Charlie Brown (查理布朗) | July 16, 2020

https://smashwords2.weebly.com/1.html

https://www.theepochtimes.com/trumps-executive-order-on-hong-kong-will-inflict-pain-on-chinese-regime-experts-say_3425926.html

Trump’s Executive Order on Hong Kong Will ‘Inflict Pain’ on Chinese Regime, Experts Say

July 15 - The United States’ actions in response to Beijing’s expanding control over Hong Kong will “inflict pain” on Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials, while dampening the city’s attractiveness as a financial hub, analysts said.

President Donald Trump on July 14 signed into law a bill that stipulates sanctions on officials and banks involved in eroding the city’s autonomy. He also signed an executive order ending Hong Kong’s preferential treatment by the United States.

Trump Signs Bill To Sanction China Over Treatment Of Hong Kong | NBC News
Jul 15, 2020

America is already losing the new cold war with ChinaJuly 15 - The relevant question about the prospect of a new Cold War between the United States and China is not whether it is likely to happen but whether the U.S. has both the internal cohesion and the diplomatic acumen to wage it successfully.

Charlie Brown (查理布朗) | July 15, 2020

https://smashwords2.weebly.com/2.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8520755/China-hits-troublemaker-tension-grows-South-China-Sea.html

China accuses the US of 'invading other countries' territory at will' and 'sailing through the world like a bully' amid escalating South China Sea row as Britain and Japan 'prepare to join Far East military drills'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8520755/China-hits-troublemaker-tension-grows-South-China-Sea.html

Charlie Brown (查理布朗) | July 14, 2020

https://smashwords2.weebly.com/2.html

https://apnews.com/3a0e323473787e5c307573b56e01018a

US eyes world power summit for UN anniversary amid crises
July 14 - The department said in a statement that Pompeo and Lavrov also discussed Afghanistan, following reports that U.S. intelligence suspects Russia may be paying bounties to the Taliban to kill American and allied troops. Critics have accused the administration of ignoring the potential threat and demanded action. U.S. officials have countered that the intelligence was not conclusive.

The two men also discussed election security amid concerns Russia may try to meddle in the 2020 U.S. presidential vote, the statement said, adding that Pompeo had “raised” the matter.
The statement did not specifically mention the subject of arms control, which has been a particular point of contention between Washington and Moscow with the Trump administration warning it may not extend a key nuclear treaty that expires in 2021 unless China also becomes a party.   source

OpinionChina Is Winning the Middle East and Trump Is Helping It
Bejing is emerging as a regional competitor to the U.S. in trade, technology and now militarily too

...As the Times notes, the pact will strike a major blow to the U.S. drive to isolate Iran economically. But it goes far beyond that: Beijing is no longer a wheeler and dealer that buys oil, exports merchandise and builds infrastructure without dirtying its hands in the region’s messy politics and security.

China is now emerging as a competitor to the United States in the Middle East. It is not a rusting Sparta like Russia. China is the world’s second-largest economy. It can supply countries with technology, finance deals and provide the labor and engineering skills to build ports and highways, and it can leverage its insatiable demand for Middle East oil gain preference over rivals...     more

https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-china-is-winning-the-middle-east-and-trump-is-helping-it-1.8991054

Charlie Brown (查理布朗) | July 13, 2020

https://smashwords2.weebly.com/2.html

https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/7/8/russias-commander-in-syria-meets-kurdish-sdf-leader

Russia's commander in Syria meets Kurdish SDF leader
The SDF has been at loggerheads with Turkey over control of northern Syria.
July 9 - The head of Russian forces in Syria met with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) leader on Tuesday, as tensions between Turkey and the Kurdish-dominated militia coalition continue.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi met with Russian generals - including Major General Alexander Chaiko - at an undisclosed location in Syria on Tuesday, according to the Kurdistan24 news site.

Abdi said that the talks centred on an alleged Turkish drone strike that killed three Kurdish activists near the Syrian city of Kobani on 23 June.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., CDR, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. Navy Fleet Master Chief James Herdel, CENTCOM senior enlisted advisor, meet with U.S. Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division “Task Force RECON”, and 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, “Task Force GIMLET”, and Special Forces in Syria, July 10, 2020. McKenzie spoke to the Soldiers about the importance of their mission the United States and thanked them for their sacrifices in the fight against ISIS. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Chandler Baker) Titled: Syria, July 10, 2020

Charlie Brown (查理布朗) | July 12, 2020

https://smashwords2.weebly.com/2.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53378439

Coronavirus: Donald Trump finally wears mask in public
US President Donald Trump has worn a facial covering in public since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

July 4 - The president was visiting the Walter Reed military hospital outside Washington to meet veterans.
"I think it's a great thing to wear a mask. I've never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place," he said while leaving the White House.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8513781/Donald-Trump-pictured-wearing-mask-visits-Walter-Reed-hospital.html