UNITED NATIONS — Born out of World War II’s devastation to prevent the scourge of conflict, the United Nations marked its 75th anniversary Monday with an appeal from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to preserve the longest period in modern history without a military confrontation between the world’s most powerful nations. The...
In Blessing Annexation, Trump Erodes an International Norm
Annexation, at its heart, is a byproduct of conflict. Almost never is it an act of peace, though it has been cast that way at times throughout human history. Certainly not under international law, which describes it as the forcible acquisition of territory by one state at the expense of...
Top Commander Sees Increased Iran Threat in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan — There has been an increase in Iranian activity in Afghanistan that poses a risk to American and coalition troops there, a senior U..S. commander said, as the threat from Tehran continues to churn across the Middle East. Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the top U.S. commander for the...
Fighting Sharply Rises in Yemen, Endangering Peace Efforts
SANAA, Yemen — A drastic escalation in fighting between the Saudi-led military coalition and Houthi rebels in Yemen has killed and wounded hundreds of people over the past week, officials and tribal leaders said Monday. The U.S.-backed Arab coalition battling to restore Yemen’s internationally recognized government stepped up airstrikes on...
McEwen: Give Peace a Chance, but How Do We Get It With Iran?
About 75 people assembled on a northeast Fresno street corner on a cold Thursday evening to urge that the United States avoid a war with Iran at all costs. At exactly the same time, in Toledo, Ohio, President Donald Trump addressed a crowd of 8,000 at a campaign rally. As...
Rabbi Rosove: Two-State Solution Only Road to Peace for Israel, Palestine
The two-state solution is the only way to guarantee a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it will take strong leaders who are willing to compromise, a Southern California rabbi said Dec. 9 at Clovis Community College. Listen to this article: But Rabbi John Rosove said the idea...
'Nuts!' US Troops Thwarted Hitler's Last Gamble 75 Years Ago
BASTOGNE, Belgium — Pvt. Arthur Jacobson was seeking cover in the snow behind a tank moving slowly through the wooded hills of Belgium's Ardennes, German bullets whizzing by. That was when he lost his best friend and Bazooka team partner to sniper fire. “They couldn't hit him, he shouted," Jacobson...
Putin Sits Down With New Ukraine Leader for First Time
PARIS — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met for the first time Monday at a summit in Paris to try to end five years of war between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists. Both leaders sat down at the French presidential palace along with the leaders of...
Syria Talks: Possible Path Toward Peace, or Another Dead End
GENEVA — Syria's government and opposition have delicately sat down for their first face-to-face talks, amid the hopes of millions of Syrians and governments from Washington to Moscow that they could become a step toward ending the country's devastating 8 ½-year war. It could be a chance for peace, or...
Trump's Mideast Peace Envoy Set to Leave the White House
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration official tasked with developing a plan to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians is leaving the White House. Jason Greenblatt, Trump's special representative for international negotiations, will depart the administration in the coming weeks, the White House said Thursday. The former Trump Organization lawyer...