Carol J Williams

Carol J. Williams is a retired foreign correspondent with 30 years' reporting abroad for the Los Angeles Times and Associated Press. She has reported from more than 80 countries, with a focus on USSR/Russia and Eastern Europe.

When One Headline-Grabbing Scandal at the Pentagon Just Isn’t Enough…

The Pentagon last week issued an order to defense installations prohibiting them from public disclosure of coronavirus infections among their ranks. That has stirred fear in civilian and military communities in places like Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Joint Base Lewis McChord

Russia Abruptly Locks Down: Borders Closing, Air Travel Suspended, Public Told to Stay Home

Putin’s posture during the pandemic had for weeks mimicked that of Donald Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who persisted in brushing off the threat to their countries from a virus that was spreading rapidly elsewhere.

Play It Again: Russian Lawmakers Clear Path for Putin to Stay in Power for Life

Putin is now positioned to join the rulers-for-life club whose membership is a Who’s Who of autocracy: Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Punishment We Deserve?

The only clarity to come out of the competition for the loudest voice in the room was that what is needed most for a Democratic victory in November – unity – is nowhere in sight.

China’s Chernobyl Moment? Chinese Leaders Caught Trying To Suppress Reports Of Coronavirus

The Kremlin's attempt to cover up the 1986 Chernobyl disaster eroded public trust of the Communist leadership and set the Soviet Union on the path to breakup in 1991. Could the Chinese government's secrecy on the coronavirus epidemic undermine its authority?

Outlook for a New Decade: Here’s Hoping It’s Darkest Before the Dawn

What we feared during the last decade when autocrats and populists took power in democratic countries like ours has come to pass and surpass our worst nightmares.

Where Have All the Russia Hawks Gone?

Congressional Republicans could be relied for the past century to attack Kremlin perfidy and Communist propaganda. Now Joe McCarthy, Ronald Reagan and John McCain are rolling in their graves.

Defining NATO Summit Success Down: Avoiding Failure In The Age Of Trump

If Putin could have one wish granted, it would be for the demise of NATO. Since its formation in 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has succeeded where the Kremlin-controlled Warsaw Pact failed.

Bipartisan Salutes to Impeachment Witnesses for Public Service. Really?

Two words pop into my head every time I hear House members – from both parties – thank the impeachment inquiry witnesses for their decorated military service: Bone spurs. One word comes...

When The Berlin Wall Fell: Euphoria As The World Changed. And Yet…

Thirty years ago this week: Over three tumultuous days, 4 million East Germans – a quarter of the population -- flooded into West Berlin to a joyous reception. But expectations of a more peaceful and collaborative world have been dampened by new threats.

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