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diplomats

Russian forces are capable of moving swiftly into eastern Ukraine

The concern of Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe that Russian forces are capable of moving swiftly into eastern Ukraine underscores the uncertain course of this crisis, with Nato and Western diplomats unable to predict Russian intentions. Nato has been watching Russian exercises and deployments since the outset of the crisis. US sources indicate that […] Continue reading →

The Power-Hungry vs. the War-Weary

Cliff May Russia’s Vladimir Putin, seething over the collapse of the Soviet Empire, wants to become the hegemon of Eurasia — at least. Iran’s Ali Khamenei, outraged by the decline of Islamic power, wants to become the hegemon of the Middle East — at a minimum. President Obama wants to “end wars,” “give diplomacy a […] Continue reading →

Iran, powers begin talks on final nuclear deal, dampen optimism

Six world powers and Iran began talks on Tuesday in pursuit of a final settlement on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program in the coming months despite caveats from both sides that a breakthrough deal may prove impossible. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the man with the final say on all matters of state in the […] Continue reading →

Russia again blocks U.N. Security Council from condemning Syria attacks

Russia blocked a U.N. Security Council statement on Wednesday that would have expressed outrage at deadly airstrikes by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and condemned the use of missiles and “barrel bombs” in towns, U.N. diplomats said. Russia, a staunch Assad ally, opposed a similar statement on December 19 that would have condemned attacks by […] Continue reading →

Benghazi Victim: Ambassador Stevens always saw the best in Libya

He had gladly accepted the role of American liaison to the rebels at the start of the uprising. And in April 2011 he chose to sail into Benghazi on a Greek cargo ship instead of taking the easier land route from Egypt, just to savor the romance of his arrival in a free Libya. […] Continue reading →

U.N. told up to 500 killed in South Sudan clashes: diplomats

The United Nations received reports from local sources in South Sudan on Tuesday that between 400 and 500 people had been killed and up to 800 wounded in the latest violence, and the government said it had arrested 10 politicians in connection with a “foiled coup”. “Two hospitals have recorded between 400 and 500 dead […] Continue reading →

Saudi’s are Very Pissed off at U.S. over No action in Syria, Iran

Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief has said the kingdom will make a “major shift” in relations with the United States in protest at its perceived inaction over the Syria war and its overtures to Iran, a source close to Saudi policy said on Tuesday. Prince Bandar bin Sultan told European diplomats that Washington had failed to […] Continue reading →

Saudi's are Very Pissed off at U.S. over No action in Syria, Iran

Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief has said the kingdom will make a “major shift” in relations with the United States in protest at its perceived inaction over the Syria war and its overtures to Iran, a source close to Saudi policy said on Tuesday. Prince Bandar bin Sultan told European diplomats that Washington had failed to […] Continue reading →

U.S. says talks intense, serious after Iran hints at atomic concessions

The United States described two days of nuclear negotiations with Iran as the most serious and candid to date after Western diplomats said Tehran hinted it was ready to scale back sensitive atomic activities to secure urgent sanctions relief. But a senior U.S. administration official told reporters after the conclusion of negotiations between Iran and […] Continue reading →

Western powers ask is Iran really ready to make a nuclear deal?

Western nations are struggling to answer one key question as they assess conflicting signals from Tehran ahead of next week’s big-power meeting with Iran in Geneva - is the Islamic Republic ready to make a deal on its controversial nuclear program. While it is clear that Iran wants an end to the crippling international sanctions […] Continue reading →

West unlikely to offer immediate sanctions relief in Iran talks

With a week until negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program resume in Geneva, Western diplomats are playing down any suggestion that Iran’s new openness on the world stage will result in any immediate or broad loosening of sanctions. At the same time, they hope a new tone is being established and that the talks on October […] Continue reading →

U.N. says chemical arms report on Syria attack ‘indisputable’

The United Nations on Wednesday defended a report by U.N. chemical weapons experts that Russia has criticized as “one-sided,” saying its conclusion that rockets loaded with sarin gas were used in an August 21 attack should not be questioned. “The findings in that report are indisputable,” U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters. “They speak for […] Continue reading →

US orders diplomats out of Lebanon

The State Department on Friday ordered nonessential American diplomats and the families of staffers at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut to leave Lebanon immediately due to security concerns as the Obama administration and Congress debate military strikes on neighboring Syria. The department also authorized the voluntary departure of diplomats and families at the U.S. Consulate […] Continue reading →

US Evacuates Middle East Embassies

Due to the unstable environment in the Middle East, the White House has decided to close down two major embassies in the region to protect our diplomats. With questions about our next actions concerning Syria, the U.S. State Department has decided this was the next logical step. According to The Hill: The State Department has […] Continue reading →

American al-Qaeda terrorist urges attacks on US diplomats

An American al-Qaeda terrorist has called for more attacks on Western diplomats in the Arab world, praising the killers of the US ambassador to Libya on Sept. 11 last year, a US-based monitoring group said on Sunday. Western nations shut embassies across the Middle East and North Africa early this month, after a warning of a possible terror attack. Many have […] Continue reading →

WikiLeaks: Snowden going to Ecuador to seek asylum

MOSCOW (AP) — Anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks says a former National Security Agency contractor wanted by the United States for revealing highly classified surveillance programs is going to Ecuador to seek asylum. The group said in a statement Sunday that Edward Snowden is “bound for the Republic of Ecuador via a safe route for the purposes […] Continue reading →

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