Foreign Policy Archives - Red in a Sea of Blue

Which Country Has Had the Best Covid-19 Response?

Research by Michael Barber, an advisor to former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Idris Jala, who had a similar role with former Malaysian Rrime Minister Najib Razak, in a new study argued that the ideal Covid-19 response was a mix of New Zealand, Denmark, and Uganda. The pair also ranked countries on how they have recovered from the pandemic, listing Thailand and South Korea in the top two (as of August 5^th).

Tyler Cowen, an economist from George Mason University, looked at the situation differently, arguing that the UK, a country Barber and Jala ranked at 28^th, has had the best response to the coronavirus because of its innovation during the coronavirus. Cowen argues that while the UK’s public health response has been “generally poor”, its research strides put it over the top as its researchers have discovered the best mortality reducing treatment in dexamethasone and have produced the vaccine furthest in development in the Oxford vaccine.

Today, I would like to put forward a country of my own, who in the coming months I believe will be best suited to fight off the last of the pandemic and whose general strategy will end up being adopted by many countries. Continue reading Which Country Has Had the Best Covid-19 Response?

Reassessing a Bleak Situation in North Korea

Last year, I wrote an article praising President Trump for his work with North Korea, arguing the President should win the Nobel Prize for his work in the Korean Peninsula. Today, I would like to reassess my position on US foreign policy in North Korea. Recent reports that North Korea is rebuilding its Sohae launch site and the recent failed summit between the United States and North Korea have exposed the economic and strategic reality of North Korea. Current US foreign policy of heavy economic sanctions and demands for full denuclearization of the Korean peninsula will not be sufficient to denuclearize the totalitarian regime and bringing about peace in the Korean peninsula. Continue reading Reassessing a Bleak Situation in North Korea

Winning the Trade War Doesn’t Mean Victory

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the United States will likely win the trade war with China. However, the end result may not be as great for the United States as President Trump and his supporters may hope.

When all is said and done, the United States will likely come out of this trade war as the unanimous victor. Economically, China simply cannot keep up with the United States when it comes to handling tariffs. Although both countries may see their exports suffer, the results for China will be much worse, given that 14% of the Chinese economy is dependent on exports to the US, compared to just 4% of the US economy that is dependent on exports to China. This trade imbalance will cause the Chinese economy a lot more pain than what their counter tariffs can possibly inflict on the United States. If China doesn’t take the necessary steps to end this trade war, their economy will suffer massively in comparison to the United States. Continue reading Winning the Trade War Doesn’t Mean Victory

The Economic Motives For A Trade War

The trade war between the United States and China has faced mass criticism within the US with both Republicans and Democrats criticizing the President’s motive for starting it. But from an economic standpoint, this shouldn’t be a topic of debate. For years, China has been taking advantage of the United States economically with their unfair trade policies, theft of intellectual property, and currency manipulation. Continue reading The Economic Motives For A Trade War

Issuing a Travel Ban Was President Trump’s Only Move

Preface

On June 26, 2018, President Trump’s controversial travel ban was upheld by the Supreme Court in a 5-4 vote. The ruling was a huge victory for the President, as the Supreme Court confirmed the legitimacy of the ban. The ban prohibiting travel from 7 countries – Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela — has been a topic of fierce debate.

Continue reading Issuing a Travel Ban Was President Trump’s Only Move