Tom O'Connor
Senior Writer, Foreign Policy
Tom O'Connor is a senior writer of foreign policy at Newsweek, where he specializes in the Middle East, North Korea and other areas of international affairs and conflict. He has previously written for International Business Times, the New York Post, the Daily Star (Lebanon) and Staten Island Advance.
Follow @ShaolinTom for daily news on Twitter and his official Facebook page.
Email t.oconnor@newsweek.com with tips or for media commentary and appearances.
A New U.S. Strategy for China Could Allow Both Nations to Win, Experts Say
"Things go much better when China and the U.S. are economically successful," Douglas Barry of the U.S.-China Business Council told Newsweek.
South Korea Wants Peace, Less Certain About Unification 70 Years After War
"Unification has meant, for both North and South, the return to the undivided past," Sang Sin Lee, who authored the survey, told Newsweek. "I think we are in need of soul searching."
China Warns It Will Act if U.S. Deploys New Missiles to Asian Allies
"If the U.S. insists on the deployment, it will be a provocation at China's doorstep. China will never sit idle and will take all necessary countermeasures," a Chinese military spokesperson warned.
Russia Vows to Back Venezuela in Fight Against 'Regime Change' by U.S.
Russia's vow to support Venezuela in its campaign to counter U.S.-backed regime change comes after the Pentagon sailed warships nearby in the Caribbean.
North Korea Suspends 'Military Action Plans' Against South Korea Amid Spat
North Korea's Central Military Commission "took stock of the prevailing situation and suspended the military action plans against the south."
Russia Call May Set Stage for China, India Negotiations on Border Dispute
Russia convened a video call with China and India's top diplomats and will soon bring their militaries together for a joint World War II victory celebration, the latest sign of Moscow's growing diplomatic clout in Asia.
Iran Exploits Iraq's Discontent With U.S. To Strengthen Syria, Russia Ties
Iran, Iraq, Russia and Syria developed the Quadripartite Information Exchange Center to battle ISIS in 2015 and Tehran argues it's still needed today amid tensions between Baghdad and Washington.
ICC President Condemns 'Unprecedented' U.S. Attack on International Court
"In any system in which the rule of law is respected, courts are never coerced. They may be criticized—even robustly. But never coerced," ICC President Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji told Newsweek in an interview.
China, Taiwan Protest Japan's Renaming of Islands Area in East China Sea
Beijing and Taipei both claim a small, uninhabited stretch of East China Sea islands controlled by Japan.
Turkey Bombs Iraq, Syria, Targeting Kurdish Group It Says Trains Antifa
Turkey has persisted in its military campaigns in Iraq and Syria, targeting a Kurdish militia it has accused of training members of the left-wing, international antifa movement involved in protests across the United States.
U.S.-Aligned Countries in Asia Are Under Pressure From China
"For the first time in its modern history, China is in a position to dictate the terms of its relationship with the rest of the world," Cornell University Associate Professor Allen Carlson told Newsweek.
Iran Tests New Navy Missiles, Boosts Fast Attack Fleet to Challenge U.S.
Iran has tested new naval missiles and boosted its fleet of fast attack craft in a challenge to the U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters.
Trump Defends Kim Jong Un Going 'Ballistic' After Bolton's 'Libya Model'
"When Wacko John Bolton went on Deface the Nation and so stupidly said that he looked at the 'Libyan Model' for North Korea, all hell broke out. Kim Jong Un, who we were getting along with very well, went "ballistic", just like his missiles - and rightfully so," Trump tweeted.
First North Korea, Now Iran Warns South Korea Over Its Ties to U.S.
Both North Korea and Iran have hit out South Korea over its perceived over-dependence on a decades-long alliance with the United States.
Russia Pays 'Great Attention' As Its Strategic Partners China, India Clash
Both China and India have signed defense deals with Russia and have purchased the advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile system.
Exclusive: Top New Jersey State Police Officials Stalled Corruption Probe
Presented with Newsweek's findings, NJ Senate President Sweeney said that evidence of potential impropriety was persuasive enough to warrant an investigation. "If these allegations are true, then the U.S. attorney should look into this," he said.
Six Border Conflicts That Have the World's Attention
Newsweek presents a list of six major territorial disputes involving the Koreas, Kashmir, the South China Sea, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
North Korea: U.S. Ties Have 'Shifted Into Despair' Two Years Since Summit
"Even a slim ray of optimism for peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula has faded away into a dark nightmare," North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son Gwon said.
Russia Military Conducts Combat Training as U.S., Allies Drill in Baltic
Russia's Baltic Fleet warplanes "carried out training attacks on targets simulating a detachment of enemy ships" in operations that took place "against the backdrop" of NATO's BALTOPS exercises.
China Says New Law Will Be Limited to Acts Jeopardizing Nation's Security
Chinese officials promise the upcoming national security legislation will improve life in restive Hong Kong, which has been rocked by sometimes violent protests as residents worry about Beijing's growing influence there.
U.S. to Sanction ICC Officials Who Investigate Troops for War Crimes
President Donald Trump "has authorized economic sanctions against International Criminal Court officials directly engaged with any effort to investigate or prosecute United States personnel without the consent of the United States."
Exclusive Poll Shows Most in Hong Kong Say Freedoms Threatened
While 60 percent in Hong Kong believe their level of freedom is under threat, only 43 percent would join protests against rising Chinese Communist Party influence and just 28 percent would risk their life.
North Korea to Cut All Communication with South Korea, Treat as 'Enemy'
Two top North Korea officials decided to "completely cut off all the communication and liaison lines between the north and the south" in protest toward the scattering of anti-North Korea leaflets.
Iran Lawmakers Chant 'Death to America' As George Floyd Protests Intensify
The chants came at the behest of lawmaker Ahmad Naderi, who asked those in attendance "to show respect for the movement of the oppressed in the U.S." with their slogan.
China Warns U.S. Not to Start Nuclear Testing Again
While neither the United States nor China has ratified a 1996 nuclear test ban, neither has detonated such weapons of mass destruction.
280 Ex-Military Officials, Diplomats to Trump: Don't Use Troops in Protests
More than 200 national security officials penned a letter calling on President Donald Trump and other officials to reconsider sending in troops to quell nationwide protests.
Russia Sends More Troops West, Challenging U.S.-NATO Presence Near Borders
Russia is sending more advanced troops to the Western Military District, which borders NATO states and Ukraine, as it argues that the United States is stepping up military activities with allies.
DPRK Calls U.S. Country of 'Extreme Racists' After George Floyd Protests
"American liberalism and democracy put the cap of leftist on the demonstrators and threaten to unleash even dogs for suppression," a North Korea official said.
Navy Veteran Michael White Released From Iran Prison
Michael White, a former U.S. Navy service member, was reportedly released from Iranian custody days after Iranian scientist Sirous Asgari was deported to his home country.
Russia Denies Role in U.S. Protests, Says They're Result of Race Policies
"People are losing lives. We do see what attacks are being committed by the marauders and provocateurs, who never miss a chance to take advantage of peaceful demonstrations," Russia's U.S. envoy said.
