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☆ White House, Capitol Hill divide on use of military in Red Sea is getting dangerous for the economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. import and export data shows that the majority of the country's trade is on foreign-flagged vessels. The Congressional calls to consider prioritizing U.S.-flagged vessels come at a time when the Iranian-backed Houthis continue to attack shipping in the Red Sea. Other nations, including U.S. ally France, have already declared their priority is to escort French-linked vessels after facing nationalistic pressure. "It could also be argued that directing military action to defend U.S. commercial shipping is within this power. However, most vessels transiting through the Red Sea are not U.S. ships, which raises questions about the extent to which these authorities can be exercised," they wrote.

Persons: Gerald R, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Mohammed Al, —, Biden's, Charles, Bud, Darr, Salud Carbajal, Hapag Lloyd, Carbajal's, Tim Kaine, Todd Young, Chris Murphy, Mike Lee Organizations: United States, Ford, Anadolu, Getty, Capitol, U.S, MDS Transmodal, Congressional, Gaza, Senate Foreign Relations, White House, Representatives, MSC, U.S . Navy, Maersk, White, Senate Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Senate, Relations, Counterterrorism Locations: Red, U.S, Iranian, Iran, France, Marshall, United States, East, South Asia, Central Asia

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers are urging Hungary to immediately ratify Sweden's application to join NATO, saying patience with the Central European country is “wearing thin” as it continues to delay its approval for the Nordic nation. “Despite its numerous prior public commitments, Hungary is the last remaining NATO member to have not ratified Sweden’s bid and both time and patience are wearing thin. Hungary’s inaction risks irrevocably damaging its relationship with the United States and with NATO,” the senators wrote. Orbán, a staunch nationalist that has led Hungary since 2010, has long promised that his country wouldn't be the last NATO member to approve Sweden's application. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesA vote on the protocols for Sweden’s NATO accession hasn’t yet appeared on the Hungarian parliament’s agenda, and the matter is unlikely to go before lawmakers until at least late February when the parliament reconvenes.

Persons: Jeanne Shaheen, Thom Tillis, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Sen, Ben Cardin, ” Cardin, Biden, Cardin, ”, “ Organizations: NATO, Central, New, New Hampshire Democrat, North Carolina Republican, Hungarian, Maryland Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, U.S, Visa, Global, European Union Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, U.S, Nordic, Budapest, Sens, New Hampshire, United States, Ukraine, Maryland, Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has made it clear the U.S. will strike back after a deadly drone attack killed three service members and wounded more than 40 at a small base in Jordan over the weekend. On Tuesday, Biden bluntly said “yes” when asked if he'd decided how to respond to the attack. Target options range from inside Iran, including on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, to Iranian ships at sea and Tehran-backed militia groups and key militant leaders in Iraq and Syria. HIT MILITIA GROUPS AGAINThe most likely move would be to hit Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria again. Hawkish Congress members said Biden should directly target Tehran for the deadly attack on the base in Jordan.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, he'd, “ That’s, ”, John Kirby, ” Biden, Quds, Gen, Qassem, Asad, Avi Melamed, ” Melamed, Jordan, Pat Ryder, Mohammed Shia, Sudani, Sen, Lindsay Graham, Sara Jacobs, Bradley Bowman, Jim Risch, —, Farnoush Amiri, Mike Pesoli, Joshua Boak, Sagar Meghani, Kevin Freking, Abby Sewell Organizations: WASHINGTON, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Quds Force, National Security, Force, U.S, Embassy, Middle, HIT, Pentagon, CONGRESSIONAL, HOW, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, Associated Press Locations: U.S, Jordan, Iran, Gaza, Tehran, Iraq, Syria, IRAN, Baghdad, Iranian, Hill, Davos, Washington, Beirut

☆ 'The shooting has to stop': World's biggest shipping company pleads with Congress to help end Houthi Red Sea chaos
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Ralby stressed the crisis in the Red Sea is not just a U.S. problem, but recent attacks by the U.S. military have led to greater targeting of its vessels. After those attacks, Maersk announced it would no longer be transiting the Red Sea. MSC announced on December 17 that it would divert its services that would typically transit the Red Sea and the Suez Canal around the Cape of Good Hope. Sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea adds one to two weeks to a one-way shipping journey relative to the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Rising freight costs were a big component of inflation during Covid and the Red Sea crisis has renewed fears that another bout of supply chain-triggered inflation could occur.

Persons: Ralby, Ian Ralby, Darr, Charles, Bud, Salud Carbajal, Biden, Hapag Lloyd, Bab, Good Hope, Jon Gold, Phillips, Ralph Lauren, Levi Strauss, Gold Organizations: U.S, Mediterranean Shipping Company, U.S . Navy, Coast Guard, Maritime Transportation, MSC, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Maersk, Maersk Detroit, Maersk Chesapeake, Navy, Intelligence, Suzuki, Volvo, Michelin, Ikea, National Retail Federation, Bank of America, Van Heusen Corporation, Birkenstock, Capri Holdings, Nike, Corp Locations: Suez, Ismailia, Egypt, Yemen, U.S, Iran, Gulf, Aden, Maersk, Good, Europe's, Asia, Europe, Vietnam

☆ Biden administration tells Congress it intends to sell Turkey F-16s after Erdogan approved Sweden’s NATO membership
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The State Department also sent Congress a formal notification of its intent to sell $8.6 billion worth of F-35s to Greece. Blinken, in turn, told the Turkish president multiple times that members of Congress would not approve the sale of jets until Turkey allowed Sweden to join NATO. The Turkish Parliament finally voted in favor of Sweden’s NATO accession Tuesday, and Erdogan signed off on the instruments of ratification Thursday. The US official said this was to assure Congress there was no way for Turkey to back out of the deal. Hungary still must approve Sweden’s NATO bid for the nation to finally become a member.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Erdogan, Hakan Fidan, Fidan, Robert Menendez –, Turkey –, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Menendez, Sen, Ben Cardin Organizations: CNN, NATO, The State Department, Turkish, Foreign, The New, Greek, House Foreign Affairs Committee, State Department Locations: Turkey, Greece, Sweden, Finland, Vilnius, Lithuania, London, The New Jersey, Turkish, Hungary

Kerry and Xie paved the way for progress at international summits that could have otherwise stagnated. The annual U.N. climate summit was being held in Copenhagen later that year, and Kerry was eager to talk about it with Chinese officials. Stern said the deal “ricocheted around the climate world" and convinced countries that “we can actually get this done.”The importance of the deal became evident one month later. It was the relationship with China, Kerry said afterward, that helped “change the paradigm.”——-The warm feelings were short-lived. Donald Trump was elected president in 2016, and he promptly withdrew the U.S. from the Paris agreement after taking office.

Persons: John Kerry, Xie Zhenhua, Kerry, Xie, Mao Zedong's, Christiana Figueres, ”, Li Shuo, ” —, George W, Bush, Barack Obama's, Obama, Todd Stern, ” Stern, “, Xi Jinping, Stern, Figueres, ” Xie, —, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Xi, hadn’t, Trump, Biden, Jonathan Pershing, Nancy Pelosi, John, John Podesta, Podesta, ___ Read, Chris Megerian, Seth Borenstein Organizations: WASHINGTON, United, Communist Party, U.S, Asia Society, Greenpeace, Senate Foreign Relations, International, Trump, William, Flora Hewlett Foundation, Associated Press Locations: United Nations, Dubai, Paris, England, Vietnam, China, Copenhagen, Lima, Glasgow, Sunnylands, Beijing, Christiana, U.S, “, Lima , Peru, South, Taiwan, COVID, Egypt, California, Arab Emirates, AP.org

☆ Biden Urges Congress to Quickly Approve F-16 Sale to Turkey
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Edward Wong | More About Edward Wong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden sent a letter to four senior members of Congress on Wednesday urging them to quickly approve a $20 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, following the vote one day earlier by Turkey’s Parliament to allow Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, according to three U.S. officials. The White House sent the letter to the top Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which have oversight of arms transfers by the State Department to other nations. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, a member of NATO, has linked his country’s approval of Sweden’s accession to the security organization to the F-16 sales, which had been pending. Both Sweden and Finland had asked to join NATO after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the vast majority of the alliance’s members soon agreed. Turkey approved Finland’s bid but, along with Hungary, has withheld approval for Sweden.

Persons: Biden, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Organizations: Atlantic Treaty Organization, White House, Democratic, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, House Foreign Affairs Committee, State Department, NATO Locations: Turkey, Sweden, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Finland, Ukraine, Hungary

CNN —The Turkish parliament voted Tuesday to approve Sweden’s NATO membership bid. Of the 346 members of parliament who voted, 287 were in favor of Sweden’s accession and 55 voted to reject it. However, on Tuesday, Hungary’s Prime Minister Victor Orban said he had invited his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson, to visit Hungary to negotiate the terms of Sweden’s accession. Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership in May 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier that year. Erdogan initially objected to Sweden’s membership bid, accusing Swedish officials of being too lenient on military groups, including the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Persons: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Victor Orban, Ulf Kristersson, Erdogan, Ben Cardin Organizations: CNN, Turkish, NATO, Foreign Affairs Commission, Hungary’s, Kurdistan Workers ’ Party, Foreign Locations: Turkish, Hungary, Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Turkey, United States

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taiwan’s top diplomat in Washington has a message for both the island's Chinese adversaries and its American friends: Don’t worry that Taiwan’s new president-elect will worsen relations with Beijing and possibly draw the U.S. into a conflict. But Yui said Lai is willing to engage with Beijing, even as the island seeks to strengthen its unofficial ties with Washington for stability in the region. Shortly after Taiwan's election, Biden told reporters that his administration does not support Taiwan’s independence. Yui said it is incumbent upon both Beijing and Taipei to keep the Taiwan Strait peaceful. Before he came to Washington, Yui briefly served as Taiwan's representative to the European Union and Belgium.

Persons: — Taiwan’s, Lai Ching, Alexander Tah, Ray Yui, Lai, Yui, ”, Taiwan's, Tsai Ing, Tsai, he’s, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Biden, Scott Kennedy, “, Kennedy, we're, We're, Mike Johnson, Sen, Ben Cardin, ” Yui, Hsiao Bi, Hsiao Organizations: WASHINGTON, Associated Press, AP, Democratic Progressive Party, ”, Washington, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Republican, Republicans, Democrats, U.S . Congress, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations, M University, European Union, Cultural Locations: Washington, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, U.S, Taiwan, United States, China, Nauru, “ Beijing, Taipei, Panama, Texas, Paraguay, Belgium

☆ These 11 senators supported Bernie Sanders's resolution to force a State Department report on Israeli human rights violations in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewJust 11 senators on Tuesday evening supported advancing a resolution from Sen. Bernie Sanders that would have significantly escalated congressional oversight of US military aid to Israel. AdvertisementUnder a relatively obscure provision within US law, the resolution would have forced the State Department to provide Congress with a report on human rights violations by Israel. "We will be voting on a very simple question: do you support asking the State Department whether human rights violations may have occurred using US equipment or assistance in this war?" However, it would be highly unusual for the State Department to fail to respond to an oversight request from Congress. "This should be the beginning of a broader human rights oversight process," said Chappell.

Persons: —, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Sanders, — Sen, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mitch McConnell, Israel, Gaza —, Chris Coons, Coons, John, Chappell, Tim Kaine, Chris Van Hollen, It's Organizations: Service, Business, Gaza Health Ministry, State Department, Israel, Senate Foreign Relations, Foreign Assistance, Department, Center for Civilians Locations: Israel, Gaza, Chris Coons of Delaware, Ukraine, Virginia, Maryland

Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife are seeking separate trials on bribery charges they each face in a New York court. Lawyers for Bob Menendez wrote that each spouse should face separate trials so that the senator does not provide information about marital communications during cross-examination that might be damaging to his wife's defense. Several days earlier, the senator's lawyers had asked that charges in the case be dismissed. They added to those requests Monday, calling charges against him a “distortion of the truth.”“Senator Menendez isn’t just ‘not guilty’ — he is innocent of these charges. Senator Menendez has never sold out his office or misused his authority or influence for personal financial gain,” they wrote.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Nadine, Nadine Menendez’s, ”, Menendez isn’t, ‘, Menendez, “ Organizations: The New, The New Jersey Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, Prosecutors Locations: New York, The, The New Jersey, Jersey, New Jersey

☆ John Kerry, the US climate envoy, to leave the Biden administration
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON (AP) — John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy on climate, is stepping down from the Biden administration in the coming weeks, according to two people familiar with his plans. Kerry, a longtime senator and secretary of state, was tapped shortly after Joe Biden's November 2020 election to take on the new role created specifically to fight climate change on behalf of the administration on the global stage. "John Kerry's tireless work to deliver global progress on the climate crisis has been heroic," former Vice President Al Gore, who has focused primarily on climate in his post-public office life, said in a statement Saturday. While his gravitas has made him a central climate figure around the world, Kerry also has strong critics who argue America's climate policies don't amount to leadership in fighting global warming. The Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate law in U.S. history, is pumping billions of dollars into renewable energies.

Persons: — John Kerry, Biden, Joe Biden's, Axios, Kerry, Obama, Han Zheng, John Kerry's, Al Gore Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Senate Foreign Relations, Massachusetts, Senate, Democratic Locations: Kerry, Paris, Beijing, Pacific, United States, COP27, Egypt, U.S

☆ John Kerry steps down from Biden administration
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

John Kerry stepped down as special envoy on climate on Saturday. Biden brought on Kerry in 2020 to serve in the National Security Council's first climate position. AdvertisementJohn Kerry , the US special envoy on climate, is stepping down from the Biden administration in the coming weeks, according to two people familiar with his plans. The New York Times, citing a person familiar with the matter, reported that Kerry handed his resignation to President Joe Biden on Wednesday. During his tenure with the Biden administration, Kerry was often seen working with China on climate goals and encouraged the US to work with China to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Persons: John Kerry, Biden, Kerry, —, Joe Biden, Axios, Obama, Han Zheng, John Kerry's, Al Gore Organizations: Kerry, National Security, Service, The New York Times, The State Department, Times . Staff, Times, National Security Council, Paris Climate Accords, Senate Foreign Relations, Massachusetts, Senate, Democratic, State Department, White, Business Locations: China, Kerry, Paris, Beijing

☆ John Kerry to step down as US climate envoy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US climate envoy John Kerry plans to step down from his post by this spring, a source close to Kerry confirmed to CNN. Kerry is leaving the position after three years at the helm of US climate diplomacy under the Biden administration. Kerry specifically prioritized restarting international climate talks between the US and China, and was key in negotiating the November Sunnylands agreement, a wide-ranging climate agreement between the two countries before COP28. And in 2019, Kerry co-founded a bipartisan initiative of world leaders and celebrities to combat the climate crisis called World War Zero. In 2009, when Biden became vice president, Kerry took over his role as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Persons: John Kerry, Kerry, Biden, Axios, Joe Biden, Michael Dukakis, George W, Bush, Barack Obama Organizations: CNN, Economic, Munich, Conference, Democratic, Biden, White, Senate, Gov, Senate Foreign Relations, Navy, Silver Star, Star Locations: Dubai, Kerry, China, Paris, Massachusetts, Vietnam

WASHINGTON (AP) — John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy on climate, is stepping down from the Biden administration in the coming weeks, according to two people familiar with his plans. Kerry, a longtime senator and secretary of state, was tapped shortly after Joe Biden's November 2020 election to take on the new role created specifically to fight climate change on behalf of the administration on the global stage. Kerry was one of the leading drafters of the 2015 Paris climate accords and came into the role with significant experience abroad, as secretary of state during the Obama administration and from nearly three decades as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Biden’s decision to tap Kerry for the post was seen as one way the incoming president was making good on his campaign pledge to battle climate change in a more forceful and visible manner than in previous administrations. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesKerry represented Massachusetts for 28 years in the Senate and was also the Democratic presidential nominee in 2004.

Persons: — John Kerry, Biden, Joe Biden's, Axios, Kerry, Obama, ” Kerry, Han Zheng Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Senate Foreign Relations, Kerry, Massachusetts, Senate, Democratic Locations: Kerry, Paris, Beijing

☆ Biden praised Kissinger in life, offers measured reaction on his death
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Heather Timmons | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks In the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House complex in Washington, U.S., November 27, 2023. Fifteen years later, Biden's White House took a more distant approach, waiting about 24 hours to issue a statement after Kissinger died at age 100 on Wednesday. Biden said he first met Kissinger when he was a young Democratic senator from Delaware and he was secretary of state. Biden said after Kissinger retired from government "he continued to offer his views and ideas to the most important policy discussion across multiple generations." “It’s a huge loss,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Thursday, noting Kissinger’s military service during World War Two and years of public service afterward.

Persons: Joe Biden, Eisenhower, Evelyn Hockstein, Henry Kissinger, Biden, Kissinger, Biden's, " Biden, Jill, Nancy, Elizabeth, David, “, John Kirby, Kirby, Heather Timmons, Steve Holland, Caitlin Webber, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Paris Peace, White, Biden, ” National Security, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Iraq, Delaware, China, U.S, Israel, Paris, North Vietnam, America

☆ Sen. Murphy open to placing conditions on aid to Israel, calls civilian death toll in Gaza ‘unacceptable’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Morgan Rimmer | Jack Forrest | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy on Sunday said he was open to placing conditions on any aid to Israel, with the aim of reducing civilian casualties in Gaza. “We regularly condition our aid to allies based upon compliance with US law and international law. “I do believe that the level of civilian harm inside Gaza has been unacceptable and is unsustainable,” he said. “Hopefully, Hamas will accept the conditions that have been laid down that will allow for more hostages to be released. But if they don’t, ultimately Hamas is going to be defeated,” added Murphy.

Persons: Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, CNN’s Dana, —, ” Murphy, “, ”, Murphy, it’s, Biden, Ukraine —, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Michael Bennet, Mike Turner, ” Turner, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, “ Benjamin Netanyahu, That’s, ” CNN’s Lauren Fox, Manu Raju Organizations: CNN, Democratic, The Connecticut Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, Capitol, Hamas, Ukraine, West Bank, CBS, Intelligence, ”, Ohio Republican, NBC Sunday, “, Press, Sunday, Israeli Locations: Israel, Gaza, The, “ State, Ukraine, Washington, United States, Colorado, Ohio, Palestinian

☆ A top Democrat's indictment could be a game-changer for 2 troublesome allies seeking US fighter jets
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Menendez's removal could be a game-changer for two countries who have long sought US fighter jets. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . His removal could be a game-changer for Egypt and Turkey — two important but vexing US allies — when it comes to buying modern US-made fighter jets to upgrade their air forces. Turkey's F-16 prospectsA Turkish F-16 during a NATO Air Policing mission out of Poland in August 2021. It has ordered 54 French-made Rafale multirole jets in a bid to, at least partially, diversify its overwhelmingly American-made fighter arsenal.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, —, Bob Menendez's, Turkey's, Cuneyt, Getty Images Menendez, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Ben Cardin, Getty Images Cardin, Cardin, Ryan Bohl, RANE, Bohl, Frank McKenzie, Derek Seifert Cairo, Su, Paul Iddon Organizations: Foreign, Service, New, New Jersey Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, NATO Air Policing, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Turkish, NATO, Turkish Air Force, East, Business, US Air Force KC, 135R, US Air Force, Getty, US Central Command, State Department, Air Force Locations: New Jersey, Egypt, Turkey, Turkish, Poland, NATO, coziness, Russia, Malbork, North Africa, Israel, Cairo, China, Dubai, United States, France

☆ Takeaways from the Biden-Xi summit, where low expectations were met
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hand with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. The Biden administration is worried about scores of what it calls “unprofessional” operations by Chinese planes and ships near US assets. Biden balances his job as commander in chief with huge political risksBiden knew his meeting with Xi would unleash a political firestorm. Biden had huge political incentives to make this summit a success but also needed to show he was tough on Xi. Meeting low bars at a moderately successful summit will not change the fundamentals of their rivalry.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, ” Biden, ” Xi, China’s, Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, “, Nancy Pelosi’s, Sen, Jim Risch, lacerated Biden, Bill Clinton’s, George H.W, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump’s, it’s, ” Sue Mi Terry, George W, Bush, Barack Obama, CNN’s Erin Burnett, reaffirmation, “ I’m, that’s, ”, he’d, he’s Organizations: CNN, Economic Cooperation, United, US Air Force, Soviet Union, People’s Liberation Army, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, US, Biden, South Carolina Gov, Florida Gov, GOP, Barack Obama National Security Council, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Congress, New York Times, Trump Locations: San Francisco, perilously, Asia, China, United States, ., Woodside , California, U.S, Taiwan, Chinese, Hainan, Soviet, Ukraine, Moscow, Syria, The Idaho, Beijing, George H.W . Bush, Iowa, Washington

Democratic Senator Ben Cardin wrote to Biden to push for immediate freedom for Mark Swidan, Kai Li and David Lin, whom the U.S. government has classified as wrongfully detained in China. Families of Americans the U.S. government has classified as wrongfully detained in China have also repeatedly urged the government to prioritize the release of their loved ones in talks with Chinese officials. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns about her son Mark over the weekend, but called the conversation "disappointing" because Burns would not say whether Biden would raise Mark’s name with Xi. A State Department spokesperson commented that the department has no greater priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens and noted that it continually raises wrongfully detained U.S. nationals during engagements with senior Chinese officials. Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Michael Martina; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ben Cardin, Craig Hudson, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Mark Swidan, Kai Li, David Lin, Xi, Cardin, Katherine Swidan, China Nicholas Burns, Mark, Burns, Patricia Zengerle, Michael Martina, Stephen Coates Organizations: Senate Foreign, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Senate Foreign, Reuters, Democratic, Economic Cooperation, State, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, China, Asia, San Francisco, United, United States, U.S

☆ Russia is trying to buy back weapons it sold other countries because it needs them in Ukraine: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia is secretly trying buy back military tech that it sold other countries, the WSJ reported. The report comes as Russia ramps up domestic military production for its war in Ukraine. AdvertisementAdvertisementRussia has approached several countries asking to buy back weapons it sold them, hoping to deploy them in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported. Russia also asked for four engines it sold to Pakistan, six from Belarus, and 12 from Brazil, the outlet reported. While Pakistan denied being approached, two unnamed sources told the outlet that Belarus — a strong ally of Russia — had agreed.

Persons: —, Russia —, Chris Murphy, Vladimir Putin ramped, Katherine Tangalakis Organizations: Service, Street Journal, Russian Ministry of Defense, US, Egypt Independent, Washington Post, Senate Foreign Relations Locations: Russia, Egypt, Ukraine, Belarus, Brazil, Pakistan, North Korea, Syria, Estonia

WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - A trade program that grants exports from qualifying African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market should be extended by 16 years, said Democratic Senator Chris Coons, a leading voice on U.S.-Africa policy. African countries want a 10-year renewal of the pact ahead of the 2024 U.S. election. President Joe Biden's administration is also seeking the program's reauthorization but has called for certain reforms. "My AGOA Renewal Act would extend this program, incentivizing investments that will create jobs, bolster economic development, and strengthen our standing in the region," Coons said in a statement. Ben Cardin, the committee's chairman, supports the program's reauthorization, but believes there should be changes to how eligibility criteria is applied, an aide said.

Persons: Chris Coons, Joe Biden's, Coons, Ben Cardin, James Risch, Katherine Tai, Makini Brice, Paul Simao, Josie Kao Organizations: Senate Foreign Relations, Continental Free Trade, Reuters, Biden, United, . Trade, Thomson Locations: U.S, Africa, United States, Washington

☆ Jack Lew confirmed by Senate as Biden’s ambassador to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

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, D.C., on Oct. 18, 2023. WASHINGTON — Former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew was confirmed by the Senate Tuesday to serve as President Joe Biden's ambassador to Israel at a critical time for the enduring U.S.-Israel alliance. Lew, 68, served as treasury secretary in the Obama administration, and as White House budget director in two Democratic administrations. A surprise attack by Hamas Oct. 7 left more than 1,400 people dead in Israel, nearly all of them civilians. The United States has been without a Senate-confirmed ambassador to Israel since July, when Tom Nides departed the post.

Persons: Jack Lew, Joe Biden's, Lew, Obama, Israel, Tom Nides, Stephanie Hallett Organizations: U.S, Treasury, Foreign, Capitol, D.C, WASHINGTON — Former, White, Biden, Palestinian Health Ministry Locations: Israel, Capitol Hill, Washington, Gaza, United States

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

☆ Bertie Bowman ran away from home at 13 to sweep the steps of Capitol Hill. He died at 92 as the the longest-serving African-American Congressional staffer.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Yoonji Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Herbert "Bertie" Bowman was the longest-serving African-American staffer on Capitol Hill in US history. AdvertisementAdvertisementBertie Bowman, the longest-serving African-American staffer on Capitol Hill in history, died at 92 years old on Wednesday morning. Sen. John Kerry hugs Bowman after his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for Secretary of State on January 24, 2013. AdvertisementAdvertisementBowman escorts Hillary Clinton at a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 2, 2011. Bowman had continued to work in the Capitol until his death, becoming the longest-serving African-American congressional staffer in US history.

Persons: Herbert, Bertie, Bowman, —, Bertie Bowman, Andrew Desiderio, Sen, Ben Cardin, Burnet Maybank, Maybank, Chris Dodd, Tom Williams, I'd, talkshow, Tavis Smiley, Lyndon Johnson, Strom Thurmond, John Kerry, Ken Cedeno, Jesse Helms of, J, William Fulbright of, Bill Clinton, Elvis, Clinton, Chip Somodevilla, he'd, Hillary Clinton, Alex Wong, Helms Organizations: Capitol, Senate, Service, Punchbowl News, Foreign, Station, Senate Foreign, State, William Fulbright of Arkansas, US, Foreign Relations, Washingtonian, Military Force, Islamic Locations: Washington , DC, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Summerton, South Carolina, Washington ,, Washington, Jesse Helms of North Carolina, Vietnam, Islamic State

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