Topic: U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

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Who's who on Congress's debt 'super committee'

Congress has created a special super committee to find at least $1.2 trillion in US budget cuts. If the plan is voted down, automatic spending cuts are slated to occur. Here are the 12 lawmakers named to the super committee.
In Pictures: Speakers in support of the MEK
Five senators push Obama to do more in Libya

While President Obama predicts US forces could disengage from Libya within the week, Senate hawks who pressed for military intervention watch closely to see that the mission's goals are fulfilled. Critics, including conservatives, say they are leading the nation into endless, costly wars. Here’s how the hawks respond – and what they say should happen next.

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Decoder Wire
Bin Laden documents diss Joe Biden. Did he get 'The Onion' in Abbottabad? (+video)

According to declassified Osama bin Laden documents found at his Pakistan compound, Al Qaeda's late leader called Joe Biden 'totally unprepared' for the presidency, and left him off a hit list.
Senate resolution on Iran may be bipartisan, but it could lead to war

The Senate is considering a bipartisan resolution on Iran that denounces containment and could be taken as an authorization of US force against a nuclear Iran. But containment is the second-worst option. A preventive strike that could lead to war in the Middle East is the worst.
George Clooney arrested for Sudan protest in D.C. (+video)

George Clooney and several others were arrested outside the Sudan Embassy in Washington, DC Friday. Clooney was protesting the Sudan government's blockade of humanitarian aid.
Syria's deputy oil minister defects to protest Assad crackdown

Abdo Husameddine's announcement came one day after the top US general said President Barack Obama has asked for a preliminary review of military options in Syria, as the conflict grows increasingly dire.
War games: Republicans could write Obama blank check on Iran

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that Congress should consider giving the president preemptive authority to attack Iran. Democratic leaders were wary of the plan.
The Last Great Senate

Did the Senate really used to be a grand institution? Ira Shapiro argues that it was – and not that long ago.
Latin America Monitor
Alan Gross imprisonment a result of misguided US rhetoric?

Cuba said last month it would release 2,900 prisoners ahead of the pope's visit this spring, but US prisoner Alan Gross is not to be one of them. 
Barney Frank exit may signal the end of glory days for Mass. Democrats

Barney Frank will not seek re-election in 2012, but will there be enough Democratic fire power left in Massachusetts after he's gone?
Obama's push to quell a nuclear North Korea

Obama can't risk a big nuclear test by North Korea during the 2012 election campaign. Hints of talks with Pyongyang suggest the US is ready for a deal.
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.
Who's who on Congress's debt 'super committee'

Congress has created a special super committee to find at least $1.2 trillion in US budget cuts. If the plan is voted down, automatic spending cuts are slated to occur. Here are the 12 lawmakers named to the super committee.
In Pictures: Speakers in support of the MEK
US message in drone strikes: If Pakistan doesn't take on Taliban, we will

The drone attacks Monday targeted militants in Pakistan’s North Waziristan region. The Pakistani military has promised its own offensive in the region, but no such operation has been launched.
In Afghanistan war, US civilian surge peaks as Pentagon begins pullback

While President Obama has laid out a path for reducing US military involvement in the Afghanistan war, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the civilian surge of 1,100 engineers, aid workers, and diplomats is only now hitting top gear.
How Congress's anger over Libya mission became a civics lesson

While elements of the House fume about how President Obama has handled the Libya mission, the Senate is taking a longer view, which could help Obama.
Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Three options weighed by the White House

How many US troops are coming home from Afghanistan this year? On the eve of Obama's speech on his promised July start to the drawdown of American forces, here are three scenarios.
White House: 'Limited' Libya operation didn't require approval of Congress

Responding to a House resolution, the White House cited 'important US interests' in claiming authority for the 'constrained' military operations in Libya. Critics said their concerns were not satisfied.
Report: US aid could be destabilizing Afghanistan in the long term

A comprehensive congressional report finds that billions of dollars of US aid could be feeding corruption and establishing programs that will collapse when the US leaves.
Afghans concur with Congress that aid money is often misspent

A congressional report released Wednesday on the $18.8 billion that Congress appropriated for Afghan development says the aid often funds fruitless projects.
Gates: No evidence 'yet' about who in Pakistan knew bin Laden was there

'Somebody' in Pakistan knew Osama bin Laden's whereabouts, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday. But he seemed to absolve 'senior leadership' and warned Congress against cutting US aid.
Behind Kerry’s mission: In US-Pakistan relations, 'divorce' is not an option

On a mission to improve US-Pakistan relations, Sen. John Kerry announces a Pakistani goodwill gesture: the return of the tail section of the US helicopter used in the bin Laden raid.
Kerry visits Pakistan to smooth relations. Will it work?

Despite Senator John Kerry's visit to Pakistan and his announced agreements to calm ties, the mistrustful relationship between the US and Pakistan is unlikely to change soon, warn analysts.
Sen. Mitchell steps down as Middle East envoy. Was it a 'mission impossible'?

The White House says Obama, who lauded Sen. Mitchell as a 'tireless advocate for peace,' remains committed to addressing the issue. He meets with the Jordanian and Israeli leaders next week.
The bin Laden wives: latest pawns in US-Pakistan strife

Pakistan's on-again, off-again permission for the CIA to interview Osama bin Laden's wives points to continued strife between the US and Pakistan. Sen. John Kerry is set to visit there soon.
With Osama bin Laden dead, what next for US mission in Afghanistan?

Two experts before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday offered contrasting assessments of Afghanistan policy after the killing of Osama bin Laden in neighboring Pakistan.