Jason Thomson
The Christian Science Monitor
Boston, MA, United States
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Past articles by Jason:
ISIS post caliphate: who's left, and where they are
The rapid territorial losses in Iraq and Syria will likely drive the jihadists underground there, but ISIS 'provinces' and expatriates are scattered broadly, and the resilient organization remains a threat even without its caliphate. → Read More
US giving new consideration to selling arms to Ukraine. Is that wise?
The sale of lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine, a perennial policy option that former President Obama long rejected, is enjoying growing support in the Trump administration. But fears of Russian escalation persist. → Read More
Do Russia's western war games deliver a threat, or just a message?
The week-long war games in Russia and Belarus, dubbed 'Zapad' for 'West,' have nerves on edge in eastern NATO countries that are deeply distrustful of Russian aims. But Moscow knows it is being watched closely. → Read More
Trouble in the Seventh Fleet: what may be behind Navy collisions
The unusual spate of collisions, two of them fatal, has called into question the US Navy’s level of preparedness, analysts say, and point to potential problems with training, maintenance, or sailors’ workload. → Read More
Behind North Korea's dash to the nuclear finish line, a cold war push
Feeling threatened by the US after the Korean War, the North turned to the USSR for nuclear training and a reactor. But its recent surge comes from within: its willingness to take risks and learn from mistakes. → Read More
The challenge of fragile states
Even as many countries grapple with issues ranging from rising populism to drought, some states stand out for their unwillingness or inability to offer proper governance – which could have a destabilizing effect beyond their borders. → Read More
How a new space weather forecaster could help protect astronauts
A new study finds that Earth-bound telescopes can more quickly detect the arrival of potentially hazardous particles from the sun than ones in orbit, adding extra time to protect spacefarers. → Read More
Marine photo scandal echoes past concerns of misogyny in Corps culture
A formal investigation is underway after a private Facebook group was shown to have been hosting nude photos of female Marines and veterans. → Read More
Why did the Komodo dragon survive?
The wild population of Komodo dragons, while far smaller than it once was, appears to have stabilized – a stark contrast to the plight of many other large animals. → Read More
If Trump pursues tariffs, Mexico could walk from NAFTA negotiations, minister says
As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump hammered NAFTA as 'the worst trade deal maybe ever signed anywhere,' underscoring his campaign messages on immigration and trade. → Read More
Coming to a Wendy's near you: Self-ordering kiosks?
The fast-food franchise says that it plans to install self-ordering kiosks at about 1,000 locations by the end of the year. → Read More
#LoveLetters on Father's Day: Children send videos to dads in prison
To raise awareness of the impact incarceration has on the children left behind, Google is continuing a campaign it began on Mother's Day, using video to capture messages of love for parents serving time. → Read More
How the feds aim to protect consumers from payday loans (+video)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, set up by President Obama after the financial crisis, has published proposals that seek to curb the debt-inducing aspects of payday loans and other high-interest lending products. → Read More
US Marine veteran becomes first combat amputee to scale Everest
A former marine from Idaho reached the summit of Mount Everest Thursday, the first combat amputee to do so. He joins an inspiring group of people with disabilities to have conquered the iconic peak. → Read More
Venezuela stops making Coca Cola: Is there a way out of bigger economic crisis?
Coca-Cola announced a halt to production of its signature drink in Venezuela, citing scarcity of sugar. It is the latest chapter in an unfolding economic crisis, which observers say will require deep political change to overcome. → Read More
Why birds are red: Secrets of scarlet revealed in matching studies.
Color me red: Bird coloring questions have intrigued evolutionary biologists for decades. Now, two separate studies have reached identical conclusions. → Read More
Why are Democrats in California at loggerheads over gun control?
The Californian Senate on Thursday debated a raft of gun control measures – competing with a separate initiative to put remarkably similar measures to the ballot, asking voters instead of legislators to decide. → Read More
Is 'Redskins' offensive? A new poll weighs in.
A poll conducted by The Washington Post reports the overwhelming majority of native Americans are unperturbed by the term 'Redskins,' but some have cast aspersions on the polling methodology. → Read More
Human flypaper? Google's solution to collisions between cars and pedestrians
Google has this week received a patent for a fresh approach to the problem of pedestrian injuries sustained during road traffic collisions, introducing a layer of stickiness on the hood that will glue the person in place. → Read More
Why is everyone moving to Texas?
Five of the 11 fastest-growing cities in America are all located in Texas, according to the latest trove of data revealed by the US Census Bureau. → Read More