News from 2023


Risch, McCaul Press Admin's Handling of Crisis in Sudan

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, last week sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting information regarding the administration’s handling of the crisis in Sudan.


Risch Leads Colleagues in Introducing Taliban Sanctions Act

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today led 18 colleagues in introducing the Taliban Sanctions Act, legislation to hold the Taliban accountable with sanctions for terrorism, human rights abuses, drug trafficking, and more.


Ranking Member Risch Opening Statement at Hearing on Accountability for Russian Atrocities in Ukraine

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today gave the following opening remarks at a full committee hearing on accountability for Russian atrocities in Ukraine.


Risch on Committee Passage of Chile Tax Treaty

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded committee passage of a tax treaty with Chile.


Risch Statement on Sudan Sanctions

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced Thursday it had sanctioned entities linked to the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for fueling the conflict in Sudan:


Assistant Secretary Stewart Travels to Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia

From May 30 – June 6, 2023, Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Mallory Stewart will travel to the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia.


Russian Noncompliance with and Invalid Suspension of the New START Treaty

Russia’s noncompliance with the New START Treaty, and its claimed suspension of the treaty, are irresponsible and unlawful.


U.S. Countermeasures in Response to Russia’s Violations of the New START Treaty

The United States is committed to full and mutual implementation of the New START Treaty. Consistent with that commitment, the United States has adopted lawful countermeasures in response to the Russian Federation’s ongoing violations of the New START Treaty.


U.S. Countermeasures in Response to Russia’s Violations of the New START Treaty

The United States is committed to full and mutual implementation of the New START Treaty.


Renewal of the Charter for the Secretary’s International Security Advisory Board

The Department announced today the renewal of the charter for the Secretary’s International Security Advisory Board (ISAB).


U.S. Peacekeeping Capacity Building Assistance

The Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs manages the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), the premier U.S. security assistance program focused on building international peacekeeping capacity.



Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Lewis Travels to Singapore

Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis travels to Singapore June 1-4, as part of a delegation of senior U.S. officials taking part in the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual intergovernmental regional security conference sponsored by the International Institute of Strategic Studies.


Risch, Menendez Announce New Effort to Bolster the Abraham Accords and Negev Forum

U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statements to introduce legislation that seeks to deepen and expand the Abraham Accords and Negev Forum


Ranking Member Risch Opening Statement at Hearing on State Department Consular Affairs and Programs

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today gave the following opening remarks at a full committee hearing on State Department services for the American people: an overview of consular affairs and programs.


Risch, Rubio Introduce Legislation to Increase Oversight of Foreign Aid

U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)


Risch Applauds Committee Passage of Legislation on Eswatini, Human Trafficking

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statements on committee passage of legislation on Eswatini and human trafficking.


Risch on U.S. Food Aid Diversions in Ethiopia

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the diversion of U.S. food aid in Ethiopia:


Joint U.S.-ROK Symposium on Countering DPRK Sanctions Evasion Involving DPRK IT Workers

The U.S. Department of State and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) will co-host a U.S.


Remarks by INR Assistant Secretary Brett Holmgren on US Diplomacy and FISA Section 702 at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

I want to thank CSIS for hosting today’s event. For decades, CSIS has been at the forefront of providing cutting edge research and solutions to some of the most complex and consequential policy issues of our time.