December 20, 2015 Kerry sees Russia, China agreeing on UN resolution on Syria as possible turning point Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday hailed the U.N. Security Council uniting for the first time on a resolution regarding Syria's humanitarian crisis, calling it a potential “hinge point” in ending that country’s deadly, 3-year-long civil war.
December 20, 2015 German company denies selling death cranes to Iran The chairman of a German company whose cranes are reportedly being used for public hangings in Iran lashed out at critics and dismissed calls for his company to end its relationship with Tehran on humanitarian grounds.
December 20, 2015 Obama's pick for ambassador embraces criticism of China President Obama's choice to become U.S. ambassador to China embraced several criticisms of that country Tuesday,
December 20, 2015 US reportedly offers to send envoy to North Korea to secure American's release The Obama administration has offered to send an envoy to North Korea to secure the release of American missionary Kenneth Bae after he appeared in front of reporters urging action from Washington, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
December 20, 2015 Cuban dissidents say US keeping them in the dark on prisoner exchange Cuban dissidents have expressed frustrations with the U.S. government over which political prisoners will be on a list of 53 people scheduled to be freed by the Castro regime as part of an effort to normalize relations between Washington and Havana.
December 20, 2015 Clinton strongly backs Obama's Cuba deal Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waded into the heated debate over normalizing relations with Cuba on Thursday, issuing a statement of backing the policy shift and hailing prisoner Alan Gross' safe return to the United States.
December 20, 2015 UN still struggling to move aid into Syria The U.N.'s decision in July to begin moving aid into war-torn Syria without the consent of President Bashar Assad was heralded as unprecedented. It was the first time that humanitarian need trumped a nation's sovereignty.
December 20, 2015 Obama confronts shortcomings in Burma reforms In Burma's remote capital, President Barack Obama will confront a nation backsliding in its pledges to enact economic and political reforms that were rewarded with U.S. sanctions relief and made the long-isolated country a darling of Obama's efforts to stake out a legacy in Asia.
December 20, 2015 Americans released from North Korean captivity back on US soil Two American citizens released from custody in North Korea returned to American soil late Saturday.
December 20, 2015 Republicans cheer Tahmooressi's release, question Obama's role Republicans on Saturday welcomed the news of Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi being released from a Mexico prison and the efforts by GOP congressmen to help broker a deal but questioned whether the Obama administration did enough.
