Secretary of State - Page 137

The mechanics, perils and pitfalls of destroying Assad’s chemical weapons arsenal

December 20, 2015

The mechanics, perils and pitfalls of destroying Assad’s chemical weapons arsenal

In all, the shared goal is to finalize the complete destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal by mid-2014. U.S. officials acknowledged that that timetable is “ambitious” and “daunting,” but reiterated that, with the Syrian regime’s full cooperation, it is “doable.”

UN chief says Syria report will prove chemical weapons attack, as Assad ups demands

December 20, 2015

UN chief says Syria report will prove chemical weapons attack, as Assad ups demands

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday he expects a soon-to-be-released investigative report to show chemical weapons were used last month in Syria -- though U.S. officials claim it will not assign blame.

Embattled Syria analyst vouched for rebel group that depicted burning US Capitol

December 20, 2015

Embattled Syria analyst vouched for rebel group that depicted burning US Capitol

Elizabeth O’Bagy, a pro-Syrian opposition analyst whose credibility has come under fire, might have even more explaining to do – as court documents show she once vouched for a rebel group whose website displayed extremist and anti-American images.

White House puts Syria onus on Putin after Russian president pressures US in op-ed

December 20, 2015

White House puts Syria onus on Putin after Russian president pressures US in op-ed

Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Geneva Thursday for talks with his Russian counterpart as the White House attempted to put the onus on Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the ongoing crisis over chemical weapons use by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

US eyes weapons 'declaration' as test of Assad's intentions

December 20, 2015

US eyes weapons 'declaration' as test of Assad's intentions

An early test of how serious Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is about dismantling his arsenal of chemical weapons will come when his regime provides a declaration listing its various components, along with an inventory of related production and storage facilities, senior U.S. officials said Wednesday.

CIA director clears Benghazi survivors to talk to lawmakers

December 20, 2015

CIA director clears Benghazi survivors to talk to lawmakers

CIA Director John Brennan now says his agency will make survivors of the Benghazi attack available to talk to lawmakers, in a possible breakthrough for members of Congress investigating the strike.

Accidental Diplomacy? Kerry now claims credit for Syria weapons proposal

December 20, 2015

Accidental Diplomacy? Kerry now claims credit for Syria weapons proposal

Secretary of State John Kerry's seemingly casual proposal for the Assad regime to turn over its chemical weapons has within 24 hours become the de facto policy of the Obama administration, and is now being heralded by Kerry as the "ideal way" to defuse the stand-off between the United States and Syria.

Time for Plan B? US lawmakers, Russia push alternative to Syria strike

December 20, 2015

Time for Plan B? US lawmakers, Russia push alternative to Syria strike

President Obama's "Plan A" for a military strike on Syria could be in danger just one day before he makes his case to the American people as Russia, the U.N. and some in Congress push for a newly emerging "Plan B."

Transcript of President Obama's interview with Fox News' Chris Wallace

December 20, 2015

Transcript of President Obama's interview with Fox News' Chris Wallace

Obama tells Fox News' Chris Wallace US is willing to negotiate with Russia and Syria over proposal to have Syria turn over chemical weapons to international control, taking a sharp turn from his 'red line' on eve of speech to the American people.

US says 14 more nations join statement on Syria

December 20, 2015

US says 14 more nations join statement on Syria

The White House says 14 more nations have signed on to a statement blaming Syrian President Bashar Assad's government for a chemical weapons attack and calling for a strong international response.