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David R. Sands

David R. Sands

dsands@washingtontimes.com

David R. Sands covered numerous beats, including international trade, banking, politics and Capitol Hill, and spent eight years on the foreign desk as senior diplomatic correspondent. He has authored The Times' weekly chess column since 1993.

Articles by David R. Sands

In this handout photograph released by the Taliban, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, center left, senior Haqqani group leader Anas Haqqani, center right, Abdullah Abdullah, second right, head of Afghanistan's National Reconciliation Council and former government negotiator with the Taliban, and others in the Taliban delegation, meet in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. The meeting comes after the Taliban's lightning offensive saw the militants seize the capital, Kabul. (Taliban via AP) **FILE**

Taliban spokesman says new government coming within days

A top spokesman for the triumphant Taliban movement said Tuesday a new Afghan government will be formed in very short order, even as celebratory gunfire marked the final exit of U.S. troops and diplomats from Kabul a day earlier.

August 31, 2021
Shirov-Masague Artero after 20...Bd7.

‘MV-L’ the MVP at powerful Sinquefield Cup chess clash

Fittingly, it was an encore for the Frenchman. GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave became the first two-time outright winner of the prestigious Sinquefield Cup, topping a world-class field earlier this month at the St. Louis Chess Club. Vachier-Lagrave is France's strongest player of the modern era and just missed out to Russian GM Ian Neopomniachtchi for a chance to challenge world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway this fall.

August 31, 2021
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the media after Friday prayers, in Istanbul, Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. The European Union should assist Afghans both inside Afghanistan and in neighboring countries in order to avoid a new migration wave, Erdogan told Greece's Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a telephone call Friday. Erdogan and Mitsotakis discussed developments in Afghanistan in a rare call as both countries raise concerns about a potential major influx of people fleeing the Taliban.(Turkish Presidency via AP, Pool)

Turkey’s Erdogan hints at bigger buy for Russian defense system

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is prepared to buy more units of a Russian-made air missile defense system, even though Ankara's initial purchase of the S-400 sparked sharp divisions within NATO and sanctions from the U.S. government.

August 30, 2021
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street, making his way to Parliament to debate the situation in Afghanistan, in London, Wednesday Aug. 18, 2021. Johnson is set to update lawmakers Wednesday about the evacuation of British nationals and local allies from Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Like Biden, world leaders face blowback from Afghan debacle

President Biden isn't the only world leader facing blowback from the stunning collapse of the government in Afghanistan and the desperate struggle to evacuate stranded citizens as the Taliban consolidate control in Kabul.

August 18, 2021
Jim Nickel, the deputy chief of mission for the Canadian Embassy in China, speaks at an event held in connection with the announcement of the sentence for Canadian citizen Michael Spavor at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. A Chinese court has sentenced Canadian Michael Spavor to 11 years on spying charges in case linked to Huawei. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

U.S., allies join Canada in blasting Chinese verdict on prisoner

The U.S. and some two dozen nations Wednesday joined in a condemnation of China for its sentencing of Canadian businessman Michael Spavor, who was convicted of espionage in a closed court proceeding Tuesday and given an 11-year prison term.

August 11, 2021
Karjakin-Shankland after 26...a3.

Sam Shankland shines in defeat at World Cup chess knockout tourney

The Sam Shankland secret is starting to get out. Long known as one of the best American players, the low-profile California GM is starting to make a name for himself across the pond as well. Shankland captured the Prague Masters tournament in June over a world-class field and just made a strong run in the 128-player FIDE World Cup knockout tournament in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

August 3, 2021
In this image from video provided by IISS, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin delivers a speech during the 40th IISS Fullerton Lecture Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Singapore. Austin decried the actions of Myanmar's military rulers as unacceptable on Tuesday, while urging a regional bloc to keep demanding an end to violence. Austin also applauded the Association of Southeast Asian nations for its efforts on the issue, which included forging a consensus with Myanmars military leader in April. (IISS via AP)

Austin calls out China, promises aid to allies on Asian tour

The U.S. military will strongly defend Taiwan and its other Asian allies and rejects China's expansive sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a high-powered Asian security conference Tuesday.

July 27, 2021
The Beatles statues and Royal Liver Building, center, on the waterfront area of Liverpool, which has been removed from the World Heritage List on Wednesday July 21, 2021. The UN World Heritage Committee found developments including the new Everton soccer stadium threatened the value of the city's waterfront. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

UN strips famed Liverpool docks of historic designation

The United Nations' lead cultural agency has unceremoniously stripped the British city of Liverpool of its coveted status as a world heritage site, ruling that new commercial development has robbed the port's famed Victorian-era docks of their unique cultural and architectural value.

July 21, 2021