David Brennan
Senior Reporter
David Brennan is currently a Senior Reporter for Newsweek covering world politics and current affairs. Prior to joining Newsweek in early 2018, he reported on British politics and global current affairs as a staff writer at International Business Times. He has also held reporting roles at a selection of trade publications covering the healthcare, transport and property industries. Originally from London, David graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2012 where he studied history. You can contact him at d.brennan@newsweek.com.
After Trump Quits Open Skies Treaty, a Key Nuclear Arms Deal Could Be Next
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Russia of "flagrantly" violating the multilateral deal, with which the U.S. is now set to end compliance in six months.
China Slows Defense Spending Despite Threat of New Cold War With U.S.
Beijing will slow its military investment as the country grapples with the economic turmoil wrought by the coronavirus pandemic.
China Will Fight Back if U.S. Intervenes in Hong Kong, Beijing Warns
The State Department on Thursday condemned proposed national security legislation that pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong say would smother their remaining political freedoms.
Biden Leaked Ukraine Calls Were Released by Russia: Ex-President
Former President Petro Poroshenko rejected the recordings as "fabrication" and a Kremlin attempt to undermine bipartisan U.S. support for Ukraine.
China Warns Proposed U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan Will Threaten Regional Peace
Taiwan is set to receive $180 million worth of advanced torpedoes in a new arms deal, prompting angry protests from Beijing.
Trump Says Chinese Spokesperson 'Speaks Stupidly'
The president has repeatedly attacked Chinese officials during the coronavirus pandemic, placing the blame for the crisis squarely at Beijing's door.
How 'Vaccine Nationalism' Threatens the Global War Against COVID-19
More than 100 trials are underway to find a vaccine, but much like the crisis to date, the race for a way out of the pandemic is likely to be heavily politicized.
Donald Trump's WHO Letter About China Explained: An Annotated Timeline
President Donald Trump excoriated the WHO and its director-general in a letter about the agency's response to COVID-19 and handling of China. Here, Newsweek adds more context to the letter.
Russia Opposes Any 'Mock' Coronavirus Trial of WHO, China: Senate Speaker
Valentina Matviyenko praised both the World Health Organization and China for their work in trying to slow the worldwide spread of the virus.
China Says Trump Is Trying to Smear Regime After President Threatens WHO
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters that President Donald Trump had miscalculated the situation by trying to shift blame for the pandemic to Beijing.
Taiwan Backs Demand for Coronavirus Probe After China Blocks WHA Attendance
Ambassador Lily Hsu told Newsweek that China does not want to work with the world to establish how the COVID-19 coronavirus spread worldwide.
Xi Says Pandemic Probe Should Only Happen Once Virus is 'Under Control'
The president told the World Health Assembly that China has "acted with openness, transparency and responsibility" during the pandemic.
Iran's Khamenei Hits Out at Trump and 'Nonsensical' Pompeo
Tensions between Washington, D.C. and Tehran have remained high even as both nations struggle to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
122 Countries Want a Coronavirus Probe, but China Says it's 'Premature'
Beijing has repeatedly pushed back against a proposed investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, which first appeared in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December.
China May Be Undermining its Mask Diplomacy in Europe With Faulty Products
Multiple European nations have rejected Chinese medical supplies for being faulty or otherwise inadequate since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
China Doesn't Believe Trump's Threat to Cut Off Relationship: State Media
The president said Thursday that he is considering a range of options to punish China for the coronavirus pandemic, which his administration has blamed on Beijing.
India Minister Pushes Theory Coronavirus Was Created in a Lab
Nitin Gadkari, India's minister of road transport and highways, provided no evidence to support the theory, which has been largely rejected by experts worldwide.
Chinese Media Predicts Retaliation Against GOP Lawmakers Who Sued Beijing
China has condemned legislation proposed and lawsuits filed against Beijing seeking damages for the deaths and economic distress caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. Syria Representative Says His Job Is to Make War a Quagmire for Russia
James Jeffrey said that the U.S. must stay the course in Syria and that it was not the same kind of large-scale, costly deployment as Afghanistan or Vietnam.
Chinese State Media Warns Beijing Will Resist U.S.-Taiwan Collaboration
The U.S. has called for Taiwan to be invited to the coming World Health Assembly as an observer, a move that goes against Beijing's "One China" policy.
Jared Kushner Says He Is Not Involved in Any Plan to Postpone Election
Kushner had previously insinuated to Time that November's vote may be rescheduled if the pandemic has not been brought under control.
As Brazil's Bolsonaro Enjoys BBQ Despite COVID-19, the Poor Face Starvation
Few world leaders have been as dismissive of the coronavirus pandemic as Bolsonaro, but this has not stopped it from taking hold in Latin America's powerhouse.
Chinese Media Pushes Conspiracy Theory That Coronavirus Escaped From U.S.
Two state-backed newspapers claimed—with no evidence—that the pandemic may be linked to biological weapons projects at Fort Detrick, where research was put on hold last year.
Angela Merkel Under Pressure to Call Out Chinese Abuses at September Summit
German opposition lawmakers have called on the chancellor to prioritize human rights and transparency when President Xi Jinping comes to Europe in September.
Chinese, Indian Troops Engage in Border Brawl
The two nations share a border some 2,520 miles long, parts of which remain disputed and have prompted fighting in the past.
Iranian Navy Accidentally Fires on Own Ship in Training Exercise Gone Wrong
The accidental missile strike killed at least 19 sailors and injured another 15, according to state media reports.
China Threatens Retaliation Over New U.S. Visa Restrictions for Reporters
The new U.S. rules introduced last week are the latest development in a Chinese-American spat over press freedoms.
EU Complains of Censorship After China Media Deletes Pandemic Origins Note
The censored passage referred to the "outbreak of the coronavirus in China, and its subsequent spread to the rest of the world over the past three months."
China's Ambassador Urges Europe to Finalize Economic Deal Despite COVID-19
Zhang Ming argued that EU-China diplomatic and economic ties are even more important given the turmoil wrought by the coronavirus pandemic.
Putin Approval Rating Drops to Historic Low Amid Coronavirus Crisis
The Kremlin is grappling with the coronavirus pandemic—which Putin claimed was under control in March—and the economic dislocation of national lockdown.
