As too many politicians and many of their constituents across America decry international trade and blame immigrants for a lack of economic and personal success, they might consider casting an eye to Los Angeles as a compelling counter-argument, write Jerry Green and Dan Schnur.

This week, the trade war between the United States and China escalates; President Trump orders National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border; Cape Town’s Day Zero gets pushed back to 2019; and more.

For a country that has traditionally preferred low-key diplomacy to avoid antagonizing its larger neighbor to the north, Vietnam last month publicly engaged in a string of activities to strengthen deterrence against China in the South China Sea, writes Derek Grossman.

This week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits Beijing; Western nations and Russia escalate feud by expelling diplomats; the Maldives get caught between China and India; and more.