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☆ Opinion: $95 billion Israel-Ukraine aid package gives Biden huge leverage. He should use it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Opinion Mark Hannah | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The $95 billion military aid package President Joe Biden signed Wednesday was a feat of tough-minded negotiation to get funding to Ukraine and Israel after months of congressional horse-trading. But if the aid inflates those countries’ war aims, it could discourage the kind of tough-minded negotiation that is the only way to end their wars. The new infusion of aid gives the US a lot of leverage with Ukraine and Israel. However, the recent aid package includes long-range missiles, or ATACMS, which suggests Ukraine is readying an offensive against Crimea. In Israel, putting conditions on military aid is a better idea.

Persons: Mark Hannah, Joe Biden, Mark Hannah Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Mark Milley, “, —, Israel, Biden, George W, Bush, Putin, Ukraine’s, Biden judiciously, Netanyahu, Henry Kissinger, Golda Meir, Kissinger, ” Kissinger, Russia shouldn’t Organizations: Institute for Global Affairs, Eurasia Group, CNN, Wednesday, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Palestinian Authority, Abrams Tanks, Crimea, Israel, Twitter Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Crimea, Washington, Ukrainian, Russia, Gaza, United States, Kippur, Tel Aviv, Soviet

☆ Middle East Crisis Senior Israeli Military Official Offers to Resign After Oct. 7 Intelligence Failures
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Mr. Netanyahu said in a social media post that his government would “act by all means” against any such move. The sanctions, if imposed, would not hold up the military aid that was just approved in Congress. The Israeli military disciplined three of the unit’s commanders after the investigation. Human rights organizations have long accused the Israeli military justice system of whitewashing wrongdoing and the military of acting with impunity. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed during the six months of war, according to Gazan health officials.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr, Netanyahu, Axios, Netzah Yehuda, Leahy, Yehuda, Omar Abdelmajed Assad, “, Assad’s, Biden, Benny Gantz, Yoav Gallant, Antony J, Blinken, Jacob J, Lew, Gallant, Mick Mulroy, ”, ” Natan Odenheimer, Gabby Sobelman Organizations: West Bank, Biden, Netzah, Jewish, Israel, Pentagon, State Locations: States, Gaza, Israel, Israel’s, Iran, U.S, United States

☆ US recently authorized more bombs for Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Biden administration recently authorized the transfer of over 1,000 500-pound bombs and over 1,000 small-diameter bombs to Israel, according to three people familiar with the matter, adding to its arsenal despite US concerns over the country’s conduct in the war in Gaza. The transfer authorization of the MK82 bombs and small-diameter bombs, more than 2,000 munitions in total, occurred on Monday, according to two of the people familiar. CNN has previously linked the MK84 bombs to mass casualty events in Gaza, including Israeli strikes on refugee camps there last year. More than 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October, according to the enclave’s ministry of health. Israel declared war on Hamas in response to the militant group’s terror attack on October 7 that killed over 1,200 Israelis.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Josh Paul, you’d, Joe Biden, ”, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: CNN, State Department, Democratic, West Bank, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, “ State Department, US, Congress, Pentagon, Federal Register Locations: Israel, Gaza, State, “, Paris

CNN —The Biden administration is close to approving the sale of as many as 50 American-made F-15 fighter jets to Israel, in a deal expected to be worth more than $18 billion, according to three people familiar with the matter. Since Hamas’ attack on Israel in October, which killed over 1,200 Israelis, the US has made more than 100 foreign military sales to Israel. Most of those have fallen under the specific dollar amount that requires a notification to Congress, an official familiar with the matter previously told CNN. A congressional aide told CNN that House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul has also approved the transaction to proceed to formal congressional notification. “What you hear about the frustrations within the administration over the Israel policy, it is real,” one US diplomat told CNN on condition of anonymity.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Sen, James Risch, Michael McCaul, Ben Cardin, Greg Meeks, Biden administration’s, Joe Biden’s, “, ”, Israel won’t, Josh Paul, Matthew Miller, Israel what’s, Pat Ryder, ” Steven Katz, Katz Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Biden, Democratic, House Foreign Affairs, Foreign, State Department, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, House Foreign, Congressional Research Service, UN, The State Department, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, ”, Pentagon, Army, Defense, U.S, National Intelligence Locations: Israel, Gaza, State, Washington , DC, United States, “ Israel, Iran

☆ US wants to reopen embassy in Libya
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The United States wants to reopen an embassy in Libya - a decade after suspending operations there – as Russia maintains an influential foothold in the country. A State Department official said Monday that the US is in “active negotiations for an interim facility that would provide appropriate security and staffing support” in the capital city of Tripoli. The move to reopen a US diplomatic compound in Libya comes as Moscow holds significant influence in the country. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed in that attack. The US continues to advise citizens not to travel to Libya “due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict.”CNN’s Haley Britzky contributed reporting.

Persons: Michael Langley, Antony Blinken, J, Christopher Stevens, ” CNN’s Haley Britzky Organizations: CNN, Facility, State Department, Russian Federation, ”, Corps, US Africa Command, Diplomatic Security Locations: United States, Libya, Russia, Malta, Tripoli, ”, Moscow, Russian, Maghreb, Morocco, Pacific, Eastern Caribbean, Libyan, Benghazi

☆ U.S. Designates the Houthis a Terror Group
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Michael Crowley | More About Michael Crowley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The State Department on Friday designated the Houthis as a terrorist organization, following through on a mid-January warning to crack down on the Yemen-based militant group. The action officially labels the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group, a step that gives the United States new powers to crack down on the Iran-backed Houthis’ access to the global financial system. It restores a designation given to the group late in the Trump administration, which Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken reversed soon after taking office in 2021, partly to facilitate peace talks for Yemen’s civil war. Last month, Mr. Blinken announced the State Department’s intent to return the Houthis to its terrorism list, but delayed the action for 30 days. Some aid groups have warned that their work will inevitably be constrained in a country with dire humanitarian needs.

Persons: Trump, Antony J, Blinken Organizations: State Department, United Locations: Yemen, United States, Iran, Houthi

Senators Approve an Asia Veteran as No. 2 Diplomat, Underscoring US Efforts to Keep Focus on ChinaSenators have confirmed a veteran of U.S.-Asian engagement and security as the State Department’s second-ranking diplomat

Organizations: Asia Veteran, China Senators, State Locations: Asia

☆ A ‘Revolutionary’ Way to Feed the World That’s Very Old
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Somini Sengupta | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Cary Fowler once helped build an Arctic vault to save the world’s great variety of crop seeds from extinction. Now, as the State Department’s global envoy for food security, he is trying to plant a new seed in U.S. foreign policy. The effort is still in its infancy, with a relatively tiny budget of $100 million. But at a time when climate shocks and rising costs are aggravating food insecurity and raising the risks of political instability, the stakes are high. Mr. Fowler’s boss, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the idea could be “genuinely revolutionary.”

Persons: Cary Fowler, Fowler, Fowler’s, Antony Blinken, ” Organizations: State, Economic Locations: Africa, Davos

Some current and former officials and staffers said it’s the public nature of some of the challenges from federal employees that is unusual. The State Department has an honored tradition of allowing formal, structured statements of dissent to U.S. policy. It was done,'' said Thomas Shannon, a retired career foreign service officer who served in senior positions at the State Department. State Department officials say several expressions of dissent have made their way through the formal channels to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. One State Department official, 11-year veteran Josh Paul, quit late last month to protest the administration's rush to provide arms to Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “, ”, we’ve, Richard Nixon’s, George W, Bush, Obama, Thomas Shannon, Shannon, Trump, Sean Spicer, Donald Trump’s, I’m, ” Shannon, Antony Blinken, Josh Paul, Blinken, Matthew Miller, shirk, there's, Jamey Keaten, Matthew Lee Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, State Department, NASA, Hamas, Congressional, Capitol, Gaza, Israeli, Biden’s Democratic Party, The Associated Press, NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, Census, U.S . Agency for International Development, Department of Defense, Palestinian Health Ministry, The State Department, U.S ., Trump, Biden, Department, White, State, USAID, Washington Post, Foreign, Muslim, Associated Press, AP Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, U.S, Cambodia, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Geneva

☆ Israel-Hamas War Israel Indicates It Will Expand Its Offensive Into Southern Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Ephrat Livni | Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

The letter affirms President Biden’s opposition to a cease-fire, challenging demands from hundreds of officials that Israel halt its military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s government and Mr. Biden have rejected such a step as incompatible with Israel’s goal of destroying Hamas. The newer letter was delivered to Mr. Biden on Tuesday with 115 names, but its organizers continued to collect signatures until Friday. The earlier letter of dissent was delivered to Mr. Biden with a signature count but without names, although the signatories are known to that letter’s organizers. She cited an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted early this month that found that half of Democrats approved of Mr. Biden’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Persons: Biden’s, Obama, Biden, Ron Klain, Lawrence H, Summers, Barack Obama, Colin H, Kahl, Joseph W, Westphal, Mr, Samantha Power, Power, Antony J, Blinken, Josh Paul, Soifer Organizations: Biden, Democratic, National Economic Council, Mr, U.S . Agency for International Development, United Nations, White House, State Department, Capitol, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, Jewish Democratic Council of America, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Reuters Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, Saudi Arabia, United States

Kurmasheva was detained on Oct 18, becoming the second U.S. journalist detained in Russia this year, after Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in March. She is being held in a detention center, awaiting a trial that could sentence her to up to five years in prison. “Alsu was well aware of the risks that were associated with a possible trip to Russia,” Butorin added. Independent media and journalists in Russia have faced immense pressure after the Kremlin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022. through passing her notes censored by Russian authorities.

Persons: Pavel Butorin, Alsu Kurmasheva —, —, ” “, ” Butorin, “, ”, Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu, “ Alsu, ” Kurmasheva, Brittney, U.S . Russia hasn't, Butorin, she’s Organizations: U.S, Free, Associated Press, Wall Street, Kazan International Airport, Protect Journalists, Radio Free Europe, Independent, Kremlin, Analysts, U.S . State Locations: PRAGUE, American, Russia, Prague, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Ukraine, Moscow, U.S . Russia, U.S ., United States, Litvinova, Tallinn, Estonia

Klein, who didn't testify at his trial, declined to address the court before U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden sentenced him to five years and 10 months in prison. Prosecutors said Klein’s participation in the riot was likely motivated by a desire to keep his job as a presidential appointee. Prosecutors had recommended a 10-year prison sentence for Klein, an Alexandria, Virginia, resident who was 42 years old at the time of the riot. Klein and Cappuccio separately attended Trump's “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6 before marching to the Capitol. Approximately 700 of them have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds receiving terms of imprisonment ranging from three days to 22 years.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Federico Klein, Klein, Klein “, ”, Joe Biden’s, Trevor McFadden, McFadden, Prosecutors, Stanley Woodward, Trump, ” Woodward, Steven Cappuccio, Cappuccio, ” Klein, ” McFadden, Daniel Hodges Organizations: WASHINGTON, Marine Corps, Department, U.S . Capitol, Trump, Capitol, U.S, Southern Cone Affairs, Defense, Prosecutors, Cappuccio, Metropolitan Police, State Department Locations: West Terrace, Alexandria, Virginia, Universal City , Texas, Iraq, Nevada

☆ Opinion: I’m an American stranded in Gaza. Why isn’t the US doing more to bring us home?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Stephanie Griffith | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

We were at my wife’s parents house a couple of days into the war when there was an airstrike about 100 feet from my parents’ house. We all huddled together until we had to leave northern Gaza and head south. And my wife’s parents are between northern Gaza and Gaza City itself. And all they would say is, “We don’t have any information.”Listen, we live in northern Gaza. We’ve been told by the State Department transit will be allowed for Americans and their immediate relatives, meaning spouse and children if they’re not American.

Persons: Abood Okal, Wafa Abuzayda, Yousef, —, Wafa, Gazans, Okal, we’ve, ”, John Kirby, We’re, ” Kirby, ” Okal, Stephanie Griffith, hadn’t, let’s, ’, we’re, she’s, Abood, You’ve, haven’t, ” Abood, “, Israel, They’re, everyone’s, We’ve, they’re Organizations: CNN, Palestinian Health Ministry, Israeli Defense Forces, State Department, White House, West Bank, IDF, State, Palestinian Locations: Gaza, Massachusetts, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, New Jersey, Ramallah, Gaza City, Jerusalem, Cairo, Washington ,, Rafah, American, Cambridge

☆ State Department Official Resigns Over Arms Transfers to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( John Ismay | More About John Ismay | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A State Department official in the bureau that oversees arms transfers resigned this week in protest of the Biden administration’s decision to continue sending weapons and ammunition to Israel as it lays siege to Gaza in its war with Hamas. In his resignation letter, Josh Paul, who has been the director of congressional and public affairs for the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs for over 11 years, said the Biden administration’s “blind support for one side” was leading to policy decisions that were “shortsighted, destructive, unjust and contradictory to the very values we publicly espouse.”“The response Israel is taking, and with it the American support both for that response and for the status quo of the occupation, will only lead to more and deeper suffering for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people,” he wrote, adding, “I fear we are repeating the same mistakes we have made these past decades, and I decline to be a part of it for longer.”In an interview, Mr. Paul said that Israel’s cutting off of water, food, medical care and electricity to Gaza, a territory of two million people, should prompt protections in a number of longstanding federal laws intended to keep American weapons out of the hands of human rights violators. But those legal guardrails are failing, he said.

Persons: Biden, Josh Paul, Biden administration’s, ”, Paul Organizations: Department, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs Locations: Israel, Gaza

Having seen several previous Israeli strikes, Shawa told CNN they were certain it would be targeted. Born in Seattle to an American mother and Palestinian father, Shawa is one of an estimated 500-600 Palestinian-Americans in Gaza. It’s an impossible situation to be in.”Trapped with no way outEven if Shawa decided to leave Gaza, he can’t right now. “We anticipate that the situation at the Rafah crossing will remain fluid and unpredictable,” the US State Department advised US citizens. Despite the dire situation the Palestinian-Americans face, they at least have some hope of being able to leave Gaza soon – a remote prospect for those without alternative passports.

Persons: Jason Shawa, Shawa, Zainab, Malak, Najla, we’re, Abdulla Okal, Haneen, –, Nabil Alshurafa, Naela Elshorafa, Nabil Alshurafa “, ” Alshurafa, “, haven’t, ”, Ahmad Hasaballah, I’ve, Lena Beseiso, Beseiso –, Haneen Okal, Abdulla, ” Shawa, aren’t, Shawa’s, Jason Shawa's, Jason Shawa “, Alshurafa Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, US Embassy, US State Department, Palestinian Ministry of Interior, US, Department’s, State Department Locations: Gaza City, Palestinian, Gaza, Seattle, American, Rafah, United States, New Jersey, Kuwait, Camarillo , California, Egypt, Jerusalem, Salt Lake City, Israel, U.S

Military promotions, including for the chief of naval operations, have been held up by a single senator because of abortion policy. "It could make our response significantly less effective" and imperil aid to both Israel and Ukraine. That followed the sending of a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and military aircraft closer to Israel as a show of support. The United States is also supplying Israel with munitions and other military supplies, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. "This kind of situation is what many were worrying about, with all the holds on nominations and military promotions.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Israel, Sen, Jack Reed, Israel –, Reed, Laura Blumenfeld, Blumenfeld, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Lloyd Austin, Jonathan Lewallen, –, Donald Moynihan, Moynihan, Rand Paul, J.D, Vance, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville's, Chuck Schumer, …, Gerry Connolly, Lewallen Organizations: Rhode Island, Armed Services Committee, United States Central Command, GOP, Johns Hopkins School, International Studies, State, Palestinian, U.S, Hamas, Defense, University, Tampa, Georgetown University, Senate, Kentucky Republican, Ohio Republican, Alabama Republican, Military, White, New, New York Democrat, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army, Marine Corps, Virginia Democrat, House Foreign Affairs, MSNBC Locations: Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, Egypt, U.S, Palestinian, Ukraine, United States, France, Germany, Great Britain, Kentucky, China, Ohio, Alabama, New York, Virginia

The program, called the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Program, or PEPFAR, started in 2003 by President George W. Bush. Congress missed the Sept. 30 deadline to renew funding for PEPFAR before it expired. The policy had not been included as a part of PEPFAR funding until 2017, when the Trump administration expanded the policy to include it as a part of the program. Advocates for PEPFAR contend the program does not directly or indirectly fund abortion services. For some countries, the health benefits of the PEPFAR program go beyond its mission of reducing the spread of AIDS.

Persons: George W, Joe Biden, PEPFAR, “, ”, Chris Smith, Biden, Ronald Reagan, Trump, Bush, George Ingram, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, reauthorization, Ingram, ” Ingram, Carlos del Rio Organizations: U.S, President’s, AIDS Relief, U.S . State Department, PEPFAR, Congress, House Republicans, Biden Administration, House Global Health, Senate, Senators, Republicans, Center for Sustainable Development, Brookings Institute, Kaiser Family Foundation, Program, Emory University School of Medicine, State, Committee, Infectious Diseases Society of America Locations: U.S, New Jersey, Mexico, Washington, Africa, China, Russia

☆ Controversial Egypt aid held by new Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s new chairman is going to block a controversial tranche of military aid for Egypt, he announced Saturday. Sen. Ben Cardin’s last-minute decision on the day of the September 30 deadline followed backlash over the State Department’s recent decision to use a national security waiver to bypass human rights-related restrictions imposed on $235 million in aid. The block comes after the committee’s previous chairman, Sen. Bob Menendez, was indicted on corruption charges over accusations that he accepted bribes to help Egypt obtain military aid. Critics, including Cardin, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken should not have released the $235 million balance on the $320 million tranche of military aid. The White House referred questions to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

Persons: Sen, Ben Cardin’s, Bob Menendez, ” Cardin, Cardin, ”, Antony Blinken, Cardin’s, Abdel Fattah el Organizations: CNN, Relations, State, New, New Jersey Democrat, Maryland Democrat, Biden, State Department Locations: Egypt, New Jersey, Maryland, Taiwan, Lebanon

☆ See inside the lavish reception rooms at the US State Department
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Piper Hudspeth Blackburn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

"America's Collection: The Art and Architecture of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the US Department of State." Durston Saylor/Courtesy Rizzoli The Thomas Jefferson State Reception Room. Durston Saylor/Courtesy Rizzoli The James Monroe State Reception Room, which was designed by Walter M. Macomber. Durston Saylor/Courtesy Rizzoli The James Monroe State Reception Room. Durston Saylor/Courtesy Rizzoli The design of diplomacy: See inside the lavish reception rooms at the US State Department Prev NextRooms that take you back in time“America’s Collection” gives those without diplomatic credentials a chance to experience that moment.

Persons: Harry S, John Kerry, Obama, Kerry, Truman, Oz, Durston Saylor, Benjamin Franklin, John Blatteau, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Walter M, John Quincy Adams, Childe Hassam, Edmund C, Martin Van Buren, Henry Clay, George Washington, , Francis Scott Key, Paul Revere, John Adams, Clement Conger, Edward Vason Jones, Benjamin West's, John Jay, Henry Laurens, William Temple Franklin, Bruce M, Jones, King George III, Mark Alan Hewitt, Adams, Louisa Catherine, Martha Washington, Alexandra Kirtley, ” Kirtley, Kirtley, ”, Betsy Kornhauser, Kornhauser, “, Joshua Shaw, Thomas Cole, Cole, Virginia Hart, ” —, Walter Thurston Gentlemen's, we’re, ” Hart Organizations: DC CNN, US, Truman, US Department of State, State Department, Benjamin, Thomas, James, James Madison, Henry, American, Department, Powel, York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Winterthur Museum, Library, Philadelphia Museum of Art, CNN, Metropolitan Museum of Art, River School, “, ”, Department of State, Rizzoli Electa Locations: Washington, United States, Virginia, Mount Vernon, Paris, Great Britain, Philadelphia, British, Delaware, China, American, Europe

The Office of Management and Budget reminded senior agency officials Friday to update and review shutdown plans. Those plans can vary from shutdown to shutdown. The nearly 4 million Americans who are federal employees will feel the effect immediately. Essential workers will remain on the job, but others will be furloughed until the shutdown is over. For many of them, a shutdown would strain their finances, as it did during the record 35-day funding lapse in 2018-2019.

Persons: “, ”, Doreen Greenwald, Everett Kelley, Pell, disbursing Pell, It’s, treasurers Organizations: CNN, Management, National Treasury Employees Union, American Federation of Government Employees, Transportation Security Administration, Social Security, TSA, of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Business Administration, Futures, US Centers for Disease Control, Drug Administration, Safety, Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, ”, Smithsonian, National, National Archives, National Park Service, of Education, Federal Student Aid, Federal, Department of, Assistance, SNAP, US Department of Agriculture, Women, of Housing, Urban Development, Commission, Research, NOAA, Oceanic, Administration, National Science Foundation, Peace Corps, State Department, Defense Department Locations: United States, America, Washington, DC, shutdowns

CNN —A journalist was attacked on Wednesday evening in New York City by an official who was part of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s camp, a news channel has alleged. Iran International correspondent Kian Amani was filming outside the Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza Hotel and reporting on Raisi’s “entourage” leaving when the incident happened, the Iran International news channel said in a statement Thursday. “The entourage of Iran’s president attacked, harassed and insulted Iran International journalists covering Ebrahim Raisi’s stay in New York,” Iran International alleged. Iran International is a Persian-language news channel that broadcasts from Washington, D.C. Founded in 2017, Iran International has previously come under scrutiny by the Iranian government.

Persons: CNN —, Ebrahim Raisi’s, Kian Amani, ”, “, Amani, I’m, Abram Paley, ” Paley Organizations: CNN, Iran International, Millennium Hilton New York, UN, Hotel, Amani, Iranian Foreign Ministry, State, Twitter, Washington , D.C Locations: New York City, Iran, New York, Amani, Persian, Washington ,

To boost his profile, Zuberi also donated to, or hired, several Washington advocacy groups, lobbying shops and public relations firms. Those officials included Olson, former NATO supreme commander Gen. Wesley Clark and former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement John Sandweg. The trio lobbied U.S. officials after returning from their Doha meeting with Qatari officials, the FBI said. He added that one of his greatest regrets was recruiting Allen into the effort because of the subsequent negative publicity. Allen has denied any wrongdoing but stepped down as president of the Brookings Institution, a prestigious Washington think tank, amid the FBI investigation.

Persons: —, Richard G, Olson, Obama, Imaad Zuberi, Judge G, Michael Harvey, Harvey, Prosecutors, Evan Turgeon, Turgeon, Zuberi, Harvey's, “, Joe Biden, Zubari, Wesley Clark, John Sandweg, John Allen, Allen, strategize, ___ Mustian Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, State, Prosecutors, FBI, Justice Department's, Press, NATO, . Immigration, Allen, Brookings Institution Locations: Persian, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, Zuberi, Washington, Doha, U.S, New York

Finland is a European Union member that supports sanctions on Russia and the most recent to join NATO. Both Turkey and the UAE have condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but have not joined Western sanctions and sought to maintain ties with Russia. The latest sanctions package targets Russian companies that repair, develop and manufacture weapons, including the Kalibr cruise missile. Turkey, meanwhile, has tried to balance its close ties with both Russia and Ukraine, positioning itself as a mediator. Including the latest sanctions, the U.S. has targeted almost 3,000 businesses and people since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to State.

Persons: Vladimir Putin’s, ” James O’Brien, Putin, O’Brien, “, ” O’Brien, ”, Richard Connolly, Alexander, Lukashenko, ” Connolly, Denis Manturov, Connolly, Tom Keatinge, Andrei Bokarev, Sergei Shoigu, Iskander Makhmudov, Alexei Krivoruchko, Wagner, Otar, Partskhaladze, Antony Blinken, Suzan Fraser, Jon Gambrell, Antony Blinken’s Organizations: United Arab, State, Treasury, NATO, State Department’s Office, Associated Press, State Department, European Union, The State Department, Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Oxford, Western, Russian Industry, Trade, Centre for Financial, Security, Royal United Services Institute, “, U.S, Russian Defense, Russian, Federal Security Service Locations: States, Russia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Ukraine, U.S, UAE, Russia’s, Moscow, Finland, European, Belarus, Russian, ”, London, North Korea, Georgian, State, Ankara, Dubai

☆ U.S. Aims New Sanctions at Russian Military Supply Chains
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Gaya Gupta | More About Gaya Gupta | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The sanctions are part of the U.S. effort “to target Russia’s military supply chains and deprive Putin of the equipment, technology, and services he needs to wage his barbaric war on Ukraine,” Janet L. Yellen, secretary of the Treasury, said in a statement. “Today’s actions show our global reach in imposing severe costs on Putin’s oligarchs,” she added. The Treasury Department’s sanctions targeted nearly 100 Russian military-linked elites and individuals — including some in Turkey, Georgia, Finland and the United Arab Emirates — involved with Russia’s industrial, financial and technology industries. One individual, Vitalij Victorovich Perfilev, was identified as an official with the Wagner mercenary group who served as the national security adviser to the Central African Republic’s president. Among the other targets were a Georgian-Russian oligarch, Otar Anzorovich Partskhaladze, and a Russian intelligence officer, Aleksandr Vladimirovich Onishchenko.

Persons: Vladimir V, Putin, ” Janet L, Yellen, “, ”, Victorovich, Wagner, Pavel Pavlovich Shevelin, Anzorovich, Aleksandr Vladimirovich Onishchenko Organizations: Kremlin, Treasury, United, United Arab Emirates, Central African Locations: States, Ukraine, U.S, Turkey , Georgia, Finland, United Arab, State, North Korea, Russia, Georgian, Russian

☆ Atop the State Department, Democracy’s Treasures Can Complicate or Clarify Messages
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Julie Lasky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But in the late 1960s, the architect Edward Vason Jones began to bedazzle the State Department’s eighth floor with cornices, columns, coffers and gilding. And as before, every art piece, every gold flake, every carpet thread was donated or paid for by private funders. An opulent new book called “America’s Collection: The Art & Architecture of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the U.S. Department of State” (Rizzoli/Electa) tells this story in pictures of frumpy interiors turned into glittering set pieces. The rooms, which have been closed for renovations and updating, preserving their antique character, as the State Department building itself is re-roofed, will reopen Sept. 26. Members of the public can book visits at iipstate.my.site.com and can explore the rooms online in a self-guided virtual tour.

Persons: Edward Vason Jones, Francis Scott Key’s, Allan Greenberg Organizations: State, Sears, Roebuck, U.S . Department of State ”, State Department Locations: Paris, iipstate.my.site.com

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