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CNN —Sweden inched a step closer to joining NATO on Monday after Turkey’s president sent accession protocols to parliament. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted both Sweden and Finland to seek NATO membership but the former’s entry had been stymied by Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s sign off on the accession protocols comes after months of delays but it is unclear how long the process will take. Since applying for membership, Sweden has tightened its anti-terror legislation and agreed to work more closely with Turkey on its security concerns. The United States welcomed the news that Erdogan had signed and sent Sweden’s NATO accession protocols to the Turkish parliament on Monday.

Persons: Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s, Erdogan, Jens Stoltenberg, Matt Miller, ” Organizations: CNN, NATO, Turkish, Sweden’s, Kurdistan Workers ’ Party, European Union, The United, ”, Hungary’s, Reuters Locations: Sweden, Russia’s, Ukraine, Finland, Turkey, Turkish, The United States, NATO, Hungary

☆ China's top diplomat Wang Yi to visit Washington this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —China’s top diplomat Wang Yi will visit Washington, DC, later this week, senior administration officials said Monday ahead of a potential meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in California next month. Wang will meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security Adviser Jake Sullivan during his trip to the US capital October 26-28, the officials said. “This visit by Wang Yi is part of ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication with China across the full range of issues,” the official said. US officials are expected to discuss “the South and East China Seas, cross-Strait issues, the Middle East, Russia’s war in Ukraine, North Korea’s provocations,” among other issues with Wang. And those aren’t yet established, but I can assure you that it’ll be on the agenda for Wang Yi’s visit.”

Persons: CNN —, Wang Yi, Joe Biden, Xi, Wang, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Blinken, Blinken’s, Biden, ” Blinken, we’re, Wang Yi’s, ” Organizations: CNN, Biden, ”, East China Seas, State Department Locations: Washington, California, Beijing, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, China, East, North

☆ Intelligence shows Iranian-backed militias are ready to ramp up their attacks against US forces in the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Natasha Bertrand Katie Bo Lillis Zachary Cohen Jennifer Hansler | Natasha Bertrand | Katie Bo Lillis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The US has intelligence that Iranian-backed militia groups are planning to ramp up attacks against US forces in the Middle East, as Iran seeks to capitalize on the backlash in the region to US support for Israel, according to multiple US officials. The militia groups have already launched multiple drone attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria. But the US now has specific intelligence that those same groups could escalate even further as the war between Israel and Hamas continues. Officials said that at this point, Iran appears to be encouraging the groups rather than explicitly directing them. In the case of the recent drone attacks on bases housing US forces, “Iran is certainly more culpable than in the case of the Hamas attack in Israel,” said another person familiar with the intelligence.

Persons: John Kirby, ”, Kirby, “, Matthew Miller, they’re, ” “ It’s, Defense Lloyd Austin, Naledi, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, ” Abdollahian, ” Austin Organizations: CNN, Israel, Officials, National Security, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Quds Force, State, State Department, ISIS, Defense, Pentagon, US Navy, Iran’s Locations: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Tehran, Qatar, Iranian, Yemen, East

☆ Travis King, Army private who fled to North Korea, charged with desertion
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Travis King, the US Army private who fled to North Korea in July, has been charged by the Army with desertion, among other crimes, according to a charging document seen by CNN Thursday. King, 23, was detained Wednesday at Ft. Bliss, Texas, according to a source familiar, who told CNN that he is being held in pre-trial detention. “A mother knows her son, and I believe something happened to mine while he was deployed. The Army promised to investigate what happened at Camp Humphries, and I await the results,” Gates added. King returned to US soil in late September after US officials said he “willfully and without authorization” crossed into North Korea in July.

Persons: CNN — Travis King, King, King’s, Claudine Gates, “, ”, Camp Humphries, ” Gates Organizations: CNN, US Army, Army, Security Area Locations: North Korea, United States, Ft, Bliss , Texas, South Korea, Seoul, Texas

☆ How Joe Biden got on board with a wartime trip to Israel – and what he hopes to accomplish
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Phil Mattingly Kevin Liptak Kayla Tausche Mj Lee Jennifer Hansler Alex Marquardt | Phil Mattingly | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —It took an explicit commitment from his Israeli counterpart to open Gaza for humanitarian aid for President Joe Biden to agree to make an extraordinary wartime trip to Tel Aviv. He spent Monday deliberating over the trip at the White House with his top national security and intelligence advisers. Satterfield will be meeting with Israeli officials on Tuesday to start to figure out the specific contours of the plan. There remains a good amount of trepidation that despite the many, many hours Blinken was in consultation with Israeli officials and others, some things may not gel. In Amman, Biden will meet with Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu, they’re, John Kirby, ”, “ We’re, ” Kirby, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Israel “, David Satterfield, Satterfield, “, it’s, Abdel Fattah al, …, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Mahmoud Abbas, King Abdullah, Olaf Scholz Organizations: CNN, National Security, White, Israeli, Biden’s, Hamas, Saudi, Palestinian Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, United States, ”, Middle East, Jerusalem, Egypt, Blinken, Cairo, Egyptian, Colorado, Amman, Jordan, Berlin

The security risks of a diplomatic visit to Israel were starkly illustrated Monday when Blinken, in his meeting with Netanyahu, was forced to shelter in place after air sirens warned of incoming rockets. Biden, he said, “very much looks forward to discussing it further” during his visit. A visit with ‘strategic importance’In weighing Netanyahu’s invitation with his team, Biden factored in both the symbolism of a visit and its practicalities. Before war in Israel broke out, Biden and Netanyahu were planning to visit in person again at the White House, a personal invitation Biden extended when the two last met in New York City. Speaking to reporters Monday, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said a visit by Biden would have “strategic importance” for the entire Middle East.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Israel “, King Abdullah II, Abdel Fattah el, Mahmoud Abbas, –, Netanyahu, they’d, John Kirby, ” Blinken, “, we’ll, ”, Biden –, Daniel Hagari, Volodymyr Zelensky, White, Netanyahu –, Jake Sullivan, Israel –, ” Sullivan, Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi Organizations: CNN, White, Biden’s, Palestinian, National Security, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, USA, ”, CBS, Saudi Crown Locations: Israel, Gaza, Tel Aviv, United States, Jordan, Egypt, Rafah, Iran, Lebanon, New York City, Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Tehran, Saudi Arabia, Israel’s

The funds were moved to Qatari accounts as part of a broad deal to secure the release of five Americans whom the US deemed had been wrongfully detained in Iran. There were bipartisan calls to freeze the funds in the wake of the deadly Hamas attacks in Israel this weekend. Still, the “quiet understanding” not to move the money right now appears to be largely symbolic, given the strict restrictions that were already tied to the funds. Blinken did not confirm that “a quiet understanding” had been reached but made clear the US is able to freeze the funds. The process for Iran to be able to spend the funds was expected to take months, if not years.

Persons: Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, ” Blinken, John Kirby, “ It’s, “, we’ve, Saturday’s, CNN’s Jim Sciutto, Max Organizations: CNN, Saturday, Democrats, Administration, National Security Council, White, State Department Locations: United States, Qatar, Iran, Israel, Tehran, Tel Aviv, Qatari

☆ Inside the crucial final hours as American diplomats tackled last minute obstacles to bring five Americans imprisoned in Iran home
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Senior State Department officials spoke to CNN about what happened on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive details. The Iranians even threatened not to include all five of the Americans in the release unless the US did more, the officials told CNN. “We held our line and the Iranians backed down and we made it work,” a senior State Department official said. But the Qatari officials, in a smooth diplomatic maneuver, countered that they would be offended if everyone did not eat while on board the Qatari plane and an agonizing final delay was avoided. ET, the US plane carrying the seven Americans, Carstens, Paley and other US officials departed Doha en route to the US.

Persons: Iran Abram Paley, Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, “, ”, didn’t, “ They’re, “ We’ve, “ couldn’t, Morad, Emad Shargi, Effie, Vida, Siamak, Karim Jaafar, Carstens, Paley, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Joe Biden, ” Shargi Organizations: CNN, Senior State Department, Hostage Affairs, Qatari, Swiss, State Department, Central Bank, Doha International Airport, Getty, Defense, “ CNN Locations: United States, Iran, Tehran, Doha, South Korea, Qatar, Emad Sharqi, AFP, Washington, DC, Fort Belvoir , Virginia, PISA, Fort Belvoir

☆ Blinken highlights the human toll of Ukraine war as Biden admin seeks to maintain support for Kyiv in Washington
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“Children, parents, husbands, and wives were forced to spend hours next to the corpses of their loved ones,” he continued. Last month, the Biden administration asked Congress to approve an additional $24 billion in emergency spending for Ukraine and other international needs. Zelensky, in his remarks, criticized the UN body – in which Russia has veto power – for failing to do enough to stop the war. “Ukrainian soldiers now are doing at the expense of their blood what the UN Security Council should do by its voting. They’re stopping aggression and upholding the principles of the UN Charter,” he said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, “, ” Blinken, Sergei Lavrov, …, Blinken, ”, Biden, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Bill Burns, Joint Chiefs Mark Milley, Defense Lloyd Austin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Kevin McCarthy, Zelenskyy Organizations: New, New York CNN, United Nations Security, Russian, National Intelligence, CIA, Joint Chiefs, Defense, UN, CNN, Republican, ABC News, UN Security Council, United Nations Locations: New York, Kyiv, ”, “, Ukraine, Washington, Russia, Moscow, Iran, North Korea

☆ Iran prisoner release: Five Americans back on US soil after release from Iranian detention
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Five Americans freed from Iranian detention this week returned to US soil early Tuesday following an initial stop in Doha, Qatar, two US officials told CNN. Yay Abram!”Then the freed American detainees stepped off the plane and onto US soil for the first time in more than five years and into the arms of their loved ones, some of whom rushed forward to greet them, carrying small American flags. “We’re home,” Emad Shargi said after embracing his daughters, Hannah and Ariana, and stroking his wife Bahareh’s face. And I know a lot of you are going to maintain the fight to try to bring more Americans home,” he said. Namazi’s mother, Effie Namazi, and Tahbaz’s wife, Vida Tahbaz, who had been previously unable to leave Iran, were also on the flight from Iran to Doha, the official said Monday.

Persons: Emad, Morad, Siamak, Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, Iran Abram Paley, “, Roger ! Yay Abram, ”, Emad Shargi, Hannah, Ariana, Bahareh’s, other’s, Carstens, Effie Namazi, Vida Tahbaz, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: CNN — Five, CNN, Fort Belvoir’s Davison Army, Department of Defense, Hostage Affairs, Qatari, Washington, Monday, Biden Locations: Doha, Qatar, Fort, PISA, United States, Iran, Tehran, DC, American

CNN —The Iranian government now has access to $6 billion of their funds to be used for humanitarian purposes as a part of a wider deal that allowed five Americans who had been imprisoned in Iran to go free. Sources told CNN the funds came from oil sales that were allowed and placed into accounts set up under the Trump administration. The money is now available to the Iranian government for purchase of non-sanctionable items such as food and medicine. Kirby said that statement was “flat out wrong.”“This is not a payment of any kind, it’s not ransom, these aren’t US taxpayer dollars, and we haven’t lifted a single one of our sanctions on Iran – Iran will be getting no sanctions relief,” Kirby said. “The money will then go to qualified vendors to purchase and deliver the food, the medical supplies, into Iran.

Persons: Biden, John Kirby, Trump, Antony Blinken, Ebrahim Raisi, Kirby, ” Kirby, “, ”, Trita, Republican Sen, Tom Cotton of, Mike Pence –, Pence, Sen, Tim Scott, Blinken, Janet Yellen Organizations: CNN, Qatar, Republicans, State Department, Ukraine, Biden, US Treasury Department, Qatari National Bank, Quincy Institute, Republican, House, Tehran – Locations: Iran, South Korea, Qatar, Europe, White, Doha, Washington ,, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Tehran, China, United States

The US government has designated all five Americans as being wrongfully detained. The release of the Americans would bring to an end a years-long nightmare for those who had been detained. The agreement, which has already prompted criticism from Republicans, also involves the release of five Iranians in US custody. The overall contours of the release protest began to crystallize in Doha about seven months ago after years of indirect negotiations. The first tangible public steps under the deal took place about five weeks ago, when four of the Americans were transferred into house arrest.

Persons: Nasser Kanaani, Morad Tahbaz, Namazi, Trump, Baquer Namazi, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Washington CNN — Five, CNN, Monday, Biden, US Treasury Department Locations: Doha, Iran, Iranian, United States, Tehran, South Korea, Qatar, Switzerland, Washington, American, Evin

The administration said it would redirect $55 million worth of that funding to Taiwan and $30 million to Lebanon, the sources said. However, the administration will allow Cairo to access $235 million of the total of $320 million in foreign military financing that is conditioned on human rights issues, a senior State Department official said Thursday. The US provides more than $1 billion in foreign military financing to Egypt and the vast majority of it is not conditional. “Our position on the very serious human rights situation in Egypt absolutely has not changed and we’re going to continue to raise those issues in Egypt consistently and at the most senior levels,” they added. “The Secretary is determined that Egypt has not fulfilled his conditions and therefore we are reprogramming that 85 million,” the official said.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Antony Blinken “, ”, Antony Blinken, “, Gregory Meeks Organizations: CNN, State Department, Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, House Foreign, Administration Locations: Egypt, Taiwan, Lebanon, Cairo, U.S, China

☆ Iran prisoners: Biden admin takes step advancing deal to free Americans held in Iran by issuing waiver for transfer of restricted Iranian funds to Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The process to bring the Americans home began to move forward in mid-August with the release of four Americans into house arrest. “The transfer requires the involvement of financial institutions from Germany, Ireland, Qatar, the ROK, and Switzerland,” he wrote. The waiver, which Blinken approved on Friday, will allow those institutions to transfer the money to the accounts in Qatar without worry of invoking US sanctions. Namazi, Tahbaz, and Shargi have all been detained in Iran for years. CNN reported on those details following the release of Namazi, Tahbaz, Shargi and a fourth American into house arrest in mid-August.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Antony Blinken, ”, Blinken, Morad, Emad Shargi, we’ve, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, US State Department, CNN –, ROK, Associated Press Locations: Qatar, Iran, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, United States, American, Washington, Tehran

CNN —President Joe Biden is expected to make a final decision soon on sending long-range missiles to Ukraine for the first time, a major step recommended by the State and Defense departments after months of Ukrainian requests, people familiar with the discussions told CNN. Discussions about sending the long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, also known as ATACMS, picked up substantially in recent weeks, the sources said. Currently, the maximum range of US weapons committed to Ukraine is around 93 miles with the ground-launched small diameter bomb. ATACMS missiles are fired from HIMARS rocket launchers, the same type of vehicle that launches the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles that Ukraine already employs. “When we talk about long-range missiles for Ukraine, it is not just a whim, but a real need,” the head of Zelensky’s office, Andriy Yermak, said on Telegram on Monday.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Biden, ” Zelensky, Antony Blinken, Lockheed Martin, Andriy Yermak, Abrams, “ I’m, Republican Sen, James Risch of, “, Putin, they’ve, ” Organizations: CNN, State and Defense, Tactical Missile Systems, State Department, Pentagon, Lockheed, Army, Ukrainian, Republican, Aspen Security Forum Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, Crimea, France, James Risch of Idaho

CNN —Rare new video has emerged showing detained American Paul Whelan, who has been held in Russia for more than four years, inside his prison camp. The video, released by Russian state-controlled news agency Russia Today (RT), shows Whelan wearing a Russian prison uniform in different parts of the prison, with shots of him using a sewing machine and eating in a cafeteria. The former United States Marine was sentenced to 16 years in prison on an espionage charge he vehemently denies. Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Whelan, who the US government deems wrongfully detained, according to a source familiar with the call. The Biden administration has put forth proposals for Whelan’s release, but Russia has not responded in a substantive way, two administration officials told CNN.

Persons: Paul Whelan, Whelan, ” Whelan –, –, “, ”, I’m, David Whelan, David, Paul, ” David, Antony Blinken, Trevor Reed, Brittney Griner, Biden, Evan Gershkovich Organizations: CNN, Russia, United States Marine, ”, RT, Wall Street Locations: Russia, Russian, Irish, Moscow

CNN —Niger’s junta ordered the French ambassador in Niamey on Friday to leave the country within 48 hours, according to the Nigerien Foreign Ministry. In a statement published by state-run broadcaster ORTN, the Nigerien Foreign Ministry said the ambassador Sylvain Itte had refused to attend a meeting scheduled for Friday with the country’s foreign minister. The ministry said Nigerien authorities had withdrawn Itte’s credentials in light of the refusal, also citing “other actions by the French government that are against Niger’s interest.”“France has taken note of the putschists’ request,” the French Foreign Ministry told AFP late Friday. “The putschists do not have the authority to make this demand, the ambassador’s approval comes only from the legitimate, elected Nigerien authorities” the ministry said. CNN has reached out to the French Foreign Ministry for comment.

Persons: CNN —, Sylvain Itte, ”, “ Organizations: CNN, Nigerien Foreign Ministry, ORTN, Nigerien, French Foreign Ministry, AFP, US State Department, Niger’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Niamey, France

☆ US Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon arrives in Niger
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —US Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon arrived in Niger on Saturday, the State Department announced, taking up her post as the United States and partners continue to grapple with the military takeover in that country. “Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon has traveled to Niamey to lead our diplomatic mission in Niger and bolster efforts to help resolve the political crisis at this critical time. A source told CNN that one of the first things FitzGibbon intends to do is call Bazoum. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with the detained president numerous times, but Nuland was not permitted to visit him during her trip to Niamey. Nuland was also not granted a meeting with the self-proclaimed new leader of Niger, General Abdourahmane Tiani, and instead met with the self-proclaimed chief of defense, Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou, and three colonels supporting him.

Persons: Kathleen FitzGibbon, Matthew Miller, FitzGibbon, Mohamed Bazoum, State Victoria Nuland –, Vedant Patel, ”, Bazoum, ” Patel, “, Antony Blinken, Nuland, Abdourahmane Tiani, Moussa Salaou Barmou Organizations: CNN, State Department, ”, State Victoria, Economic, West African, Senate Locations: Niger, United States, Niamey, West Africa, West African, West African States, ”, Nuland

Befitting the relationship, the path has been thorny, according to accounts shared with CNN by several sources familiar with the talks. The United States and Iran don’t have diplomatic relations, and public overtures by Washington to engage directly with Tehran on the matter were rebuffed. Swiss diplomats serve as the protecting power – the eyes and ears on the ground – for the US in Iran. Sources said that bringing the Americans back home had been a priority from the outset of President Joe Biden’s tenure. Now, US officials say the work continues, but they are cautiously optimistic that the five could be coming home.

Persons: “, Antony Blinken, –, Adrienne Watson, Trump, Biden, Joe Biden’s, Morad, Shargi –, Namazi, Obama, ” Blinken Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, Washington, National Security, White, US Treasury, State Department, US Treasury Department, Biden Locations: Iran, Doha, –, Washington, Tehran, United States, East, Europe, Qatar, Oman, United Kingdom, Switzerland, American, Swiss, South Korea

☆ Fitch US credit downgrade: Former Treasury secretaries react
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The US economy is resilient, but policymakers need to take the long view on the country’s fiscal challenges, three former Treasury secretaries told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria on Sunday. “But it’s in some ways a very important wake-up call.”The downgrade came after a last-minute bipartisan deal in June that suspended the US debt ceiling until early 2025. I strongly disagree with Fitch’s decision, and I believe it is entirely unwarranted,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is preparing new rules that could restrict investment in certain sectors in China, according to reports. When asked about US-imposed tariffs on China, Paulson said “we are working to close markets at the same time that China is doing business with more and more of the world.”“China is a major, major competitor,” he added.

Persons: CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, ” “, ”, Henry Paulson, George W, Bush, Janet Yellen, Paulson, “, ” Timothy Geithner, Geithner, ’, ” Robert Rubin, Bill Clinton, Zakaria, Biden, –, Jennifer Hansler, Gan, Juliana Liu Organizations: CNN, Fitch, AAA, Treasury Department, Capitol, Poor’s Locations: United States, China

☆ US and Western officials fear Putin unlikely to change course in Ukraine before 2024 election
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Kylie Atwood Natasha Bertrand Jennifer Hansler Kevin Liptak | Kylie Atwood | Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

One US official said they have “no doubt” that Putin is “trying to hold out” until the 2024 election. Another source familiar with the intelligence said “it’s sort of the elephant in the room” for the US, Ukraine and Europe. Trump, the far-and-away front-runner for the GOP nomination at this point, has not committed to backing Ukraine in the war. Ron DeSantis walked back previous statements calling the war in Ukraine a “territorial dispute” he has maintained a broadly anti-interventionist policy. “Putting a shape on the US election will have an enormous effect” in how the war proceeds, the official said.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, ”, Putin, “ Putin, Trump, Biden, Ron DeSantis, Kevin McCarthy, Daniel Fried, Gian Marco Benedetto, Bill Taylor, Patrick Ryder, Matt Miller Organizations: Washington CNN —, CNN, Western, ”, Trump, Republican, Ukraine, GOP, Florida Gov, Congressional Republicans, Anadolu Agency, “, New York Times, Pentagon Locations: Ukraine, Europe, European, Poland, Japan, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, Russia, India

☆ Blinken: US pauses certain assistance programs to Niger's government
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The United States “is pausing certain foreign assistance programs benefiting the government of Niger” amid the military takeover in the West African country, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Friday. Blinken described it as an “interim measure” and said it does not impact all foreign assistance programs. “Most importantly, the provision of life-saving humanitarian and food assistance will continue,” Blinken said in a statement. Indeed, Blinken and others have reiterated that US assistance is at risk unless the coup leaders restore democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum to power. The Economic Community of West African States has warned that they will use military force unless the coup leaders back down by Sunday.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, ” Blinken, ”, “, Issifou Djibo, Shutterstock, Mohamed Bazoum, we’re Organizations: CNN, United, African Union, National Assembly, West, State Department, US State Department Locations: United States, Niger, West, U.S, Niamey, Sahel, States

☆ Displaced Afghan students face uncertain future as they await approval to come to US
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —For a group of roughly two dozen displaced Afghan university students, the future feels uncertain. More than 100 displaced Afghan students – 80 of whom were in Iraq – have already come to the US, where they are studying at more than 45 universities, according to sources familiar with the situation. The students told CNN they don’t have any clear sense of when they will get approval to come to the US, and they are worried about what the continued delay means for their future. “We Afghans lost almost everything, and this scholarship in the US is a very big opportunity for us,” a third student told CNN. A US State Department spokesperson said they are “aware of the Afghan students at the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani,” but could not comment on individual cases.

Persons: Barham Salih, “ It’s, I’m, ”, “, Iraq –, “ I’m, Vance Serchuk, Institute of International Education “ Organizations: CNN, American University of Afghanistan, American University of Iraq, Afghan Future Fund, Qatar, Project, AUAF, US State Department, U.S . Refugee, Afghan Futures Fund, Qatar Fund For Development, Institute of International Education, American University Locations: Kabul –, –, Afghanistan, Iraqi Kurdistan, United States, Iraq, U.S

☆ Niger: US State Department orders evacuation of non-emergency personnel
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The US State Department on Wednesday ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and family members from Niger following last week’s military takeover. Subsequent events have severely limited flight options,” the State Department said in an updated travel advisory. “We’re working really, really hard to see if we can turn this around,” a senior State Department official said Monday. On Tuesday, however, the US Embassy in Niger asked Americans who are in the country and wish to leave to register with the US State Department. The State Department created a similar form in the midst of deadly violence in Sudan, when scores of Americans were in need of assistance to depart the country.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, “, Matt Miller, ”, ” Miller, Kathleen FitzGibbon, Miller Organizations: CNN, US State Department, Wednesday, “, State Department, Department, Embassy, Nigerien, Nigerien Party for Democracy and, Getty, CNN Wednesday, The State Department Locations: Niger, Embassy Niamey, ”, U.S, Niamey, AFP, West, Sahel, Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso, United States, Nigerien, Sudan, France, Italy

But two months after President Joe Biden announced US support for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s, there remain a number of critical details to work out. It is also still unclear which countries will commit F-16s to the training program – and to Ukraine itself once the program is finished. The training program will be for Ukraine and “also for other countries who are transitioning to the fourth generation fighter jets,” she said. The number of Ukrainian pilots set to be trained is also still being determined, but the Air Force memo recommended a pool of 10-12 participants. “The United States will not be the holdup in ensuring that this F-16 training can get under way.”

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden, Biden, ”, Kajsa Ollongren, “, Strategic Communications John Kirby, ’ skillset, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, Denmark’s Ministry of Defense, Skrydstrup Fighter Base, Dutch Ministry of Defense, Dutch Defense, NATO, National Security, Strategic Communications, Vasco Cotovio, US Air Force, The Air Force, Morris Air National Guard Base, Force, Yahoo, an Air Force, Air Force, Ukraine’s Air Force, American, Russian, National Locations: Ukraine, Denmark, Romania, American, Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Europe, Tucson , Arizona, Soviet, United States

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