FOREIGN AFFAIRS

The Trump administration looks set to spearhead another initiative likely to heighten diplomatic tensions. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused the Chinese and Mexican governments of playing a role in fueling the ongoing opioid crisis, saying the two countries will face penalties as a result. The allegations came while Pompeo testified on Wednesday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, during an exchange with Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.). “Is there an aggressive plan to punish China and Mexico for flooding into the United States the extremely… Keep Reading

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin confirmed that foreign companies who do business in Iran can expect penalties from the Trump administration. Mnuchin made the remarks Tuesday before a Senate appropriations subcommittee, noting that he and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have already warned US allies. “The Iran sanctions will go back in place, both the primary sanctions and the secondary sanctions,” Mnuchin told Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.). “And yes we’ve already communicated with our European partners, both through Secretary Pompeo and myself, that we will be… Keep Reading

The top ranking Democratic lawmaker hailed the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, as the Israeli military gunned down non-violent Palestinian marchers protesting the theft of their land. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) praised the ribbon-cutting on Monday. He said in a statement: “Every nation should have the right to choose its capital.” “I sponsored legislation to do this two decades ago, and I applaud President Trump for doing it,” Schumer said. Palestinians, however, have also claimed Jerusalem as their capital. The international community currently recognizes… Keep Reading

An historic agreement between the United States, Iran, and members of the UN Security Council is in tatters following a decision by President Trump to pull the US out of the agreement. In a speech from the White House on Wednesday, Trump said the US would violate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and reinstitute sanctions on Tehran. “It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement,” the President claimed.… Keep Reading

President Trump floated the idea that former Secretary of State John Kerry could face criminal charges for lobbying to salvage the Iranian Nuclear Deal. Trump made the statement on Monday morning through Twitter, in reference to a Boston Globe article published last week. The publication revealed on Friday that Kerry has been in touch with Iranian and European officials in a bid protect the deal—the most significant international accord signed by the US government under the Obama administration. “The United States does not need John… Keep Reading

Former CIA Director Mike Pompeo was sworn in as Secretary of State on Wednesday, kicking off his rein with a prayer by a controversial fundamentalist. The start of the ceremony featured an invocation by Mary Ann Glendon, a far-right anti-abortion Harvard Law scholar who once attacked investigative reporting on the Catholic Church’s protection of pedophiles. “We ask these blessings, Lord, with thankful hearts, and with gratitude for the countless blessings you have already bestowed upon our land,” Glendon said. “And we ask for forgiveness for… Keep Reading

President Donald Trump received a lifeline from French President Emmanuel Macron, who on Tuesday said his nation was prepared to begin work on a second nuclear deal with Iran. Macron said he hopes the current agreement—known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—would remain in place as a “pillar” of a new deal, but acknowledged that it is ultimately President Trump’s responsibility. The current pact with Iran is next up for re-certification on May 12, and President Trump has given every indication that he… Keep Reading

President Trump is threatening imminent retaliation against the Syrian government over alleged chemical weapons attacks, but on Wednesday his Defense chief said that the incident is still being reviewed. Journalists at the Pentagon asked Secretary James Mattis if he was confident that the Assad government was responsible for the strike, which happened over the weekend. The attack took place in the Damascus suburb of Douma, reportedly killing 49 civilians. Mattis demurred, saying, “We’re still assessing the intelligence, ourselves and our allies. We’re still working on… Keep Reading

Members of Congress are calling on the FBI to investigate Jared Kushner, after a report was published alleging he has questionable ties to Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Six Democratic Representatives asked Bureau Director Christopher Wray to initiate a probe of the White House aide and President’s son-in-law, citing an Intercept article published last week. The report said that in October 2017, Kushner revealed in person to Salman the names of disloyal Saudi royal family members. In November 2017, the Saudi… Keep Reading