United States

• Korea tensions ease slightly as U.S. officials play down war risks (Reuters)
• Pence Plays Down Trump Threat on Venezuela (WSJ)
• Trump Pressed to Reject White Nationalist Groups (WSJ)
• White House Says Trump Abhors Neo-Nazis (BBG)
• Charlottesville, and the World, Take Stock of Violent Episode (NYT)
• Car Attack Suspect Had Shown Troubling Behavior (NYT)
• U.S. Default? Unlikely, But Bond Traders Are Taking No Chances (BBG)
• Voters sense betrayal in Britain's Brexit heartlands (Reuters)

Today at 3pm, President Trump will sign a memo addressing “China’s laws, policies, practices, and actions related to intellectual property, innovation, and technology” effectively launching the first shot in what many predict will blossom into an all-out trade war with China. As discussed over the weekend, administration officials said Saturday that memo will direct U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to consider investigating China over its IP policies, especially the practice of forcing U.S. companies operating in China to transfer technological know-how.

Authored by Peter Korzun via The Strategic Culture Foundation,

The former Soviet republic of Moldova may actually become yet another foothold for the US military in Europe. The US Naval Facilities Engineering Command Europe Africa Southwest Asia (NAVFAC EURAFSWA) plans to construct eight training facilities for military operations in urban terrain at the Bulboaca training base in Moldova. The fact that the US Navy Department is involved makes believe the facility will host American Marines.

Between North Korea’s constant nuclear test provocations and the recent “fire and fury” comments by President Trump, concerns about nuclear conflict are re-ignited around the world.

So, how many nuclear weapons are there, and what exactly is happening right now? Let’s launch into it.

WHO HAS ACCESS TO NUCLEAR WEAPONS?

Courtesy of: Visual Capitalist

Authored by Andrew Bacevich via The American Conservative,

Does any member have the courage and vision to take responsibility?