Iran admits downing of Ukrainian jet a ‘mistake’
Iran conceded on Saturday to having made a ‘disastrous mistake’ in shooting down a Ukrainian airliner that was carrying 176 passengers, an allegation the regime initially denied.
Pompeo
Rocket Attack Hits Military Base in Iraq, Pompeo Calls Them ‘Continued Violations’
Several people were wounded on Sunday in an attack on the Balad airbase in northern Iraq that houses U.S. personnel, according to the Iraqi military. The incident was decried by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hours later.
Venezuela dictator Maduro takes over legislature in move condemned by Pompeo
Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro took over his country’s National Assembly Sunday, consolidating his power by co-opting the legislature largely considered the South American nation’s last democratic institution.
Netanyahu praises ‘important’ US strikes on Iran-backed militia
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday praised as ‘important’ the series of US airstrikes a day earlier against an Iranian proxy group that had carried out an attack on American forces in Iraq.
Pompeo rolls out new sanctions on Iran for protest deaths
American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Thursday a new wave of sanctions against Iran for its harsh repression of protests that began on November 15 over austerity fuel prices.
U.S. Hits Iran With More Sanctions, Hopes For Prisoner Talks
The United States has hit Iran with new sanctions targeting several transport firms it accused of transporting lethal aid from Iran to Yemen and proliferating weapons of mass destruction.
Senate Panel Passes Bill To Impose Sanctions On Turkey; Delays Vote On Tough Russia Measures
A U.S. Senate committee has passed legislation with bipartisan support to hit Turkey with sanctions but refrained from voting on a controversial Russian sanctions bill.
Netanyahu: America and Israel have ‘decided to speed up work’ on mutual defense pact
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met in Lisbon, Portugal Wednesday to discuss a mutual defense treaty between the US and Israel.
US officials release photos of ‘significant cache’ of Iranian missile parts captured
U.S. officials released photos Thursday of the missile parts intercepted by military personnel believed to be from Iran headed to Yemen.
US looks to support democratic protests in South America while disclaiming socialist elements
The US has pledged its support to democratic revolutions in South America, while warning against Russian interference.
Turkey moves ahead with Russian missile defense despite US pressure
Turkey plans on testing its Russian-bought S-400 missile defense system Monday.
Trump gestures strong support to Hong Kong protestors
President Trump gave his support to Hong Kong protestors Wednesday, signing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act into law.
Pompeo: Economic Woes Driving Protests in Iran the Result of Regime Policies, Not US Pressure
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the weekend denied that the U.S. pressure campaign on Iran was responsible for the economic grievances that sparked the current wave of protests, saying regime policies predating the restoration of sanctions were to blame.
Arab League slams US shift on settlements as ‘biased, unacceptable’
Arab League foreign ministers denounced the Trump administration’s announcement that it no longer considers Israeli settlements to be a violation of international law.
106 House Dems to Pompeo: Reverse settlement announcement ‘immediately’
A large group of 106 House Democrats sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday urging him to reverse ‘immediately’ his recent announcement regarding the legality of the settlements.
Trump evangelical base ‘thrilled’ by determination that West Bank settlements are legal
Prominent evangelical leaders are celebrating President Trump’s decision to recognize Israeli West Bank settlements as legal, a determination that reversed decades of official U.S. policy left in place by Democratic and Republican presidents.
Israel to enter 21-day period in which any Knesset member can become Prime Minister
Negotiations following Israeli elections in September have still not produced any clear leadership.
Sondland implicates top officials on Ukraine, but says he ‘never heard’ quid pro quo from Trump
European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland tied top officials to the ‘potential quid pro quo’ involving U.S. military aid to Ukraine and investigations desired by President Trump during his highly anticipated impeachment hearing testimony on Wednesday – yet said he never heard that link from the president himself.
UN Security Council members critical of US policy shift on Israeli settlements
United Nations Security Council members decried a United States policy shift on Israeli settlements on Wednesday during a meeting where they discussed recent developments in the Middle East, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s announcement two days before.
Arab League to meet on US shift on Israel settlements
The Arab League said it will hold an urgent meeting Monday on the US announcement that it no longer considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal.