Newsletter Archive

Donald Trump vows to to shake up the status quo and that could include overturning the long-held American tradition of civilian control of the military. House Republicans are working to allow defense secretary nominee retired Gen. James Mattis to bypass a nearly 70-year-old law that requires former members of the military to wait seven years after retirement before taking a civilian government post. Why does it matter? Because many view civilian control of the U.S. military as a fundamental principle of American democracy that helps ensure that the United States never becomes too militaristic.

Donald Trump’s non-interventionist attitude isn’t sitting well with hawks on Capitol Hill and could split Republican lawmakers when the president-elect becomes America’s commander in chief next month. While some Republicans agree that the U.S. can’t govern the world, others insist a more assertive U.S. role on the global stage is needed.

Hoping to avoid a currency crisis, and worried about what could happen to the dollar once Donald Trump becomes president, Beijing is pressuring Chinese companies to limit overseas investment. The U.S. president-elect has pledged to use tough trade tactics with China and to stop the Asian nation from stealing U.S. jobs.

Battery of Asia: Laos’s quest to become a key power source for many of its neighbors, is coming at the expense of fishermen who depend upon the Mekong Delta for their livelihood. Vientiane is damming up the Mekong River, destroying a natural habitat that allows fish to migrate upstream to spawn. VOA visits a Cambodian fish market where fishermen worry all the fish will soon be gone.

In Russia, the battle is on for the minds of the next generation and whether they’ll be taught actual history or exaggerated stories loosely based on fact. The government is pushing a popular legend — about 28 soldiers who battled the Nazis to save Moscow during World War II — as fact. The Soviet Union taught the legend of ‘Panfilov’s 28′ to every child and Russian authorities have picked up where the Soviets left off.

VIDEO: Silicon Valley is spreading the wealth by sharing its innovative culture with would-be entrepreneurs from around the world. From a program that brings in heads of start-ups from the Palestinian territories for a one-month mentorship program, to Google’s 2-week boot camp for applicants from Latin America and Asia, people with big ideas receive training…and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet investors.