James Holbrooks

James Holbrooks covers geopolitics with a particular emphasis on Asia. Domestically, he writes about the state of the criminal justice system and issues of censorship. James' analyses have been published at Antiwar.com, and he regularly contributes to Scott Horton's project, the Libertarian Institute.

Top General Issues Urgent Warning Over US, China Collision Course in Africa

The global hegemony of the United States is being challenged, and the contest is perfectly encapsulated in what’s happening now in the small African nation of Djibouti.

James Holbrooks
By James Holbrooks
China’s navy conducted its first joint maritime exercises with Djibouti in 2015. Its new outpost in Djibouti will be largely to support Chinese forces on missions such as antipiracy patrols off Somalia. (Photo: Chinese Navy)

China is the rising world power. This much is clear, but nowhere is that reality felt more than behind closed doors in Washington, D.C. The global hegemony of the United States is being challenged, and the contest is perfectly encapsulated in what’s happening now in the small African nation of Djibouti. Strategically located at the southern

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China’s Launches Plan To Challenge The Petrodollar: The Petroyuan

The establishment of China’s petroyuan will allow countries to limit their dependency on the U.S. dollar, and to circumvent U.S. sanctions.

James Holbrooks
By James Holbrooks
In this picture taken March 15, 2012 show a Chinese woman poses for photos near a sculpture depicting the Chinese yuan note at an art district in Beijing, China. Premier Wen Jiabao, China's top economic official, says its state-owned banks are monopolies that must be broken up, acknowledging mounting economic and political pressure to reform an industry whose vast profits are fueling public anger. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Financial analysts are increasingly pointing out that China has some very grand plans when it comes to petroleum markets, and that if those plans succeed, the U.S. could see the dollar threatened as the top global currency. From CNBC on Tuesday: China is looking to make a major move against the dollar’s global dominance, and it may come as early

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Trump To Put Raytheon Lobbyist In Charge Of Army

Mark Esper’s nomination is Trump’s third attempt to fill the position of Army secretary.

James Holbrooks
By James Holbrooks
Mark Esper, deputy assistant secretary for the Department of Defense, appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Jan. 29, 2004. (C-Span)

(Analysis) --- Last Wednesday, it was reported that Donald Trump was moving to nominate Raytheon lobbyist Mark Esper for secretary of the Army. Raytheon is one of the “big five” defense contractors, and the president’s decision comes at a time when concerns are being raised over the idea of defense industry executives being placed in senior

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Ron Paul’s Interview With Edward Snowden Is The Best Thing You’ll See All Week

Snowden discusses the true meaning of freedom, the nature of the deep state, and even his upbringing as a child of a government family in an interview with Ron Paul.

James Holbrooks
By James Holbrooks
Unlike the Green Party’s Jill Stein, not one Republican or Democratic nominee has voiced any support for the NSA whistleblower or shown any willingness to allow him to return to the U.S. as a free man. (Photo: Tony Webster/CC)

“Saying that you don’t care about privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don’t care about freedom of speech because you have nothing to say.” That comment was made by famed whistleblower Edward Snowden during a recent interview on the Ron Paul Liberty Report. In his conversation with Dr. Paul and Daniel McAdams,

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Trump’s Poll Numbers Rise For Every Bomb He Drops

Trump’s surge in poll numbers is experienced by presidents in times of war and international tensions, as the country “rallies ’round the flag.”

James Holbrooks
By James Holbrooks
President Donald Trump walks from the podium after speaking at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., Thursday, April 6, 2017, after the U.S. fired a barrage of cruise missiles into Syria. (AP/Alex Brandon)

Highlighting the phenomenon of the “rally effect” — the surge in popular support presidents can receive in times of geopolitical crisis — one media outlet just drew attention to the fact that Donald Trump is seeing a bump in his approval ratings since his recent flexing of military muscle. Writing for Quartz on Monday, Annalisa Merelli points

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Opioid Overdose Deaths Plummet In States Which Legalized Medical Marijuana

Hospitalization rates for opioid painkiller dependence and abuse dropped on average 23 percent in states after marijuana was permitted for medical purposes.

James Holbrooks
By James Holbrooks
Michael Cardenas shows off his medical marijuana after purchase outside Arizona Organix, the first legal medical marijuana dispensary to open in Arizona. AP Photo.

As Attorney General Jeff Sessions continues to lament what he views as a blight on society, a new study is showing that states with medical marijuana programs are seeing drastic reductions in opioid-related hospitalizations and overdoses. From a Reuters article published Tuesday: “In states that legalized medical marijuana, U.S. hospitals

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How The VA’s Mistakes Are Sending Thousands Of Veterans Into Debt

The VA’s efforts to recoup overpayments made to veterans are putting many vets deep into debt, often with no recourse.

James Holbrooks
By James Holbrooks
Homeless Korean War veteran Thomas Moore, 79, left, speaks with Boston Health Care for the Homeless street team outreach coordinator Romeena Lee on a sidewalk in Boston. M (AP/Steven Senne)

“You get all of these promises that, ‘Hey, you do 20 years and you’ll get this.’ And when it comes down to the end, it’s like, damn. You really can’t support your family when they are taking your whole check away.” That comment came from Army veteran Tad Steckler, 40, a retired master sergeant and winner of a medal for heroism, in an interview

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