World Politics News   Articles for World Politics Course

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to allow the US to start arming Syrian rebels.  There was no money provided for in the bill, and it is not at all clear who qualifies as a “Syrian rebel.”  The votes reflected sharp divisions within both the Republican and Democratic Parties.  In short, the bill was high in drama but low in specifics.  We will have to see what the Senate does with the bill.  But President Obama reiterated his pledge that no American combat troops would be deployed.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting India.  Relations between the two state have always been frosty as they compete for dominance in Asia.  In addition, there are several border disputes between the two countries that have d\festered for a long time.  But the New Indian Prime Minister, Modi, is making a concerted effort in the area of foreign relations and his dynamism is certainly changing the landscape.  It seems as if the two countries primarily discussed economic relationships, but Modi’s strident nationalism will undoubtedly get in the way of such closer ties.