David R. Sands

Russia joins Iran allies in condemning U.S. airstrikes, warns of escalation

The government of Russian President Vladimir Putin joined with a collection of Iran-allied forces across the Middle East Saturday in denouncing President Biden's decision to target anti-U.S. militia groups in Iraq and Syria with a string of airstrikes. Published February 3, 2024

Iraqi military protests U.S. retaliatory strikes targeting militias

Iraq's military sharply criticized the barrage of U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria Friday as a violation of the country's sovereignty, putting further strains on the relationship between Baghdad and Washington. Published February 2, 2024

Wei emerges as winner after wild finish at Tata premier chess event

They were racing four-wide around the final turn, and no one was taking his foot off the gas. A chess tournament does not usually draw comparisons to NASCAR, but the wild finish at the just-completed Tata Steel Masters Tournament in the Dutch seaside town of Wijk aan Zee made for one of the most memorable outings in the event's storied 85-year history, featuring a satisfyingly high number of decisive games and an unexpected champion. Published January 30, 2024

Ladies Day at Tata tournament as Ju, Roebers score big upsets at the chessboard

It was a banner round for the ladies last week at the first big chess tournament of the new year. Published January 24, 2024

U.S. troops in Iraq receive treatment after militia shelling as region’s tensions mount

American personnel in Iraq suffered minor injuries and an Iraqi security officer was wounded in the Iraqi militias' latest attack on the Ain al-Asad air base, according to reports. Published January 21, 2024

Putin plans for North Korea visit in latest sign of warming ties

North Korea said Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to make a visit to Pyongyang "at an early date." Published January 21, 2024

North Korea says it tested underwater nuclear-capable drone in response to rivals’ naval drills

North Korea said it carried out the latest test of its shadowy unmanned, underwater drone capable of carrying a nuclear weapon, thought to be based on a Russian design, a few days after U.S., South Korean and Japanese naval forces conducted drills. Published January 19, 2024

Russia’s U.S. expats to be able to vote in March presidential election

Russians living in the United States will be able to cast their ballots for another term for President Vladimir Putin in March without having to go home. Published January 17, 2024

No rust on Ding as chess champ returns to the board at Tata Steel Masters

It was more bang than whimper as world champion Ding Liren returned to the chessboard after an absence of more than eight months. Published January 16, 2024

Point taken: Firouzja’s year-end blitz snags last chess title tourney slot

Like that butterfly wingflap that spawns a hurricane in Florida, an otherwise unremarkable year-end Swiss tournament in northern France may just help decide the next chess world champion. Published January 9, 2024

Iraq fumes as U.S. drone strike takes out Iran-linked militia leader in Baghdad

A U.S. military airstrike has killed a top Iraqi Shiite militia leader who the Pentagon says helped orchestrate recent attacks on American forces stationed in the country, bringing an angry protest from the Iraqi government. Published January 4, 2024

Ringing in the new year with some nice chess wins from the old

It's always nice to start a new chess year with a rush of momentum from the one just past, so we focus this week on some of the big winners from December, traditionally a very crowded time on the global chess calendar. Published January 2, 2024

U.S. destroyer kills Houthi raiders as Red Sea shipping clashes escalate

U.S. Navy vessels dispatched to protect international shipping sank three small boats, killing the occupants, and downed two anti-ship missiles fired by Iran-allied Houthis forces in Yemen in the Red Sea, the U.S. Central Command announced Sunday. Published December 31, 2023

Champion Lasker was a Christmas season gift to the chess world

It technically came a day early, but the chess world was given a wonderful Christmas present 150 years ago on Dec. 24, 1868, with the birth of Emanuel Lasker in the German (now Polish) town of Berlinchen. Published December 26, 2023

Szabo’s February brilliancy among the best of chess in 2023

GM Gergely Szabo's fabulous sacrificial win at February's Romanian championship tournament was tipped early on as a candidate for "game of the year." Published December 19, 2023

Sunk costs: As Biden seeks more money for Ukraine, a look at what’s already been sent

How much money has the United States provided Ukraine as its war to fight off an invading Russian army nears the 22-month mark? Let us count the ways. Published December 14, 2023

Missing-in-action champ Ding Liren plans return to chessboard

Does the name Ding ring a bell? You may be excused if you don't quite recall the name, seeing as how GM Ding Liren has been largely missing in action since he defeated Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi in thrilling fashion in Kazakhstan in April to become the first Chinese world chess champion. Published December 12, 2023