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☆ Premarket stocks: Airline stocks are getting pummeled. Here are four reasons why
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —It’s been a tough month for shares of airline companies. Here’s why investors are getting out of airline stocks. Boeing’s “can of worms”: Boeing’s problems began on Jan. 5, when the door plug on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 detached mid-flight. Oil prices are volatile: Investors are also concerned about a possible spike in oil prices. United Airlines Holdings shares have declined 8% so far in January and American Airlines Group shares have fallen 6%.

Persons: New York CNN — It’s, Wells, “, Max, JetBlue’s, Patrick T, Fallon, Brent, Ed Bastian, Antony Blinken, CNN’s Jennifer Hansler, Bryan Mena, Read Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, NYSE, Alaska Airlines Boeing, Max, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, US Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety, FAA, ”, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit, CNN . Spirit Airlines Airbus, JetBlue Airlines Airbus, Los Angeles International Airport, Getty, US Justice Department, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Holdings, US, . West Texas, Delta Air Lines, Delta, United Airlines Holdings, American Airlines Group, Blinken’s Boeing, Commerce Department Locations: New York, Washington, Boston, AFP, Iran, Yemen, Davos, Zurich, deplane

☆ Secretary Antony Blinken’s Boeing 737 out of Davos had a critical failure. He had to switch planes
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Secretary of State Antony Blinken was forced to change planes to return to Washington from Davos after his plane suffered what the traveling press was told was a critical failure related to an oxygen leak. Blinken and the traveling party boarded the modified Boeing 737 jet in Zurich on Wednesday after a day and a half of meetings at the global summit in Davos. While a cause of that accident is still under investigation, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has acknowledge a “mistake” by Boeing led to the incident. But the newer version of the 737, the 737 Max, has had a series of serious problems long before the Alaska Air incident this month. But it has had other quality issues since returning to service beyond the Alaska Air incident.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Dave Calhoun, Blinken, CNN’s Chris Isidore, Gregory Wallace Organizations: CNN, Boeing, Alaska Airlines Locations: Washington, Davos, Zurich, deplane, Alaska, Indonesia, Ethopia, Denver

☆ Iran says attacks by its allies won’t stop until Israel’s war in Gaza ends
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Tamara Qiblawi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Attacks by Iranian-backed groups in the Middle East won’t stop until Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza ends, Tehran’s top diplomat warned on Wednesday, as tensions across the region threaten to spiral into wider conflict. Since Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel and the Israeli offensive in Gaza that followed, the militant group Hezbollah has engaged in daily confrontations with Israeli forces on the Lebanon-Israel border. Houthi rebels have launched a series of attacks on commercial ships and Western military vessels in the Red Sea, a major artery for international trade. Iran also launched missile strikes in Syria and Pakistan against what it described as terrorist groups who it blamed for deadly attacks inside Iran in recent weeks. Meanwhile, there are fears that the ripple effects of the tensions have begun to extend beyond the Middle East.

Persons: Tehran’s, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Hassan Nasrallah, “, Hizam al, Assad, Matt Miller, ” Miller, Israel, Herzi Halevi, ” Halevi, Chris Liakos, Adam Pourahmadi, Jennifer Hansler, Wayne Chang Organizations: CNN, Economic, Sunday, Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Iraq, US, State, Israel’s, Staff, Israel Defence Forces Locations: Gaza, Iranian, Davos, Israel, Lebanon, Red, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Erbil, Pakistan, Yemen, “, East, China, ”

☆ Biden administration expected to re-designate Houthis as a global terrorist entity
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Biden administration is expected to re-designate the Houthis as a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) entity amid continued attacks by the Yemen-based militia, a source familiar told CNN Tuesday. The administration removed the Houthis’ SDGT designation and de-listed it as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) in February 2021, after it was designated by the Trump administration in its final weeks. Both the SDGT and FTO designations trigger an asset freeze, but only an FTO designation imposes immigration restrictions on members, according to the State Department. Last Thursday, the United States and the United Kingdom launched strikes against Houthi targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. “This has been an attack on international commerce, international shipping, not an attack on Israel, not an attack on the United States.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Trump, Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, “, “ We’ve, ” Organizations: CNN, State Department, Administration, CNBC Locations: Yemen, Gaza, United States, United Kingdom, Houthi, Red, Israel

☆ Blinken announces policy to restrict visas to US for extremists in West Bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new policy Tuesday to prevent extremist Israeli settlers responsible for violence in the West Bank from coming to the United States. The State Department will be able to apply the policy to both Israelis and Palestinians who are responsible for attacks in the West Bank, Blinken said. “We will continue to seek accountability for all acts of violence against civilians in the West Bank, regardless of the perpetrator or the victim,” Blinken said. “Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have the responsibility to uphold stability in the West Bank. Instability in the West Bank both harms the Israeli and Palestinian people and threatens Israel’s national security interests.

Persons: Antony Blinken, ” Blinken, Blinken, Netanyahu, Biden, “, ” Organizations: CNN, West Bank, State Department, The State Department, Authority, Palestinian Authority Locations: United States, “, Israel

☆ Western officials warn Ukrainian forces face a difficult winter as Russia plans new strikes on infrastructure
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Jim Sciutto | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —Ukrainian forces are facing a “tough” winter and a difficult year ahead, as Western intelligence assessments do not expect significant movement on the frontlines in the coming months, two Western officials and a senior US military official told CNN. In the nearer term, Western intelligence agencies expect Russia to expand its bombardment of civilian infrastructure, including electrical facilities, in an attempt to inflict further suffering on the civilian population during the cold winter months. Western intelligence assessments indicate the frontlines are unlikely to change much in the coming months. “On the other hand,” a senior Western official told CNN, “Ukraine will have the defender’s advantage, and they are very tough at that”. However, Western intelligence assessments warn that battlefield movement could stagnate until well into 2024, bringing the war closer to the “frozen conflict” that many Russia observers fear plays to Putin’s advantage.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, ”, Donald Trump, Putin, John Kirby, Kylie Atwood, Natasha Bertrand, Jennifer Hansler, Kevin Liptak, Sam Fossum Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, NATO, Western, “, Fleet, Congress, National Security Locations: Russia, “ Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russian, Ukraine, Europe, Israel

Hamas then proceeded to offer seven women and children, and three elderly people – also deemed unacceptable to the Israelis, one source said. Hamas ultimately waited until very close to the truce expiring to finally hand over a list that Israel accepted – eight new hostages, plus the two Israeli-Russians released on Wednesday, according to sources. There are now significant questions about whether the deal can survive another day or whether Israel will re-launch the fighting. Negotiators had believed before the two-day extension of the truce that Hamas would likely not be able to offer more women and children to stretch the pause beyond an eighth day. When Hamas is unable to release any more women and children alive, the understanding is that Israel will re-launch its military campaign, possibly as soon as this weekend.

Persons: Israel, –, I’ve, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Biden, Antony Blinken, Netanyahu, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: Dubai CNN —, CNN, Hamas Locations: Washington, Dubai, Israel, Gaza, Jerusalem

☆ US seeks to reshape Israel’s war on Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —A solidifying US attempt to influence the second phase of Israel’s war against Hamas to protect Palestinian civilians represents one of the most significant diplomatic moves yet in the more than 50-day conflict. That’s a calculation that would keep the initiative in the conflict in the hands of Hamas and could take many days or weeks. The Israeli leader is also weakened because the Hamas attacks, one of the darkest days in Israel’s history, happened on his watch. Netanyahu told Israelis on Thursday that he swore to eliminate Hamas and nothing would stop him. While many foreign powers do not necessarily accept that interpretation of the war against Hamas, this is a mindset that could convince Israel that any action is justified.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken, Biden, “, ” Blinken, Israel, Netanyahu, Gazans, ”, CNN’s MJ Lee, Jennifer Hansler, Katie Bo Lillis, Aaron David Miller, ” Miller, Joe Biden, Naftali Bennett, Mark Regev, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, we’ll Organizations: CNN, Israeli, CNN International, Hamas, New York Times, “ CNN, Central Locations: Jerusalem, United States, Northern Gaza, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Washington, Israel, East

☆ Wartime unity between the US and Israel will soon face its toughest test
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Each day the pause in Israel’s war with Hamas is extended saves lives. Uncertainty, meanwhile, surrounds the future of the remaining hostages, mostly male, that Israel believes remain in Gaza. “Over the past few days I’ve been hearing this question – will Israel go back to fighting after maximizing this phase of returning our hostages? Israel must be more “cautious, more careful, more deliberate and more precise in their targeting,” one senior administration official said. How far will Israel go in testing Biden’s loyalty, forbearance and political viability if the war heats up again?

Persons: Biden, Israel, Bibas, Will Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, ”, Joe Biden, CNN’s MJ Lee, Jennifer Hansler, Katie Bo Lillis, Netanyahu, Biden’s entreaty, Antony Blinken, Daniel Davis, Kasie Hunt, ” Israel, “ We’re, Naftali Bennett, ” Bennett, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “, Yehuda Beinin –, Liat, –, Beinin, Aviv, forbearance Organizations: CNN, World, Organization, West Bank, Palestinian Ministry, Health, US, Wednesday, US Army, CNN International’s, Washington, Democratic Party, Biden, Israel Locations: Israel, Gaza, Jenin, Washington, who’s, American, CNN International’s “ State, Afghanistan, Egypt, Qatar, United States

That challenge is one of the major reasons US officials are keen on seeing a surge of humanitarian aid into northern Gaza. Multiple US officials have also stressed the need to create areas in the south that are clearly understood to be protected for civilians. Instead, Israel must be “more cautious, more careful, more deliberate, and more precise in their targeting,” one senior administration official said. While it’s not clear whether Israel would ultimately agree, some US officials expressed optimism that Israel was at least receptive to considering such ideas. “There is an understanding that a different type of campaign has to be conducted in the south than was conducted in the north,” another senior administration official said.

Persons: CNN —, Joe Biden, –, it’s, Israel, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Biden, Blinken, Samantha Power, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Israel won’t, Mahmoud Abbas, Kaitlan Collins Organizations: CNN, CNN — Biden, Israel Defense Forces, Biden, US, Democrats, Capitol, ” Palestinian, Palestinian Locations: Gaza, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, Doha, European, ”

Washington CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu grabbed Brett McGurk’s arm as he walked out of a tense meeting of the Israeli Cabinet over securing the release of hostages Hamas was holding in Gaza. Hamas – after refusing for days – had relented in offering identifying information about several dozen hostages, such as their age, gender and nationalities. It laid out how women and children would leave in the first phase, as well as incentives for Hamas to release more hostages beyond that. On October 24, Hamas appeared to agree to the parameters of a deal to release women and children hostages. Hamas would only guarantee 50 and refused to produce identifying information about the hostages.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Brett McGurk’s, ” Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Hamas –, –, – couldn’t, Biden –, Xi Jinping –, Biden, McGurk, Bill Burns, Natalie, Judith Raanan, Jake Sullivan, Jon, Stephanie Hallett, Natalie Raanan’s, Burns, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel wasn’t, Israel, Blinken, David Barnea, ”, Matt Miller, John Kirby, Kirby, CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, White, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, Al, CIA, Qatari, White House, State Department, CNN, State, National Security, US State Department Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, San Francisco, Qatar, Doha, Cairo, Hamas

CNN —President Joe Biden said Tuesday that he believes a deal can be reached to release hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, voicing optimism as officials tell CNN prolonged talks to free hostages are nearing an agreement. The broad parameters that are currently being discussed entail Hamas releasing a large group of hostages at the same time Israel frees Palestinian prisoners. Israel recently asked for 100 hostages to be released, according to a Hamas spokesman and a source familiar with the negotiations. A senior Israeli official told that CNN hostage negotiations are ongoing – and are being handled by Qatar, the CIA, and Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad. Another factor that had slowed talks was a lack of information about the hostages Hamas is holding.

Persons: Joe Biden, “ I’ve, ” Biden, “, it’s, Biden, Jake Sullivan, Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, CNN’s Dana Bash, – Organizations: CNN, White, US, National, Hostage Affairs, Israel, Qassam, CIA Locations: Gaza, Israel, Washington ,, Qatar, Israeli

☆ Blinken acknowledges disagreements within State Department on Israel-Hamas war in email to staff
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged disagreements within the State Department over the Biden administration’s approach to the Israel-Hamas war in an email to staff Monday. His message to personnel, sent on the heels of his recent travels, comes amid growing anger and dissent not only from staff at the State Department but within the broader Biden administration. CNN reported last week that hundreds of personnel at the US Agency for International Development signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire, and there are reports of a “dissent memo” inside the State Department. “I know that for many of you, the suffering caused by this crisis is taking a profound personal toll,” Blinken wrote in his email Monday, which was seen by CNN. “We believe in Palestinian-led governance of Gaza, with Gaza unified with the West Bank.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Biden, “, ” Blinken, ”, I’ve, Blinken, HuffPost, Matthew Miller, ” Miller Organizations: CNN, State Department, Biden, US Agency for International Development, West Bank Locations: Israel, Washington, East, Asia, Gaza, Palestinian

☆ Blinken brings a notable shift in US language toward Israel as pressure mounts at home and abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Paul Leblanc | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —When US Secretary of State Antony Blinken lamented the civilian death toll in Gaza on Friday, it marked a subtle but notable shift in US language toward the Israeli government. Administration officials argue they have had success in some areas as they work to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The White House said Thursday that Israel had agreed to move forward with daily four-hour pauses of military operations in areas of Northern Gaza. That’s a rise from 32% saying Israel should negotiate while fighting when the survey was last conducted about two weeks earlier. At a news conference Wednesday, Blinken sought to make that posture clear, even as pressure continues to mount at home and abroad.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, we’ll, Blinken, Israel, ” Mustafa, Al Nasr, ”, Kahlout, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, “ Biden, John Kirby, that’s, ” Kirby, “, –, Jennifer Hansler, Kevin Liptak, MJ Lee, Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Administration, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Al, Pediatric, IDF, Hamas, Public, Research, Israel Democracy Institute, National Security Locations: Gaza, New Delhi, Israel, Northern Gaza, Ramallah, Tel Aviv, London, Istanbul, New York, Baghdad, Rome, Washington ,, Iraq, Syria, India, Blinken

☆ Blinken denounces civilian toll in Gaza, says ‘far too many Palestinians have been killed’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

However, he still has not condemned the Israeli government offensive and has continually voiced support for its right to defend itself. “Far too many Palestinians have been killed. No use of Gaza as a platform for launching terrorism or other attacks against Israel. No diminution of the territory in Gaza and a commitment to Palestinian land governance for Gaza and the West Bank and in a unified way,” Blinken said Friday. Blinken reiterated Friday that the US “will continue to focus relentlessly on getting our hostages home” and stopping the conflict from expanding.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Israel, ” Blinken, Jordan, ”, “, we’ll, we’ve, “ it’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, West Bank, Israel, Ministers, ” Locations: New Delhi, Gaza, Northern Gaza, Israel, Turkey, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, Tokyo, India, Tel Aviv, Jordan

“It has created great moral anxiety,” said one senior administration official. Elsewhere in the administration, officials are quietly fuming as the civilian death toll mounts. But Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have steadfastly rejected the idea of a lengthy pause in the fighting unless hostages are released. Administration officials argue they have had success in some areas as they work to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Still, steady pressure by the Biden administration on Israel to refine its war plans and define its objectives in Gaza has not yielded the level of clarity many US officials say is necessary.

Persons: Biden, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Netanyahu, Joe, John Kirby, that’s, ” Kirby, weren’t, “ They’re, We’ve, ” Blinken, Israel “, Kirby, “, Blinken, Israel, we’ve, Mark Regev, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Regev, CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez Organizations: Tokyo CNN, CNN, State Department, US Agency for International Development, “, USAID, United States Government, State, ” National Security, Israel Defense Forces, West Bank, Israel, Democratic Party, ABC News, ABC Locations: Washington, Tokyo, Gaza, –, Israel, ”, Tel Aviv, Turkey, Egypt, States

☆ White House warns Israel against reoccupying Gaza as Netanyahu signals what a post-war Strip could look like
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Priscilla Alvarez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“The president still believes that a reoccupation of Gaza by Israeli forces is not good. In an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” last month, Biden said it would be a “big mistake” for Israel to occupy Gaza. Israeli government officials have not yet elaborated on how Gaza would be governed should they succeed in eliminating Hamas. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Tuesday that Israel will “retain complete freedom of action to respond to any situation in the Gaza Strip” once the war ends. That hasn’t changed since October 7 and it’s not going to change going forward,” Kirby said.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, “, It’s, ”, John Kirby, Antony, Blinken, Netanyahu, we’ve, Joe Biden’s, Biden, Michael Herzog, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Israel, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, ” Gallant, Kirby, We’re, hasn’t, it’s, ” Kirby, CNN’s Jennifer Hansler, Hagi Cohen, Boland, Stephanie Halasz, Natasha Bertrand, Katie Bo Lillis, Oren Liebermann, Kareem El Damanhoury, Mitchell McCluskey Organizations: Washington CNN, Security, CNN, ABC News, CBS, Hamas, Israel’s Foreign Affairs, Defense Committee, Israel Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States

☆ Top Biden administration officials head to Asia to show China remains a top priority amid Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —The Biden administration’s senior-most national security officials are traveling this week to the Indo-Pacific, signaling that the administration’s China strategy remains a priority as it grapples with an increasingly volatile Middle East. Blinken and Austin will both travel to India for a 2+2 Dialogue with their counterparts. Meanwhile, talks between US and Chinese officials stalled until this summer when Blinken met with senior Chinese officials in Beijing. Asked by CNN on Monday if Austin would be meeting with any PRC officials during his travel, Pentagon spokesman Brig. The senior officials’ travel also comes as the White House is preparing for a meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month in San Francisco.

Persons: Washington CNN —, Biden, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, CQ Brown, Brown, Austin, Blinken, —, Nancy Pelosi’s, Ely Ratner, John Aquilino, “, ”, Li Shangfu, Pat Ryder, Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, ” Kritenbrink, Blinken —, Israel —, ’, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, “ It’s, Karine Jean, Pierre said, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: Washington CNN, Biden administration’s, Defense, Joint Chiefs, Staff, West Bank, Security, Relations, US Air Force, US, East, Military, Pacific Command, ASEAN Defense, China’s, CNN, Pentagon, East Asian, Pacific Affairs, State Department, Hamas, Israel Locations: China, East, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Japan, Taiwan, Chinese, South China, Beijing, Pacific, Iranian, Iraq, Syria, Gaza, San Francisco

☆ Blinken says progress made on Middle East trip despite few tangible results
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Ankara, Turkey CNN —Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday asserted he made progress on the goals he set for a whirlwind Middle East trip as he departed with few tangible results to show for a flurry of meetings with leaders about the Israel-Hamas war. Meanwhile, the civilian death toll in the war-torn Gaza Strip is mounting, and concerns about regional conflagration loom large. There have been no further releases of any hostages held by Hamas since Israel escalated its offensive in Gaza. But we also believe that a pause could help advance that proposition as well,” Blinken said Monday. Throughout the trip, Blinken repeatedly spoke of the need to discuss the “day of” but also the “day after” for the region and Gaza.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jordan, we’ve, ” Blinken, “, Majed Al, Ansari, –, we’re, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Netanyahu “, “ We’ve, Saudi Arabia –, ”, Mahmoud Abbas, Ayman Safadi Organizations: Turkey CNN —, West Bank, Tokyo, CNN, Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Department, United Arab, Palestine Liberation Organization, Palestinian Authority, Palestinian, West Bank . Locations: Ankara, Turkey, Israel, Gaza, Iraq, Qatari, Qatar, Washington, Amman, Jordan, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordanian

☆ Blinken makes unannounced visit to Iraq
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Baghdad, Iraq CNN —Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Sunday – a significant stop on his whirlwind trip through the region. Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Baghdad for more than an hour. In the wake of Hamas’ October 7 attack, Iranian-backed proxy groups have scaled up attacks aimed at US troops in Iraq and Syria. Ahead of his stop in Iraq, Blinken on Sunday also met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah amid escalating Israeli settler violence in the West Bank. Before Blinken’s visit to Iraq, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was the highest-ranking Biden administration official to travel to the country, when he made an unannounced trip to Baghdad in March.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Mohammed Shia, “, ” Blinken, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, Mahmoud Abbas, Blinken’s, Defense Lloyd Austin, Biden, CNN’s Jack Forrest, Abby Baggini, Oren Liebermann Organizations: Iraq CNN, Sunday, Iraqi, Embassy, US, State Department, Palestinian, West Bank, Defense Locations: Baghdad, Iraq, Sudani, Israel, Iranian, Syria, Gaza, Ramallah, Jordan, Cyprus, Turkey

☆ Divides remain between US and Arab partners after Blinken meets counterparts in Jordan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Amman, Jordan CNN —Sharp divides persisted between the United States and its Arab partners on their response to Israel’s war against Hamas after Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his Middle Eastern counterparts in Amman, Jordan on Saturday. Blinken again called for Israel to “take every possible measure” to prevent civilian casualties – a message he had relayed in meetings in Tel Aviv on Friday. Still, following his meetings in Amman, Blinken sought to emphasize the points of common interest between the US and its regional partners. “I think we all share deep concern about the plight of civilians in Gaza – men, women and children,” he said. Although the US believes the current flow of 100 to 120 trucks a day into Gaza is sustainable, “it’s challenged by the environment on the ground in South Gaza,” Satterfield said.

Persons: Jordan CNN — Sharp, Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, Sameh Shoukry, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ” Blinken, “ We’ve, David Satterfield, Satterfield, it’s, ” Satterfield, “ That’s Organizations: Jordan CNN, Hamas, Saturday, Jordanian Foreign, United Arab, Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, Middle East Locations: Amman, Jordan, United States, Amman , Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, Israel, Tel Aviv, Wadi Gaza, Rafah, ”, South Gaza

☆ Blinken lands in Israel with eye toward balancing support for IDF, civilians in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel Friday to press the Israeli government on its ongoing offensive in Gaza amid growing international condemnation and a steadily mounting civilian death toll. Blinken touched down in Tel Aviv on Friday morning, accompanied by newly confirmed US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew. The continued flow of that humanitarian aid and ongoing departure of civilians will be another key focus of his conversations in Israel, Blinken said Thursday. Israeli officials have also limited the entrance of fuel into Gaza, arguing that Hamas has stolen large quantities and withheld it from civilians. The top US diplomat has said repeatedly that there cannot be a return to the “status quo” with Hamas, and Israeli officials have said they intend to eliminate the group from Gaza.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken, Israel Jack Lew, ” Blinken, Privately, you’re, ” –, ”, “ That’s, it’s, Matt Miller, ” Miller Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Palestinian Authority, West Bank . State, West Bank Locations: Israel, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Washington, DC, –, Mosul, Aleppo, Fallujah, “, Jordan, Bahrain, Rafah, Egypt

CNN witnessed the skies of Northern Gaza illuminated by flares and explosions as the bombardment intensified late Thursday night. Israel Defense Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus claimed the strike was targeting a Hamas commander hiding in an underground bunker and that when the complex imploded it possibly collapsed nearby buildings. The Israel military says there are fuel supplies in Gaza being held by Hamas, which are not being distributed for humanitarian purposes, CNN has reported. Pentagon officials believe Israel has been striking legitimate Hamas targets, including some senior commanders. Blinken plans to raise the issue in his talks with Israeli officials Friday, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken –, –, “ didn’t, ”, Jonathan Conricus, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel, Blinken, “ I’m, Base Andrews, “, Sen, Chris Murphy of, Austin, Yoav Gallant, CQ Brown, Herzi, Gabriel Boric, Boric, CNN’s Oren Liebermann Organizations: Washington CNN, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, CNN, White, Israeli, Sunday, West Bank, Hamas, Base, Pentagon, Joint Chiefs, Staff Locations: Israel, Gaza, Gaza City, Northern Gaza, Minnesota, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Chile

CNN —There has been “significant progress” on negotiations to release hostages held by Hamas but there are issues still remaining, diplomatic sources familiar with the negotiations told CNN. “There are issues still remaining, but talks are ongoing, and we remain hopeful,” the source added. Complete blockadeHamas abducted more than 200 people and killed 1,400 others, including soldiers and civilians, in southern Israel on October 7. The hostages include nationals from countries including Mexico, Brazil, the United States, Germany and Thailand – as well as Israeli civilians and soldiers. Qatar and Egypt have been mediating between Israel, the US and Hamas to release the hostages held by the militant group.

Persons: Near East Affairs Barbara Leaf, it’s, ”, Amir Levy, Yoav Gallant, we’ll, ” Gallant, –, Benjamin Netanyahu, CNN’s Sana Noor Haq, Jennifer Hansler, Hamdi Alkhshali, Jomana Karadsheh, Mostafa Salem, Lianne Kolirin Organizations: CNN, “, US, State, Near East Affairs, Israel’s, IDF, Hamas, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Rights Watch Locations: Doha, Tel Aviv, Israel, Mexico, Brazil, United States, Germany, Thailand, Israel’s, Gaza, israel, gaza, Qatar, Egypt, Israeli

☆ Paul Whelan tells CNN he asked Blinken to ensure he's not left behind again
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Paul Whelan, an American who has been imprisoned in Russia for nearly five years, pressed Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a phone call in August to ensure that he is not left behind again, Whelan told CNN. He has been designated as wrongfully detained by the US State Department. Whelan was not included in prisoner swaps that freed fellow wrongfully detained Americans Trevor Reed and Brittney Griner last year. “Secretary Blinken remains committed to bringing Paul home,” a State Department spokesperson told CNN on Monday. They’ll spin it out as long as they can, to try to pressure on him, as well as on the US government to do something,” he told CNN.

Persons: CNN — Paul Whelan, Antony Blinken, Whelan, “, ”, Blinken, Joe Biden “, he’s, Blinken “, ” Whelan, I’m, Whelan –, –, Trevor Reed, Brittney Griner, Konstantin Yaroshenko, Viktor Bout, Biden, Vadim Krasikov, Paul, Paul Whelan, ’ Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, Marine, US State Department, “, State Department, Blinken Locations: American, Russia, Mordovia, Irish, Moscow, Russian, Germany, ”, United States, “

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