by Jim Wolf | 23 Sep 2020 | China, Decoders, Educators' Catalog, Politics, United States
They are the world’s two most powerful economies, deeply interlocked. But China and the U.S. are increasingly at odds — with vast implications. A Taiwanese Air Force fighter in the foreground flies on the flank of a Chinese bomber as they pass near Taiwan, 10...
The relationship between China and the United States will have a profound impact on the lives of today’s students. In his examination of the bilateral relationship, Jim Wolf reviews the fraught history between China and the West, and looks at the two nations’ current leaders and how their agendas are radically at odds. Wolf eschews the bias that can creep into reporting on China by Western correspondents. This tour d’horizon offers students a starting point for deeper examination of the forces — economic, military, geographic, political — that will shape the world they will inherit.
by Harvey Morris | 13 Jul 2020 | United States
We foreigners often scoff at Americans. But like it or not, the world always pays rapt attention to the U.S. election, and this year is no exception. President Barack Obama, right, presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Barbra Streisand, White House, 24...
by Jonathan Lyons | 24 Jun 2020 | Journalism, Media Literacy, United States
U.S. presidents have often twisted the truth. But Donald Trump has flooded the media with falsehoods in a unique challenge to democratic institutions. U.S. President Donald Trump outside the White House in Washington, 24 May 2019 (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Donald Trump,...
by News Decoder | 9 Jun 2020 | Asia, Friends Seminary, Health and Wellness, United States, Westover School, Youth Voices
Youth around the world are fighting fake news and delivering groceries to the needy as they juggle online studies with community service during COVID-19. Nylu Bernshteyn on a food run for the #BrooklynShowsLove mutual aid project in Brooklyn, New York. These student...
by Ben Barber | 27 Apr 2020 | Decoders, United States
Despite an isolationist president and a plan to withdraw from Afghanistan, the U.S. has some 200,000 troops scattered around the world. Former U.S. President Barack Obama waves to U.S. troops at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, 28 March 2010 (White House...
by Jessica Moody | 3 Feb 2020 | Africa, Politics, United States
The U.S. is considering pulling forces out of the Sahel in Africa, where they are fighting Islamic extremists. Would a withdrawal make Americans safer? People flee as security forces aim their weapons during an attack by extremists at a luxury hotel complex in...
by Lindsi Reyes | 20 Dec 2019 | Personal Reflections, School Year Abroad, Student Posts, United States, Youth Voices
My father used to tend our garden. Then he was taken from us — changing what I understood about America’s fundamental covenants. He doused the roots of his white carnations, careful not to soak the generous stems that lived inside this hanging pot. They...
by Jim Wolf | 19 Dec 2019 | Asia, United States
The stark missteps recorded in the Afghanistan Papers recalled an historic about-face by an architect of the U.S. war in Vietnam. He was Robert McNamara, the Defense secretary who played a key role in escalating the conflict, only to end up wrestling with his...
by Jim Wolf | 19 Dec 2019 | Americas, Asia, Islam, United States
The U.S. sends troops far from home on an ill-defined mission. Leaders lie. The conflict becomes a quagmire. That’s Afghanistan — or Vietnam redux. Family members of a U.S. soldier who died in Afghanistan look up as military helicopters fly over graveside...
by Christine Fernando | 12 Dec 2019 | Contest winners, Indiana University, Student Posts, United States, Youth Voices
Immigrants can struggle to work as professionals in the U.S. But there’s no quick fix to “brain waste,” which can punish the economy and migrants. (Photo provided by Uthpala Amarasinghe) This piece tied for first prize in News-Decoder’s...
