News from May 2023


McCaul Slams State’s ‘Weakness and Passivity’ on China Policy, Blocking Competitive Actions Toward CCP

News Release: Washington, D.C. - House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the department’s reported blocking of competitive actions, such as sanctions and export controls on entities like Huawei, aimed at countering the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) growing aggression.


Secretary Blinken’s Call with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg

Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller.


Announcement of Visa Policy to Promote Democratic Elections in Bangladesh

News Release: Today, I am announcing a new visa policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) (“3C") of the Immigration and Nationality Act to support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair, and peaceful national elections. Under this policy, the United States will be able to restrict the issuance of visas for any Bangladeshi ...


Terrorist Designation of al-Shabaab Leaders

Release: The United States continues to support Somalia and our other East African partners in their efforts to disrupt al-Shabaab’s operations. Countering one of al-Qa’ida’s most dangerous affiliates, which has killed thousands of people, including Americans, in Somalia and across East Africa remains a shared priority with the Somali government.


Eritrean National Day

Release: On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Eritrea on the 32nd anniversary of their nation’s independence. The United States hopes that a shared desire for peace and freedom will bring our peoples closer together.


United States and Moldova Sign Open Skies Agreement

Release: On May 18 in Chisinau, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma and Moldova Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Lilia Dabija, with Prime Minister Dorin Recean, signed an Open Skies Air Transport Agreement (“Agreement") between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Republic of Moldova - the first bilateral air transport agreement negotiated by the two countries.


DOS-MMR grant application closes on Aug. 1

YSEALI Regional Workshop: Countering Online Disinformation and Hate Speech grant opened on May 25.


McCaul Statement on CCP Ban of US Chipmaker Micron

News Release: Washington, D.C. - House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued the following statement in response to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) banning certain Chinese companies from using microchips produced by Micron Technology.


McCaul Slams State’s ‘Weakness and Passivity’ on China Policy, Blocking Competitive Actions Toward CCP

News Release: Washington, D.C. - House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the department’s reported blocking of competitive actions, such as sanctions and export controls on entities like Huawei, aimed at countering the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) growing aggression.


Secretary Blinken’s Call with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg

News Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller


Forbes Names U.S. Department of State as One of the Best Employers for New Graduates 2023

News Release: Forbes, in partnership with Statista, has named the U.S. Department of State as one of the Best Employers for New Graduates 2023.


Terrorist Designation of al-Shabaab Leaders

News Release: The United States continues to support Somalia and our other East African partners in their efforts to disrupt al-Shabaab’s operations. Countering one of al-Qa’ida’s most dangerous affiliates, which has killed thousands of people, including Americans, in Somalia and across East Africa remains a shared priority with the Somali government.



Joint Statement from the United States, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom on Spain Joining the Blue Dot Network

Release: The text of the following statement was released by the Government of the United States of America, the Government of Japan, the Government of Australia, and the Government of the United Kingdom on the occasion of Spain joining the Blue Dot Network Steering Committee.


Eritrean National Day

News Release: On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Eritrea on the 32nd anniversary of their nation’s independence. The United States hopes that a shared desire for peace and freedom will bring our peoples closer together.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Vanuatu

The constitution provides for individual freedom of “religious or traditional beliefs,” with the preamble to the constitution referring to “traditional Melanesian values, faith in God, and Christian principles.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Tuvalu

The constitution provides for the freedom to change religion or belief and the freedom to show and spread religious belief through worship, teaching, observance, or practice.


State Department Engages Partners on Burma Sanctions Coordination

Release: On May 24, the Sanctions Coordinators for the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and the services in charge of sanctions policy and implementation of the European Commission and the European External Action Service met to continue to assess and align ongoing efforts related to sanctions on Burma (Myanmar).


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: The Gambia

The constitution provides for the freedom of religious choice as long as it does not impinge on the rights of others or the national interest.


2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Guinea-Bissau

The constitution establishes the separation of religion and state and the responsibility of the state to respect and protect legally recognized religious groups.