Republicans Raise National Security Concerns Over Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools 
Barham Salih Elected as Next UN High Commissioner for Refugees 
Trump Announces $1,776 Cash Bonus for U.S. Military Personnel Ahead of Christmas 
U.S. House Advances GOP Healthcare Bill as ACA Subsidies Near Expiration 
Kennedy Center Reportedly Renamed Trump-Kennedy Center After Board Vote 
Union-Aligned Investors Question Amazon, Walmart and Alphabet on Trump Immigration Policies 
Putin Signals Possible Peace or Continued War in Ukraine at Major Year-End Address 
U.S. and China Push for Ceasefire as Thailand–Cambodia Border Clashes Escalate 
Argentina Unions Rally Against Milei’s Labor Reform as Congress Debates Key Bill 
Trump Administration Proposes Sweeping Limits on Gender-Affirming Care for Children 
Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator, Becomes 15th Leader of U.S. Space Agency 
Honduras Election Recount Delayed Amid Protests and Political Tensions 
Trump Signs Order to Ease Federal Marijuana Rules, Signaling Major Policy Shift 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Syria, Kurds and U.S. Race to Show Progress on SDF Integration Deal 
Trump Administration Plans Major Increase in Denaturalization Cases for Naturalized U.S. Citizens 
US Vice President Kamala Harris will be making her next few overseas engagements this month in her upcoming visits to Singapore and Vietnam. Harris is expected to promote the new administration’s message in her trips to the region.
Harris will be traveling to Singapore and Vietnam from August 20 to 26, making her the highest Biden administration official to visit the region so far. A statement from the White House revealed what Harris is expected to be doing during her visits to the two Asian countries. Harris would be the first US vice president to visit Vietnam and the upcoming visit would be her first trip to the region as vice president and second overseas engagement overall.
“Her trip will build on the Biden-Harris administration’s message to the world: America is back,” Harris’s office said in a statement. “Our Administration sees Asia as a critically important region in the world. The Vice President’s visit will emphasize the importance of comprehensive engagement and strategic partnerships -- key components of our Administration’s approach to foreign policy.”
During her visit, Harris will be meeting with government officials, civil society leaders, and the private sector and share the Biden administration’s vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Her meetings with the officials will also touch on the tensions surrounding the South China Sea, and promote economic cooperation. Harris’s spokesperson Symone Sanders also said that COVID-19, climate change, and regional security are on the agenda for her visit.
In other news, it remains to be seen if Harris will be actively campaigning for longtime ally California Governor Gavin Newsom as he faces a recall election in six weeks. The recent polls in the recall race becoming even more competitive for Newsom and Democrats are increasing efforts to keep Newsom as governor. One such strategy to getting fellow Democrats in the state to vote for Newsom was to bring in big names including Harris, Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, and President Joe Biden.
When pressed who would campaign for Newsom in the upcoming recall elections, an aide to the California Governor simply said “Stay tuned.”
Previously, Harris has mentioned that she would campaign for Newsom ahead of the recall election.
