All articles tagged with #us secretary of state
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio inaugurated a controversial archaeological site in East Jerusalem, operated by Israeli settlers, amid protests from Palestinian residents and rights groups who see it as a symbol of Israeli settlement expansion and a challenge to international law and Palestinian rights.
Henry Kissinger, the influential diplomat who played a key role in shaping U.S. Cold War history, has died at the age of 100. As Secretary of State, he engineered the U.S.'s opening to China, negotiated the country's exit from Vietnam, and reshaped American power relationships with the Soviet Union. Kissinger's legacy is both celebrated and reviled, with critics accusing him of trampling on democratic values and disregarding human rights. He advised 12 U.S. presidents and remained influential in global affairs until his death.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stated that the PA could regain power in the Gaza Strip if a comprehensive political solution is reached in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Israel seeks to remove Hamas from control of Gaza, a sentiment supported by the US. Hamas took over Gaza in 2007 after winning a parliamentary election, while the PA has been blocked from exercising real power. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his visit to the region, expressed that the PA should play a central role in the future of Gaza. The US is committed to providing aid to Gaza but has opposed a ceasefire, instead supporting a "pause" for humanitarian aid and limited border crossings.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the Egyptian-controlled border crossing into Gaza will reopen, allowing for the delivery of humanitarian aid. The US is working with Egypt, Israel, and the United Nations to facilitate the safe passage of assistance to Gaza and the evacuation of foreign passport holders through the Rafah crossing. Egypt has intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the impasse, and the US has appointed a Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues to address the Gaza crisis. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi criticized Israel for a disproportionate response and called for cooperation to combat extremism. Israel's bombardments near the Rafah crossing have hindered its operation, but efforts are underway to facilitate aid delivery. Egypt also rejected any plan to displace Palestinians and proposed hosting a summit to address the crisis.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with American Paul Whelan, who has been wrongfully detained in Russia for over four years. Blinken assured Whelan that the US government is doing everything possible to bring him home. The Biden administration continues to seek Whelan's release through diplomatic efforts, including proposing a prisoner exchange, but Russia has not responded substantively. Whelan's family is concerned about the slow progress and the possibility that he may have to serve his full 16-year prison sentence.