Pompeo threatens China with sanctions over Iran arms deals
President Trump will impose sanctions on China if Beijing authorizes arms sales to Iran following his move to dismantle the 2015 nuclear deal and renew international sanctions on Tehran.
Russia
US to deploy small number of additional troops to Syria
The US is sending around 100 extra troops to Syria to protect against increasing Russian aggression and signs of renewed activity from ISIS in the region, the New York Times (NYT) reported Friday. The newly deployed soldiers will be added to a contingent of some 500 American troops in Syria. Additional military hardware will also be sent and there will be more fighter jet patrols.
‘Russian President’s Friend Laundering Millions Through Bank’
Leaked documents suggest that one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest friends used a prominent British bank to launder millions of dollars and evade Western sanctions. Separately the company of U.S. President Donald Trump allegedly benefited from laundered money, but officials denied those charges.
Belarus Famed Grandmother Detained At Protests
Mass protests were held for the sixth straight Sunday in Belarus following the detention of a grandmother, who became a symbol of resistance against longtime President Alexander Lukashenko. As many as 100,000 people rallied in Minsk amid mounting pressure on Lukashenko to step down and allow fair and free elections.
Belarus Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya Speaks At Tense U.N. Council Debate
Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has spoken to the United Nations Human Rights Council despite Belarussian efforts to prevent her and other critics from giving speeches. During Friday’s turbulent session of the Geneva-based U.N. body, she demanded that the country’s authorities end violence against protestors and organize a free and fair presidential election.
Russia to send more troops to Far East
Russia’s Ministry of Defense has announced it is deploying additional troops to the nation’s eastern border with China because it says there are rising tensions in the wider Asia-Pacific region, the Epoch Times reports. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made the announcement on the ministry website on Thursday, but did not specify the nature of the new threats or where the additional troops would be stationed.
State Dept. says it will impose “snap back” sanctions on Iran, despite US withdrawal from Nuclear Deal
As the US believes Iran has continued to develop nuclear weapons, and as the United Nations arms embargo on Iran expires next month, the State Department announced Wednesday that it is pressing forward with “snap back” sanctions that are provided for under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran Nuclear deal, Fox News reports. Under the terms of the JCPoA, snapback sanctions can be re-imposed if Iran is perceived to be violating the terms of the agreement. However, as the Trump administration withdrew from the JCPoA in 2018, UNSC members Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia have unequivocally stated the US has no authority to unilaterally enforce snapback sanctions once the current embargo is lifted on October 18.
Belarus Protest Organizer Charged With Undermining National Security
Political and social unrest is rising in Belarus after a protest organizer was charged with undermining national security. Authorities in have linked Maria Kolesnikova to what they view as attempts to destabilize the former Soviet nation.
EU Chief Von der Leyen Wants Britain and Russia in First Union Speech
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has given her first State of the Union speech with angry words about Britain’s plans to renegotiate its divorce deal with the EU.
Turkey, Russia nearing deal on Libya ceasefire, political process
Turkey and Russia have moved closer to an agreement on a ceasefire and political process in Libya during their latest meetings in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk late on Wednesday.
Opposition Making some Gains in Russian Vote
Supporters of Russia’s stricken opposition leader Alexei Navalny made rare gains in weekend regional elections. However, the ruling United Russia party still secured a landslide in weekend local elections.
Belarus Detains Dozens Of Pro-Democracy Protestors Opposing President
As talks were underway between the Vatican and Belarus, reports emerged that Belarusian authorities detained dozens of pro-democracy protesters.
Poisoned Kremlin Critic Navalny Out of Coma; Plans Return to Russia
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was allegedly poisoned, has been removed from a medically induced coma in a German hospital and plans to return to Russia, officials said Monday.
Russians Vote In Regional Ballot After Poisoning Scandal
People across Russia were casting ballots in dozens of local elections that are seen as a significant test for the ruling pro-Kremlin United Russia party. The three-day-elections, which ended Sunday, came just weeks after the alleged poisoning of an influential critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mueller investigators ‘accidentally’ wiped over a dozen phones before turning over to I.G.’s office
Newly released records from the Department of Justice show that multiple high-ranking members of Robert Mueller’s special investigation into the Russia conspiracy theory wiped their phones before handing them over to the DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General.
Cyberattacks from China, Iran, Russia target U.S. presidential election
Microsoft said Thursday it’s detected an increase in cyberattacks related to the November presidential election coming from China, Iran and Russia.
Russia, China, Iran to hold massive joint military exercise
China, Russia, Iran and a handful of other nations will hold massive joint military drills later this month in what Beijing dubs a “comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in a new era.”
Iran and Turkey forming “strong foundation” for “cooperation”
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are working toward forming a “strong foundation” for future, high level “cooperation,” the leaders’ respective national media have reported. The Turkish and Iranian media reports followed a video conference the two leaders held on Tuesday, the Jerusalem Post said.
Mark Meadows: ‘Additional documents’ spell ‘trouble’ for ex-officials in Durham investigation
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said he has seen “additional” documents that are pertinent to U.S. Attorney John Durham’s criminal inquiry into the Russia investigation.
Opposition Leader Urges End To Deals With Belarus President Amid Kidnappings and Expulsions
An opposition leader says an increasing number of critical activists opposing Belarusian President Alexander Lukanhesko are detained, kidnapped, and sometimes expelled from the country. The statement by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya comes amid dramatic scenes at the borders of the former Soviet republic.