The Latest Breaking News from Senate Foreign Relations Committee

U.S. senator questions aid to Rwanda over human rights, role in Congo

The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has said he would place a hold on any security assistance to Rwanda submitted to Congress over concerns about the Rwandan government's human rights record and role in conflict in Congo.

Reuters · Jul 25, 2022

US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Track Iran Nuclear Efforts

Democratic and Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill requiring the US administration to assess Iranian threats and develop a clear strategy to deal with them. The "Iran Nuclear Weapons Capability Monitoring Act of 2022" was presented by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez and Senator Lindsey Graham. The act…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jul 21, 2022

Senate panel OKs NATO expansion, rushing to full Senate vote

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has given easy bipartisan approval to admitting Finland and Sweden into NATO

The Independent UK · Jul 19, 2022

Malley, McGurk Brief Senate on Latest Developments in Nuclear Talks with Iran

The US Special Envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, and Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk held a closed session with US lawmakers on Wednesday to brief them on the latest developments on Iran. Several Senate Foreign Relations Committee members criticized…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jun 16, 2022

Washington Rules Out Lifting Sanctions against Assad Regime

Barbara Leaf, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, has ruled out any normalization with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In her testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, Leaf said: “I want to be clear on what we have not done in Syria,…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jun 9, 2022

Nominee for US Ambassador to Sudan Considers Applying Individual Sanctions

Nominee for US Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey said that resuming paused development assistance to the African country is predicated on a credible civilian-led democratic transition. His remarks were made on Tuesday during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing session to ratify his appointment.

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 26, 2022

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti's India nomination has stalled. So his parents hired lobbyists to help him

LOS ANGELES — With Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's ambassadorial nomination stalled in the U.S. Senate, his parents have taken a step more typical of industries or governments: They hired a national lobbying firm to help clear the path to a vote.

Los Angeles Times · May 24, 2022

U.S. Brazil envoy nominee sees 'free and fair election' despite Bolsonaro allegations

Brazil's democracy can support "free and fair elections" in October despite Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's statements against the country's electoral body, said Elizabeth Bagley, U.S. President Joe Biden's nominee to be ambassador in Brasilia, on Wednesday.

Reuters · May 19, 2022

US embassy in Kyiv reopens after nearly three months of war

Washington remains committed to helping Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion, US says, as embassy staff returning to capital.

Al Jazeera · May 18, 2022

U.S. Senate confirms Biden nominee to be Ukraine ambassador

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved veteran diplomat Bridget Brink on Wednesday to be ambassador to Ukraine, filling a critical post that has been vacant for three years as Washington works to increase support for the government in Kyiv.

Reuters · May 18, 2022