key is to use this moment to increase military readiness and China's international isolation.

Ayman al-Zawahiri's demise evinces a tactical victory but also a broader strategic loss. Zawahiri was able to be killed because he felt comfortable in Kabul. His compatriots will feel the same but won't be identified.



Monday, August 1, 2022

Iran assassination plot? Pelosi to Taiwan, F-22 coverage

Biden administration should disclose any links between Iranian government officials and suspected plotter against Masih Alinejad. This is only the latest apparent Iranian terrorist plot on U.S. soil.

From Friday...

Why Pelosi's Taiwan trip is such a big deal for Beijing. The Chinese Communist Party views the visit as an equally personal and political attack on its sovereignty.

Depleting already insufficient F-22 coverage for the Pacific, Biden sends more of the jets to Europe. The White House is trying to do everything everywhere when it should be making necessary hard choices.