News Analysis
Asia's Game of Thrones
China Bites its Tongue on Japan-Philippines Drills

The Japanese and Filipino coast guards are holding anti-piracy drills in Manila Bay. But given China’s recent aggressive moves, it’s hard to see this show of cooperation as only about pirates.

Spoiling for a Fight
Russia Threatens Veto of EU Anti-Trafficking Efforts

Moscow throws a monkey wrench into the EU’s plans to reduce migration across the Mediterranean. It’s part of a recent pattern of “spoiler” behavior by Russia, and it should not be rewarded.

The Future Is Here
France Gets In On The Patriot Act

States rarely abstain from things that they have the power to do with ease, and modern IT makes pervasive surveillance an almost trivial matter.

How Hale is Shale?
Fracking’s Smoking Gun That Wasn’t

New research links groundwater pollution with nearby fracking, but this isn’t the damning evidence against the controversial drilling practice that greens would have you believe.

Squabble of Thrones
Beijing on South China Sea Tensions: You Started It

China hit back at condemnation from ASEAN led by the Philippines by playing the victim, insisting that it’s Manila that has been conducting illegal land reclamation efforts.

An Uneasy Partnership
Russia-China Energy Deals Hit Snags

New Russia-China energy agreements are running into trouble as the Chinese seek the best possible terms from the more desperate Russia.

Religion in China
Uighur Shops Forced to Sell Booze, Cigarettes

China’s worries about the restive Muslim population in its western Xinjiang province have prompted a series of moves intended to counter extremism. But they’re not likely to work that way in the long run.

The Mess in Yemen
Saudi Arabia Deploys “Little Green Men”?

Recent Saudi moves show the Kingdom is making its displeasure known.

The Law is What I Say It Is
Court Rules Burundi President’s Bid Legal

Even as Secretary Kerry excoriated Burundi’s president for seeking a third term as being unconstitutional, a constitutional court was ruling in the president’s favor.

Greeks Bearing Debts
IMF Squaring Off Against Creditors on Greek Debt Relief?

Reports leaked out that the IMF will withhold billions of euros in bailout money to Greece unless EU creditors pursue debt relief for the country. Time is running out to avoid a Grexit.

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