Posts Categorized: U.S.

Edward Snowden’s triumphant globetrotting goes bad

July 2, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Europe, U.S..

An employee distributes newspapers, with a photograph (R) of former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden seen on a page, at an underground walkway in central Moscow July 2, 2013. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Whether outright refusals or logistical cop-outs, most of the 21 countries to which he has applied for asylum are throwing up roadblocks.

Immigration reform still a heavy lift for U.S. pols

June 28, 2024 by Matt Taylor in U.S..

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Lead U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) (R) and John McCain (R-AZ) talk to reporters after a cloture vote on Immigration reform on Capitol Hill in Washington June 27, 2013. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

More momentum than ever before and plenty of lobbying clout behind the effort, but the incentives for inaction remain.

Supreme Court rulings a mixed bag for America’s left

June 26, 2024 by Matt Taylor in U.S..

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Jeff Zarrillo (C) and Paul Katami (3rd R), plaintiffs in the case against California's gay marriage ban known as Prop 8, greet supporters as they depart the Supreme Court in Washington, June 26, 2013. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

More major strides on gay rights but a setback for minority voting that could impact the Democratic coalition.

Obama visit puts Merkel in a fix

June 20, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Europe, U.S..

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U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) chat during at the Chralottenburg Castle in Berlin June 19, 2013. REUTERS/Michael Sohn/Pool

Shoring up her flanks by expressing concern over the NSA’s surveillance program while trying to get some of that old magic to rub off ahead of elections this fall.

Obama gets dinged by two global bigs

June 13, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Europe, Middle East, U.S..

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A protester supporting Edward Snowden, a contractor at the National Security Agency (NSA), carries a placard depicting U.S. President Barack Obama outside U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong June 13, 2013. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Criticism from Bill Clinton and praise from Vladimir Putin do precious little to help the second-term president get his agenda back on track.

Senate vote misleads on U.S. immigration reform odds

June 11, 2024 by Matt Taylor in U.S..

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An early procedural victory could prove deceptive to backers of citizenship for the 11 million people living in America illegally.

U.S. intelligence scandals could put a dent in Obama-Xi summit

June 7, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Asia-Pacific, U.S..

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Indeed, if Xi has been intent on offering up at least the appearance of social reform in China, what little political incentive there was to patch things up with the U.S. is surely reduced in light of revelations that Uncle Sam is guilty of its own wrongdoing.