Topic: John Kerry

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The Monitor's View Obama helps nip pot legalization in Latin America. How about in US?

President Obama helped prevent a move toward pot legalization by some Latin American leaders. But will he be as bold against Colorado, Washington state?
Can a low-key professor fill the shoes of Washington's West Bank darling?

Salam Fayyad, who resigned as prime minister in April, was renowned internationally for winning donor trust. Rami Hamdallah, head of a West Bank university, is comparatively unknown.
Why it's John McCain, maverick, stumping for Gomez in Massachusetts

In the Massachusetts Senate race, underdog Gabriel Gomez enlisted the help Monday of GOP maverick-in-chief John McCain. There's a reason he called on McCain and not, say, Newt Gingrich.
With Hezbollah's help, Syrian troops push to regain Lebanese border areas

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 30 people, including 16 rebel fighters and one woman, were killed in Qusair in morning fighting, but that the death toll was expected to rise.
Venezuela's Maduro still waiting on Washington's recognition

More than a month since Maduro was elected Venezuelan president by less than 2 percent of the vote, the US has not recognized his victory. A partial recount of the ballot is currently underway.
Global News Blog Good Reads: From Chinese dreams, to the Tsarnaevs, to a QWERTY challenger

This week's round-up of Good Reads includes a vague dream for the Chinese, the Boston bombers' connection to radical Islam, why Obama has been so slow to respond to Syria's civil war, levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere not seen since the Pliocene era, and a new keyboard configuration for mobile phones.
Energy Voices Arctic Council: China looks north for oil, gas, and fish

Arctic Council grants China observer status. The eight-member Arctic Council will be key to regulating the anticipated resource rush as warming temperatures further open the Arctic to oil and gas drilling and fishing.
Terrorism & Security I spy, you spy: Russian officials downplay Fogle incident

Russian officials are avoiding inflammatory language as they talk about the case of Ryan Fogle, a US diplomat suspected of being a CIA agent.
Terrorism & Security Syrian rebel's video surfaces amid intensified pressure for action on Syria

The gruesome video shocked the international community. With concerns about arming the rebels, attention is turning to greater humanitarian aid as a way to help in the increasingly violent war.
US and Britain cling to diplomacy as way forward on Syria (+video)

At the White House, the US and British leaders called talks with Russia 'very constructive,' but Obama cautioned that given 'what we’re seeing in Syria, it’s very hard to put things back together.'
Terrorism & Security A flurry of diplomacy over Syria, but will it amount to progress?

There is concern over a Russian missile shipment to the Assad regime, but cautious optimism persists in some Western capitals over a planned international conference on Syria.
Global News Blog US balks as Russia prepares to deliver missiles to Syria (+video)

Israel says Russia is preparing to deliver anti-aircraft missiles and launchers to the Assad regime, which the US warns will further destabilize a troubled region.
Prince Harry begins US visit with Michelle, McCain, and moms

Prince Harry's first day in the US included a visit with McCain to a charity supported by his late mother, Princess Diana, as well as events honoring military moms hosted by Michelle Obama.
Terrorism & Security US and Russia team up to make fresh diplomatic push on Syria

US Secretary of State Kerry and Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov say they hope to convene an international conference on Syria later in May. The US has also stepped up humanitarian aid.
At Kerry-Putin meeting, US-Russia relations thaw – a little

Secretary of State John Kerry sought to ease diplomatic tensions with Russia in preparation for meetings between Putin and Obama later this year. But Syria remains a major sticking point.
Syria civil war: This week could be decisive for US involvement

Secretary of State John Kerry travels to Moscow to discuss international pressure on Syria, following Israel’s targeted airstrikes on Damascus over the weekend.
Terrorism & Security UN investigator suggests it was Syria's rebels who used chemical weapons

Rebel forces denied the claims by Carla Del Ponte. The UN commission she leads emphasized today that the investigators had not yet reached conclusive findings.
Opinion US intervention in Syria must be legitimate in eyes of international law (+video)

Israeli air strikes on Damascus and the conflicting reports on the use of chemical weapons (sarin gas) may complicate President Obama's decision on intervention in Syria. The US must consider the international laws of war before taking any action.
Veteran US diplomat appointed new special envoy to Afghanistan, Pakistan

Secretary of State John Kerry has appointed James Dobbins as the new special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dobbins will face challenges negotiating with the Taliban, and on questions of US drone strikes.
Opinion Thinking through options on North Korea

As history shows, new nuclear states such as North Korea usually probe the limits of their power and test how other international actors respond. But consider this: Once escalation starts, it can be extremely difficult to control.
Latin America Monitor Obama in Mexico: Little talk of human rights (+video)

The US has noted Mexico's 'significant human rights-related problems' in the past, but some say it and the Mexican government haven't done enough to encourage change.
Bolivia's Evo Morales says 'adiós' to USAID

Morales has made other important policy announcements on May Day in the past, like nationalizing Bolivia's oil and gas industry. This is not the first time tensions have run high with the US.
The Monitor's View Immigration bill and Obama's trip to Mexico: Why the two are linked

President Obama's trip to Mexico will help better integrate the two economies. And a piece of the Senate immigration-reform bill focuses on integrating the mainly Mexican population of undocumented immigrants. Each country must respect the other's sensitivities on these two integrations.
Could Gabriel Gomez pull a 'Scott Brown' and win Massachusetts Senate race?

Massachusetts Democrats are resolved not to repeat the mistakes of 2010, which allowed a GOP moderate with a fresh face and some charisma to prevail in a solid blue state. But GOP candidate Gabriel Gomez, like Scott Brown before him, is generating buzz.
Obama 'red line' on Syrian chemical weapons gets a bit grayer

President Obama has said Syria's use of chemical weapons would be a 'red line.' Evidence is mounting, but Obama's desire for an international response throws prospects for action into doubt.