Monday's world stories
Countries, corporations refuse to criticize China over mass Uighur detentions
There are upwards of 1 million Uighur Muslims detained in China's Xinjiang region — yet the leaders of Pakistan, Indonesia and, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most recently" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/16660122.22/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3dvcmxkLzIwMTkvMDQvMTcvdm9sa3N3YWdlbi1idWlsdC1mYWN0b3J5LWNoaW5hcy14aW5pamFuZy13aGVyZS11cC1taWxsaW9uLXVpZ2h1cnMtaGF2ZS1iZWVuLWRldGFpbmVkLWl0cy1jZW8tc2F5cy1oZXMtbm90LWF3YXJlLXRoYXQvP3V0bV90ZXJtPS45MmU1ZWI1ODg2MzkmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19uZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/58af12c227fdb0d83d8b51d9Bc25e12f9" data-vars-content-id="2af51511-d357-4bc8-802c-93a15c3cb416" data-vars-headline="Countries, corporations refuse to criticize China over mass Uighur detentions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/16660122.22/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3dvcmxkLzIwMTkvMDQvMTcvdm9sa3N3YWdlbi1idWlsdC1mYWN0b3J5LWNoaW5hcy14aW5pamFuZy13aGVyZS11cC1taWxsaW9uLXVpZ2h1cnMtaGF2ZS1iZWVuLWRldGFpbmVkLWl0cy1jZW8tc2F5cy1oZXMtbm90LWF3YXJlLXRoYXQvP3V0bV90ZXJtPS45MmU1ZWI1ODg2MzkmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19uZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/58af12c227fdb0d83d8b51d9Bc25e12f9" target="_self">most recently</a>, Volkswagen (which has a factory in Xinjiang) claim they don't know anything about it.
<strong>Between the lines:</strong> "This is a difficult issue to address precisely because China has the world's second-largest economy" and is "ruthless" when challenged, says John Herbst, a former longtime diplomat now at the Atlantic Council.
Starbucks' Chinese rival Luckin Coffee files for U.S. IPO
Luckin Coffee <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="filed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1767582/000104746919002450/a2238391zf-1.htm" data-vars-content-id="a54ddd47-c293-4148-b53b-bd92223b7d48" data-vars-headline="Starbucks' Chinese rival Luckin Coffee files for U.S. IPO" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1767582/000104746919002450/a2238391zf-1.htm" target="_blank">filed</a> on Monday for a U.S. IPO as it tries to overtake Starbucks for coffee chain dominance in China.
<strong>The backdrop: </strong>The filing reports a 3,883% revenue increase between Q1 2018 and Q1 2019, with losses more than tripling over that same period. It comes just one week after Luckin raised $150 million at a $2.9 billion valuation in a funding round <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="led by Blackrock" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/starbucks-shareholder-backs-chinese-rival-luckin-dbc539c0-76a9-4207-8c92-0c3ab468eaeb.html" data-vars-content-id="a54ddd47-c293-4148-b53b-bd92223b7d48" data-vars-headline="Starbucks' Chinese rival Luckin Coffee files for U.S. IPO" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/starbucks-shareholder-backs-chinese-rival-luckin-dbc539c0-76a9-4207-8c92-0c3ab468eaeb.html" target="_self">led by Blackrock</a>, which is Starbucks' second-largest outside shareholder.
Go deeper: How Luckin is battling Starbucks in China
China's move away from stimulus could be bad for global markets
China's growth so far this year has been better than expected and it will begin a shift away from stimulus and towards reform and restructuring, according to China's 25-member ruling body headed by President Xi Jinping. The news was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported by state news agency Xinhua" data-vars-click-url="https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3006951/china-leaders-vow-reform-not-stimulate-economy-trade-deal-us" data-vars-content-id="ff7cfec7-9ed0-4420-b8d5-488d9f41b290" data-vars-headline="China's move away from stimulus could be bad for global markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3006951/china-leaders-vow-reform-not-stimulate-economy-trade-deal-us" target="_blank">reported by state news agency Xinhua</a>.
<strong>Why it matters:</strong> China's stimulus has been a major source of relief for Chinese and global financial markets, and the government now looks to be shifting gears.
How Trump’s push to end Iran oil exports could backfire
The Trump administration Monday dramatically escalated its campaign of economic warfare against Iran, announcing that it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="would not renew any waivers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/iran-oil-sanctions-waivers-price-mike-pompeo-db296725-8f92-4d3a-9bfc-3b708d636a81.html" data-vars-content-id="a963439a-f4b6-457f-a9a1-0ca7d4456c8d" data-vars-headline="How Trump’s push to end Iran oil exports could backfire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/iran-oil-sanctions-waivers-price-mike-pompeo-db296725-8f92-4d3a-9bfc-3b708d636a81.html" target="_self">would not renew any waivers</a> for countries to import Iranian oil after May 2.
<strong>The big picture:</strong> Per Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the goal is for Iran to reverse its foreign and domestic policies and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="accede to 12 demands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pompeos-mission-impossible-on-iran-1526910087-881b0756-a68e-4c87-9fff-76df8dbd7237.html" data-vars-content-id="a963439a-f4b6-457f-a9a1-0ca7d4456c8d" data-vars-headline="How Trump’s push to end Iran oil exports could backfire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pompeos-mission-impossible-on-iran-1526910087-881b0756-a68e-4c87-9fff-76df8dbd7237.html" target="_self">accede to 12 demands</a> he set out in a speech last year. But the plan is certain to face pushback from importers of Iranian oil, raise prices for consumers and further erode the value of sanctions as a tool of diplomacy.
Oil prices spike as White House ends Iran sanctions waivers
Oil prices rose sharply Monday to their highest levels since November as the White House confirmed it will end sanctions waivers for countries that still purchase Iranian oil.
<strong>Driving the news:</strong> The U.S. will seek to further drive down Iranian exports by ending exemptions granted last year to China, India and a handful of others.
Russia's work with cyber criminals surging — former national security official
The Russian government is increasingly partnering with cyber criminals in its online espionage efforts, Obama administration national security official John Carlin told "<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="60 minutes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/evgeniy-mikhailovich-bogachev-the-growing-partnership-between-russia-government-and-cybercriminals-60-minutes/" data-vars-content-id="5c2f12f7-8f25-419a-a850-3bc89de346a3" data-vars-headline="Russia's work with cyber criminals surging — former national security official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/evgeniy-mikhailovich-bogachev-the-growing-partnership-between-russia-government-and-cybercriminals-60-minutes/" target="_blank">60 minutes</a>" Sunday.
"This is a kleptocracy. This is a government by theft. And the thing that matters the most is that you do what the don wants, what the head of the crime family wants. And here, the head of the crime family is Putin."— John Carlin, former U.S. Assistant Attorney General for National Security
<strong>Why it matters: </strong>Carlin's comments come after the release of the redacted <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="findings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/mueller-report-read-redacted-version-d144f2d2-9c3b-4233-b13e-337d156314d9.html" data-vars-content-id="5c2f12f7-8f25-419a-a850-3bc89de346a3" data-vars-headline="Russia's work with cyber criminals surging — former national security official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/mueller-report-read-redacted-version-d144f2d2-9c3b-4233-b13e-337d156314d9.html" target="_self">findings</a> of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation showed concerns of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Russian interference" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/mueller-report-trump-russia-interference-collusion-c2279d9e-3399-4718-a170-7bcc7c37ca5d.html" data-vars-content-id="5c2f12f7-8f25-419a-a850-3bc89de346a3" data-vars-headline="Russia's work with cyber criminals surging — former national security official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/mueller-report-trump-russia-interference-collusion-c2279d9e-3399-4718-a170-7bcc7c37ca5d.html" target="_self">Russian interference</a> in U.S. elections. "We understand the FBI believes that this operation enabled [Russian military intelligence] to gain access to the network of at least one Florida county government," in the 2016 elections," the report states.
<strong>The other side: </strong>Putin has previously <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="denied" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/putin-insists-russia-was-never-involved-in-hacking-1513302686-e83a45f5-0986-4328-bf76-e40550a8ac75.html" data-vars-content-id="5c2f12f7-8f25-419a-a850-3bc89de346a3" data-vars-headline="Russia's work with cyber criminals surging — former national security official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/putin-insists-russia-was-never-involved-in-hacking-1513302686-e83a45f5-0986-4328-bf76-e40550a8ac75.html" target="_self">denied</a> any <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="allegations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/putins-side-of-the-russia-election-hacking-story-1513304065-b00de349-6f6f-4399-9b39-1a6ae0e511d7.html" data-vars-content-id="5c2f12f7-8f25-419a-a850-3bc89de346a3" data-vars-headline="Russia's work with cyber criminals surging — former national security official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/putins-side-of-the-russia-election-hacking-story-1513304065-b00de349-6f6f-4399-9b39-1a6ae0e511d7.html" target="_self">allegations</a> of Russia being involved in hacking.
<strong>The big picture: </strong>Carlin, author of "<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dawn of the Code War" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/how-creative-foreign-hackers-crack-into-a-vulnerable-us/2018/11/29/053ecca2-f126-11e8-bc79-68604ed88993_story.html?utm_term=.30e37cdc440a" data-vars-content-id="5c2f12f7-8f25-419a-a850-3bc89de346a3" data-vars-headline="Russia's work with cyber criminals surging — former national security official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/how-creative-foreign-hackers-crack-into-a-vulnerable-us/2018/11/29/053ecca2-f126-11e8-bc79-68604ed88993_story.html?utm_term=.30e37cdc440a" target="_blank">Dawn of the Code War</a>," told CBS' Lesley Stahl Russian cyber espionage is one of the greatest threats to the U.S. Spy agencies can cover their tracks by hiring cyber criminals to do the work for them.
"Increasingly, you cannot tell which is which when it comes to the criminal and the intelligence agency. So one day, the same crook may be doing something purely to make a buck. But that same crook may be directed by a trained intelligence operative using the same tools and techniques to steal information from them for the goals of the state."
Go deeper: Growing Russian interference calls for coordinated response
Scoop: Trump administration opposes military intervention in Iran
In a closed-door meeting with Iranian-American community leaders last Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Trump administration is "not going to do a military exercise inside Iran" to expedite a regime change, according to three sources who were in the room, including one who took detailed contemporaneous notes and shared them with me.
<strong>Pompeo also sought to distance</strong> the Trump administration from a controversial Iranian resistance group that has welcomed John Bolton and Rudy Giuliani as speakers in a private capacity.
Giuliani: "There's nothing wrong with taking information from Russians"
President Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani said on CNN's "State of the Union" that "any candidate in the whole world" would accept negative information on their campaign opponent, and that there's "nothing wrong with taking information from Russians."