United States Department of State

September 4, 2026 | Andrea Stricker |

Saudi Nuclear Deal Raises Concern Over Diluted U.S. Nonproliferation Standards

In a notable loosening of decades of U.S. nonproliferation practice, the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia now being reviewed by Congress would open the...

September 2, 2026 | Samuel Ben-Ur |

White House, Caracas release details on historic US-Venezuela oil deal

On August 28, US President Donald Trump announced that US officials had secured “majority U.S. control of more than 65 BILLION BARRELS of proven Oil Reserves in Venezuela,” in what he described...

September 1, 2026 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

The Axis of Aggressors Is Getting Ready for War. Is America?

America has grown addicted to the phrase “wars of choice,” often using it to vilify the U.S. government for campaigns deemed unnecessary. Wholesale skepticism of  military power, however, undermines...

August 28, 2026 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iranian-backed Iraqi militias may seek to delay disarmament

Iranian-backed militias in Iraq may be seeking to delay the government’s plan to disarm them. “A senior Iraqi official pushed back a September 30 deadline for pro-Iran factions to hand over their weapons,...

August 28, 2026 | Andrea Stricker |

Trump Administration Sends Secretive U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal to Congress for Review

The Trump administration appears poised to upend long-standing U.S. policy restricting the spread of nuclear fuel-making technologies. It has transmitted a U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement to...

August 28, 2026 | Samuel Ben-Ur |

Honor Thy Father and Mother, but Obey Xi

hina’s Communist Party is playing a long game against Christianity, using the young to target the old; both separating children from faith and telling them to turn against their parents for a few dollars...

August 27, 2026 | Saeed Ghasseminejad, Behnam Ben Taleblu

Operation Economic Outcast Commences, And Where It Could Head

And so, it begins. On Monday, the U.S. Treasury Department launched Operation Economic Outcast in a bid to expand the architecture of U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its network...

August 24, 2026 | Josh Birenbaum, Antonia-Laura Pup

Knowledge is power: Why America needs economic security intelligence

Excerpt America was unprepared for its trade war with China, but it shouldn’t have been. As Beijing cut off access to critical minerals, the United States had no response but a quiet retreat. The...

August 24, 2026 | Andrea Stricker |

Why a Saudi Nuclear Program Is Not Worth Ending US Nonproliferation Policy

It is unlikely that Russia or China would be willing to support a Saudi nuclear program if the United States refuses to do so.

August 19, 2026 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel strikes military airbase in Syria while warning Turkey

Israel conducted airstrikes on the Abu al Duhur military airport in northern Syria during the evening of August 17–18. Syria condemned the strikes as a violation of its sovereignty,...

August 17, 2026 | Craig Singleton, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Jack Burnham

Review of Submarine Cable Landing License Rules and Procedures To Assess Evolving National Security, Law Enforcement, Foreign Policy, and Trade Policy Risks

August 12, 2026 | Clifford D. May |

Islamism 101

America’s leaders refuse to do their homework

August 6, 2026 | Elizabeth Robbins |

Why Congress Should Tear Down USAGM’s Firewall

As US adversaries clog global airwaves, US-funded media should advance US interests around the world.

August 6, 2026 | Michele Kernitsky |

Melania Trump got it right: Russia must return Ukraine’s stolen children

President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 28 at the White House, where they discussed how to resuscitate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine....

August 5, 2026 | Jack Burnham, Craig Singleton, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery

Seeking Comment on Prohibiting the Importation and Marketing of Certain Foreign-Produced Military-Grade Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and UAS Critical Component for Non-U.S. Government, Including Those With Swarming Capabilities

August 4, 2026 | Natalie Ecanow, Sinan Ciddi

Turkey-Based Global Director of Sham Charity Arrested for Conspiring To Help Hamas

The jig is up for a Turkish resident who allegedly funneled millions of dollars to Hamas while posing as a philanthropist. On July 31, U.S. authorities announced the arrest of Mohammad Hasna, the global...

July 31, 2026 | Janatan Sayeh |

10 Iranian Judges Sanctioned by U.S. Allies — but Not Washington

Iranian authorities hanged two individuals in public who participated in the January 2026 Lion and Sun Revolution, the largest anti-regime uprising in the Islamic Republic’s history, in which millions...

July 31, 2026 | David Daoud |

Israel says Hezbollah launched drone attack on strategic ridge amid ceasefire

On July 29, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hezbollah launched an “explosive drone” overnight toward an IDF engineering vehicle in the Ali Taher Ridge area of southern Lebanon. Ynet reported that...

July 30, 2026 | Natalie Ecanow |

Former Israeli prime minister says Qatar funded Iran’s IRGC

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on July 27 that he will “declare Qatar an enemy state” if re-elected to lead the government. Bennett, who is running in the October 2026...

July 29, 2026 | Daniel Swift |

The State Department’s $500 Million Bet To Beat China on African Minerals

Trade over aid is Washington’s newest old idea for Africa.  On July 24, the State Department launched the U.S.-Africa Strategic Investment Program — a $500 million effort and...