China to decrease purchase of US goods

Recently, Donald Trump made efforts to limit the trade deficit with China by encouraging China to buy more US products and discouraging the purchase of Chinese products in America. He aimed to do this by a peaceful negotiation with China to avoid the all out "trade war" many foretasted would occur as a result of Trump's "America First" policy. One of the main criticisms of his deal is that it attempted to fix only the materials side of what is a more complex issue. One of the biggest "fights" between the US and China is not the physical import and export of goods but the transfer of intellectual materials, a transfer that many believe China was violating. This agreement made no attempts to mitigate or even address this issue.

Link to Article

Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think China will follow through on their claims to purchase more US goods?
2. Is this agreement sufficient to resolve a "trade war" or has it merely postponed it?
3. Especially with regards to intellectual property, what further steps must be taken?

United States opens Embassy In Jerusalem

The United States moved their embassy in Israel 2 miles south from the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Israelis are full of joy and also concern of this placement. They like that President Trump and the US is recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, but they are worried about how the Palestinians will act. Palestinian protests containing thousands of people have formed, and they are trying to cross the border into Israel. Israeli snipers have been shooting the protesters have killed and injured thousands. Israel police are bracing for attacks of pent up anger and impatience because of Israel's continued control, America not doing anything to balance out the matter, and the Palestinian government being weak and corrupt. Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf states are trying to keep hopes high for Israel to expand their relationships. Most Israelis see the new placement of the embassy an acknowledgment that Jerusalem is Israel's capital, while Palestinians see it as an abdication of any vestige of American impartiality in determining the region's future.


1. Should the United States be responsible for dealing with the protests and if so, how should they?

2. What could happen to Palestinians if Israel did create new relationships with other countries in their region?

3. Was moving the embassy a good idea?

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Russian Opposition Leader, Alexei Navalny, is Arrested

On Saturday, May 5th, Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny was arrested for leading a protest against Russia's current president, Vladimir Putin. During Russia's presidential campaigns, Navalny was kicked from the race due to his previous fraud conviction. Navanly's protest was unsuccessful because Putin ordered police to fire a red flare into the crowd of fifteen-hundred protesters, causing panic. Additionally, three-hundred protesters were arrested. Although Navalny rallied over fifteen-hundred protesters', Putin successfully won the election and was inaugurated as Russia's president for six years.


Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think Navalny is suited to lead Russia?

2. Although he was arrested multiple times, do you think Navalny will continue to lead protests?

3. Why do you think Navalny rallies so many protests?

On May 8th, 2018, Donald Trump dropped the Iran Nuclear Deal, a deal meant to stop Iran from
achieving nuclear weapon capabilities. This was done by taking sanctions off of Iran in return for their
enriched uranium, which is used to create nuclear weapons. Dropping this deal has led to international
outcry from the likes of France, Germany, and Britain. These countries have not only vocally opposed
Trump’s decision, but have also stated that they will attempt to stay with and salvage the deal. In the
words of French diplomat Mr Le Drian, “We feel that the extraterritoriality of their sanction measures
are unacceptable. The Europeans should not have to pay for the withdrawal from an agreement by
the United States, to which they had themselves contributed.”

Dropping out of this deal will affect many companies from both US and European companies. Multiple
French firms have signed billion dollar agreements with Iran since the Iran deal was signed back in
2015. This includes airbus, which signed a deal to give 100 planes to Iran. This also includes
companies like oil giant Total and car companies Renault and Peugeot. On the other hand in the US,
US individuals and entities are barred from doing business with multiple Iranian individuals and
companies. This was done with more US sanctions coming.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44079831

Discussion Questions:

1. Should Trump have dropped out of the Iran Deal?
2. Do you think that France, Germany, and Britain made the correct move in opposing the US?
3. Should France, Germany, and Britain take on the Economic burden that the US was holding in the Iran deal?
4. How do you think companies will respond to this compromise to their deals?

NRA elects Oliver North as President

On Monday, April 30, the National Rifle Association elected former Marines Corps lieutenant colonel Oliver L. North as president of the NRA. Oliver North used to be a former aide of President Reagan and agreed to take the helm of the organization in the next few weeks. Mr. North was involved in the Iran-contra scandal where the Reagan administration used the proceeds from secret arms sales to aid rebel forces in Nicaragua. On Sunday, the NRA concluded its 147th annual meeting in Dallas. The meeting was during a time when the NRA was the focus of criticism for recent mass shootings.

Article Link

Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think that with his background, Oliver North is fit to lead the NRA?

2. What do think of the recent criticisms that the NRA has suffered in the wake of the recent mass shootings?

Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski Expelled from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

On May 3rd, the academy of motion picture arts and sciences announced toady that they had voted for the comedian Bill Cosby, and "the Pianist" director Roman Polanski, to be expelled from the academy, the group that presides over the academy awards. This announcement comes less than a week after the conviction of Mr. Cosby for the sexual assault of Andrea Constand, and continues the fall from grace the comedian has experienced ever since sexual assault allegations have appeared. The more surprising part of this announcement comes at the expelling of Mr. Polanski, who has been a charged with the rape of a thirteen year old girl in 1977, and his fleeing of the US in 1978. This comes as a surprise because only 4 people have ever been kicked out of the academy, with Carmine Caridi in 2004 for leaking film, and Harvey Wienstien for Sexual Harassment last October. Mr. Cosby's conviction came as the first major conviction from the #metoo movement. Mr. Polanski won best director for "The Pianist" in 2003, thirty two years after fleeing the US.

Discussion Questions:
1. Are actions like these enough condemnation from organizations?
2. What actions should be taken by high profile organizations with "sexual predators" as members?
3. How can average people be involved with the removal of incidents like these from society?
4. How has the #metoo movement affected public and celebrity views on sexual assault?

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Special Counsel Threatens Trump with Subpoena

On Wednesday May 2, 2018, Special Counsel Robert Mueller threatened President Donald Trump with a subpoena. A subpoena is a writ ordering a person to attend court. This specific one forces Mr. Trump to testify as part of a probe into alleged Russian interference of the 2016 Presidential Election. This is believed to be the first time that the special counsel has used its power to show hostile behavior towards the president. Trump has repeatedly denied the conclusion that Russians hacked the 2016 Presidential Election. Meanwhile, Trump’s main lawyer in legal representation has now stepped down. Robert Muller's idea of declaring a subpoena came after Trump’s lawyers persisted in telling Mr. Mueller’s team that the President is under no obligation to face questioning by federal investigators. If Trump decides to decline investigation and the subpoena goes through, Mueller’s team has promised to give the administration information for possible questions that the President may be asked. Personally, I believe that this situation could have the potential to create bigger problems between the US and Russia. If not handled properly, this investigation could lead to a problem with Russia’s leaders as well as US government officials. I think Trump needs to follow through with this investigation and handle it in a proper manner without it getting out of hand.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think Trump will follow through with federal questioning?

2. How do you think this situation will continue to affect US-Russia relations?

3. Do you think Mueller poses a large threat to Trump and his presidency?

Article Link

North and South Korean Leaders Meet to Discuss Denuclearization

On Friday, April 27, 2018, the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Un, and leader of South Korea, Moon Jae-In, met in North Korea to cross the border together into South Korea. This event marks history as the first time a member of the Kim Dynasty has set foot in South Korea since the Korean War in 1953. Following the long-awaited unification of these two leaders, global uneasiness about the situation regarding nuclear weapons has calmed. The two leaders made a statement together that established their commitment to achieve “complete denuclearization” of the peninsula. Kim Jong-Un has agreed to close North Korea’s nuclear test site in May, though many people believe that the North Korean leader will not be willing to completely denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Do you think Kim Jong-Un will follow through and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula? How would this benefit North Korea?

2. Do you think denuclearization of North Korea will create incentive for other countries to denuclearize? Why?

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