Edward Wong
Diplomatic Correspondent for The New York Times. Nieman Fellow @ Harvard. Ferris Professor of Journalism @ Princeton. 13 years covering China & Iraq.
Last synced from Twitter 695d ago
As U.S. Takes Aim at Chinese Tech Firms, Trump Signals a Strategy Shift
In blacklisting surveillance companies, the United States is the first major government to punish China for its crackdown on Muslims.
Trump Endorses Turkish Military Operation in Syria, Shifting U.S. Policy
The operation would sweep away American-backed Kurdish forces near the border in Syria. The White House said U.S. forces “will no longer be in the immediate area.”
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Edward Wong
UPDATE on Trump allowing Turkey to attack Kurds working w/ US troops in Syria: "This looks to be another reckless decision made without deliberation or consultation following a call with a foreign leader,” says @brett_mcgurk. w/ @EricSchmittNYT @maggieNYT.
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Hong Kong Rallies Turn Violent After Thousands Defy Face Mask Ban
The rallies were the first significant public gatherings since the ban took effect the day before, and a test of the government’s resolve to stop months of protests.
State Dept. Investigating Email Practices of Hillary Clinton’s Former Staff
The inquiry is examining whether the employees used secure channels and the proper classification designations for what appeared to be routine emails at the time.
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Edward Wong
State Dept. under @SecPompeo intensifies investigation of employees who worked under Hillary Clinton for routine emails. Most were political appointees. Pompeo is a Republican politician who attacked Clinton over Benghazi. w/ @maggieNYT. Confirms WP story.
20d
White House Bars Iranian Officials From U.S. as Its Diplomatic Efforts Falter
The move was extraordinary given that dozens of Iranian diplomats were in New York for the U.N. General Assembly, though it was not expected to force them to leave.
Trump’s National Security Aides Refining Possible Iran Options
President Trump has threatened to order “the ultimate option” of a strike on Iran after attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities, but also emphasized his opposition to another war.
Saudi Oil Attack Photos Implicate Iran, U.S. Says; Trump Hints at Military Action
The government released satellite images indicating, they said, that the strikes came from the direction of Iraq or Iran.
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Edward Wong
US says there was a major wave of attempted attacks on Saudi Arabia, and US argues some evidence shows Iran or a group in Iraq carried out the attacks. But the evidence isn’t definitive. By @EricSchmittNYT @farnazfassihi @ddknyt.
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How China Uses LinkedIn to Recruit Spies Abroad
Western intelligence officials say Chinese agents are contacting thousands of foreign citizens using LinkedIn, including former government officials.
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Edward Wong
NEW: How Chinese intelligence agents use LinkedIn to recruit spies abroad. Agents have approached thousands. Fake accounts are “friends” with White House aides & US ambassadors. One former senior US official was offered “well paid” gigs in China.
54d
To Gain Leverage in China Trade Talks, Trump Shows Solidarity With Hong Kong
In recent days, American officials have warned Beijing that a peaceful resolution of the pro-democracy protests may be necessary to allow negotiations to continue.
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Edward Wong
Trump and his aides are weighing in on the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests to try to get leverage over China in trade talks, which have gone nowhere. Will it backfire? w/ @arappeport
59d
Peace Road Map for Afghanistan Will Let Taliban Negotiate Women’s Rights
Afghanistan must “be free of fear and abuse” under a final peace deal, says the country’s ambassador to Washington. An agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban, for new talks with Kabul, raises concerns that women may lose rights in future Afghan...
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Edward Wong
Afghan women have made gains over nearly two decades. But they might be at risk of losing much of that as Trump aides try to hash out a power-sharing agreement involving the Taliban in Afghanistan. Compelling feature by @jakesNYT in her new beat.
65d
Trump Administration Approves F-16 Fighter Jet Sales to Taiwan
The $8 billion arms package, the single largest from the United States to Taiwan in years, is certain to anger China and could complicate the trade war.
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Edward Wong
Trump has approved an $8 billion sale of 66 F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan. The move is certain to anger China and will make it harder to settle the trade war. US lawmakers had accused Trump of delaying the approval to try to get a trade deal.
65d
Trump’s Hong Kong Caution Isolates Him From Congress, Allies and Advisers
In his showdown with Beijing over trade and tariffs, Mr. Trump is ignoring his hawkish advisers, who believe China threatens American interests worldwide.
Waning of American Power? Trump Struggles With an Asia in Crisis
The Trump administration has taken a hands-off approach to conflicts — from Kashmir to Hong Kong to the rivalry between Japan and South Korea — as Asian officials escalate the battles.
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Edward Wong
NEW: Trump stays on the sidelines as crises erupt across Asia: Kashmir, Hong Kong, North Korea missile tests, Japan vs. South Korea. He is sticking to “America First” isolationism — and speeding the twilight of American power, critics say.
68d
U.S. Orders Freeze of Foreign Aid, Bypassing Congress
The Office of Management and Budget is reviewing the use of the money, suggesting that it could cut the funding entirely.
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Edward Wong
Trump White House is freezing foreign aid funds for rest of this year and could cut it entirely. Congress is in recess. This bypasses lawmakers' power over budgets. Mulvaney & OMB tried same thing last August, but Pompeo and State fought back.
74d
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Edward Wong
UPDATE on Trump’s attempt to bypass Congress in freezing or cutting all remaining foreign aid funds this year: "This administration’s contempt for Congress is astounding,” says Eliot Engel of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
74d
Jordan and Andre Anchondo die protecting 2-month-old in El Paso mass shooting, family says - The Washington Post
“How do parents go school shopping and then die shielding their baby from bullets?”
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Edward Wong
Mother & father died shielding their 2-month-old son from bullets in the El Paso Walmart. Their oldest child, about to celebrate her 6th birthday, keeps asking people where her parents are. She doesn’t understand that they are dead.
75d
As Japan and South Korea Feud Intensifies, U.S. Seems Unwilling, or Unable, to Help
While North Korea test-fires barrages of missiles, two crucial American allies in Asia are locked in their own bitter battle, and the Trump administration is struggling with how to end the discord.
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Edward Wong
NEW @nytimes on Asia power struggle: Japan & South Korea are in crisis and starting to break off relations. Trump doesn’t want to play peacemaker. This unfolds as China & North Korea are emboldened & pushing against US. w/ @motokorich @choesanghun.
77d
Defying U.S. Sanctions, China and Others Take Oil From 12 Iranian Tankers
The U.S. has been unable to halt Iranian oil exports.
State Department Officials Force Out Top Policy Planner and Adviser to Mike Pompeo
Kiron Skinner, the highest-ranking African-American woman in the department, oversaw a unit developing a long-term strategy addressing China and coordinating a new human rights panel.
U.S. Ends Cold War Missile Treaty, With Aim of Countering China
Trump administration officials say that the treaty tied their hands on China and that Russia was not complying with it, but its demise raised fears of a new arms race.
Lawmakers Accuse Trump and Aides of Delaying F-16 Sales to Taiwan
China has objected to the proposed sales, and Congress is worried that President Trump and his trade advisers might try to placate Beijing to get a trade deal.
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Edward Wong
NEW: Trump is trying to look tough on China in tweets today. But is he quietly trying to please Beijing by delaying F-16 sales to Taiwan? Congress fears Trump may sell out Taiwan in a trade deal with China. w/ @EricSchmittNYT.
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