US withdrawals from a nuclear arms treaty with Russia

The US intends on withdrawing from the treaty because Russia was purportedly not following the rules. The US dealt with Russia breaking the rules during the Obama administration. When the treaty was signed it prevented the launching of hundreds of missiles.  It also required the destroying of nuclear weapons and related equipment. Other country’s do not seem to approve of this situation. If we are to leave the treaty we may be in a dangerous spot.

https://www.npr.org/2018/10/21/659275572/u-s-to-end-cold-war-era-nuclear-arms-treaty-with-russia-trump-says?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=2049

Chloe ma

USC to pay $215m over gynaecologist sex abuse claims

The University of California has recently agreed to pay $215 million to sexual abuse victims. Over 93 women filed a lawsuit against the schools formal doctor on campus. The University has agreed to pay a $2,500 amount to any victim that had medical services from Dr. Tyndall and up to $250,000 to anyone who comes forward stating he sexually abused them. The university is choosing to do so because they want to move towards reconciliation. The case is looking to be taken to the federal court by the victims instead of just the state court, looking to find justice for all the victims. I think this is an important article and case for many to read in America because of the many cases that are starting to arise in public from sexual assault abusers. I think it also important to pay attention to the fact that most individuals of higher power are getting convicted instead of it getting swept under the rug like it never happened. The #metoo movement I believe plays a huge role in this. With the allegations against our own President right now and the Kavanaugh case, it is important that those who pay attention to our political leaders see how these cases unfold and how the public responds to it. Overall, the movement has given women the chance to step forward and feel comfortable to do so. I think this is so important for not only women but for any victim of sexual abuse or harassment.

-megan jensen

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45918089

2 Koreas, US-led UN Command meet again at Koreas’ border

Last Monday, military  officers from the two Koreas and the U.S.-led U.N. Command met again at the Koreas’ border village Monday to examine an ongoing effort to disarm the area. With a new deal coming about, there will no longer be armed troops in the Panmunjom village that is at the border of North and South Korea. They will only have 35 unarmed personnel from each side to guard the village. They are also planning on removing mines that were placed in the area from the Korean War. 

South Korea wants to push forward with the engagement with North Korea, however the U.S. is making them wait. The United States wants to be able to denuclearize North Korea first and foremost before anything else can occur. Once the denuclearization occurs, tensions will be low, therefore the engagements can start. I agree with the United States in the idea that South Korea should wait, but I am also glad that the Koreas are finally coming to a consensus.

By Jake Rogers

Link Below:

https://www.apnews.com/6ab59a08c6e347bba1ab1a767b3fc368

Europeans Want Iran Bank Connected to World: French Senator

US has recently pulled out of the 2015 Iran Nuclear deal in May and have been putting sanctions on Iran since. These sanctions have been targeting there financial system particular. European nations have been trying to help Iran benefit from this withdrawal. One way they are trying to help them is to keep at least one of the Iran banks connected with the rest of the world. French Senator Phillipe Bonnecarrere has stated that France will help with keeping the nuclear agreement alive.

Link: https://www.voanews.com/a/europeans-want-iran-bank-connected-to-world-french-senator/4622898.html

Abby Widd

With Presidency in Sight, Brazil's Bolsonaro Stumbles With Campaign Finance Allegation

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election/with-presidency-in-sight-brazils-bolsonaro-stumbles-with-campaign-finance-allegation-idUSKCN1MT1HI

Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right candidate in Brazil who currently leads in the presidential polls, has recently been accused of committing a campaign finance violation. This violation is over whether or not Bolsonaro asked business heads at a dinner in San Paulo if they could fund, as the Reuters article refers to it, "Bulk propaganda messaging" on the WhatsApp texting service. Furthermore, Brazilian federal prosecutors are investigating Bolsonaro's pick for economic advisor over fraud accusations concerning pension funds. These accusations paint Bolsonaro as a hypocrite, a man who accuses the Workers Party of committing widespread corruption that he himself could also be partaking in. This comes a week before the October 28th run-off vote for the presidency, in which Bolsonaro holds a 18% lead over his opponent Fernando Haddad of the leftist Workers Party. Bolsonaro is a polarizing political figure, as he runs on an anti-establishment platform and far-right principles, similar to that of Donald Trump of the United States and Andrzej Duda of Poland. I will monitor the effect that these accusations will have on the Brazilian election, but it looks that Bolsonaro will win the election despite his radical views and accusations made against him.

Kevin Phelan

In A Marathonlike Dash, 7,200 Central Americans Stream Into Southern Mexico

Posted on October 21, 2018, at 1:39 p.m. ET

TAPACHULA, Mexico — More than 7,200 migrants undertook a brisk walk through the southern Mexican state of Chiapas on Sunday, defying threats from President Donald Trump to stop them and attempts by the government of Mexico to process people into the country individually.

The caravan began streaming into Tapachula, the migrants' resting place for the day, eight hours after it departed Ciudad Hidalgo — a 23-mile march under marathonlike conditions and 90-degree heat. People limped into the main plaza, took their shoes off, and lay down. Some fell asleep right away.

Piper Jones

Taiwan to hold mass independence rally in challenge to Beijing - Emilio Lopez

This article was written by Al Jazeera News

Taiwan is a nation in the South China sea and is one of the larger islands in that area, but it is not recognized by China as an independent country. Recently the nation wants to promote its idea of independence by having activist from a local group called the Formosa Alliance where they predict nearly 100,000 people will be part of the protest. This protest will be the biggest that the nation has seen since claiming its democracy 20 years ago. The impact this has on the international community is if nations will continue to recognize Taiwan as an independent country or continue to call it Chinese Taipei. Another important thing that will impact the international community is China's threat that if they continue to advocate for independence the country will use force to reinforce the idea of belonging to China. Understanding the significance this can bring of other nations acting on this threat could escalate to a larger conflict.

Link to Article:
Taiwan to hold mass independence rally in challenge to Beijing

-Emilio Lopez

Russia says Trumps Nuclear Treaty withdraw could be a dangerous step

Trumps Nuclear treaty withdraw could be a dangerous step

Article by Zeke Miller

President Donald Trump says his intention to scrap a arms control agreement with Russia follows years of violations by Moscow in developing prohibited weapons, and “we’re not going to be the only one to adhere to it.” The Kremlin said the pullout “would be a very dangerous step.”
Britain said that it stood “absolutely resolute” with the U.S., while Germany called Trump’s move “regrettable.” The 30 year old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is “an important pillar of our European security architecture” and Trump’s announcement “raises difficult questions for us and Europe.”


If you would like to look at the article, the website is posted below

http://time.com/5430509/trump-russia-treaty-pull-out/

Blog post by Brandon Torrence

Polls Close in Afghanistan's Long-Delayed Parliamentary Elections

Since the fall of Talibans in 2001, there was a large turn-out of about 9 million voters in Parliamentary polls this year. There are more than 2500 candidates of which 417 are women that are running for the limited 215 seats. There were several explosions throughout the country, and a suicide bomber killed 18 people in the capital Kabul but voters casted their votes despite the violence and threats from Islamic State of Iraq and ISIL. There was a delay in the polling due to violence and break in online systems but the deputy spokesperson for the commission said that this would not be an issue in relaying the final results on time. The Afghan forces had been also vigilant in their duties and hence there were less attacks than what was promised by rebels. Political analysts said that this voting is the right step for the country in spite of the attacks.

- Sangay Chhoki

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/poll-close-afghanistan-long-delayed-parliamentary-elections-181021121134312.html

Trump says US will withdraw from nuclear arms treaty with Russia

President Trump has said and confirmed that the United States is leaving an arms control treaty with Russia datting back to the 1980's during the cold war. This treaty kept nuclears missles out of Europe for three decades. The reason why the United States is left the treaty was becuase Russia has beein violating the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty (INF) with developing and deployment of a new cruse missile.  Under the terms it would take six months for the United States withdrawel to take effect.

According to the deputy director general of the Royal United Services Institute Malcolm Chalmers said "If the INF treaty collapses, and with the New Start treaty on strategic arms due to expire in 2021, the world could be left without any limits on the nuclear arsenals of nuclear states for the first time since 1972.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/20/trump-us-nuclear-arms-treaty-russia

By: Jack Bronec

Trump Says the US will Pull-Out of the intermediate nuclear range pact

According to Associated Press, it was reported that on Saturday that President Trump will pull the United States from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty due to accusations of Russia violating the agreement. Trump stated that Russia has been violating the treaty for years, and that it was not okay for them to be violating it and the US not allowed to.  The agreement restrained the US from developing new weapons originally, but the US will start developing nuclear armaments unless Russia and China to neither possess or develop these weapons. Currently the Kremlin nor the Russian Foreign Ministry have made no comment on the Trump statements. According to Trump, as long as other countries are violating the pact, so to will the US violate it also.

Anthony Hernandez

https://a.msn.com/r/2/BBOElyM?m=en-us&referrerID=InAppShare

Migrant caravan halted by Mexico police on Guatemala border

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45920624

Melissa Vandermark

Masses of migrants primarily from Honduras who are fleeing violence and poverty were stopped by Mexico riot police on the border between Guatemala and Mexico. Trump congratulated Mexico's efforts to stop the caravan of migrants. However, the majority of migrants are women and children which brings up many ethical dilemmas. Trump has been pressuring countries to stop these caravans by threatening to cut aid and said he would employ military action if needed. There has been multiple breaks of the gates which Mexico riot police have been trying to mitigate by firing tear gas into the crowds. Others who didn't break through the gate either jumped off the bridge, turned back to Guatemala, or simply sat down on the bridge.

Saudi Arabia reportedly plans to admit Khashoggi was murdered and use top general close to crown prince as scapegoat

Saudi Arabia is putting the blame of the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on a two-star general who is close to the Prince of Saudi Arabia. The way that the men who did kill Jamal was absolutely disgusting and the Prince may get some of the blame because of the fact that he promoted the general to intelligence.  What is shocking about the death of Jamal is that it is having an effect on the United States federal government. Donald Trump is hesitant to put sanctions on Saudi Arabia because of the fact that according to him "would be punishment on us."  However, some government officials feel that we should punish Saudi for the death of the journalist, and it is causing a rift in Congress.

This blog was written by Connor Hazzard
https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-plans-to-admit-khashoggi-murder-scapegoat-general-report-2018-10

"Top EU Court Blocks Polish Supreme Court Law..." Isa Chudzik

Isa Chudzik
https://www.npr.org/2018/10/20/659016900/eus-top-court-blocks-poland-s-supreme-court-law-forcing-judges-into-retirement

In this article Vanessa Romo writes of the highest EU court ruling that Poland must reinstate the Supreme Court justices who were forced to retire and to reverse the new law completely. The article also included reactions from many different types of people. For the general public as well as lower ranking judges, this ruling provides hope that Duda's (the leader of Poland) quest to seemingly make his government an authoritarian one will be halted. However the reaction from Duda's cabinet chief, Krzysztof Szczerski, that "it's impossible for law to work in reverse", hints that Duda's government may not be so willing to comply with the EU and in fact may just completely ignore it. 

U.S. and South Korea Suspend Military Drills

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/19/world/asia/us-south-korea-military-exercise.html

Article by:Helene Cooper

The New York Times reported on October 19, 2018 the United States and South Korea suspended another military exercise. During a meeting in Singapore, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and South Korean counterpart Jeong Kyeong-doo choose to delay the exercise as part of an effort to give the ongoing nuclear negotiations with North Korea a chance to work. Another possible factor as to why the exercise was called off may owe in part to President Trump's dislike of drills as he believes they cost too much money. Some American military officials have been critical, claiming delaying such exercises may affect military readiness. Previously, In June President Trump suspended other major military exercises conducted with South Korea after the North Korea- United States summit held in Singapore.

--Jennie Fry

As Khashoggi crisis grows, Saudi king asserts authority, checks son's power

This article brings a new significant development to the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi. reportedly, the pressure on Saudi Arabia has lead King Salman to assert his author over his son, the crowned prince who has been the primary leader of the country. the King has sent his personal advisor Prince Khaled to Istanbul to defuse the situation. This indicates that there is friction within the royal court over the crowned Prince's lackluster job to deal with the political fallout. This could lead to a larger shift of power away from the crowned prince due to his ineffectiveness to respond to the situation.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-politics-king-insight/as-khashoggi-crisis-grows-saudi-king-asserts-authority-checks-sons-power-sources-idUSKCN1MT1LF

Islamic state has seized 700 hostages in Syria

I have chosen this article because it highlights the brutal amount of violence still going on in Syria. According to Putin the Islamic state has captured 700 hostages in Syria and are threatening to execute 10 of them everyday unless their specific demands are met. However, the U.S military is skeptical of the accuracy of this information. They also do not know if there are any U.S officials among the hostages. I am disgusted by the amount of violence going on in Syria, and it is even more horrifying to think that there seems to be no end until the Islamic state is eradicated completely. I feel that unless they are eradicated or they get what they want, the war will never end. If that is the case maybe they really do need to be wiped off of the face of the earth. They are committing crimes against humanity the are too brutal to be forgiven. However this is not for me to decide, but the international community to decide as a whole. Sho Kawajiri

Crimea in mourning after deadly school attack
On Wednesday morning, a shooter rampaged a University in Crimea (annexed by Russia in 2014). This shooter killed 19 and wounded many more, and a good number of victims were teenagers. The shooter ended his own life after his rampage, and his motives have not yet been uncovered. Vladislav Roslyakov is his name, and he was 18 years old. An official three-day mourning period has been put in place. Many memorials have been created in both Russia and Ukraine. 

Web: https://www.euronews.com/2018/10/18/crimea-in-mourning-after-deadly-school-attack
By: Morgan Knight

More Honduran migrants seek to join U.S.-bound group in Guatemala

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-caravan/more-honduran-migrants-seek-to-join-u-s-bound-group-in-guatemala-idUSKCN1MR2SQ

On Wednesday, October 17, more Honduran migrants tried joining a caravan that has been gradually growing since it left San Pedro Sula this past Saturday. The migrants in this caravan hope to reach Mexico, cross its northern border to the United States, and finally seek refuge from the violence and poverty in Honduras and all of Central America. The Honduran government and authorities have been trying to stop people from going into this caravans ever since president Trump threatened to cut off regional aid in revenge. Nonetheless, Hondurans migrants have defied the government, as the first group made it to Guatemala City on Wednesday. On that day, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales also said “No help can be conditioned and no help can be demanded” as to what president Trump had said. On the other hand, president Trump’s tweets consisted of “horrendous weak and outdated immigration laws,” and as he said before, he threatened to cut off aid to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador if they fail to prevent undocumented immigrants from heading to the United States. In conclusion, Adult citizens of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua only need to present a national identity card to cross each others’ borders; nonetheless; that regional immigration agreement does not apply when they reach Mexico. Mexico said only people with a Visa can move freely, while those without proper documents would be subject to review and could be deported.

By Isabel G. Torres

Italian mayor banned from his own town 

mayor  Domenico Lucano got banned from the town he's governing because he was bringing in illegal immigrants to his town to try to  rejuvenate the economy of the small Italian town. this surprises me because they where brining the economy back to life even if it was illegal. also its surprising that they would ban him from the town he is still governing over. 

By Shane Todd 

Military build up in Russia's strategic outpost

New satellite images show Russia upgrading four of its military installations in Kaliningrad, where is disconnected from the rest of Russia but is on Nato's doorstep.
Although it was unclear until earlier this year, but now the satellite imagery and analysis confirmed that Russia has significantly modernized a nuclear weapons storage bunker. A set of images shows the upgrade in a base which received nuclear-capable missiles in February. Russia may started it since 2016.
The place has been a focal point between Russia and the West. It is important for Russia because it is their port on the Baltic sea. However, NATO concerns that Russia's presence might decrease its potential freedom to operate the region. Tensions between them have been at highs not seen since the Cold War.


https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/17/europe/russia-kaliningrad-military-buildup-intl/index.html

Kaho Sugimoto

Canada legalizes recreational marijuana

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/17/americas/gallery/canada-legal-marijuana/index.html

Within the last week, Canada became the second country (the first being Uruguay) to completely legalize recreational marijuana. Today, October 17th, was the first day marijuana could legally be sold. Adults will now be able to carry and share up to 30 grams of legal marijuana in public, as well as cultivate up to four plants within their homes to produce products for personal use. The legalization stemmed from Justin Trudeau; he wants to keep marijuana away from underage users and limit marijuana-related crime. Many Canadians celebrated this historic day, but this is something that goes beyond being able to smoke marijuana freely. Legalizing marijuana means the criminal justice system will no longer be able to penalize marijuana users, allowing their attention to go towards real issues. Hopefully Canada influences more of the Western world to follow suit since this would greatly reduce the amount of people charged with petty drug crimes.

By: Liz Metcalf

Brexit: May to address EU leaders as Tusk warns no-deal Brexit 'more likely than ever'

As Brexit negotiations continue, border questions arise. Theresa May, British Prime Minister, as been very hard and conservative on this issue. May would like Britain to be able to pursue new economic and trading opportunities, without involving the EU, which is one of the main causes for Brexit. There is a huge negotiation issue occurring in regards to the Irish border. The EU would like Britain to agree to maintain open boarders with Norther Ireland, apart of Britain, and the Republic of Ireland, which will remain an independent state within the EU. Theresa May would like to close boarders and ties to any country apart of the EU. There is a great deal of individuals within the area who have homes in both areas, so a closed boarder would jeopardize jobs, family, and homes. Jeremy Corbyn, opposition labour leader, is firmly against closing the Irish boarder and believes leaving it open will be a benefit to both Nations. There are many aspects of Brexit to analyze in International Relations and Economics, but the border crisis in Ireland is one that could effect a great deal of people.
For more details on the subject:
https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/16/uk/uk-eu-brexit-theresa-may-intl/index.html
By Alyssa Farney

Trump on Alleged Murder of Saudi Journalist

A Saudi journalist named Jamal Khashoggi had been living in the United States before he traveled to Turkey to the Saudi consulate to obtain some documents. He wrote for the Washington Post and he had writings that were critical and doubtful of the Saudi government. When he went inside the Saudi consulate, he never came back out. Turkish officials and his fiance believe he was killed and taken elsewhere by Saudi assassins. The Saudi government has denied these claims. Trump noted on their denial, saying "they were very strong in their denial about themselves knowing." Trump also compared this incident to the Kavanaugh incident, insofar that "we have to find out what happened first..." Trump also believes it is wrong to blame Saudi Arabia so quickly. 

By: Sumayya Ali

Trump on Alleged Murder of Saudi Journalist

Rubio: U.S. risks ‘credibility on human rights’ with weak response to Khashoggi disappearance

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/16/rubio-khashoggi-saudi-arabia-credibility-903828

Nina Severin

This article discusses the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi and the response Trump has given. Marco Rubio comments on the situation by saying "There isn't enough money in the world to purchase back our credibility on human rights and the way nations should conduct themselves". Which I think is a fair point to make because he also explains how we give other countries severe punishments for violating human rights but are not doing so to Saudi Arabia because of an arms deal. Does this weaken are credibility on human rights? If so what does that mean for our Government as well as the current administration? 

US military airstrike in Somalia kills 4 al-Shabab fighters

https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-military-airstrike-in-somalia-kills-4-al-shabab-fighters

By: Teddy Trifunovski

I chose this article because this what complete new news to me because I did not know anything about this topic until I read about it today. The US military stated that they conducted a military strike in Somalia and killed 4 al-Shabab fighters. This is a terrorist group part of al-Queda and is the biggest terrorist group in the African Nations. al-Shabab is the deadliest extremist group in sub-saharan Africa which I did not know. However, I think this is very good news for the world and the US because we are continuously going after these islamist terrorist groups. Where they have weakened greatly over the past two yeras. But, we are still continuing to complete irradicate them, and I believe until that happens, there will be a continuous effort to use airstrikes and kill these terrorists. There has been mor than two dozen airstrikes, including drone strikes on this terroist group. So hopefully our success against these terrorist groups continue so that they don't gain power ever again.

Germany deports accomplice of 9/11 attacks after 15 year prison sentence - Kel Goff

Germany has chosen to deport and release Mounir al-Motassadek from prison, a native of Morocco. He was charged with being an accomplice in the September 11th terrorists attacks on the United States that took place 17 years ago. Motassadek has spent nearly as long in prison for his assistance in the terror attacks despite denying involvement. He was the first person to be charged with taking part in 9/11 just months afterwards. Motassadek is said to have been close friends with one of the alleged hijackers of a plane involved in striking the World Trade Towers. Motassadek claimed to have not known his friends' intentions, only assisting them out of friendship. He did indeed admit to spending time at an al-Qaeda camp that was located in Afghanistan prior to 9/11. Motassadek was first charged in Germany due to moving there in 1993 from his homeland to study electrical engineering. His sentence of 15 years was the maximum sentence German courts were able to punish him with.

Click here to read "Germany releases 9/11 accomplice"

Trump threatens to only give foreign aid to "friends"

Kaitlyn Boelter-Eberhardt

Donald Trump's second address to the United National General Assembly in New York threatened the world. He claims that the United States is the biggest giver of foreign aid but receives next to nothing in return. He says that they will be taking a deep look into who has the U.S. best interest in mind and access who should receive this aid, which will only be those who respect them and are friends to them.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-un-foreign-aid-us-united-nations-mike-pompeo-review-a8554936.html

Afghan official: 14 killed in bombing at candidate rally

This article is about a candidate rally in Afghanistan. The rally was stopped abruptly because of a motorcycle rigged with explosives was detonated. It had killed 14 people, civilians and security forces as well. Up to 32 were wounded because of the explosion on top of the 14 dead. The candidate was a Nazefa Yusoufi Beg, a female candidate running for parliament. However, officials are not certain that she was the target. The most shocking thing in my opinion was that the location of the venue has not been a place where these kind of attacks have taken place before. The hospitals are overcrowded and hardly have any workers to begin with, therefore this is recipe for disaster. However, other candidates for parliament have been attacked as well. A pair of gunmen opened fire at the office of Sayed Azem Kabrzani. Before that, a suicide bomber blew up another candidate's home, killing 8 people. On October 2, another suicide bomber killed 14 and injured 40 at a different rally, too. The Taliban do not agree with the election and warned anyone that takes place in it that they will be targets for doing so. I believe that Afghanistan is at a place in time where the government is controlled by the Taliban. This is not good whatsoever. It is crazy to think that even though there is a government, per say, they have no power because the citizens are too scared to even run for the government in the elections. They would become targets and their lives would be in grave danger. I could never see this happening in the United States because of how terrorism is handled by our government. That is why I believe that this situation is one of the craziest thing I've heard of because of how the government isn't for the majority of the people. It's for a select group, and unfortunately, that group is the Taliban.

By Jake Rogers

Link below: https://www.apnews.com/ab68708412484fa58b2d9e167cbb57fd

Jared Wojcik

Latin America has a goal to have zero hunger by 2030 with 39 million people living with hunger today and 5 million children with malnutrition. There is a group of people from Los Muermos who are collecting sea algae and seaweed as a nutrition booster for the diets of many kids and people who lack the opportunity to achieve a healthy diet on their own. The article is also about the paradox of obesity. The total amount of obese people in Latin America is up to 105 million after being 88 million four years ago. This leave Latin America in a tough position with many obese people having health related issues but also the health related issues of those that are hungry.
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2018/10/14/24588

Saudi Arabia Says it Will Retaliate Against Any Sanctions Over Khashoggi Case

Saudi Arabia through its state run news agency, known as the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), declared that if foreign nations sanction Saudi Arabia over journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance at the Saudi Arabian embassy in Turkey, Saudi Arabia would respond with greater action. The SPA remained vague in what greater action would entail, but they did stress that Saudi Arabia has a major role in the global economy. Furthermore, the general manager of Saudi-owned Al Arabyia (a Middle-Eastern news platform) threatened that oil prices for nations such as the United States could rise, stating that the $80 price of oil per barrel could rise as much to $200 per barrel, or even that double that figure. The American response has been split, with President Donald Trump stating that there would be, “severe punishment” if Saudi Arabia was responsible for Khashoggi’s death, yet President Trump made it clear that military dealings with Saudi Arabia are vital to American economic interests. American congress has shown to be cohesive with their opinion on the incident, with Republicans’ Jeff Flake and Marco Rubio using strong rhetoric that suggested congress would pursue actions against Saudi Arabia if it is found that they are behind Khashoggi’s death. The European response, spearheaded by France, Germany, and Britain, has called for a comprehensive investigation with Saudi-Turkish support, and that if Saudi Arabian involvement was discovered in the death of the journalist, they would evaluate what actions they would take against Saudi Arabia. Currently, the Saudi consulate in Turkey is allowing Turkish officials to investigate the embassy for clues as to what happened.

Kevin Phelan

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-politics-dissident-sanctions/saudi-arabia-says-will-retaliate-against-any-sanctions-over-khashoggi-case-idUSKCN1MO0F1

closing indias borders

India intends on completely closing off it's borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Creating a full wall would end up being longer than Trump's proposed wall. However the border already is covered, so the plans are to secure the remaining ten percent. The intention is to prevent any more Bangladeshi illegal immigrants. Some argue that it is not possible as the remaining ten percent is too harsh of a terrain to build anything lasting. Another arguement is that what has been built in the past has fallen over into delicate ecosystems on the bangladesh side.
https://www.cnn.com/2017/03/28/asia/india-pakistan-bangladesh-borders/index.html

Chloe Ma

Yemen could be 'worst famine in 100 years'

The UN has stated that 13 million people in Yemen are facing starvation and its effect on the lives of people in Yemen are enormous. The civil war has pushed Yemen to the brink because of the many air strikes there is exposure to the poorest of areas to be without any food source. The problem not only in this uprising epidemic there is conflict with losing a large population. It is heartbreaking to watch the video in this blog because we get a small taste of how the starvation is to these people. However, many states that support this state have been willing to supply food sources but it will not be enough because the war is the major conflict at hand and is not looking to stop anytime soon. Not only are they facing a civil war but also a war that is causing everyone to slowly become ill, starved, or dead. How the US and other states will respond will be interesting to see and if any intervention with the war will be made by any of these states. 

-megan jensen 

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-45857729/yemen-could-be-worst-famine-in-100-years 

Jack Drover

Yemen could be 'worst famine in 100 years' 

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-45857729/yemen-could-be-worst-famine-in-100-years

The UN Says that 13 million people in yemen are facing starvation. The United Nations states that this could become the world's worst famine in 100 years and that Saudi Arabia should cease it's bombing campaign in order to prevent this. Saudi Arabia's bombing campaign in yemen has been criticized for the large amount of civilians it has killed.

Saudi Arabia Promises "Greater Action" Than That Suggested by Western Nations

As Saudi Arabia has been bombarded with a wave of economic threats from both the United States and some from the European Union over the case of the slain journalist in their embassy in Turkey, they have finally made their response. In their response, they claim that "if [they] receive any action, [they] will respond with greater action." This is certainly not out of character for the Saudis, who are invaluable in some cases economically for other countries, and know that they have the status to make such bold claims. They continue to deny that they had any part in the death of the journalist, but are beginning to feel the pressure put on by western nations like Germany, France, the U.K., and the United States. This pressure has led to the Saudi's stock exchange value falling upwards of 7%, and a continual downfall of relations between other states. Internationally, this could lead to something much larger than economic issues for involved nations, but until then, we will just have to wait and see what happens next.

Article

Dan Kowalczyk

How chemical weapons have helped bring Assad close to victory

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-45586903?ocid=socialflow_twitter

Nina Severin

This article by BBC news explains the use of chemical weapons Assad imposes on his country causing him to maintain the role of Syria's President. They start off by explaining what chemical weapons are as well as the effect they have. Not only do they show data proving the attacks are done by the regime but it shows how strategic the attacks are but where and how severe they were. I found this article interesting because we were talking in class about Syria and seeing the data is astounding. Something that shocked me was the plentiful use of chlorine because you would not normally think of swimming pool chemicals being used to killed hundreds of people. A point made in the article is the difficulty of identifying chlorine as stated "If you go to a site where a chlorine attack has happened, it's almost impossible to get physical evidence from the environment - unless you're there within a very short period of time," said Mr Tangaere, the former OPCW inspector" (al-Maghafi). This statement explains why Assad would use it because it is hard to prove causing him to be victorious in striking his citizens and getting away with it. 

Jamal Khashoggi case: 'Credible' probe needed over missing writer

UK, Germany, and France wants to have a credible investigation on the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia denies the killing in their consulate and states that they will not take any threats on their country. All three foreign ministers want the people responsible for his disappearance to be held responsible. They have agreed that it up to Saudi Arabia to help the get to the bottom of this. The countries statements came out after Trump "promised 'severe punishment'" if Saudi Arabia is responsible for his death.

Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-45859082

Abby Widd

Congress Wants Trump To End US Military Aid To Saudi Arabia

Congress Wants Trump To End US Military Aid To Saudi Arabia In Yemen Over Khashoggi's Disappearance

Posted on October 11, 2018, at 5:46 p.m. ET

A vocal contingent in Congress that has long pushed for the US to cut off military aid to Saudi Arabia, to little effect, is seizing on the intense scrutiny surrounding the suspected murder of a prominent Saudi journalist to step up the pressure.

While it has been difficult to galvanize public opposition to US support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, the world is paying attention to the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist who was critical of the Saudi government.

He was last seen walking into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, where Turkish security officials claim he was killed by a special hit team of 15 Saudis flown into Turkey that same day. Saudi officials have denied the allegations, insisting that Khashoggi left the building that day and disappeared.

Piper Jones

Mattis pushes closer ties to Vietnam amid tension with China

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/mattis-pushes-closer-ties-to-vietnam-amid-tension-with-china

US Defense Secretary James Mattis has made his second visit to Vietnam this year to talk with Vietnamese leaders about the growing Chinese military presence in the South China Sea. this could mark the beginning of a new US-Vietnam alliance, unprecedented since the end of the Vietnam War. US aircraft carriers have even begun to stop in Major Vietnamese ports. China’s growing aggression in the SC sea has brought the US closer with a communist nation, the same communist government that we fought to prevent from taking over the country, but it seems nothing heals old wounds like protecting their shared economic interests against China.

Report says U.S. weapons vulnerable to Russian hackers

Report says U.S. vulnerable to Russian hackers

Article by Tom Roeder

The Pentagon’s newest weapons have a problem, vulnerability to cyber threats that could make them useless on the battlefield. The Government Accountability Office released a report last week that found the latest weapons, which depend heavily on software to work, could fall victim to hackers. Russia’s cyber muscle was shown this month when the Justice Department revealed a military intelligence operation that hacked into files from the Colorado Springs-based U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The report found that it could be just as easy to take control of missiles, drones or even new aircraft. The Pentagon hasn’t fully assessed the risks of cyber attacks on its weapons.

If you would like more information  here is the website below.

Blog by Brandon Torrence

https://gazette.com/military/report-says-u-s-weapons-vulnerable-to-russian-hackers/article_85d80a84-ce32-11e8-b758-937ef6725851.html