Topic: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

US intervention unlikely in Syria

The administration expelled Syrian diplomats after last weekend's massacre, but ruled out military action.

To reward Myanmar for reforms, US eases economic sanctions, names ambassador

Hillary Clinton said the decision to suspend sanctions on export of American financial services and investment was the most significant action Washington has taken so far to reward Myanmar for its reforms.

How an Obama shift helps unstable regimes get nuclear weapons

In past nuclear cooperation agreements, the US has required nations to commit to not enriching uranium and opening nuclear sites to inspections. The Obama administration has just done away with the requirement. Congress needs oversight to combat this possibility of nuclear proliferation.

Congress makes Elmo cry by defunding Palestinian 'Sesame Street'

In protest of the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen froze $192 million in funding for USAID programs, including a Palestinian version of 'Sesame Street.' The move has not only jeopardized the show, but US Mideast policy.

Why Florida's Latino Republicans tilt toward Mitt Romney

The question of who wins Florida's Republican Latino vote could determine who wins the Florida primary Tuesday. Polls show Mitt Romney in front, but Newt Gingrich is not out of it. 

Why the US won't fund Palestinian 'Sesame Street'

Following a Palestinian appeal for UN recognition, US congressional funding for aid projects including a local version of 'Sesame Street' have been frozen.

Latino vote could save Mitt Romney in Florida primary

Momentum has swung against Mitt Romney since Newt Gingrich's resounding win in South Carolina Saturday. But Florida Latinos favor Romney by a wide margin, which could be decisive.  

For Mitt Romney, it's likely to feel a lot hotter in South Carolina (+video)

Coming off a decisive win Tuesday in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney leads the pack in South Carolina, polls show. But the state is not a natural fit for him, and some GOP rivals are on the warpath.

What's Ahmadinejad getting out of his Latin America tour?

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s Latin America trip, a whirlwind four-nation tour that began in Venezuela on Jan. 8, is now taking him to the inauguration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. The trip is his fifth visit to the region since 2007 and has prompted alarm in some corners of the United States that Iran is using the region as a staging ground to attack US interests.

However, many who study Iran’s relationship with Latin America, in particular Venezuela, say fear of an Iranian threat in the Americas is overblown, at least at this point. Here are four reasons why:  

US expels Venezuelan diplomat as Ahmadinejad makes Latin America tour

Venezuela's consul general to Miami was expelled today amid accusations that she assisted with a cyberattack – coordinated by Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela – against the US. 

Fidel Castro death rumor shows paradoxes in Cuba

As 2012 kicks off, blogger Anya Landau French weighs in on the Cuban economic and social developments that she will assess as she visits Havana next week.

Why the 2012 election could all come down to Florida

The nation's premier swing state, younger and more diverse than you think, will be vital in deciding who wins the White House. Along the way, Florida could determine the GOP primary, too. 

Christmas In Havana: President Obama prevails on Cuban family travel rules

But the standoff in Congress over food exports and family travel to Cuba is a reminder, writes guest blogger Anya Landau French, of how far some are willing to go to punish Cuba's leaders.

US and Israel haven't learned their history lessons. Palestinians and Abbas have.

Billions in US aid dollars to individual economies and militaries in the Middle East have not strengthened peace. The success of post-war Europe shows the key to unity is to get citizens of different nations to work together. That hasn't really happened with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt.

After UNESCO Palestine vote, could US defund nuclear watchdog IAEA, too?

The US withdrew funding after UNESCO's Palestine vote yesterday. There's no reason that Palestinians won't be able to muster the votes for recognition in other UN agencies like the International Atomic Energy Agency.

One of 'Cuban Five' spies to walk free today in Florida

But where will Rene Gonzalez, convicted of spying for the Cuban government, go? A Florida judge has ordered he must serve three years of probation in the US, after spending 13 years behind bars.

Why even Israel supporters are worried about US freeze on Palestinian aid

The Palestinian campaign for statehood hasn't sat well with Washington, and now some members of Congress have decided to freeze some of the $500 million US aid to Palestinians.

Obama administration mulls India-style nuclear pact with Saudi Arabia

US officials are planning to hold talks with Saudi Arabia next week over a potential civilian nuclear pact. But Israeli concerns and Saudi Arabia's rivalry with Iran could complicate matters.

Afghanistan troop drawdown: why Congress doesn't like it

In a break with prevailing patterns on Capitol Hill, the response to President Obama’s announcement about a troop drawdown in Afghanistan is not playing out strictly along party lines.

New US sanctions target Iran's refined petroleum imports for first time

Analysts say the new US sanctions – seen as a move to weaken Iran's economy – are the Obama administration's response to critics in Congress who say the US has been slow to get tough.

Was Obama's speech too tough on Israel? Republican criticism mounts.

Congressional appropriators voiced doubts about some aspects of Obama's speech. But the most pointed criticism was from the GOP. 'Obama has thrown Israel under the bus,' Mitt Romney said.

UN chief asks Congress to protect funding. Republicans less than thrilled.

When the UN's Ban Ki-moon traveled to Washington on Thursday to make the case for continued strong financial support, he got stiff resistance from Republicans.

Libya intervention: Tea party and liberal Democrats make unusual allies

On Capitol Hill, the Libya intervention has elicited antiwar voices from opposite ends of the political spectrum. Their point in common: The power to make war resides with Congress.

Save America's foreign policy budget

A choice between a robust US diplomatic program and a healthy federal budget is a false one. As events in the Arab world show, now is not the time to whack the State Department's budget.

Is Obama's tough talk enough to help Iran's protesters?

President Obama on Tuesday chastised Iran for seeking to stifle protesters with beatings and tear gas. Some critics say he needs to act more forcefully against Iran's theocratic government.