Topic: John Kerry

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Does Keystone XL report let Obama off the hook on climate pledge?

The State Department report on the Keystone XL pipeline does not oppose it on environmental grounds. Critics say this allows Obama to back away from his pledge to combat climate change.
Iran nuclear talks: Saudis, IAEA, voice doubt over Tehran's intentions

The Saudi foreign minister and director general of the UN's IAEA both voice suspicions that Iran is using nuclear talks as a delaying tactic to allow its nuclear program time to advance.
In Egypt, Kerry gets an earful from the opposition

The rise of the Muslim Brotherhood to power in Egypt was something the US has long feared. But in Cairo today, Secretary of State John Kerry was told that Egypt's secular-leaning opposition sees the US as an ally of the Islamist movement.
Does Mitt Romney have a political life after losing the presidency? (+video)

In his first post-election interview, Mitt Romney tells Fox News why he thinks he lost: failure to connect with minorities and the devastating impact of his '47 percent' comment. He hopes to have a future in the Republican Party, but as 'the guy who lost,' that's uncertain.
State Department has no major objections to Keystone XL pipeline

The Keystone XL pipeline cleared another hurdle towards approval late Friday as the US Department of State raised no major objections in its latest environmental review. The lengthy report says Canadian tar sands are likely to be developed, regardless of whether the US approves the Keystone XL pipeline.
Anti-Israel remarks test John Kerry's diplomacy in Turkey

Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Turkey to stress points of agreement with the ally. Now, he's putting out fires after the prime minister made comments maligning Israel.
Moscow says US aid for Syria helps 'extremists'

The Kremlin has urged the US to move cautiously. Moscow claims it is doing all it can to promote a settlement in Syria that avoids an Afghanistan-style militant blowback.
Opinion A warning to John Kerry on Middle East trip: Egypt could become the next Iran

Take note, Secretary of State John Kerry: Under the rule of Mohammad Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt is in danger of becoming a Sunni version of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The US must demand the protection of human rights and back rhetoric with action.
Direct US aid to Syria's rebels: Why now – and is it too late?

The US decision to give direct aid to Syria's rebels (but still no weapons) is too little, too late – unlikely either to speed President Assad’s departure or to boost US influence over the conflict, say many experts.
Backchannels Will limited US aid to Syria rebels hasten the end of war, or prolong it?

The US has promised to do a lot more to help Syria's rebellion against the government of Bashar al-Assad, but is stopping well short of the kind of aid that might prove decisive.
Opinion 4 ways Chuck Hagel can improve cyber security

Newly sworn-in Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel must guide the Department of Defense through a few key challenges to better secure the nation’s cyber networks. His focus at the Pentagon should be on these four key areas.
Terrorism & Security US will send nonlethal aid directly to Syrian rebels (+video)

Secretary of State John Kerry said that some groups the US doesn't support are gaining more influence with the rebels in the absence of greater Western help.
Massachusetts voters have options in Senate race

The special election to fill John Kerry's recently vacated Senate seat, has a crowded field. Three Republicans and two Democrats have submitted petitions to run. Last year's Massachusetts Senate race had no primary, but was still the most expensive campaign in the state's history.
World powers soften toward Iran

Western officials offered to ease sanctions in return for Iran reducing its uranium enrichment activities. Following talks on Wednesday, Iran's chief negotiator expressed appreciation that the other countries had moved 'closer to our viewpoint'.
Marco Rubio sounds a lot like Obama in big foreign-policy speech

Sen. Marco Rubio, seen as being on the Republican presidential short list in 2016, delivered a foreign policy speech Wednesday that included a lot of common ground with President Obama.
The Monitor's View In Syria, US mission creep with moral creep

President Obama is leaning toward providing nonlethal military equipment to certain rebels in Syria. Doing so runs moral risks. But doing nothing to stop the violence is also a moral risk. Can the US walk this fine line?
Are the US and Russia bridging their divide over Syria?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry came out of their Berlin meeting sounding optimistic, in contrast to recent discord in the US-Russia relationship.
Decoder Wire Chuck Hagel will be secretary of Defense. What did GOP opposition accomplish?

The Senate approves former Sen. Chuck Hagel as Defense secretary after weeks of Republican opposition. Hagel emerges politically weaker as he prepares to fight pending budget cuts.
Syrian government offers to meet with opposition

Against a backdrop of steady military gains for the opposition forces, Bashar Assad's government proposed a meeting. Critics call it a tactic to keep western arms out of opposition hands.
John Kerry hints at more aid for Syria rebels. Does that mean arming them? (+video)

The answer could come Thursday, when Secretary of State John Kerry and other Western officials are to gather in Rome for a meeting with at least some of Syria’s divided opposition groups.
Terrorism & Security In shift, Syrian regime says it's ready to talk to rebels (+video)

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said in Moscow that the Assad government wanted to engage in 'dialogue with anyone who's willing for it, even those who carry arms.'
So many nyets: Why the chasm between US, Russia is so hard to bridge

Many in the West see a perplexing obstructionism in Russia's stands on everything from Syria to adoption. But Russia is working from a fundamentally different understanding of the post-cold war world.
Panetta: Defense furloughs would be 'disruptive and damaging' (+video)

In a letter Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told Congress there were no 'viable alternatives' to putting civilian defense employees on furlough should scheduled budget cuts take effect on March 1. President Obama spoke in favor of avoiding the cuts on local television around the country, Wednesday.
John Kerry speech: US must resist temptation to turn inward

Secretary of State John Kerry delivered his first major policy speech as the nation’s top diplomat, focusing on broad global challenges such as human rights and climate change.
DOD furloughs: a four-day work week for Pentagon?

DOD furloughs would affect 'vast majority' of 800,000 workers, Defense secretary tells Congress. DOD furloughs could shave 20 percent off of pay and last 22 weeks.