Why September 12 matters so much

By Lauren Monsen In September 2001, after terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York, the Maasai people of Kenya tried to send 14 cows to the people of America. Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, who had come up with the idea, explained: “To heal a sorrowing heart, give something that is dear to your own.” The cows, ...
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By | 8 September, 2022 | Topics: History, News | Tags: , ,

America’s unwavering support for nuclear nonproliferation

  By Dave Reynolds For more than 50 years, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has helped prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, enabled progress on disarmament, and allowed peaceful nuclear technologies to contribute to global sustainable development. The United States is committed to upholding this landmark treaty, one that is never more important than ...
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By | 29 July, 2022 | Topics: News | Tags: , , ,

Biden: NATO is ‘more united than ever’

The United States and its trans-Atlantic allies have agreed to a bold vision for NATO’s future to ensure a  strong NATO alliance . The White House called the June 29–30 NATO Summit in Madrid “an historic moment for the Transatlantic Alliance.” For the first time, leaders from partner nations in Asia, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, attended ...
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By | 12 July, 2022 | Topics: Key Officials, News, News from Washington | Tags: , , , ,

Marking 100 days of Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine

As Vladimir Putin’s war reaches its 100th day, the United States and partners remain united with the people and government of Ukraine. Since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion February 24, the U.S. government and the American people have shown  solidarity with Ukraine . Here are a few ways. Supporting the people of Ukraine The U.S. government has ...
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By | 2 June, 2022 | Topics: News, Ukraine Crisis | Tags: , , , , ,

Ending gender-based online violence

The digital world holds great promise to amplify the voices of women, girls and LGBTQI+ individuals. But it also has given rise to new forms of gender-based abuse and harassment. Gender-based online violence is a human rights issue that must be tackled on a global stage, according to a coalition of governments, international organizations and ...
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By | 26 April, 2022 | Topics: Gender Issues, History, Human Rights, News | Tags: , , , ,

American diplomats study world languages

By  Amirah Ismail Which languages do you speak? American diplomats study many of them. American diplomats reflect the diversity of the United States and the world. In their positions overseas, they make a special effort to connect directly with people by studying foreign languages. Some diplomats grow up speaking multiple languages and others learn them from their ...
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By | 20 April, 2022 | Topics: History, News | Tags: , ,

U.S. works to reduce plastic pollution

Plastic pollution affects every place on the planet, from the belly of an animal in remote Antarctica to the trees of the Sahel to the highest mountains in the Himalayas. It can take centuries to degrade. The world produces about 272 million metric tons of plastic waste each year. That’s close to the weight of ...
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By | 19 April, 2022 | Topics: Education, Environment, News | Tags: , , , , ,

Vice President Harris calls U.S. commitment to NATO ‘ironclad’

Vice President Harris reiterated America’s steadfast commitment to the NATO alliance in the face of Russia’s unjustified and brutal  war against Ukraine . In a March 9–11 trip to Poland and Romania, the vice president also announced an additional nearly  $53 million in new U.S. humanitarian assistance to help the millions fleeing from Russia’s bombing of schools, hospitals and homes throughout Ukraine. “You are not ...
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By | 14 March, 2022 | Topics: Key Officials, News, Ukraine Crisis, Vice President of the United States | Tags: , , , , ,

World isolates Putin’s regime after Ukraine invasion

Countries worldwide are taking action to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from continuing his war in Ukraine. More than  30 countries have announced strong sanctions and export controls targeting Russia, presenting a united front against Russia’s aggression. The United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the European Commission are among ...
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By | 4 March, 2022 | Topics: History, Human Rights, Key Officials, News | Tags: , , , , ,

U.S. helps preserve Ukraine’s important cultural sites

Ukraine is home to unique historical and architectural landmarks built centuries ago for educational, social, political and religious purposes. The United States values and helps preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Since 2001, the United States has provided more than $1.7 million to support 18 cultural preservation projects in  Ukraine . Support is provided by the Ambassadors Fund ...
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By | 8 February, 2022 | Topics: Culture, History, News | Tags: , , ,

Resolving conflicts: Diplomacy works

Diplomacy has solved conflicts, prevented deaths and economic turmoil, and  secured peace . Think negotiation doesn’t work? Here’s a look at some critical times when it did. Colombia, 2016   The 2016 peace accord ended five decades of conflict between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and laid out a path to lasting ...
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By | 12 January, 2022 | Topics: History, Key Officials, News | Tags: , ,

U.S., NATO allies strengthen trans-Atlantic bond

By Michael Laff The U.S. and NATO stand united in the face of global aggression, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a November 30–December 2 trip to Europe. “It’s critical to our security,” Blinken said about NATO during the alliance’s ministerial in Riga, Latvia. “It’s built on shared values. It’s a  powerful force for stability  in Europe and North America.” ...
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By | 7 January, 2022 | Topics: Key Officials, News, News from Washington | Tags: , , , , ,

Working to keep the world safe from nuclear weapons

Nuclear weapons pose an existential threat. To confront that threat, the United States is committed to working with other nations to prevent nuclear war and strengthen the landmark Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In a  January 3 joint statement , the United States and the other NPT nuclear-weapon states called efforts to avoid war and reduce strategic risks “foremost responsibilities,” ...
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By | 6 January, 2022 | Topics: History, Key Officials, News | Tags: , , , , ,

U.S. COVID-19 vaccine donations spanned the globe in 2021

By Leigh Hartman The United States and partner organizations waged a historic vaccination campaign in 2021, delivering millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses worldwide. Working with partners, the United States distributed more than 350 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to over 110 countries, supported vaccine manufacturing abroad, and rushed lifesaving assistance to hot spots around the world. President Biden ...
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By | 29 December, 2021 | Topics: Health Issues, Human Rights, News, U.S. Agencies | Tags: , , , , ,

World urges China’s leaders to respect human rights

By Leigh Hartman What if your culture was banned by your government? Or your child was taken from you and raised speaking another language? Was your wife or daughter sterilized without her consent? Wouldn’t you want the world to know? On October 21, the United States, France, Luxembourg, and Belgium joined 39 other countries in calling for ...
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By | 14 December, 2021 | Topics: History, Human Rights, News | Tags: , , , , ,

Cybersecurity and you: Upgrade your skills with free courses

Want to protect yourself and your business like a Fortune 500 company? Now you can. Some of the biggest international companies offer free cybersecurity training to the public. People at every skill level have access to an array of courses, including: For anyone:  Amazon’s Cybersecurity Awareness training  program, which is designed to teach all computer users basic cybersecurity skills, ...
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By | 2 December, 2021 | Topics: Education, News, Science & Tech | Tags: , , ,

U.S. to expand vaccine production by 1 billion doses

By Leigh Hartman The Biden-Harris administration is working to ramp up global COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing by 1 billion doses a year to share with the world. “We’re taking another major step to bolster vaccine manufacturing both for this pandemic and to prepare for any future threats,” White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients said on ...
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By | 23 November, 2021 | Topics: Health Issues, News | Tags: , , ,

Nations rally to fight global ransomware threat

By Leigh Hartman Computer hackers are using ransomware to infiltrate networks and hold businesses, even critical infrastructure, hostage. In July, a single ransomware incident affected thousands of businesses in at least 17 countries , including the United States, and sought to extort tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. That’s why the White House convened representatives from 30 countries and the European Union October 13–14 for ...
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By | 21 October, 2021 | Topics: Education, Human Rights, News | Tags: , , ,

How the U.S. uses trade to deter forced labor

By Leigh Hartman The United States works to stop forced labor around the world. That’s why it won’t import seafood from a fishing fleet based out of the People’s Republic of China. A yearlong U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigation found evidence that PRC-based Dalian Ocean Fishing Company demonstrated all 11 of the  International Labour Organization’s indicators of forced labor  (PDF, 4.2MB). On May ...
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By | 16 June, 2021 | Topics: History, Human Rights, News | Tags: , , ,

The United States and UAE partner against ISIS propaganda

The editorial below, written by Omar Ghobash, assistant minister for culture and public diplomacy at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Christopher Hodges, deputy assistant secretary of state for press and public diplomacy and assistance coordination in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, describes ...
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By | 7 June, 2021 | Topics: Human Rights, News | Tags: , , ,

U.S. rallies support for global vaccine distribution

Many citizens of developing world nations will receive COVID-19 vaccines thanks to funds being raised by the United States and partner organizations. The recently launched COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility Advance Market Commitment (AMC) aims to raise  $2 billion to procure and distribute up to 1.8 billion safe and effective vaccines  to low- and middle-income countries. On April 15, the United States and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, launched ...
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By | 20 April, 2021 | Topics: Health Issues, News | Tags: ,

Biden: Quad partners boosting COVID-19 vaccine production in India

By Leigh Hartman The United States and Quad partner nations are  ramping up production  of U.S.-developed vaccines in India to strengthen vaccination efforts across the Indo-Pacific. President Biden announced the vaccine partnership plan March 12 at the outset of the first leaders’ summit of the Quad, a partnership between the United States, India, Japan and Australia. We’re “launching an ambitious ...
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By | 15 March, 2021 | Topics: Health Issues, News | Tags: , , , ,

International partners empower NASA’s mission on Mars

By Leigh Hartman When NASA’s Perseverance rover searches Mars for signs of ancient life it uses technology from partner nations across Europe. The 2,260-pound (1,025-kilogram) rover is armed with imaging and sensor equipment from France, Italy, Spain and Norway. “It’s on a mission of exploration, with elements contributed by our European partners to seek evidence ...
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By | 9 March, 2021 | Topics: Education, News, Science & Tech, U.S. Agencies | Tags: , , , , ,

Blinken: America will lead with our values

The United States will embrace its role as a world leader and rally international partners to take on pressing global challenges. In his first major speech, March 3, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration’s foreign policy will reflect American values, including a commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of ...
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By | 5 March, 2021 | Topics: Key Officials, News, News from Washington | Tags: , ,

Biden: U.S. will work with democratic partners

President Biden says the United States will stand with its European allies and other international partners to confront the world’s most pressing problems. Speaking to the Munich Security Conference February 19 , Biden hailed strong partnerships between free nations as the foundation for countering rising global challenges. He affirmed the United States will partner with its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies to ...
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By | 22 February, 2021 | Topics: Key Officials, News, President of the United States | Tags: , , ,

Biden: We will solve global challenges together

President Biden is vowing to strengthen America’s international relationships and tackle global challenges with the help of other nations. In a major foreign policy speech, Biden said the United States will work with the international community to tackle global challenges like the  COVID-19 pandemic  and  climate change , and to advance freedom and dignity for people around the world. “America’s ...
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By | 5 February, 2021 | Topics: Key Officials, News, News from Washington, President of the United States | Tags: , , , ,

Biden takes bold steps to fight climate change

On January 20, his first day in office, President Biden signed papers to bring the United States back into the Paris Agreement. On January 27, he issued an executive order deepening  America’s commitment to combat the climate crisis . “We can’t wait any longer,” Biden said before signing the order. “We see it with our own eyes, we feel it, we know ...
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By | 29 January, 2021 | Topics: Environment, Key Officials, News, President of the United States | Tags: , , ,

United States and India partner on vaccine research

The United States and India have engaged in “unprecedented levels of cooperation to combat the coronavirus pandemic,” U.S. Under Secretary of State Stephen Biegun said October 12. Biegun’s comment came during a trip to India, where he praised the deepening U.S.-India relationship and the shared values and goals of the world’s largest democracies. Biegun pointed ...
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By | 6 January, 2021 | Topics: Health Issues, News | Tags: , , , ,

U.S. guarantees Europe’s energy security [video]

The United States continues to protect Europe’s access to energy sources, as it has since World War II. Europe needs access to diversified, open energy markets for economic growth. Natural gas imports , civil nuclear infrastructure and renewable energy sources developed through sound strategies are among the most trusted sources. Europe is entering a new era of energy ...
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By | 28 December, 2020 | Topics: Economic Affairs, News, News from Washington | Tags: , , ,

Commemorating the United Nations Declaration

January 1, 1942, was a milestone in diplomatic history — a day when representatives of the “Big Four” Allied countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China) gathered in Washington to sign the  United Nations Declaration , formally pledging cooperation in defeating the forces of fascism. The following day, representatives of 22 other Allied ...
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By | 28 December, 2020 | Topics: History, Key Officials, News | Tags: , , ,

NASA launches U.S.-European satellite mission to monitor global sea levels

A joint U.S.-European satellite mission will collect valuable information about rising sea levels. The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite — named for the former director of NASA’s Earth Science Division — launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on November 21. “The Earth is changing, and this satellite will help deepen our understanding of how,”  said Karen St. Germain ...
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By | 9 December, 2020 | Topics: News, Science & Tech, U.S. Agencies | Tags: , , , , ,

Beijing’s military aggression [video]

The U.S. is working to build a free and open Indo-Pacific region, but Beijing is putting the world at risk and raising the threat of violent conflict through its military aggression. The Chinese Communist Party engages in  dangerous and threatening behavior  across the Indo-Pacific and threatens its neighbors. From military bases in the South China Sea to lethal fighting ...
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By | 8 December, 2020 | Topics: History, Human Rights, News, Video | Tags: , , ,

U.S. leads in fight against transnational corruption

An international anti-corruption group is praising the United States as a world leader in the fight against bribery and corruption. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Working Group on Bribery in a November 17 report commended the United States for bolstering its already strong enforcement of anti-corruption laws and encouraging others to follow the ...
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By | 7 December, 2020 | Topics: Economic Affairs, Economic Issues, News | Tags: ,

U.S. companies pledge support for Asia’s post-pandemic recovery

The U.S. government and American clothing producers have pledged to help workers in Asia recover from the economic hardship of  the COVID-19 pandemic . U.S. Agency for International Development and industry representatives signed a memorandum of understanding October 28, pledging to explore ways to help workers who supply U.S. clothing and footwear companies. Over the next year, the ...
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By | 3 December, 2020 | Topics: Health Issues, News | Tags: , , , ,

China’s manipulation of international organizations

As the coronavirus spread beyond its borders, China’s leaders successfully lobbied the World Health Organization (WHO) not to declare a public health emergency of international concern. Soon after this disastrous January decision, the Chinese Communist Party blocked a WHO team from investigating the pandemic’s source and China’s response. “China has extracted concessions from the health ...
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By | 30 November, 2020 | Topics: Health Issues, History, Human Rights, Key Officials, News | Tags: , , , ,

European nations crack down on Iran-backed Hizballah

European nations are increasingly recognizing the threat of Hizballah and blocking the Iran-backed terrorist organization from raising money or conducting other activities within their borders. U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo commended Estonia’s October 22 ban on Hizballah members and affiliates entering the country. Estonia joins a host of nations that refuse to distinguish ...
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By | 10 November, 2020 | Topics: History, News | Tags: , , ,

U.S. urges partners to counter China’s foreign meddling

The Chinese Communist Party is challenging the free and open nature of democratic societies, a senior U.S. official says. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell warned October 30 that the CCP is conducting “covert, coercive, and corrupting” political influence activities worldwide, even as it denies foreign meddling and promises countries ...
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By | 9 November, 2020 | Topics: History, Human Rights, News | Tags: , ,

Great Seal of the United States

A trans-Atlantic awakening to the China challenge

U.S. and European Union officials are increasingly recognizing and working closely to counter threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party. U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on October 23 launched the new U.S.-EU Dialogue on China. Their aim is to address risks posed ...
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By | 5 November, 2020 | Topics: History, Human Rights, Key Officials, News | Tags: , ,

U.S. provides training to prevent atrocities

The United States is highlighting its commitment to prevent, mitigate and respond to atrocities globally. “When we say ‘Never again,’ it must mean more than words,” said Denise Natali, assistant secretary of state for Conflict and Stabilization Operations at a September 16 event hosted by the U.S. Institute of Peace. “It must mean taking clear ...
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By | 3 November, 2020 | Topics: Human Rights, News | Tags: , , ,

U.S., allies pledge to cooperate in space exploration

The United States and its international partners are ensuring that future space exploration is peaceful, sustainable and beneficial to all. On October 13, the United States and seven other nations signed the Artemis Accords, guiding principles for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024. ...
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By | 2 November, 2020 | Topics: News, Science & Tech | Tags: , ,

OAS: Elections in Venezuela will not be free and fair

The Organization of American States General Assembly passed a resolution October 21 declaring the illegitimate Maduro regime’s December 6 elections in Venezuela will be fraudulent. “We all know there is more work to do to uphold our hemisphere as a hemisphere of freedom,” Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said October 21 during his virtual ...
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By | 29 October, 2020 | Topics: History, Human Rights, Key Officials, News | Tags: , , , ,

Core U.S. values echo in Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The  Universal Declaration of Human Rights  (UDHR), ratified in 1948, for the first time articulated the rights and freedoms to which every person is entitled. Influenced by the core values at the heart of the U.S. Constitution, the UDHR affirmed “the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace ...
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By | 24 September, 2020 | Topics: History, Human Rights, Key Officials, News | Tags: , , , ,

U.S. helps allies fight cyberattacks

Cybersecurity experts from the U.S. Cyber Command are working with other nations to identify malware and network attacks. Cyberattacks undermine elections and threaten democracy. By working with host nations, Cyber Command has identified more than 40 malware samples since 2018. The best way to fight cyberattacks  and false information campaigns is to expose the weapons used in the attack. When an ...
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By | 26 August, 2020 | Topics: News, Science & Tech | Tags: , , , ,

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Countries worldwide call for democracy in Venezuela

Thirty-three countries from around the globe, including members of the Lima Group and the International Contact Group and some European Union member states, signed a joint declaration calling for democracy in Venezuela. The declaration , released August 14, is a call “to put the interests of Venezuela above politics and engage urgently in support of a process ...
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By | 25 August, 2020 | Topics: News | Tags: , ,

Trump brokers historic Israel-UAE deal for peace and prosperity

President Trump has brokered a historic deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, normalizing relations between the two countries and laying a foundation for peace in the Middle East. “Our vision is one of peace, security, and prosperity — in this region, and in the world,” Trump said in an August 13 statement announcing ...
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By | 17 August, 2020 | Topics: History, Key Officials, News, News from Washington, President of the United States | Tags: , ,

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The consequences of ending the arms embargo against Iran [video]

The United Nations arms embargo on Iran expires in October. If it is not extended, Iran can supply weapons that fuel conflicts such as those in Lebanon and Yemen. The weapons could be used to attack Israel or Saudi Arabia. Without the embargo, Iran can sell weapons around the world to dictators such as Nicolás ...
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By | 7 August, 2020 | Topics: News, Video | Tags: , , ,

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Pompeo: The free world must triumph over China’s tyranny (July 27)

By Leigh Hartman – Jul 27, 2020 The free nations of the world must counter the Chinese Communist Party’s malign behavior, which threatens their people and prosperity. In a July 23 speech in Yorba Linda, California, U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said that the belief that doing business with China would lead the Chinese Communist ...
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By | 27 July, 2020 | Topics: News from Washington | Tags: , , , ,

U.S. rejects China’s ‘unlawful’ claims in South China Sea (July 22)

U.S. rejects China’s ‘unlawful’ claims in South China Sea (July 22)   The United States is standing with its Southeast Asian partners and allies to reject the People’s Republic of China’s unlawful claims in the  South China Sea . U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo,  in a July 13 statement , said most of the PRC’s maritime claims are “completely unlawful” and ...
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By | 22 July, 2020 | Topics: Key Officials, News | Tags: , , ,

U.S. private sector helps ASEAN fight COVID-19 (July 22)

U.S. private sector helps ASEAN fight COVID-19 (July 22)   U.S. businesses have donated at least $40 million to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the  fight against COVID-19 . “America’s partnership with ASEAN, now in its 43rd year, is at the heart of our vision for the Indo-Pacific,” said Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary ...
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By | 22 July, 2020 | Topics: Health Issues, News | Tags: , , , ,

Pompeo urges U.N. to extend arms embargo on Iran’s regime (July 9)

Pompeo urges U.N. to extend arms embargo on Iran’s regime (July 9)   U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo is urging the United Nations Security Council to extend an arms embargo against Iran, warning that the regime poses a continuing threat to international peace and security. Pompeo told a June 30 meeting of the ...
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By | 9 July, 2020 | Topics: Key Officials, News | Tags: , , , ,

U.S. works with partners to counter China’s aggressive behavior (June 30)

U.S. works with partners to counter China’s aggressive behavior (June 30)   The U.S. is committed to working with international partners to uphold core values and freedoms. According to a new report published by the White House with input from 20 departments and agencies, the U.S. seeks to protect the widely accepted international order against ...
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By | 30 June, 2020 | Topics: Key Officials, News, News from Washington | Tags: , ,

The Charter of the United Nations turns 75 (June 23)

The Charter of the United Nations turns 75 (June 23)   When  the Charter of the United Nations  was signed on June 26, 1945, it set the stage for a post-World War II era dedicated to the resolution of international disputes by peaceful means. Fifty of the U.N.’s original 51 member countries signed the charter at the San Francisco Conference (Poland ...
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By | 23 June, 2020 | Topics: News | Tags: , , ,

Scholars from U.S. exchange program fight COVID-19 (May 13)

Scholars from U.S. exchange program fight COVID-19 (May 13)   Scholars around the world who have been part of the  State Department’s Fulbright Program  are using their experience to help their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fulbright Program, in partnership with more than 160 countries, gives students, scholars, teachers, artists and scientists of all backgrounds the opportunity to ...
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By | 13 May, 2020 | Topics: Health Issues, News | Tags: , , ,

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at 50 (February 27)

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at 50 (February 27)   The NPT is the cornerstone of the nuclear nonproliferation regime, reinforcing international peace and security and preventing the further spread of nuclear weapons. Global nuclear stockpiles are at their lowest levels since the 1950s, according to the  Federation of American Scientists . The treaty, which entered into force March 5, ...
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By | 27 February, 2020 | Topics: History, News | Tags: ,

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