US Announces Sanctions on Iran Drone Procurement Network
New Defense Chief Urges Taliban to Curtail Attacks
February 19, 2021
by TWN Staff
WASHINGTON – In his first press conference as Pentagon chief, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, said an end to U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan depends entirely on the Taliban reducing attacks on NATO forces.
“Clearly the violence is too high right now,” he said. “More progress needs to be made in the Afghan-led negotiations.
“I urge all parties to choose the path towards peace. The violence must decrease now,” he added.
Austin also declined to say whether U.S. will meet the May 1 deadline for full troop withdrawal. Another alternative would be for the Biden administration and NATO to try to renegotiate the current peace deal with the Taliban and keep some troops there longer.
“The bottom line is this,” he said. “We are committed to a responsible and sustainable end to this war, while preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups that threaten the interests of the United States and our allies, and ensuring a just and durable end to the long-running conflict.
“We are mindful of the looming deadlines. But we want to do this methodically and deliberately, and I certainly won’t get ahead of any decisions, nor will I preview the advice that I plan to give to the president,” Austin added.
A+
a-
In The News
Innovation
Innovation Is the Invisible Hand That Moves the Political Debate on Energy
2023-03-24 20:56:00
Health
Voting
Geopolitics
March 21, 2023
by US Announces Sanctions on Iran Drone Procurement Network
US Announces Sanctions on Iran Drone Procurement Network
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States said Tuesday it is imposing a new round of sanctions on Iranian firms and people accused... Read More
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States said Tuesday it is imposing a new round of sanctions on Iranian firms and people accused of procuring equipment used for Iranian drones. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control coordinated with the FBI to designate four firms and three people in Iran... Read More
March 16, 2023
by Kate Michael
20 Years Later, Historian Interprets Iraqi Invasion
WASHINGTON — American historian Melvyn Leffler discussed his latest book, "Confronting Saddam Hussein," at the Wilson Center. Twenty years after... Read More
WASHINGTON — American historian Melvyn Leffler discussed his latest book, "Confronting Saddam Hussein," at the Wilson Center. Twenty years after the start of the Iraq war, the eminent U.S. foreign policy researcher has a new interpretation of former President George W. Bush’s intervention in the country. ... Read More
March 3, 2023
by Kate Michael
European Leaders Call Welcoming Ukraine to EU a ‘Point of Pride’
WASHINGTON — Ambassadors of the European Union, Sweden — as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the European... Read More
WASHINGTON — Ambassadors of the European Union, Sweden — as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union — and Ukraine, joined the Atlantic Council to discuss Europe’s role in Ukraine’s future this week. Coming on the heels of European Commission President Ursula... Read More
February 28, 2023
by Kate Michael
US Officials Say Moscow Suspension of New START a Fixable ‘Mistake’
WASHINGTON — U.S. Arms Control officials are concerned about Russia’s recent announcement suspending the nation’s participation in New START, but... Read More
WASHINGTON — U.S. Arms Control officials are concerned about Russia’s recent announcement suspending the nation’s participation in New START, but they are willing to allow Moscow to fix its “mistake” and resume involvement in the treaty. “Last week, we learned that President Putin had chosen to... Read More
February 28, 2023
by New China Committee Debuts With Eye on Major Policy Shifts
New China Committee Debuts With Eye on Major Policy Shifts
WASHINGTON (AP) — A special House committee dedicated to countering China will make its debut on Tuesday, the opening act... Read More
WASHINGTON (AP) — A special House committee dedicated to countering China will make its debut on Tuesday, the opening act in what lawmakers hope will be a robust effort to overcome partisan divisions and address a “generational challenge” to America's national security. The committee's chairman, Rep.... Read More
February 21, 2023
by Biden in Poland Says US and Allies 'Have Ukraine's Back'
Biden in Poland Says US and Allies 'Have Ukraine's Back'
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — President Joe Biden, returning on Tuesday to the Polish castle where he spoke shortly after the... Read More
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — President Joe Biden, returning on Tuesday to the Polish castle where he spoke shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, said the war had hardened Western resolve to defend democracy around the globe. He warned that there were “hard and... Read More
News From The Well
