Foreign Policy

President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron planted a French oak tree, which was intended to be a symbol of their enduring friendship; however, ironically enough, the tree has died, reports say. AFP […]

Japanese Prime Minister Abe Heads to Iran on a Rare Diplomatic Mission

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe heads to Iran this week on a rare diplomatic mission, hoping to ease tensions between the Islamic Republic and Tokyo’s key ally Washington, France24 reports. Tehran is locked in a […]

Bipartisan Senators to Vote on U.S. Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia

A bipartisan Senate duo will begin proceedings on Monday to block President Donald Trump’s emergency arms sales to long-time ally Saudi Arabia, their offices said over the weekend. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy and Republican Senator […]

Trump Could Slap New Tariffs on China if Meeting with Xi Fails, Says Mnuchin

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday that the decision whether to impose new tariffs on China will largely depend on President Donald Trump’s meeting later this month with China’s Xi Jinping. Mnuchin pointed out that […]

June 9, 2019 Focus Washington

Mnuchin: Trump Could Renew Tariff Threat if Mexico Doesn’t Deliver on Immigration

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday that Washington is “very excited” about an agreement with Mexico to help stem the flow of immigrants attempting to enter the U.S., but he warned that the White House […]

June 9, 2019 Focus Washington

Iran Urges Europe to Normalize Economic Ties

Iran said on Sunday Europe was in no position to criticize Tehran for its military capabilities and it called on European leaders to normalize trade ties with the Islamic Republic despite U.S. sanctions, or face […]

June 8, 2019 Focus Washington

U.S., Russia Blame Each Other Over Near Collision in East Asian Waters

The United States and Russia blamed each other for a near collision between their warships in East Asian waters on Friday with both countries accusing one another of dangerous and unprofessional behavior, Reuters informs. Acting […]

June 8, 2019 Focus Washington

Trump Calls Off Mexico Tariffs

The United States and Mexico struck a deal on Friday to avert a tariff war, with Mexico agreeing to rapidly expand a controversial asylum program and deploy security forces to stem the flow of illegal […]

June 7, 2019 Focus Washington

Top U.S. Commander in Middle East Says Iran Still a Threat

General Frank McKenzie, the top commander of U.S. troops in the Middle East, said on Thursday that Iran continues to pose an “imminent” threat to the region, adding that the deployment of American forces there […]

Trump Downplays Protester Turnout in London, Blasts ‘Fake News’ for Polls in Tweetstorm

President Donald Trump early on Wednesday blasted the “corrupt media” for reporting on the paltry protester turnout during his trip to the U.K. and said if there was actually “fair” news accounts about his success […]

‘Always a Chance’ of Military Action against Iran, Trump Says

President Donald Trump said there is “always a chance” the U.S. could take military action against Iran, but he would much rather hold talks with President Hassan Rouhani, CNBC reports. Speaking to British television station […]

Venezuela’s Opposition Welcomes Failure of Maduro Negotiations

Venezuelan parliamentary leader Juan Guaido’s refusal to enter talks with President Nicolas Maduro in Norway last week has undermined efforts by European diplomats to set up talks that would preempt U.S. intervention in the embattled […]

U.S. Officials Claim China is Playing ‘Blame Game’ amid Trade War

Chinese government disappointed some U.S. officials who accused the government of playing a “blame game” after the recent escalation in the trade war between the two nations. The Office of the United States Trade Representative […]

Russia Intercepts American Jet Flying over Mediterranean

The U.S. 6th Fleet said Tuesday that a U.S. aircraft was intercepted three times in less than three hours by a Russian aircraft while flying over the Mediterranean Sea. “On June 4, 2019, a U.S. […]

UK Security Minister Tells Trump ‘There’s no Big Conspiracy’

United Kingdom Minister of State for Security Ben Wallace dismissed President Donald Trump’s claims that the country spied on the Trump campaign before the 2016 presidential election, although he fell short of issuing an official denial. […]

June 4, 2019 Focus Washington

Trump Wades into UK Politics on First Day of State Visit

During the first day of his three-day visit to the UK, President Donald Trump urged the country to move forward with Brexit, promising a trade deal with the United States shortly after. Using his favorite […]

Trump Calls London’s Mayor ‘the Twin of de Blasio, but Shorter’

President Donald Trump arrived in the U.K. on Monday for his weeklong visit to the country that is largely ceremonial and proceeded with his heavy criticism for London Mayor Sadiq Khan who recently penned a […]

North Korean Official Reappears After Forced Labor Claims

A senior North Korean official who was reportedly sent to a labor camp has attended a concert alongside the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, state media have said. There had been speculation about the fate of […]

Canada Temporary Closes Embassy in Venezuela

Canada will suspend operations at its embassy in Venezuela immediately because its diplomats will no longer be able to obtain visas, the Canadian foreign minister said on Sunday, Reuters reported. Chrystia Freeland said in a […]

Trump, Pompeo Skeptical of Middle East Peace Plan

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently acknowledged widespread skepticism of the Trump administration’s Middle East peace plan, but said he hoped people would give it a chance, CNN informed. Pompeo described the plan as “very […]

As Trump Begins Three-Day Visit to UK London Mayor Calls Him ‘Global Threat’

President Donald Trump kicked off his first state visit to the UK on Monday, a trip likely to put the country’s relationship with the U.S. to the test as a number of differences on key […]

June 2, 2019 Focus Washington

Special Representative to North Korea Has no Information About Kim Possibly Killing Official

U.S. Special Representative to North Korea Stephen Biegun said Saturday that he does not think Kim Jong-un really executed a North Korean official following the failed Hanoi summit between the North Korean leader and President […]

June 1, 2019 Focus Washington

Trump to Face Cold Welcome in UK

As President Donald Trump prepares for his visit to the UK, protesters there are making preparations for demonstrations intended to show the President he is not welcome in their country. Protesters, who oppose a number […]

June 1, 2019 Focus Washington

U.S. Seeks to Improve Military Ties with China Amid Growing Trade Tensions

As trade tensions between the United States and China appear unlikely to be eased any time soon, top U.S. defense officials sought Friday to strengthen military ties with the Asian nation. Acting U.S. Defense Secretary […]

May 31, 2019 Focus Washington

Pompeo Visits Germany after Postponed Meeting with Merkel, with Iran and Huawei on Agenda

State Secretary Mike Pompeo has arrived to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Friday, three weeks after abruptly postponing his first visit to Germany as secretary of state. Pompeo told […]

May 31, 2019 Focus Washington

Trump Threatens Tariffs on Mexico if Wave of Migrants Is not Halted

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that should Mexico fail to stop the influx of migrants into the country, he would impose 5 percent tariffs on Mexican products beginning from June 10. The President pointed out […]

King of Jordan Says Two-Sate Solution Must Be Part of Kushner’s Plan

As the Trump administration is nearing a plan for the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict it is to unveil soon, Jordan’s King Abdullah told Senior Adviser Jared Kushner that it must be based on a […]

Washington Warns Europe That Iran Workaround Could Cause Sanctions

The Trump administration escalated its battle with European allies over the fate of the Iran nuclear accord, threatening penalties against the financial body created by Germany, the U.K., and France to shield trade with Iran […]

Pentagon Adamant Trade War with China Won’t Complicate Defense Talks

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said on Wednesday that there was no reason for concern that the U.S.-China trade war would “spill over into” defense discussions between the two countries. “Trade runs a separate […]

FT: Venezuela Negotiations in Norway End Without Agreement

A meeting between the Venezuelan government and the opposition to resolve the country’s deep political crisis ended without agreement on Wednesday, the opposition said, although negotiators left the door open to further talks, Financial Times […]