All articles tagged with #us foreign policy
The US has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after 47 years, claiming progress in distancing from international terrorism and opening a path to private investment and reintegration into the global economy; HTS was also removed from the terrorist list as Washington seeks closer alignment with the Damascus government, though security concerns and regional tensions remain.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged ending the war with the United States from a “position of strength,” defending the June interim agreement and saying Tehran has made no concessions while Washington bears obligations. The stance comes as US pressure intensifies and Iran faces rising living costs, stalled oil exports and dwindling foreign reserves, fueling internal debate over how much economic pain Tehran can endure before a final settlement is reached.
Iran warns it will deliver a devastating, crushing response to new U.S. sanctions—the toughest in history—while Tehran says it will defend its sovereignty across land, sea, air and cyberspace as stalled cease-fire efforts around the Strait of Hormuz fail and casualties rise in the ongoing war.
An FT opinion argues Trump’s move to curb US-South Korea drills unsettles alliance guarantees, risking instability in Asia. If US assurances look unreliable, Japan’s long-standing Plan A (rely on the US, maintain pacifist constitution) becomes fragile, and a credible Plan B — rearmament or deterrence — remains politically awkward. Japan’s Defence of Japan white paper signals some buildup by 2027, but not a true Plan B. Domestic protests in Tokyo underscore public resistance to abandoning pacifism, while Tokyo weighs how to respond to a potentially more uncertain security environment.
North Korea dismissed Donald Trump’s overture to scale back US-South Korea drills, with Kim Yo Jong saying the move changes nothing about the drills' provocative nature and casting doubt on any recent communications with Washington, despite claiming Kim Jong Un’s feelings toward Trump are 'excellent.' The drills were shortened after Trump described them as hostile; experts say the sustained personal channel could be used later, but Pyongyang continues to demand changes to US policy while signaling cautious engagement.
North Korea dismissed Trump’s move to scale back joint US-South Korea drills and cast doubt on any recent contact, with Kim Yo Jong saying the reduction is not a concession and that Kim Jong Un’s relationship with Trump remains ‘excellent.’ The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises are ending early, while Trump pursues personal diplomacy amid Pyongyang’s strengthened military posture and new Moscow ties.
U.S. special envoy Jared Kushner told Fox News that Hamas must disarm in Gaza or risk an Israeli military operation backed by Washington, as he detailed recent meetings in Egypt and Israel aimed at advancing Trump’s Gaza peace roadmap. Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the plan, but Kushner warned that progress depends on concrete steps—like weapon and tunnel removal—within a 60–90 day window, with reconstruction tied to demilitarization. Netanyahu stressed caution amid elections, while Trump cast the plan as a potential breakthrough and a “win-win” if Hamas truly disarms.
Washington’s drift away from explicit extended deterrence is pushing allies to reconsider their own nuclear options, raising the risk of a proliferation cascade as major powers modernize arsenals and the Nonproliferation Treaty faces renewed strain.
The United States sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, accusing them of directing ICC investigations, arrests, or prosecutions without consent from states, as part of a campaign to curb what Washington calls a politicized court. Senator Marco Rubio framed the ICC as corrupt and urged member nations to withdraw; the move follows prior sanctions on other ICC officials and despite the US and Israel not recognizing ICC jurisdiction.
The FT View argues that the Iran conflict is pushing a realignment of Middle East power blocs, with Gulf states re-evaluating U.S. security guarantees, and a Mecca-defence pact among Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signaling regional hedging rather than direct confrontation with Iran. Israel’s actions are seen as destabilising, while the U.S. remains the main defense partner; the alliances emerging are fluid and unlikely to settle into a simple anti-Iran or pro-Israel axis, reshaping regional dynamics for years to come.
President Donald Trump told Fox News he would bomb Oman if the Gulf state interferes with U.S.–Iran talks, as Oman and Iran discuss a provisional deal to manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz; Trump also posted on Truth Social reiterating the goal that Iran must not possess a nuclear weapon.
Persian Gulf states—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain—are increasingly frustrated with Washington’s handling of Iran, accusing Trump of erratic diplomacy and backtracking on threats; some consider diversifying security partnerships and re-evaluating the heavy American military footprint, though no immediate shift away from the U.S. security framework is evident.
President Trump imposes sweeping tariffs on Chinese drones and components—up to 100% for sensitive systems and 25% on drones up to 25kg—while creating an onshoring program; drones from US allies face lower duties (15% generally, 10% for the UK). The move aims to reduce reliance on Chinese drone technology and reshape supply chains amid ongoing US-China tensions.
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper told ABC's This Week that Iran's terms for reopening the Strait of Hormuz are 'ridiculous' and should be rejected out of hand, arguing Iran believes it has leverage by controlling the strait. He noted the demands—such as withdrawal of U.S. forces, payment of costs, and lifting sanctions—illustrate Iran's emboldened position, and he also commented on U.S. munition shortages and the administration's push to ramp up production for strategic reasons.
On Fox News, JD Vance discusses the ongoing Iran war and says the U.S. is pressing Iran while trying to maximize oil and gas output in the Middle East to keep American energy prices down, calling the approach a 'delicate dance' as Washington weighs long-term policy goals around Iran and energy interests.