David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
Putin praises Trump, presses Biden for ‘stability’ ahead of summit
Former President Donald Trump is an "extraordinary, talented individual," President Biden is a "career man" in government, and Russia would appreciate a little more "stability and predictability" in U.S. foreign policy, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his first interview with an American broadcast outlet in three years. Published June 14, 2021
Ortega regime steps up crackdown of rivals ahead of Nicaragua vote
The government of leftist President Daniel Ortega, brushing off criticism from the U.S. and human rights groups, expanded its intimidation campaign against regime opponents ahead of November's elections, arresting a prominent opposition figure and surrounding the home of another government critic Sunday. Published June 13, 2021
Netanyahu ousted by single vote after 12 years as Israel’s prime minister
A coalition united solely by the proposition that Benjamin Netanyahu should not be prime minister took power in Israel, sending into opposition a figure who has dominated the country and the region for a dozen years. Published June 13, 2021
Biden, G-7 leaders mobilize to counter China’s ‘Belt and Road’ project
The leaders of the Group of Seven industrial democracies took aim Sunday at China's vast "Belt and Road" infrastructure program for the developing world. Published June 13, 2021
Biden defends shunning joint press conference with Putin
President Biden on Sunday defended his decision not to hold a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin at their one-day summit Wednesday in Switzerland. Published June 13, 2021
Biden hails ‘extraordinarily productive’ G-7 summit
President Biden claimed breakthroughs on a number of fronts as he wrapped up his first Group of Seven summit as president on Britain's Cornish seacoast, a gathering marked by normalcy and lower-volume diplomacy after the tumultuous Trump years. Published June 13, 2021
G-7 leaders endorse Biden push for global minimum tax for corporations
The Group of Seven nations has endorsed an international push to require companies to pay a minimum tax of 15% of their income, targeting multinational corporate giants that seek out low-tax havens. Published June 13, 2021
Israeli parliament opens session set to oust Netanyahu as prime minister
The Israeli parliament Sunday convened a session that could end the momentous 12-year reign of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Published June 13, 2021
Abdumalik triumphs as field comes together for women’s chess title chase
A couple of players left the playing hall happy at the conclusion for the FIDE Women's Grand Prix earlier this month, the last qualifying tournament for the candidates cycle to challenge women's world champ GM Ju Wenjun of China. Published June 8, 2021
Room and boards: In-person chess events spring back to life
As the COVID-19 vaccination rates climb, over-the-board chess is springing back to life, and not a moment too soon. Published June 1, 2021
State Department slams latest Chinese crackdown on Hong Kong rights
Members of the overwhelmingly pro-Beijing Hong Kong Legislative Council on Thursday approved sweeping electoral measures giving the city's security department new powers to vet candidates for public office and established a new panel to ensure that those who run are sufficiently "patriotic." Published May 27, 2021
Bashar Assad votes for himself in onetime Syrian rebel stronghold
Syrian President Bashar Assad cast his vote Wednesday in an election he is certain to win in a town made infamous in a suspected 2018 chemical weapons attack by his army against rebel forces in the country's still-unresolved civil war. Published May 26, 2021
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad blocked as Iran clerics sharply limit presidential field
Two-term former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will not be allowed to pursue a comeback bid in next month's Iranian presidential elections, the religious body which vets all candidates announced Tuesday. Published May 25, 2021
A stormy title match — away from the chessboard — 100 years ago
For many, the 1972 Fischer-Spassky championship match is at least as famous for the tempestuous dramas away from the board -- the challenger's diva-like near-no show, the last-minute Reykjavik arrival, the Game 2 forfeit, the soap opera over television cameras -- as for the games themselves. Published May 25, 2021
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, ex-Iranian leader, blocked from comeback run in presidential vote
Two-term former hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will not be allowed to pursue a comeback bid in next month's Iranian presidential elections, the religious body that vets all candidates announced Tuesday. Published May 25, 2021
Russian lawmaker says cordial meeting, Nord Stream move ‘good sign’ for U.S. relations
A leading foreign policy voice in Russia's national parliament said the amicable talks this week between the U.S. and Russian top diplomats and the Biden administration not to try to block a controversial Russia-German energy pipeline are a hopeful sign that bilateral ties may improve soon. Published May 20, 2021
Russia fetes, Ukraine frets over Biden pipeline ploy
Top Russian officials said the relatively amicable talks this week between the U.S. and Russian top diplomats and the Biden administration's decision not to try to block a controversial Russia-German energy pipeline are hopeful signs that bilateral ties may improve soon. Published May 20, 2021
Germans celebrate, critics slam Biden’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline retreat
Germany officials were celebrating and some on Capitol Hill were fuming as the Biden administration confirmed it was effectively dropping U.S. efforts to block the nearly-completed Nord Stream 2 pipeline supplying Russian natural gas directly to Germany. Published May 19, 2021
Two rising Russian chess stars to keep an eye on
The child is father to the man, as the poet once said, so it behooves us to keep a close eye on the young chess talent now bubbling up around the world. Published May 18, 2021
Sergei Naryshkin, Russian spymaster, ‘flattered’ by accusations he orchestrated SolarWinds hack
He's denying any role, but Russia's spy chief said Tuesday he was "flattered" that Western intelligence services believe he was able to pull off the massive SolarWinds computer hack of U.S. private and government networks last year. Published May 18, 2021
