Guy Taylor
Articles by Guy Taylor
Paul Whelan, American, sentenced to 16 years in Russia on spying charges
The Trump administration and lawmakers from both parties slammed Russia's sentencing of American security executive Paul Whelan to 16 years in prison on spying charges Monday, after what Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called an "appalling" and "secret trial" in Moscow. Published June 15, 2020
Benjamin Netanyahu set to annex West Bank Jewish settlements
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to stir the pot anew by the end of the month by fulfilling a campaign promise to annex a large swath of Jewish settlements in the West Bank that Palestinians and much of the rest of the world say is their land. Published June 11, 2020
U.S. reopens consulate in Greenland amid race for Arctic supremacy
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo formally announced the reopening of the U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, on Wednesday, framing the development as a strategic move within the Trump administration's ongoing push to expand America's presence and influence in the Arctic region. Published June 10, 2020
North Korea lashes out, says it will cut ties with South Korea
North Korea lashed out despite South Korea's calls for new talks Tuesday, saying it was freezing all communication channels and vowing to treat Seoul as an "enemy" in what analysts say may be the opening of a belligerent wave of provocations from Pyongyang. Published June 9, 2020
India, China border flare-up sparks fears of wider clash
The high-altitude row over a long-disputed Himalayan border territory has included fistfights between Indian and Chinese troops in recent weeks. It also has caused growing unease in Washington, where President Trump's offers to mediate have been brushed aside by New Delhi and Beijing. Published June 8, 2020
U.S. seeks role as China, India face off at border
As if the world didn't have enough problems, the two most populous and nuclear armed countries -- India and China -- are now at each other's throats in a long-running border cold war that has suddenly become very hot. Published June 6, 2020
U.S. presses allies to keep up Islamic State fight
The Trump administration is pressing U.S. allies to boost funding for the global fight against Islamic State, saying Iraq still needs help in battling the terror group's still-potent remnants even as U.S. forces pull back from front-line positions. Published June 4, 2020
Spat involving Russian bank, Eurobonds and Vodka owner gets ugly
The issuer of American Express credit cards in Russia is embroiled in a messy conflict with creditors that offers a window into a complex web of international financial problems expected to become increasingly prevalent as creditors around the world scramble to get paid back in a global economy struggling through the COVID-19 era. Published June 4, 2020
U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad sees signs peace deal taking hold in Afghanistan
The top U.S. negotiator for Afghanistan expressed optimism Monday that peace may finally be taking hold, after waves of attacks had imperilled the historic "reduction in violence" pact the Trump administration reached with the Taliban in February. Published June 1, 2020
Robert O’Brien says WHO funds will go to Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders
White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien defended President Trump's decision to pull some $450 million of U.S. annual funding from the World Health Organization. Published May 31, 2020
Mike Pompeo blasts China Communist Party: ‘Intent upon the destruction of Western ideas’
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ratcheted the Trump administration's criticism of China to new heights Sunday, asserting the Chinese Communist Party has become "much more aggressive" over the past decade in attempts to undermine America on the world stage. Published May 31, 2020
China state media: George Floyd protests in U.S. a ‘beautiful sight’
A key Chinese state-media outlet is calling the violent protests occurring in several U.S. cities "retribution" for Washington's support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. Published May 31, 2020
Oil price crash alters priorities, greases skids to new world order
The sustained plunge in global oil prices has brought deep, unexpected shifts on the geopolitical landscape, with impacts felt in the Arctic and the Middle East, and in the fortunes of the American heartland and the future of the Russian-Chinese strategic alliance. Published May 28, 2020
Mike Pompeo accuses China of stripping Hong Kong’s freedom and autonomy
The Trump administration said Wednesday that China has effectively stripped Hong Kong of its promised democratic freedoms and the city no longer deserves a raft of U.S. trade and investment privileges, fueling rising U.S.-Chinese tensions and throwing into question the island territory's status as a global financial powerhouse. Published May 27, 2020
Afghanistan peace talks see life with Taliban prisoner release
The release Tuesday of as many as 900 Taliban prisoners signaled a potentially major breakthrough in relations between the Taliban and the government in Kabul, which continued to trade violent blows after the Trump administration and Taliban leaders announced a deal in February. Published May 26, 2020
China punishes Australia for coronavirus questions, ‘pandering’ to U.S.
Australia is paying a heavy price for taking the lead in demanding a global probe into China's handling the coronavirus crisis, a demand that has prompted retaliatory Chinese tariffs on Australian goods and angry propaganda from Beijing accusing Canberra of being a U.S. lackey. Published May 25, 2020
Mike Pompeo denies State Dept. inspector general was fired in retaliation
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday defended last week's abrupt firing of the department's official watchdog, sharply denying allegations the firing of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick was payback for investigations the IG was conducting of Mr. Pompeo himself. Published May 20, 2020
U.S. accuses China of helping Iran move weapons, smuggle gold out of Venezuela
The State Department accused China on Tuesday of helping an Iranian airline smuggle gold out of Venezuela and ship U.N.-restricted missile and nuclear items into Iran, saying a Shanghai-based company has facilitated the airline's nefarious operations. Published May 19, 2020
Charles Grassley demands Trump to give reasoning for firing of State Department IG Steve Linick
A top Senate Republican Monday called on President Trump to "provide a detailed reasoning" for the firing late last week of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, amid claims by Democrats he was pushed out for probing the administration's handling of controversial Mideast weapons deals. Published May 18, 2020
Pompeo slams WHO for excluding Taiwan, claims China pressuring world body
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sharply criticized the World Health Organization on Monday for not allowing Taiwan observer status at its virtual meeting this week, claiming the organization's director yielded to "pressure" from China not to invite the Taiwanese. Published May 18, 2020