Danger Zones

Did Russian President Vladimir Putin back a campaign of computer hacking and disinformation meant to disrupt the 2016 U.S. presidential election? Some U.S. officials say he did—in an attempt to undermine our democracy. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Congress are now investigating the matter.

When Donald Trump took office, he had hoped to improve ties with Russia. The U.S. seeks Putin’s help in defeating ISIS, the terrorist group that’s responsible for recent deadly attacks in Europe and the Middle East.

But the U.S. and Russia are at odds on many issues. For one thing, Russia backs regimes like those in Syria and Iran, which the U.S. says are a major cause of conflict in the Middle East.

The U.S. and Russia are also divided when it comes to NATO. The U.S. is a leader of this alliance, which is dedicated to protecting the freedom of Western Europe. Russia sees NATO as an adversary. Some experts believe that Putin’s goal is to break up the alliance and destroy democracy in Europe.

Did Russian President Vladimir Putin support a computer-hacking campaign meant to interfere with the 2016 U.S. presidential election? Did he also support the spreading of false news reports about the candidates? Some U.S. officials say that he did—to try to weaken our democracy. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Congress are now investigating the matter.

When Donald Trump took office, he was hoping to improve ties with Russia. The U.S. wants Putin’s help in defeating ISIS. ISIS is a terrorist group that has staged deadly attacks in Europe and the Middle East.

But the U.S. and Russia disagree on many issues. For one thing, Russia supports governments like the ones in Syria and Iran. The U.S. says that those governments are a major cause of conflict in the Middle East.

The U.S. and Russia are also divided when it comes to NATO. The U.S. is a leader of that partnership. NATO’s goal is to protect the freedom of Western Europe. But Russia sees NATO as an enemy. Some experts believe that Putin’s goal is to break up this alliance and destroy democracy in Europe.

China’s booming economy is set to overtake America’s as the world’s largest by 2030.

In the past two decades, China has also built one of the biggest navies in the world. Under President Xi Jinping, it has seized areas of the South China Sea that are claimed by other nations. There, Chinese engineers have created seven artificial islands that are being turned into military bases.

This has alarmed U.S. allies in the Pacific, including South Korea, Japan, and Australia. U.S. officials also worry that China’s aggression could lead to conflict with U.S. ships in the area.

Trade is another concern. Many U.S. companies do business in China. But they say the country places unfair burdens on foreign firms, denying them free access to the Chinese consumer market.

Despite their differences, the U.S. seeks China’s cooperation in key areas. Chief among these is containing North Korea, China’s ally, and its dangerous nuclear missile program.

Still, the U.S. will likely continue to struggle with China for global influence. China has used its wealth to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure around the globe. And as the U.S. has withdrawn from major treaties on climate change and trade in recent months, China has rushed to fill a vacuum of leadership, experts say.

China’s booming economy could be larger than America’s by 2030. That would make it the world’s largest economy.

In the past two decades, China has also built one of the biggest navies in the world. Under President Xi Jinping, it has seized areas of the South China Sea that are claimed by other nations. There, Chinese engineers have created seven artificial islands. Those islands are being turned into military bases.

This has alarmed U.S. allies in the Pacific, including South Korea, Japan, and Australia. U.S. officials also worry that China’s forceful actions could lead to conflict with U.S. ships in the area.

Trade is another concern. Many U.S. companies do business in China. But they say the country places unfair burdens on foreign businesses. For example, China denies them free access to the Chinese consumer market.

Even with their differences, the U.S. wants to work with China in key areas. The most important one is controlling its ally North Korea, and North Korea’s dangerous nuclear missile program.

Still, the U.S. will probably continue to struggle with China for global influence. China has used its wealth to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure around the world. The U.S. recently resigned from major treaties on climate change and trade. As it has, experts say, China has rushed to fill a vacuum of leadership.

U.S.-Mexico ties have grown strained in recent months. An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S., about half of whom come from Mexico. Some people say these immigrants take jobs from Americans and commit crimes.

The flow of immigrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has slowed in recent years thanks to Mexico’s growing economy. Still, President Trump says he will build a wall between the two countries to keep more immigrants from entering the U.S. Trump has said that Mexico will pay for the wall, but Mexican officials have refused.

The Trump administration also wants to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which opened up trade between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada in 1994. Trump says NAFTA encourages U.S. companies to move jobs to Mexico and has called the agreement “the worst trade deal ever.” Mexico is open to renegotiating the deal, but experts caution against changing NAFTA too much because both the U.S. and its southern neighbor have come to rely on the increase in trade.

Looking ahead, Mexico’s presidential election next year could further escalate tensions with the U.S. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a tough-talking leading presidential contender, has promised to stand up to American officials if he wins.

U.S.-Mexico relations have grown stressed in recent months. An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S. About half of them come from Mexico. Some people say those immigrants take jobs from Americans and commit crimes.

The flow of immigrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has slowed in recent years. That is thanks to Mexico’s growing economy. Still, President Trump says he will build a wall between the two countries to stop more immigrants from entering the U.S. Trump has said that Mexico will pay for the wall. Mexican officials have refused.

Trump officials also want to change some of the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA opened up trade among the U.S., Mexico, and Canada in 1994. Trump says NAFTA encourages U.S. companies to move jobs to Mexico and has called it “the worst trade deal ever.” Mexico is willing to make some changes to the deal. However, experts warn against changing it too much. They say that both the U.S. and Mexico have come to depend on the increase in trade brought by NAFTA.

Next year, Mexico will hold a presidential election. Tensions between the two countries may increase even more then. Andrés Manuel López Obrador is a popular presidential candidate. He is a tough-talking leader who has promised to stand up to American officials if he wins.