Your source for US  foreign policy.

July 2, 2020

The Russian Bounties Hoax

There’s no reason for you to accept the story about the Russian military paying Afghan militants to kill American troops in Afghanistan. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post all started this controversy late last week with incredibly thin stories. They did not even pretend to claim that it was true the Russians had put bounties on U.S. troops, only that they had anonymous sources who claimed there was a government report somewhere that said that. They were reporting the "fact" that there was a rumor.

They wouldn’t even say which agencies were leaking the story. All we were told was the story came from "intelligence officials" or even "people familiar" with the story.

— By Scott Horton

Under the US peace deal with the Taliban, the US was to get troop levels in Afghanistan down to 8,600 by mid-July. Drawdowns have been ahead of schedule, and by last week, officials announced they’d already reached 8,600.

That’s not the end of it, and reports are that President Trump has finalized a plan to withdraw another 4,000 or so US troops from the country, with the goal of getting things down to 4,500 remaining by autumn. This would be the lowest US troop level in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion and occupation.

— By Jason Ditz

Israel Delays West Bank Annexation, No Announcement Imminent

July 1 came and went in Israel, and despite it long being presented as the day of annexation of the West Bank, nothing happened. Officials say the process is effectively delayed, and nothing is imminent. Aides to Prime Minister Netanyahu said that there are delays, but didn’t say how long.

— By Jason Ditz

Why Are American Forces Still Guarding the Korean Peninsula?

Seven decades ago Americans found themselves at war in a country most people couldn’t locate without a map. That included two young army officers, Charles Bonesteel and Dean Rusk, a future Secretary of State.

On August 10, 1945, the Pentagon tasked them with determining a convenient division of the Korea peninsula. 

— By Doug Bandow

With an Eye on US Tension, China Asserts Itself Militarily

While most of the focus on China’s military policy is the risk of conflict with the US, the Chinese military has also taken a few steps into potential conflicts in the area. This involves military operations around Taiwan, and a clash along the border with India.

— By Jason Ditz