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☆ Trump is building his power at home while global leaders dread his return
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Trump has invigorated an initially lackluster White House bid by leveraging his multiple criminal indictments to create a narrative of political persecution. On Thursday, CNN’s congressional team reported that senators trying to cut an immigration deal with the White House are running into a problem: Trump. The aid measure is being held up by the immigration showdown to which it was linked — perhaps unwisely many Democrats now think — by the White House. It has caused particular consternation in Europe after the transatlantic alliance was constantly rattled by Trump during his White House term. That’s likely to be a pale imitation of what awaits if he gets back to the White House.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Haley, Kevin Roberts –, “, can’t, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s, Biden, he’s, ”, Sen, Kevin Cramer, Trump’s, Vladimir Putin, Mike Quigley of, Jim Sciutto, CNN Max, Putin, Michael McFaul, Obama, ” McFaul, ” Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Alejandro Mayorkas, Mike Johnson, Mitch McConnell, reverberations, America’s, Christine Lagarde, Heritage’s Roberts, Roberts, that’s, ” Roberts, Jamie Dimon, ” Dimon, Philipp Hildebrand, Emmanuel Macron, ” Macron Organizations: CNN, Florida Gov, South Carolina Gov, New Hampshire, Trump, Economic, Business titans, Heritage Foundation, Republicans, Capitol, GOP, Representatives, Republican, North Dakota Republican, Ukraine, Democratic, Congressional Ukraine Caucus, White, Spirit of, Homeland, US, Colorado Supreme, America, tony, European Central Bank, NATO, CNBC, ” BlackRock, Swiss National Bank Locations: Iowa, Washington, Ukraine, New, Davos, Swiss, Mike Quigley of Illinois, Moscow, Russian, Spirit of America, Ted Cruz of Texas, Marco Rubio of Florida, Europe, Iran, Paris, Switzerland, it’s, China, United States, France

People attend the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, January 18, 2024. Javier MileiArgentina's President Javier Milei delivers a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos on January 17, 2024. Sam AltmanSam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, attends the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 18, 2024. He said AGI could be developed in the "reasonably close-ish future," speaking at a private gathering at the Bloomberg House in Davos, Switzerland. AI took a huge leap forward in the last year or two years," Benioff said on a World Economic Forum panel Thursday.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Donald Trump, Ursula von der, Ursula von der Leyen, Jamie Dimon Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan, Adam Galici, Jamie Dimon, Dimon, Larry Fink's, bitcoin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin, Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy, Putin, Javier Milei, Fabrice COFFRINI, FABRICE COFFRINI, Fabrice Coffrini, Milei, Adena Friedman Adena Friedman, Adena Friedman, Friedman, Sam Altman Sam Altman, Sam Altman, Altman, Antony Blinken Antony Blinken, CNBC Putin, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Trump's, it's, Christine Lagarde, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Dmytro Kuleba, Arnd Wiegmann, Trump, Vladimir, Ukraine's, Kuleba, Michelle Yeoh Michelle Yeoh, Mike Coppola, Michelle Yeoh, CNBC's Tania Bryer, Yeoh, Pedro Sanchez Spanish, Pedro Sanchez, Isabel Infantes, Sanchez, Li Qiang Li Qiang, Li Qiang, Li, Isaac Herzog, Kfir Bibas, Herzog, Kfir, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, Atta Kenare, Joe, Biden, Netanyahu, Amir, Sergio Ermotti, MICHAEL BUHOLZER, Ermotti, Marc Benioff Marc Benioff, Salesforce, CNBC's Sara Eisen, Marc Benioff, Benioff, Ray Dalio Ray Dalio, Bridgewater, Ray Dalio, Dalio, Mark Carney Mark Carney, DANIEL LEAL Organizations: Economic, Reuters, European, JPMorgan Chase, CNBC, BlackRock, Getty, Afp, NASDAQ, CNBC Nasdaq, Reuters OpenAI, Bloomberg, State, European Central Bank, Central Bank, Reuters Ukraine's, United Nations Development, Spanish, Getty Images, Hamas, Palestinian, Hezbollah, Turkish, AFP, Iranian, Sergio Ermotti UBS, Getty Images UBS, Credit Suisse, Bridgewater Associates, U.S, Bank of England, UN, OLIVAS Locations: Davos, Switzerland, Ukraine, Gaza, Russia, China, Moscow, WEF, AFP, OpenAI, U.S, Russian, Iran, Europe, United States, Hollywood , California, Madrid, Spain, Beijing, Washington, Lebanese, Tehran, Israel, Hiroshima

JAKE SULLIVAN - THE LAST GUY IN THE ROOMBiden often turns to Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, when he is considering final options and looking for advice and counsel. "He develops and puts forward the policy options before the president for him to decide," said one U.S. official. Sullivan, 47, was national security adviser for Biden when he was vice president and deputy chief of staff to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He gathers policy options from across government agencies and prepares them for Biden to consider, the traditional role of the national security adviser. JON FINER - ASKING QUESTIONSSullivan relies heavily on his deputy national security adviser, Jon Finer.

Persons: Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Evelyn Hockstein, ANTONY BLINKEN, Biden, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, JAKE SULLIVAN, Sullivan, Jake, Hillary Clinton, BRETT MCGURK, Brett McGurk, McGurk, George W, Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, BILL BURNS, spymaster, Bill Burns, It's, Burns, LLOYD AUSTIN, STARK, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Israel, KAMALA HARRIS, Kamala Harris, Harris, ”, JON, Jon, John Kerry's, Kerry, Arshad Mohammed, Nandita Bose, Don Durfee, Heather Timmons, Deepa Babington Organizations: U.S, Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, Israeli, Biden, White House, National Security, U.S ., CIA, . Defense, Pentagon, Islamic State, U.S . Army, ISIS, Palestinian, West Bank, Palestinian Authority, Washington Post, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Gaza, East, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, United States, Qatar, Doha, Iran, Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, Ankara, U.S, Austin, Dubai, West

☆ An expired remnant of the Iran nuclear deal may help Russia rearm for another winter of missile attacks on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A UN Security Council resolution passed in the days after the 2015 Iran nuclear deal has expired. That could lead Russia to seek ballistic missiles from Iran as it steps up its attacks on Ukraine. UN Security Council Resolution 2231 was passed in July 2015, days after the US and Iran agreed on the Iran nuclear deal. Russia continues to produce its own missiles and drones, but its constant attacks on Ukraine have strained its supplies. Iran's Zolfaghar Basir, top, and Dezful short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in Tehran in January 2022.

Persons: —, Morteza, Iran's Zolfaghar, Anton Mardasov, Mardasov, Rosoboronexport, Farzin, Moscow hasn't, Nadimi, Paul Iddon Organizations: UN Security, Service, UN, EU, Missile Technology Control, Iran's, Washington, UN Security Council, Moscow, Iranian, Business, Mardasov, Iranian Army, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Washington Institute for Near East Locations: Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, France, Germany, China, Tehran, Shahed, Russian, East, Syria, Israel, Arab, Iranian, Getty Images Russia

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel on Capitol Hill, Washington, U.S., October 18, 2023. The Senate voted 53 to 43, largely along party lines, with Biden's fellow Democrats backing Lew and most Republicans opposing him. Republicans sharply criticized Lew over the 2015 Iran nuclear deal sealed during former Democratic President Barack Obama's administration. Supporting Lew, Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, who chairs the foreign relations panel, noted Lew's qualifications and said Israel had welcomed his nomination. Washington has not had an ambassador to Israel since July, when Tom Nides left the post.

Persons: Jack Lew, Leah Millis, Joe Biden's, Lew, Barack Obama's, Ben Cardin, Israel, Cardin, Jim Risch, Donald Trump, Tom Nides, Biden, Patricia Zengerle, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S, Treasury, Foreign, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Senate, Democratic, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, Thomson Locations: Israel, Capitol Hill, Washington , U.S, Iran, Gaza, America, Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved Jacob Lew to be ambassador to Israel, moving quickly to get him in place during the country’s new war with Hamas. The panel voted 12-9 on Wednesday to move Lew’s nomination to the Senate floor for a final vote, which could come as soon as next week. The Senate is moving quickly to confirm Lew, who was nominated by President Joe Biden last month after Tom Nides left as ambassador in July. Republicans have criticized Lew for his role in the Obama White House when it negotiated the Iran nuclear agreement in 2015, among other foreign policy moves. Lew defended his work in the Obama White House and called Iran an “evil, malign government.”

Persons: Jacob Lew, Kentucky Sen, Rand Paul, Lew, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Tom Nides, Obama, Iran —, —, Donald Trump, Idaho Sen, Jim Risch, ” Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Foreign Relations, Hamas, Republicans, Obama White, Idaho, Republican Locations: Israel, Kentucky, United States, Gaza, Iran

☆ So Much for the Embargo on Iran’s Missiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Speaking in Tel Aviv on Oct. 22, 2023, a bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators detailed how the elimination of islamic terrorist organization, Hamas, would lead to a more stable future in the region—not just for the Jewish people, but Palestinians too. Images: AP/Reuters Composite: Mark KellyHere’s the contradiction of current U.S. Iran policy in a nutshell: While the Pentagon deploys a Thaad missile-defense system to the Middle East to protect U.S. bases from the volley of missiles fired by Iranian proxies, the Biden Administration has let the international embargo on Iran’s missile program lapse. Oct. 18 was Transition Day under the Iran nuclear deal, and with it passed the U.N. missile and drone sanctions. Iran’s terrorist proxies and foreign clients such as Vladimir Putin send their regards.

Persons: Mark Kelly Here’s, Biden, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Reuters, Pentagon, Biden Administration, Iran’s Locations: Tel Aviv, U.S, Iran

☆ Biden's pick for Israel envoy faces tough questions from senators on Iran
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — Jacob Lew, President Joe Biden's nominee for ambassador to Israel, defended his handling of Iran policy in the Obama administration on Wednesday at his Senate confirmation hearing. "This whole thing is about Iran," said Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee. As Treasury secretary under former President Barack Obama, Lew played a key role in formulating the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Several Republicans suggested that Lew had effectively opened the door to grant Iran access to the mainstream banking system. If he were confirmed, Lew said, he would uphold Biden's commitment to deny Iran a nuclear weapon.

Persons: Jack Lew, WASHINGTON — Jacob Lew, Joe Biden's, Obama, Sen, James Risch, Barack Obama, Lew, Donald Trump Organizations: U.S, Treasury, Foreign, Capitol, D.C, Foreign Relations, Republicans, Democratic, CNBC Locations: Israel, Capitol Hill, Washington, Iran, Idaho, U.S

President Joe Biden weighed in – cautiously – on a high-stakes question of who was responsible for the deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital, telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that it appears "the other team" was to blame. Israel quickly denied responsibility, saying the lack of structural damage at the hospital means it could not have been an air attack. Israel pointed to video taken by Al Jazeera that it said revealed a "failed rocket launch" by Islamic Jihad militants. Gaza has been awaiting a counterattack by Israel, which is determined to eradicate Hamas. As for the hospital explosion, Kirby said Biden had directed his national security staff "to gather as much information and context as possible so that we can learn more about how this happened."

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, we’ve, ” Biden, Netanyahu, Israel, Jordan, Al Jazeera, Biden –, Israel –, Biden, John Kirby, Kirby, Netanyahu –, –, ” Netanyahu, ”, you’re Organizations: United Arab, West Bank, Biden, Air Force, Palestinian Authority, Islamic, National Security Council, Hamas Locations: –, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ramallah, United States, Iran

☆ US Targets Iran Missile, Drone Programs as UN Measures Lapse
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Russia said on Tuesday that transfers of missile technology to Iran no longer needed Security Council approval as of Wednesday, when the U.N sanctions lapse, without saying whether it now planned to support Tehran's missile development. The U.S. effort to limit Iran's missile and drone programs comes amid renewed criticism of Tehran for backing Hamas, which carried out an Oct. 7 cross-border rampage against communities in southern Israel in which at least 1,300 people died. The expiration of the U.N. sanctions falls under a "sunset" clause of the defunct 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which gave Tehran relief from American, European Union and U.N. sanctions in exchange for limiting its nuclear program. Former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned that deal in 2018 and restored U.S. on Iran sanctions. The United States said it would level new sanctions against entities and individuals involved in Iran's missile, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and conventional arms industries.

Persons: Simon Lewis, Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, George W, Bush's, Arshad Mohammed Organizations: United, Security, European Union, Former U.S, U.S, State Department, Iranian, Security Initiative Locations: Russia, Iran, U.S, Tehran, Israel, United States, Venezuela, Moscow, Ukraine, Washington, Saint Paul, Minn

The request to Congress would cover a year, according to another person familiar with the administration’s expected request. Lew, a Treasury Secretary under former President Barack Obama, was nominated by Biden last month after former Ambassador Tom Nides left the post in July. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesThe White House could make a formal request for the foreign war aid as soon as this week. Some Republicans have criticized Lew for his role in the Obama White House as it negotiated the Iran nuclear agreement in 2015, among other foreign policy moves under Obama, and that opposition could slow his nomination. “Our ability to support Israel at this pivotal moment is significantly hamstrung by the fact that we don’t have a U.S. ambassador on the ground," Murphy said.

Persons: Jacob Lew, Joe Biden, Lew, Barack Obama, Biden, Tom Nides, —, Obama —, Ben Cardin, Jack, ”, Cardin, Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Obama, Donald Trump, Republican Sen, Tom Cotton of, Jack Lew, ” Cotton, Jack Lew’s, ” Lew, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of, Murphy, Seung Min Kim Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Israel, Hamas, Foreign, White, Management, Republicans, Republican, Hamas ’, “ Fox, Democratic, Foreign Relations, Associated Press Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, China, D, Congress, U.S, Iran, Tehran, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Gaza

The Iranian and U.S. flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022. Russia said on Tuesday that transfers of missile technology to Iran no longer needed Security Council approval as of Wednesday, when the U.N sanctions lapse, without saying whether it now planned to support Tehran's missile development. The U.S. effort to limit Iran's missile and drone programs comes amid renewed American criticism of Tehran for backing Hamas, which carried out an Oct. 7 rampage against communities in southern Israel in which at least 1,300 people died. Former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned that deal in 2018 and restored U.S. on Iran sanctions. U.S. officials have said that the funds now in Qatar can be spent by Iran only on humanitarian goods.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, George W, Bush's, Biden, Simon Lewis, Arshad Mohammed, Will Dunham Organizations: Iranian, REUTERS, Rights, United, Security, European Union, Former U.S, U.S, U.S . Treasury Department, State Department, Security Initiative, Republicans, Hamas, Thomson Locations: U.S, Russia, Iran, Tehran, Israel, Hong Kong, China, Venezuela, United States, Moscow, Ukraine, South Korea, Qatar, Washington, Saint Paul , Minnesota

And as if to punctuate the tragedy and horror of the conflict, an explosion rocked a hospital in Gaza, causing hundreds of civilian casualties. "There is a significant U.S. interest here, showing strong support for Israel," which Biden did immediately after the attack and subsequently, she says. Hamas is based in Gaza, where civilian Palestinians have fought the Israeli government – Netanyahu especially – for civil and human rights. But while there are indeed Palestinians who support Hamas, not all do – and half of Gaza residents are children who are vulnerable as Israel seeks to erase Hamas forever. Biden and Netanyahu have had a chilly relationship going back to the Iran nuclear deal negotiated when Biden was vice president and which Netanyahu opposed.

Persons: Joe Biden, nudging, Biden, Biden doesn't, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jordan, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Mahmoud Abbas, Abdel Fattah el, Eileen Babbitt, Babbitt, Kamala Harris, Israel –, Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Robert Lieberman, Israel, Lieberman, – Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Doug Schoen, Schoen, hamstrung Organizations: Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian National, White, Israel, The Fletcher School, Tufts University, Foreign, New, United Nations, Biden, Johns Hopkins University Locations: U.S, Israel, nudging Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Egypt, Afghanistan, New Jersey, American, United States, Russia, China

He was not prepared, and Israel was not prepared,” Trump told Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade in an interview clip that aired Wednesday night. Regarding Hezbollah, which the US and its allies have warned against escalating the current conflict, Trump said, “They’re vicious, and they’re smart. But it’s driven by animosity Trump has held for Netanyahu ever since the prime minister publicly acknowledged that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. “If the election wasn’t rigged, there would be nobody even thinking about going into Israel,” the former president told his supporters. While Trump’s comments toward Netanyahu are personal, Israeli officials have acknowledged they were caught by surprise when Hamas attacked.

Persons: Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “, ” Trump, Brian Kilmeade, Trump, they’ve, nobody’s, Joe Biden, fumed, Netanyahu shouldn’t, ”, Qasem Soleimani, “ I’ll, Bibi Netanyahu, Soleimani “, “ I’ve, Fox’s Kilmeade, I’ve, Ron DeSantis, Israel, Mike Pence, ” Pence, Richard Hecht Organizations: Washington CNN, Hezbollah, Republican, Fox News, CNN, Trump, GOP, Florida Gov, Israel Defense Forces, West Bank Locations: Lebanese, Israel, West Palm Beach , Florida, Florida, America, New Hampshire, Iran, Jerusalem, West, East Jerusalem

The surprise Hamas attack has dealt a blow to U.S. efforts to broker a landmark normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia and complicated Washington's approach toward Iran, Hamas' longtime benefactor. “Quite simply, all efforts at normalization are on hold for the foreseeable future,” said Jon Alterman, head of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, contradicting the official U.S. government line. Khaled Elgindy, a former Palestinian negotiations adviser, accused the Biden administration of leading an Israeli-Saudi normalization process that mostly bypassed the Palestinians and their hopes of ending Israeli occupation. “That sort of neglect is part of why we're seeing what we're seeing,” said Elgindy, now at the Middle East Institute. The immediate challenge is preventing the war from spiraling into a broader conflict, administration officials say, especially preventing the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah from opening a second front on Israel's northern border.

Persons: Joe Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Israel, ”, Jon Alterman, John Kirby, “, ” Jonathan Panikoff, government’s, Khaled Elgindy, Elgindy, Panikoff, –, Netanyahu, Jake Sullivan, Biden’s, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, David Brunnstrom, Steve Holland, Alexander Cornwell, Parisa, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller Organizations: Hamas, White, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Center for Strategic, International, White House National Security Council, Middle East Institute, Saudi, The Atlantic, Hezbollah, West Bank, Reuters, Atlantic Council, Thomson Locations: Israel, Washington , U.S, Saudi, Gaza, Ukraine, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Hamas, Tehran, Israeli, Riyadh, Washington, Lebanese, IRAN, Dubai

U.S. President Joe Biden lholds a bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the 78th U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023. As president, Biden has frequently stressed support for independent Israeli and Palestinian states. Having returned to office in late December, Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood anytime soon and has approved thousands of new housing units for West Bank settlers. "If President Biden can stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, I hope President Biden can stand with Israel for as long as it takes," said Republican Senator Tom Cotton, a foreign policy hawk, on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures." "Biden is not in love with Bibi Netanyahu," he said, using the prime minister's nickname.

Persons: Joe Biden lholds, Benjamin Netanyahu, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Biden, Barack Obama’s, Donald Trump, Jonathan Panikoff, government’s, Tom Cotton, BIBI, Israel, Aaron David Miller, Bibi Netanyahu, Steve Holland, Matt Spetalnick, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller Organizations: Israeli, General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, Israel, Administration, West Bank, Republican, U.S, White, Hezbollah, Hamas, Atlantic Council, Fox News, AIPAC, Biden, General, Carnegie Endowment, International, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Gaza, Israel, Iran, Egypt, Syria, Yom, Gulf, Lebanese, Jerusalem, Ukraine, New York, Saudi Arabia

Some elected officials, including the Democratic governor of Menendez's state of New Jersey, have publicly urged him to step down. Sherrod Brown became the second Senate Democrat to call for Menendez to resign, saying in a statement: "Senator Menendez has broken the public trust and should resign from the U.S. Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, on Saturday urged Menendez to resign in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Senator Peter Welch also said he encouraged Menendez to resign because the allegations against him had "compromised his capacity" to be an "effective senator." Menendez, his wife Nadine Menendez and the businessmen are expected to appear in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Nancy Pelosi, Menendez, Sherrod Brown, John Fetterman, Peter Welch, Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Mike Segar, Karine Jean, Pierre, Andy Kim, Barack Obama's, Makini Brice, Doina, Steve Holland, Kanishka Singh, Scott Malone, Mark Porter, Matthew Lewis, Sonali Paul Organizations: Democratic, Former U.S . House, MSNBC, Republican, Foreign Relations, New, U.S, Democrat, U.S . Senate, Pennsylvania Democrat, Saturday, Democratic U.S, REUTERS, Prosecutors, Benz, New Jersey Democrat, Thomson Locations: Jersey, Menendez's, New Jersey, Former, Pennsylvania, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, Egypt, Manhattan, Cuba, Iran, Washington

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign town hall in Hampton, New Hampshire, U.S., September 21, 2023. She took on leadership roles in several business organizations before winning a seat in the South Carolina state legislature in 2004. She also appointed a current rival in the Republican presidential nominating contest, Tim Scott, to the U.S. Senate in 2012. UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADORHaley endorsed several rivals to Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential nominating contest, and occasionally tangled with him during the primaries.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Brian Snyder, Haley, Tim Scott, Ron DeSantis, Trump, Democrat Joe Biden, Gram Slattery, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, United, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, United Nations, Republican Party, Clemson University, SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR, U.S . Senate, UNITED NATIONS, Trump, Republicans, Ukraine, Florida, TRUMP, Capitol, Democrat, Thomson Locations: Hampton , New Hampshire, U.S, Ukraine, India, South Carolina, United States, Iran, New Hampshire, China, North Korea

Some elected officials in his state of New Jersey, including the state's Democratic governor, have publicly urged him to step down. Menendez has stepped down temporarily from his role as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senate Democratic rules require any member charged with a felony to give up their leadership position, though they can take it back if they are found not guilty. The probe is the third time Menendez has been under investigation by federal prosecutors, though he has never been convicted. Menendez, his wife and the businessmen are expected to appear in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Menendez, Karine Jean, Pierre, Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Mike Segar, Barack Obama's, Makini Brice, Doina, Steve Holland, Scott Malone, Mark Porter Organizations: Democratic, Republican, Foreign Relations, New, U.S, White, REUTERS, Benz, Thomson Locations: Jersey, New Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, Egypt, Manhattan, Cuba, Iran

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) delivers remarks, after he and his wife Nadine Menendez were indicted on bribery offenses in connection with their corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen, in Union City, New Jersey, U.S., September 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez denied wrongdoing and vowed to stay in Congress on Monday after prosecutors charged him and his wife with taking bribes from three New Jersey businessmen. Menendez's stance defied calls from elected officials in his state of New Jersey, including the state's Democratic governor, to step down. Senate Democratic rules require any member charged with a felony to give up their leadership position, though they can take it back if they are found not guilty. Prosecutors want Menendez to forfeit assets including his home, a 2019 Mercedes-Benz convertible and $566,000 in cash, gold bars and bank account funds.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Mike Segar, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Barack Obama's, Makini Brice, Doina, Scott Malone, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Jersey businessmen, Republican, Foreign Relations, New, Prosecutors, Benz, Thomson Locations: Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, New Jersey, Egypt, Manhattan, Cuba, Iran

WASHINGTON (AP) — This probably wasn't how President Joe Biden envisioned his big foreign policy week ending. Biden on Thursday hosted Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. "There’s no alternative.”Biden has stepped up his attacks on Trump's foreign policy record, casting the former president and his close Republican allies as lackeys for Russian President Vladimir Putin. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday said the U.S. has had and will continue to have “high-level” contact with New Delhi on the matter. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment Friday on the indictment.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Donald Trump, Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, ”, Ross Baker, “, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, ” Biden, Vladimir Putin, Putin, I’ve, Hardeep Singh, Justin Trudeau, Jake Sullivan, Narendra Modi, Richard Rossow, Karine Jean, Pierre, hasn't, Nicolás Maduro's, Barack, Trump, John Feeley, Feeley, Joshua Goodman Organizations: WASHINGTON, General Assembly, Republican, Ukraine, Senate Foreign Relations, Senate Democratic, Rutgers University, White, Capitol, Republican Party, Trump, United States Congress, Vancouver . Canadian, Nijjar, House, Indian, U.S ., Center for Strategic, Independent Studies, Biden, Associated Press Locations: Canada, India, Ukraine, Russian, New Jersey, U.S, United States, Russia, New York City, Vancouver, Ottawa, New Delhi, China, Washington, Caracas, Iran, America, Havana, Nicaragua, Panama, Miami

☆ Blinken suggests Iran not a responsible actor on nuclear program
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Bing Guan Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Iran's decision to bar some U.N. nuclear inspectors suggests it is not interested in being a responsible actor on its atomic program, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday. The comments suggested Washington is skeptical of Tehran's desire to engage seriously on restricting its nuclear program. The IAEA was responsible for verifying Iran's compliance with the defunct 2015 Iran nuclear deal, under which Tehran curbed its nuclear program in return for the easing of U.S., European Union and U.N. sanctions. "We tried to work indirectly with Iran as well as with European partners and even Russia and China to see if we can get a return to compliance with the Iran nuclear deal ... "That is not evidence of an Iran that is interested in actually being a responsible actor."

Persons: Antony Blinken, Bing Guan, Washington, Iran's, Donald Trump, Blinken, Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed, David Gregorio Our Organizations: 78th United Nations General Assembly, Lotte, REUTERS, International Atomic Energy, IAEA, Union, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Iran, United States, Tehran, Vienna, Washington, Russia, China, New York, Saint Paul, Minn

☆ Sen. Bob Menendez's Democratic allies are silent for now on his latest indictment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Fellow Democrats have yet to come to Sen. Bob Menendez's side in the wake of a stunning indictment. Months before the 2015 indictment, Booker had deemed himself "the Robin to his Batman." Stories about his 2015 indictment feature accounts of a IStandwithBob.com and an accompanying Twitter account that reposted signs of support. At the time of the 2015 indictment, Schumer's predecessor as top Senate Democrat, Sen. Harry Reid, encouraged people to let Menendez have his day in court. Menendez's 2015 indictment ended in a mistrial and he was easily reelected that same year.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez's, Menendez, Democratic Sen, Bob Menendez, Matt Friedman, Friedman, Cory Booker, Booker, Robin, It's, Nadine, Phil Murphy hasn't, Chuck Schumer, Schumer's, Harry Reid, Rob Menendez, White, Karine Jean, Pierre, he's, Chris Christie, Obama, Ben Rhodes Organizations: Service, Democratic, New, New Jersey Democrats, NJ, Twitter, New Jersey Gov, Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, Republican, Monmouth University Locations: Wall, Silicon, Egypt, New Jersey, Garden, Washington, Iran, Cuba

☆ Saudi Arabia's crown prince warned that if Iran gets a nuke 'we have to get one' too
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was interviewed on Fox News. He said if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia will need one too. Biden is trying to restart the 2015 Iran deal amid fears of an arms race in the region. In a rare interview conducted in English with Fox News' Bret Baier on Wednesday, the Saudi ruler addressed the likely consequences of Iran - Saudi Arabia's longtime regional foe - obtaining a nuclear weapon. The 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which was negotiated by the Obama administration, led to Iran agreeing to limits on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions being lifted.

Persons: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Biden, Bret Baier, Crown Prince Mohammed, Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Ebrahim Raisi Organizations: Saudi, Crown, Fox News, Service, ., Iran's, Associated Press Locations: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Wall, Silicon, Saudi, Hiroshima, Israel, Tehran

Qatar, a wealthy Gulf Arab state with diplomatic ambitions, is pressing both sides to engage in more talks and reach "understandings," sources told Reuters earlier. The diplomat described the New York meetings as "talks for talks," saying the idea was to lay the ground for future indirect discussions to achieve an "understanding" on the nuclear issue. Washington suspects Iran's nuclear program may be aimed at developing nuclear arms, a charge Iran denies. The United States also says Iran has provided one-way attack drones for Russia to strike Ukraine and wants Tehran to stop. The Biden administration's efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal have failed and many diplomats now regard it as beyond resurrection because of Iran's nuclear advances.

Persons: Hossein Amir, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Majid Asgaripour, spokespeople, Donald Trump, Iran's, Biden, Antony Blinken, We'll, we're, Parisa Hafezi, Jonathan Landay, Arshad Mohammed, Humeyra Pamuk, John Irish, Howard Goller Organizations: Iran's, West Asia News Agency, UNITED NATIONS, Qatari, Reuters, General Assembly, New, U.S, United, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Tehran, Iran, WASHINGTON, Qatar, United States, Russia, Doha, U.S, Gulf Arab, New York, Ukraine, Washington, European, Oman, Saint Paul , Minnesota, Paris

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