Guy Taylor
Articles by Guy Taylor
Mohsen Fakhrizadeh killing alters Biden Iran relations path
Iran has vowed to retaliate for the assassination last week of one of its top nuclear scientists, but intelligence sources are questioning the notion that the incident will dramatically undermine presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden's plans for a major detente with Tehran next year. Published November 30, 2020
Kim Jong-un given COVID-19 vaccine that was developed in China: Report
Kim Jong-un and other high-level members of the North Korean leader's ruling regime have been given a COVID-19 vaccine by the Chinese government, according to a report citing Japanese intelligence. Published November 30, 2020
China ‘developing nation’ status exploits benefits on trade, carbon emissions
China's status as a "developing" nation in the eyes of multinational institutions and agreements gives Beijing a range of benefits, including less strict carbon emission standards and softer foreign trade rules, despite its emergence as an economic and military superpower challenging U.S. dominance in Asia and beyond. Published November 29, 2020
Terror attack deaths down nearly 60% since 2014, survey finds
Here's one small reason for gratitude during the Thanksgiving season: Deaths caused by terrorist attacks around the world have fallen by more than half in just the last five years, declining again in 2019, according to an annual analysis released Wednesday by a prominent Australian think tank. Published November 25, 2020
Joe Biden Cabinet: Anthony Blinken, Janet Yellen, John Kerry tapped for plum posts
Brushing aside the White House's drive to sow questions about the race, presumed President-Elect Joseph R. Biden moved quickly to fill a number of top diplomatic and security posts, including some candidates who may not support a total rejection of Mr. Trump's foreign policy legacy. Published November 23, 2020
Abu Muhammea al-Masri hit reveals Iran-al Qaeda links
The reported assassination of a top al Qaeda leader on the streets of Tehran has raised fresh questions about the murky relationship between Iran and the radical Sunni terror group, as well as about the depths of clandestine U.S. and Israeli operations aimed at destroying that relationship. Published November 17, 2020
Joe Biden Cabinet candidates include Obama officials, never-Trumpers
It's become common wisdom in Washington that one of the first things presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden plans to do upon arriving at the White House is flush the Trump administration's "America First" doctrine down the drain -- but that the extent to which it actually happens is going depend upon the support team Mr. Biden chooses as his top foreign policy and national security advisers. Published November 11, 2020
Mike Pompeo foresees ‘a second Trump administration’
In his first public comments on the tight 2020 presidential race, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday that he believes President Trump will emerge as the winner of last week's election when the votes are all counted, despite the multiple media calls that Democrat Joseph R. Biden has won the race. Published November 10, 2020
Mike Pompeo says transition will be ‘smooth’ to ‘second Trump term’
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asserted Tuesday that he believes President Trump will emerge as the winner of last week's election, despite mainstream media coverage backing presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden's claim to victory. Published November 10, 2020
Iran, North Korea, Russia mum on Biden win, anticipate return to Obama-era policies
Traditional U.S. allies rushed to congratulate presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden over the weekend, but U.S. enemies and geopolitical adversaries were more cautious, with several expressing outright relief at the prospect of no longer having to deal with President Trump and his bare-knuckle sanctions and trade policies. Published November 8, 2020
Netanyahu congratulates Biden; China, Russia, Saudi still silent
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- one of President Trump's closest personal allies overseas -- joined the growing chorus on Sunday of international leaders congratulating Joseph R. Biden for his projected election victory. Published November 8, 2020
Trump-Biden election cliffhanger robs global mandate from victor
In a testament to America's staying power as the leading global superpower, the fight for the White House contest is being greeted with interest and enthusiasm befitting a heavyweight "pay-per-view" fight -- with world leaders and citizens alike gobbling up each new twist. Published November 4, 2020
Recep Tayyip Erdogan interference worries Turkey friends, angers foes
Turkey's military adventurism in Syria and Iraq has long spurred talk that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to reclaim areas of the former Ottoman Empire, but a string of more recent clashes has sparked mounting concern in Washington that a key NATO ally has become a potentially dangerous and destabilizing geopolitical force. Published November 1, 2020
Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijan ambassador, denies Syria sends militants to Armenia fight
Azerbaijan's top diplomat in Washington rejects reports saying Turkey has sent Syrian militants to aid his country's fight against Armenia, calling them Russian propaganda meant to dupe Western news outlets. Published November 1, 2020
Joe Biden gives State Department hope for power, money
The prospect of a Biden victory next month has sent hopes soaring in the diplomatic establishment that the State Department could be in for more money and more clout over the next four years as it claws back power lost in recent decades to the Pentagon and National Security Council. Published October 25, 2020
Trump rallying Asian allies to be top gun in showdown with China
The Trump administration's push for a military alliance among the major democracies of Asia to contain China showed new signs of moving ahead more rapidly than anticipated, with Australian agreeing to join U.S., Indian, Japanese forces in historic joint naval exercises next month. Published October 25, 2020
‘The Quad’ unites against rising China threat
The Trump administration's push for a military alliance among the major democracies of Asia to contain China showed new signs of moving ahead more rapidly than anticipated, with Australian agreeing to join U.S., Indian, Japanese forces in historic joint naval exercises next month. Published October 19, 2020
Vladimir Putin threatened by China, Turkey as clashes close to home mount
Russian President Vladimir Putin, famed for causing mischief far from home, is struggling to maintain control over his own backyard. Published October 13, 2020
Kim Jong-un unveils North Korea missile to send Trump a message
ANALYSIS: North Korea's rollout over the weekend of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of targeting the U.S. with a nuclear warhead showed that Pyongyang continues to expand its illegal weapons arsenal despite increased sanctions and diplomatic pressure from the Trump administration. Published October 11, 2020
U.S. scrambling to hit back at China’s ‘magic weapon’ amid global power grab
China is making a concerted push for control of the post-World War II institutions created to uphold the international order, often using bribery and economic coercion to get its way. Published October 11, 2020