Russia has offered to relax its blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, but only in exchange for sanctions relief from the West, amid fears that the war raging in Eastern Europe is driving a major international food crisis.
News Roundup
House Passes Bill Expanding Federal Anti-Terrorism Mandate
US lawmakers have passed a sweeping domestic terrorism bill that will create several new law enforcement units and establish a task force to seek out white supremacists and neo-Nazis within the armed services and federal police agencies.
News Roundup 5/19/2022
US News Republicans are pushing back on Biden’s plan to retire the B83 nuclear weapon. [Link] The Biden administration pauses plans to roll out a disinformation board. [Link] Pentagon Press Sec John Kirby is moving to the White House National Security Council. [Link]...
Biden Reverses Course on Plans to Ship Long-Range Rockets to Ukraine
President Joe Biden is resisting demands from Kiev to supply long-range rocket launchers to the Ukrainian military, Politico reported, suggesting the White House is concerned the weapons could be used for strikes inside Russia.
White House Considering Sanctions Relief for Venezuela, But Won’t End Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ Policy
The Joe Biden administration has agreed to ease sanctions on Venezuela, offering to scale back penalties if the government commits to a meeting with opposition leaders. Despite the rare diplomatic outreach, one US official said the economic war launched by President Donald Trump would continue regardless.
NATO Takes Command of US Carrier Strike Group for Massive Drill
The USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier strike group and other American warships have come under the command of the NATO alliance for major military drills in the Baltic, Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas.
News Roundup 5/17/2022
Cuba Biden will expand the number of flights to Cuba and restate a family reunification program ended by Trump. [Link] Russia The Senate passes the $40 billion aid package for Ukraine. [Link] NATO pledges open-ended military support to Ukraine. [Link] France, Germany,...
Austria to Remain Neutral, FM Says
Austria’s top diplomat said his country would remain outside the NATO military bloc and keep its long-standing policy of neutrality after both Finland and Sweden applied to join the alliance.
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