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Simon Lewis
For Simon Lewis's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Houthi fighters and tribal supporters hold up firearms during a protest against recent U.S.-led strikes on Houthi targets, near Sanaa, Yemen, on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 18, 2024
U.S. lists Houthis as terrorists as group attacks second U.S. ship
The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians and have threatened to expand attacks to include U.S. ships in response to strikes on their positions.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gestures as he arrives in Tel Aviv on Monday as part of his weeklong trip aimed at calming tensions across the Middle East.
WORLD / Society
Jan 9, 2024
Blinken arrives in Israel as it says Gaza war to continue through 2024
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to meet Israeli leaders on Tuesday in his quest to prevent the Gaza Strip conflict from growing into a regional conflagration as the Israeli military said its fight against Hamas will rage all year.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reno, Nevada, on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 19, 2023
Diplomats gird for 'doomsday' as prospect of Trump presidency looms
If he were to win a second term, Trump is likely to install loyalists — meaning his whims and isolationist policies would be easier to enact than before.
People carry a coffin as a mass funeral takes place to bury victims of a military strike on a camp for displaced people near the northern Myanmar town of Laiza on Oct. 10.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 1, 2023
U.S. targets Myanmar's state energy firm with partial sanctions
The action prohibits certain financial services by Americans to the state oil and gas enterprise starting on Dec. 15, the Treasury said in a statement.
U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, delivers remarks Tuesday after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the situation following Hamas' deadly attacks on Israel.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 11, 2023
Israel-Hamas war upends Biden's two-pronged Mideast strategy
After keeping the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at arm's length, Biden now finds himself thrust into a crisis likely to reshape his Middle East policy.
Pacific Island Forum Secretary General Henry Puna
WORLD / Politics
Sep 19, 2023
Pacific island nations to hold second summit with Biden next week
Henry Puna of the Pacific Islands Forum said the region had gone from a period of neglect to one of strategic interest, competition and "manipulation."
Supporters wave flags as they rally in support of Niger's junta in front of the National Assembly in Niamey on Sunday.
WORLD
Aug 1, 2023
U.S. sees narrow opportunity to reverse course in Niger after coup
The U.S. has condemned the junta's overthrow of elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Jul 22, 2023
Bringing Private King home: Reaching Pyongyang is the first challenge
Securing the return of citizens from North Korea has never been easy for the U.S. It may be even harder now, with communications now almost nonexistent.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 3, 2023
U.S. and Russian top diplomats meet for first time since Ukraine invasion
Early in the G20 meeting of foreign ministers, the United States and European allies urged the group of nations to keep up pressure on Moscow to end the conflict.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 1, 2023
U.S. and allies mark anniversary of Myanmar coup with more sanctions
Washington imposed sanctions on the Union Election Commission, mining enterprises and energy officials, among others.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 14, 2022
Last maternity clinic in Ukraine-controlled Donbas a lifeline as war closes in
The center, roughly 40 kilometers from the closest front line, gives a glimpse of the suffering the war is inflicting on pregnant women.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 8, 2022
Putin says Ukraine is heading for 'tragedy' as Kramatorsk prepares defense
The mayor of the Donetsk city of Kramatorsk said Russian forces had fired missiles at the city center in an air strike on Thursday and that at least one person was killed and six wounded.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 28, 2022
Rescuers dig for survivors of Russian missile strike on Ukrainian shopping mall
Family members of the missing lined up at a hotel across the street where rescue workers had set up a base after the strike on the busy mall in Kremenchuk, southeast of Kyiv.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 7, 2022
Biden should give ASEAN leaders face time to improve ties, says Cambodian minister
No individual meetings are currently planned between the U.S. President and Southeast Asian leaders when they gather in Washington for talks on May 12 and 13.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 21, 2022
Biden administration rules Myanmar army committed genocide against Rohingya
Advocates say the move should help bolster efforts to hold the junta that now runs Myanmar accountable.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 15, 2022
U.S. rallies a united front against Russia as Putin seeks cracks
A week of diplomacy by U.S. President Joe Biden failed to defuse tensions between Russia and Ukraine, but has maintained unity with European allies, foreign policy analysts say.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 8, 2021
How family of a Myanmar junta leader are trying to cash in
Family members of the air force chief have enjoyed a lifestyle that is out of reach for the vast majority of Myanmar's people.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Aug 18, 2021
Afghan central bank's $10 billion stash not all within reach of Taliban
The country's central bank is thought to hold foreign currency, gold and other treasures in its vaults, but the vast majority of the assets are held outside Afghanistan.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Mar 28, 2021
On eve of Myanmar coup, Pompeo rejected effort to declare Rohingya 'genocide'
The 11th-hour scramble inside the State Department underscores how the United States had struggled to formulate consistent policy toward Myanmar.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 7, 2020
Georgia likely to have recount due to slim margin, says secretary of state
Georgia's secretary of state on Friday said he expects a recount due to the small margin for the presidential election in the battleground state, where Democrat Joe Biden has a small lead over Republican President Donald Trump.

Longform

High-end tourism is becoming more about the kinds of experiences that Japan's lesser-known places can provide.
Can Japan lure the jet-set class off the beaten path?