Joshua Ball

Defense & SecurityChina, Russia, United States, Vietnam

The U.S. and Vietnam Are Expanding Areas of Military Cooperation

Joshua Ball

As the U.S. shifts its national security priorities to confront a rising China and an assertive Russia, military cooperation with countries like Vietnam will be critical to deterring aggressive behavior.…

Defense & SecurityNetherlands, Russia, United States

Russian Hacker Group Cozy Bear Was Hacked By Dutch Intelligence Service

Joshua Ball

The Netherlands' AIVD gave the FBI critical evidence of the Russian government's involvement in the 2016 hacking of the U.S. Democratic National Committee.The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD)—the…

Government & PoliticsRussia, United States

Trump Unsuccessfully Ordered Firing of Robert Mueller in June 2017

Joshua Ball

The president ordered the firing of the Special Counsel but demurred when White House Counsel Don McGahn threatened to resign in protest. In June 2017, President Donald Trump ordered that special…

Defense & SecurityFrance, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States

U.S. Allies More Likely to Take Unilateral Action in 2018

Joshua Ball

Increased possibility of unilateral action by U.S. allies due to lack of clarity surrounding the Trump Administration's foreign policy. Under the administration of Donald Trump, the United States has been…

Defense & SecurityChina, United States

Jared Kushner Warned by U.S. Officials About Wendi Deng Murdoch

Joshua Ball

Counterintelligence officials expressed concern that Wendi Deng Murdoch could be using her friendship with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump to further the interests of the Chinese government. According to a…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyIsrael, Palestinian Territories, United States

U.S. Embassy in Israel will move to Jerusalem in 2018, says Netanyahu

Joshua Ball

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that the embassy of the United States in Israel will relocate to Jerusalem in 2018. Netanyahu delivered the announcement to reporters accompanying him…

Defense & SecurityBrazil, Colombia, Cuba, Hezbollah, Iran, Lebanon, United States, Venezuela

Forget about North Korea, Venezuela is the next major national security crisis

Joshua Ball

The country has become a full-blown narco-state, making a negotiated political settlement nearly impossible. Venezuela’s problems will only get worse as President Nicolas Maduro strips Venezuela’s democratic institutions of their…

Economics & TradeChina, United States, Vietnam

Rising Debt, Corruption, and Unemployment Will Haunt China Throughout 2018

Joshua Ball

For the first time in years, the S&P has lowered China’s credit rating to an AA- with a negative outlook, as layoffs, inefficiencies, and high debt plague the country's growth…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyIsrael, Jordan, Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United States

Palestinians Would Get Limited Sovereignty in Saudi-Proposed Peace Plan

Joshua Ball

The Saudi Crown Prince reportedly gave the Palestinian President two months to respond to the proposed peace plan. A Saudi-backed proposal for a peace plan between Israelis and Palestinians would…

Defense & SecurityChina, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, United States

Sleepwalking into War: The North Korean Quagmire

Joshua Ball

The escalating war of words between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jung-Un has effectively created a situation in which the U.S. Government has three strategic options. The…

Defense & SecurityChina, North Korea, Russia

China Constructing Refugee Camps Along North Korean Border

Joshua Ball

China is reportedly building multiple refugee camps along the North Korean border. A leaked document published on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo, states that China is constructing numerous refugee camps capable…

DiplomacyEstonia, European Union, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, United Kingdom

The European Union Faces Challenges to Its Legitimacy in 2018

Joshua Ball

The European Union will need to implement badly needed reforms to maintain its legitimacy. The 2016 Brexit vote and rising the popularity of far-right nationalist political parties in Western Europe…