David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
U.S. weighs in as Kazakh anti-government protests expand
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke by telephone with his Kazakh counterpart Thursday, urging a quick end to a week of increasingly violent protests that have rocked the Central Asian nation. Published January 6, 2022
Uzbek phenom Abudsattorov dethrones Carlsen for world rapid chess title
If you start the year with three world titles and end it with just one, can it really be called a successful year? Published January 4, 2022
NATO foreign ministers to huddle ahead of Russia talks on Ukraine
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and foreign ministers from NATO's 29 other member nations will gather virtually Friday ahead of a string of key diplomatic meetings with Russia aimed at trying to defuse mounting tensions over Ukraine, NATO officials said Tuesday morning. Published January 4, 2022
Trump plays kingmaker in Hungary with endorsement of Orban
Former President Donald Trump doesn't just have his sights set on the U.S. midterm elections this fall. Published January 3, 2022
Biden steps up diplomacy to head off clash with Russia
President Biden was back at work trying to prevent a new war in Europe on Sunday, arranging a pep talk with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy Sunday just days after a tough, nearly hour-long talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Published January 2, 2022
French conservatives seethe as EU banner replaces French flag at Arc de Triomphe
The New replacement of the French national flag by the European Union banner at the Arc de Triomphe may have handed a symbolic issue to French conservatives. Published January 2, 2022
Generous to a fault at the chessboard
Painful as it is to concede, we have to admit that chess makes an uneasy fit with this season of generosity and gift-giving. Published December 30, 2021
Putin says West to blame for crisis in Europe, keeps door open to talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday the U.S. and its allies, not the Kremlin, are to blame for rising tensions in Europe that have revived talk of war. Published December 21, 2021
Chess for Christmas, confounding and consoling
'Tis the season to be -- a little melancholy, if you want to know the truth. Chess lovers have a lot to be thankful for these days, but there's an undeniable post-world championship match letdown now that Magnus Carlsen has successfully defended his crown -- again. And for a second straight holiday season, the specter of COVID-19 is hanging over the game. Published December 21, 2021
Russia’s Putin says NATO, West to blame for surging tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday the U.S. and its allies, not the Kremlin, are to blame for rising tensions in Europe that have revived talk of war. Published December 21, 2021
U.S. joins appeal condemning repression of Jehovah’s Witnesses
The U.S. and six other countries Friday issued a joint declaration condemning repression of the Jehovah's Witnesses, the evangelizing Christian denomination that has faced severe state opposition in many of the countries where it operates. Published December 17, 2021
All hostages freed in Haiti, U.S. missionary groups says
All of the remaining hostages from a group of 17 U.S.-based missionaries kidnapped in Haiti two months ago have been freed, the Ohio-based group said Thursday morning. Published December 16, 2021
Japanese PM Kishida: No plans to attend Beijing Olympics amid U.S.-led diplomatic boycott
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday he has "no plans" to attend the Winter Olympics that kick off in Beijing in just two months, befitting the leader of a country that relies on the U.S. for its national security but counts China as its biggest market and trading partner. Published December 16, 2021
Putin RSVPs for Olympics in warm talk with China’s Xi
It doesn't rank as a big surprise, but Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Wednesday he won't be honoring President Biden's call for a "diplomatic boycott" of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. Published December 15, 2021
Harsh prison terms for top democracy activists spark sharp Western criticism
The Biden administration and leading European allies on Tuesday forcefully condemned an 18-year jail sentence handed down to the husband of 2020 opposition presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, with the U.S. ambassador to Minsk calling it another "unjust" and "vengeful" act by the regime of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Published December 14, 2021
A tale of two matches: Magnus Carlsen retains chess crown as challenger collapses
For many chess fans, the just-completed world championship match between Norwegian titleholder Magnus Carlsen and Russian challenger GM Ian Nepomniachtchi was like one of those double-edged positions where your evaluation shifts depending on your mood. Published December 14, 2021
USMCA neighbors Canada, Mexico cry foul over Biden’s electric car subsidies
America's USMCA neighbors are unhappy with President Biden's proposed electric car subsidies for unionized U.S. carmakers, putting in question a key piece of the administration's climate agenda as it nears a critical test in the Senate. Published December 12, 2021
U.S., G-7 allies demand Russia pull back from Ukraine border, warn of ‘massive’ response
Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations meeting Sunday in England issued a blunt warning to Russia to draw down forces that have massed on Ukraine's border, accusing Moscow of trying to intimidate its smaller neighbor and vowing strong joint action if Russia does not relent. Published December 12, 2021
Magnus Carlsen retains world chess crown with brilliant attack in clinching game
Norwegian world chess champion Magnus Carlsen has successfully defended his title for the fourth time, clinching his match against Russian challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi with a powerful attack with the Black pieces in the 11th and final game of their scheduled 14-game match in Dubai Friday. Published December 10, 2021
Quiet draw leaves champion Magnus Carlsen just 1 point from victory in world chess title match
World chess champion Magnus Carlsen could make no headway at the board in the 10th game of his scheduled 14-game match with Russian challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi in Dubai, but the tame 41-move draw Wednesday brought the Norwegian champion ever closer to retaining the title he has held since 2013. Published December 8, 2021