News from 2023


Designation of Facilitator Pursuing DPRK Arms Deal

Release: Today, the United States is designating Ashot Mkrtychev for arms-related activities involving the DPRK and Russia. This is the first designation in the DPRK sanctions program in response to Russia’s attempt to secure weapons from the DPRK.


The Dissolution of Political Parties in Burma

Release: We strongly condemn the Burma military regime-controlled Union Election Commission’s decision to abolish 40 political parties, including the National League for Democracy (NLD).


State Department discusses 2021 Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act Annual Report on March 29

The US State Department published a seven page notice on March 29, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism to Examine Reports of the Russian Federation’s Forcible Transfer and Deportation of Ukraine’s Children

News Release: The United States and 44 other countries, with the support of Ukraine, invoked the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Moscow Mechanism requesting that the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) establish an expert mission to examine allegations of the ...


McCaul, Meeks, Salazar, Cherfilus-McCormick Statement Following Passage of Haiti Bill Through Committee Markup

News Release: Washington, D.C.- House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere Chairwoman Maria Salazar (R-FL), and Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) issued the following statement regarding the passage of H.R.1684...


Peace and Security in Africa: The Impact of Development Policies in the Implementation of the Silencing the Guns Initiative

Release: At the outset, I would like to first thank President Nyusi for chairing today’s important discussion and congratulate him on Mozambique’s successful Security Council presidency. I would also like to thank all of our distinguished speakers for their informative briefings.


Digital Briefing with Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs

Release: Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf talks about her recent travel to Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Lebanon and Tunisia, and takes questions from participating journalists.  .


Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown

News Release: The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel


Instability and Democratic Backsliding in Somaliland

News Release: The United States is increasingly concerned by the continuing violence in Lascanood and joins other international partners and neighbors in calling for de-escalation, adherence to the agreed ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and resumption of constructive dialogue towards peaceful resolution. Continued violence will increase the potential for extremist groups to sow broader instability and further exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.


Designation of Facilitator Pursuing DPRK Arms Deal

Release: Today, the United States is designating Ashot Mkrtychev for arms-related activities involving the DPRK and Russia. This is the first designation in the DPRK sanctions program in response to Russia’s attempt to secure weapons from the DPRK.


Secretary Blinken’s Call with Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Cohen

News Release: The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel


Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Dereck Hogan on the Secretary’s Upcoming Travel to Belgium

News Release: MR PATEL: Hey, everybody. Good afternoon. Thanks so much for joining us on this trip preview call for the Secretary’s trip to Brussels on Monday for the U.S.-EU Energy Dialogue, as well as the NATO foreign ministers ministerial. Joining me today is Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ambassador Dereck ...


Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown

Release: The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel.


Second Meeting of the Countering Transnational Terrorism Forum

News Release: The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Justice convened the second meeting of the Countering Transnational Terrorism Forum (CTTF) at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest, Hungary March 28-29.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Session On “Advancing Democracy and Internet Freedom in a Digital Age” Summit for Democracy

News Release: MS MESERVE: Thank you, Secretary Blinken. To build a more rights-respecting future, it’s clear that democracies need to define an affirmative vision for how technology can promote democracy. Our first session, Advancing Democracy and Internet Freedom in a Digital Age, will help us think through how we might craft a world in which technology and democracy are mutually reinforcing.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken Summit for Democracy Closing Remarks

News Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you, everyone. Good evening. It is my honor now to actually close out the summit, and I want to start by thanking everyone - all the heads of state and representatives from more than a hundred countries, leaders of subnational governments, partners from civil society and the private sector - for joining us, for taking part in the second Summit for Democracy.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken on Advancing Technology for Democracy

Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Well, good afternoon, everyone. Jeanne, thank you so much for the introduction and for helping to move us along today.


Notice published on March 30 by State Department

The US State Department published a one page notice on March 30, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


Secretary Blinken’s Travel to Belgium

News Release: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Brussels, Belgium, April 3-5, to attend the NATO Foreign Ministerial and the tenth U.S.-EU Energy Council meeting. During the NATO Foreign Ministerial, Secretary Blinken will emphasize continued U.S. support for Ukraine and our commitment to transatlantic ...


Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Vietnamese Vice Minister Ngoc

Release: The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel.