Geopolitics - Page 158

CIA chief believes release of 9/11 documents will clear Saudi Arabia

June 12, 2016

CIA chief believes release of 9/11 documents will clear Saudi Arabia

CIA Director John Brennan said in an interview with a Saudi Arabian television station Sunday that he expects the 28 classified pages of a U.S. congressional report into the Sept. 11 attacks to absolve Saudi Arabia of responsibility.

Iran refuses to grant visas to congressmen amid nuclear deal row

June 8, 2016

Iran refuses to grant visas to congressmen amid nuclear deal row

Iran said Tuesday it would not grant visas to three U.S. congressmen opposed to the nuclear deal, calling their request to monitor the accord a "publicity stunt."

US lifts Vietnam arms embargo in move to counter China

May 23, 2016

US lifts Vietnam arms embargo in move to counter China

President Obama lifted the decades-long U.S. arms embargo against Vietnam on Monday in an apparent effort to shore up the communist country's defenses against an increasingly aggressive China – though he faced criticism that the move takes away U.S. leverage to press for human rights freedoms.

Group that helped sell Iran nuke deal also funded media

May 21, 2016

Group that helped sell Iran nuke deal also funded media

A group the White House recently identified as a key surrogate in selling the Iran nuclear deal gave National Public Radio $100,000 last year to help it report on the pact and related issues, according to the group's annual report. It also funded reporters and partnerships with other news outlets.

Congressman: Classified details of Iran's treatment of US sailors will shock nation

May 16, 2016

Congressman: Classified details of Iran's treatment of US sailors will shock nation

The classified details behind Iran’s treatment of several U.S. sailors who were captured by the Islamic Republic during a tense standoff earlier this year are likely to shock the nation, according to one member of the House Armed Services Committee, who disclosed to the Washington Free Beacon that these details are currently being withheld by the Obama administration.

Pentagon report says China weaponizing man-made islands in South China Sea

May 14, 2016

Pentagon report says China weaponizing man-made islands in South China Sea

A new Pentagon reported released Friday said that China has reclaimed more than 3,200 acres of land in the South China Sea and the country’s focus has shifted to developing and weaponinzing the man-made islands.

US sends warship near Chinese-claimed island in South China Sea

May 10, 2016

US sends warship near Chinese-claimed island in South China Sea

The Pentagon announced Tuesday that it had sent a warship near a disputed reef in the South China Sea, representing a new warning to China over Beijing's territorial claims in the region.

US officials secretly communicated with Assad regime for years, report says

May 2, 2016

US officials secretly communicated with Assad regime for years, report says

U.S. and Arab officials say the White House secretly looked to communicate with parts of the Syria regime in an effort to quell the violence and to get President Bashar Al-Assad to step down, according to a published report.

Top Democrat says Obama too slow in fight against ISIS

May 2, 2016

Top Democrat says Obama too slow in fight against ISIS

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., criticized on Sunday the pace of the Obama administration’s war against the Islamic State, said the U.S. needs to “change the dynamic on the ground.”

Russia adding 2nd airbase in Syria, pursuing 'expansion' in military campaign

May 2, 2016

Russia adding 2nd airbase in Syria, pursuing 'expansion' in military campaign

Russia has expanded its military operations in Syria to include a second airbase as well as other posts, according to a U.S. official briefed on the latest intelligence from the region – even as President Obama expresses muted optimism that Russian President Vladimir Putin eventually will “shift” his strategy and work with the West.