by John West | 16 Jun 2025 | China, Economy, Politics, Technology, United States
Many people in the United States feel they can’t live without an iPhone. But its global components have put it is at the heart of an international trade battle. An iPhone box. (Photo credit Marcy Burstiner) This article was produced exclusively for News...
by Jim Wolf | 23 Apr 2025 | China, Decoder Replay, Economy, History, Politics
Interlocking economies have turned China and the United States into powerful frenemies. What happens when the illusion of friendship dissolves? A box of U.S. flag picks labeled “Made in China.” (Illustration by News Decoder) Editor’s note: U.S....
by John West | 12 Nov 2024 | Asia, China, Decoders, History, Politics, Russia
The renegade nation launched ballistic missiles into the sea and sent troops to Russia and rubbish to its southern neighbor. Can Kim Jong Un be controlled? North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, and then-U.S. President and current President-elect Donald Trump prepare...
by John West | 23 Sep 2024 | Asia, China, Decoders, Economy, Politics
Vietnam has long had to dance between powerful allies and enemies. That’s left it poised to maneuver in the political chaos that now swirls around it. The Vietnam flag waves behind a screen of bamboo. (Illustration by News Decoder) This article was produced...
by Jonathan Sharp | 4 Sep 2024 | China, Decoder Replay, History, North Korea, Politics, Sports, United States
A selfie on the Olympic podium of competing ping pong players from North and South Korea reminds us of the ability of sports to bridge political divides. North Korea’s Ri Jong Sik, left, and Kim Kum, foreground left, with their bronze medals, China’s Wang...
by Bernd Debusmann | 15 Aug 2024 | China, Government, History, Politics, Russia, Ukraine, United States
Go back three decades and the trend was towards global democracy. Now we see rising authoritarianism. Are we looking at global autocracy? Military tanks. (Credit: Mikhail Shapovalov/Getty Images) This article was produced exclusively for News Decoder’s global news...
by Yawen Xu | 13 May 2024 | China, Culture, History
“China chic” has millions celebrating China’s glorious past. The number of people traveling to historic sites and tourist attractions is skyrocketing. A woman, Zhu Zhu, wears hairpin flowers on a visit to Quanzhou, China 2 April 2024. Photo provided...
by John West | 7 May 2024 | China, Decoders, History, Politics
Both China and Taiwan are important players on the international stage. But the status quo that has Taiwan enjoying autonomy from China might not last. The crowd cheers at a Democratic Progressive Party rally in Taipei, Taiwan, 13 January 2024. The ruling DPP party...
by John West | 22 Feb 2024 | China, Decoders, History, Nationalism, Politics, Russia, United States
For decades nations of the world abided by some basic international rules. What happens when this international order breaks down? Someone erases three rules for the world on a chalkboard. (Photo illustration by News Decoder) This article was produced exclusively for...
by Alan Wheatley | 15 Jan 2024 | China, Decoders, Economy
It is the top trading partner for 120 countries. So if China’s economy tanks so will the world. But fears that that will happen may be overblown. A worker checks the growth of mushroom at a modern agricultural company in Laixi city in east China’s Shandong...