Russian bombers fly near Alaska coast, US military says
Four nuclear-capable Russian bombers and two Russian fighter jets were intercepted off the west coast of Alaska by U.S. aircraft, American military officials said Monday.
Russia
U.S. House Democrats subpoena more Trump ex-aides, including Hicks
A U.S. House committee chairman on Tuesday subpoenaed two more former White House aides, including Hope Hicks, just hours after former White House Counsel Donald McGahn was a no-show for testimony before the panel at President Donald Trump’s request.
Chinese, Russian hypersonic weapons advances a growing concern, Air Force chief says
The U.S. cannot turn a blind eye to Russia and China’s rapid advances in the field of hypersonic weapons and must expedite efforts to build up its own weapons in the field, the Air Force’s top official said Thursday.
Russia’s Putin Says He May Meet Trump Next Month At G20 In Japan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he may meet U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of a Group of 20 (G20) summit next month in Japan.
U.S. Prosecutor Assigned To Look Into Russia Probe Origins
U.S. Attorney General William Barr has appointed a federal prosecutor to examine the origins of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, the Associated Press reports.
Pompeo to hold talks on Iran in Brussels en route to Russia
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will cancel the Moscow leg of his Russia trip, but will meet President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the Black Sea resort of Sochi as planned on Tuesday, a State Department official said.
Iranian President and Foreign Minister Offer Western Nations ‘A Narrowing Window’ To Renegotiate Nuclear Deal
Iranian President Hassan Rouani threatened Wednesday to resume enrichment of uranium if the terms of the 2015 nuclear accord, from which the U.S. withdrew this time last year, were not renegotiated within 60 days among the powers that remain signatories to it.
Judicial Watch Sues FBI/DOJ for Top Obama Officials’ Communications About Russia and 2016 Election
The non-profit government watchdog group Judicial Watch has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI to obtain communications between top Obama administration officials — and some Trump administration officials in early 2017 — about the manufactured collusion story in the 2016 election.
Iran Threatens To Resume High-Level Uranium Enrichment Amid U.S. Sanctions
Iranian President Hassan Rohani has said Tehran will resume high-level enrichment of uranium if world powers do not protect its interests against U.S. sanctions.
Russia-Backed Assad Forces Pummel Syria’s Idlib
Syrian and Russian warplanes have been escalating airstrikes on the last remaining rebel redoubt in northern Syria. The air raids are as much a message to Turkey as to die-hard rebels and jihadists in the province of Idlib, say analysts.
76% of Democrats, 69% of U.S. Adults Want Congress to Probe Origins of DOJ’s Russia Investigation
Three-fourths (76%) of Democrats want Congress to investigate the origins of the Justice Department’s probe that led to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of President Donald Trump, a new CNN poll finds.
Turkey says it will not bow to U.S. sanctions over S-400 deal
Turkey will never bow to U.S. sanctions over its agreement to purchase Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Sunday regarding a deal that has strained ties between the NATO allies.
US warns China, Russia against aggression in Arctic region
The Trump administration warned China and Russia on Monday that the U.S. won’t stand for aggressive moves in the Arctic region, which is rapidly opening up to development and commerce as temperatures warm and sea ice melts.
New York Times Admits Obama Admin Deployed Multiple Spies Against Trump Campaign In 2016
Following months of angry claims by journalists and Democratic operatives that the Obama administration never spied on Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, The New York Times admitted Thursday that multiple overseas intelligence assets were deployed against associates of the Republican nominee. It is not the first time the Times has revealed widespread spying operations against the campaign.
Abbas bypasses EU, asks Russia help avert PA collapse over terror payments
The Palestinian Authority has demanded that Russia resolve the terror-payment crisis that could lead to the PA’s collapse as it rejected a European Union compromise solution.
Putin Signs ‘Sovereign Internet’ Law, Expanding Government Control of Internet
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a new measure that aims to expand government control over the Internet.
USCIRF Annual Report Highlights China’s ‘Tragedy’ of Religious Freedom
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its annual report Monday, detailing religious rights abuses around the world and recommending state actors for the U.S. State Department to earmark as “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPCs).
US Urges Russia to End ‘Escalation’ in Syria’s Idlib
The United States on Tuesday urged Russia to abide by its commitments and end an ‘escalation’ in Syria’s northwestern Idlib region after a monitor said air strikes killed 10 civilians.
Barr blows off House Judiciary hearing in fight over format of questioning
Attorney General William Barr is backing out of a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, escalating a fight with Democrats over the format of questioning.
Iranian Foreign Minister Set to Meet with North Korean Leaders ‘Soon’
Iran’s foreign minister Mohammed Javad Zarif is planning to meet with North Korean leaders ‘soon,’ according to the Islamic Republic’s state-run IRNA television.