Tensions rise as President Donald Trump reportedly sought greater control over Greenland, sparking reactions from U.S. allies concerned about sovereignty and strategic interests. The island’s geopolitical importance has put it at the center of a global tug-of-war, with debates over military bases, natural resources, and Arctic influence heating up. Allies push back as Washington weighs its next moves in this high-stakes showdown.


Showdown Over Greenland: Trump Pushes Control As Allies Push Back

According to a new survey, President-elect Donald Trump's return to the world stage is being welcomed more by traditional US adversaries than by the nation's allies. Watch this report for more details!

Donald Trump's second term welcomed by rivals than allies, finds survey

The government of the United States on Tuesday (April 16) said that it will impose new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone programme in the wake of its weekend attack on Israel.&nbsp;

Washington DC further stated it is hoping that its allies and partners will follow with parallel measures.

"These new sanctions and other measures will continue a steady drumbeat of pressure to contain and degrade Iran's military capacity and effectiveness and confront the full range of its problematic behaviours," said US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, in a statement.

Jake Sullivan said that that sanctions would be unveiled “in the coming days” and added the US government has been co-ordinating with Group of Seven nations as well as other allies for a “comprehensive response.”&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-willing-to-exercise-restraint-and-has-no-intention-to-escalating-situation-tehran-tells-beijing-711945">Iran willing to exercise restraint, has no intention of escalating situation, Tehran tells Beijing</a>

The sanctions, which will be imposed in the days ahead,&nbsp;will target the missile and drone programme of Iran as well as entities which support Iran’s Defence Ministry and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Sullivan's statement.

Sullivan stated that they are expecting their allies and partners to impose similar sanctions. He said that the White House is working with US Central Command as well as the Department of Defence to improve early warning systems and air and missile defence across the Middle East.&nbsp;

Sullivan said he anticipates similar sanctions from allies and partners and that the White House is working with the Department of Defense and US&nbsp;Central Command to bolster air and missile defence and early warning systems throughout the Middle East “to further erode the effectiveness of Iran’s missile and UAV capabilities.”

<h2>EU to work towards expanding Iran sanctions: Borrell&nbsp;</h2>

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that some EU member states have appealed to expand sanctions against Iran and the diplomatic service of the bloc will start working on the proposal.

He added that the sanctions seeking to stop the supply of Iranian drones to Russia will be expanded and it will also include the provision of missiles and cover deliveries to proxies in the Middle East.&nbsp;

Germany, France and other EU member countries have been supporting the&nbsp;proposal of sanctions against Iran.

Watch:&nbsp;Why did Iran close its nuclear facilities after attacking Israel

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Tensions ratcheted up between Israel and Iran after the Iranian consulate in Syria was attacked earlier this month and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' two high-ranking commanders were killed in the strike.&nbsp;

Iran held Israel responsible for the attack but Israel has not yet claimed responsibility for it. In response, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel. Most of the drones and missiles were thwarted by the United States. Israel has vowed to retaliate to the drone strike, however, there is no clarity over how and when it will respond.

(With inputs from agencies)

The government of the United States on Tuesday (April 16) said that it will impose new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone programme in the wake of its weekend attack on Israel.

The government of the United States on Tuesday (April 16) said that it will impose new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone programme in the wake of its weekend attack on Israel. Washington DC further stated it is hoping that its allies and partners will follow with parallel measures. "These new sanctions and other measures will continue a steady drumbeat of pressure to contain and degrade Iran's military capacity and effectiveness and confront the full range of its problematic behaviours," said US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, in a statement. Jake Sullivan said that that sanctions would be unveiled “in the coming days” and added the US government has been co-ordinating with Group of Seven nations as well as other allies for a “comprehensive response.” Also Read: Iran willing to exercise restraint, has no intention of escalating situation, Tehran tells Beijing The sanctions, which will be imposed in the days ahead, will target the missile and drone programme of Iran as well as entities which support Iran’s Defence Ministry and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Sullivan's statement. Sullivan stated that they are expecting their allies and partners to impose similar sanctions. He said that the White House is working with US Central Command as well as the Department of Defence to improve early warning systems and air and missile defence across the Middle East. Sullivan said he anticipates similar sanctions from allies and partners and that the White House is working with the Department of Defense and US Central Command to bolster air and missile defence and early warning systems throughout the Middle East “to further erode the effectiveness of Iran’s missile and UAV capabilities.” EU to work towards expanding Iran sanctions: Borrell EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that some EU member states have appealed to expand sanctions against Iran and the diplomatic service of the bloc will start working on the proposal. He added that the sanctions seeking to stop the supply of Iranian drones to Russia will be expanded and it will also include the provision of missiles and cover deliveries to proxies in the Middle East. Germany, France and other EU member countries have been supporting the proposal of sanctions against Iran. Watch: Why did Iran close its nuclear facilities after attacking Israel Tensions ratcheted up between Israel and Iran after the Iranian consulate in Syria was attacked earlier this month and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' two high-ranking commanders were killed in the strike. Iran held Israel responsible for the attack but Israel has not yet claimed responsibility for it. In response, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel. Most of the drones and missiles were thwarted by the United States. Israel has vowed to retaliate to the drone strike, however, there is no clarity over how and when it will respond. (With inputs from agencies)

US plans new sanctions against Iran, hopes allies will follow in its footsteps

China and Pakistan are holding naval drills in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi. It's the eighth time since 2013 that a Chinese submarine has been deployed in the Indian Ocean region. In the backdrop of India's concerns around spying activity carried on by Chinese vessels in the region, the latest exercises have rung alarm bells in New Delhi. Pakistan's Acting PM Anwaar Kakar meanwhile has come out in wholehearted support of China's Belt & Road Initiative of which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a part.

China-Pakistan: 'All-weather' allies

President Joe Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having a "craven lust for land and power" at the end of a NATO summit on Wednesday where Ukraine won new security assurances from the US&nbsp;and its allies for its defence against Moscow.

Members of the world's most powerful military bloc offered the prospect of long-term protection a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky decried as "absurd" a refusal to offer an invitation or timetable for Ukraine's entry into NATO.

Ukraine has been pushing for rapid membership while fighting a Russian invasion unleashed in February 2022 that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.

Instead, a declaration by the G7 group of the world's most industrialised countries launched a framework for bilateral negotiations to provide military and financial support, intelligence sharing and a promise of immediate steps if Russia should attack again.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alarming-warning-from-who-bird-flu-poses-increased-risk-of-adapting-to-humans-614852">Alarming warning from WHO: Bird flu poses increased risk of adapting to humans</a>

"Our support will last long into the future. It's a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine," Biden said, alongside Zelensky and leaders of the G7, which is made up of the US, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Speaking in Vilnius, Lithuania, at the end of the two-day meeting on Russia's doorstep, Biden said Putin had badly underestimated the resolve of the US-led military alliance.

"NATO is stronger, more energised and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didn't happen by accident. It wasn't inevitable," Biden said.

"When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart ... But he thought wrong."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-backs-pakistans-resolution-at-un-condemning-quran-burning-protests-614841">India backs Pakistan’s resolution at UN condemning Quran burning protests</a>

Swallowing his disappointment over the lack of a membership timetable, Zelensky hailed NATO's "practical and unprecedented support for Ukraine" and said that at the summit Ukraine had obtained "unambiguous clarity that Ukraine will be in NATO".

He tweeted: "I believe we will be in NATO once the security situation stabilises. Put simply, when the war is over, Ukraine will be invited into NATO and Ukraine will clearly become a member of the Alliance. I felt no thoughts of any other sort."

At a meeting with Zelensky, Biden promised him the US&nbsp;was doing everything it could to meet Ukraine's needs and acknowledged Zelensky's frustration about the scale and speed of support.

"Your resilience and your resolve have been a model for the whole world to see," Biden said. "I look forward to the day when we're having the meeting celebrating your official, official membership in NATO."

Watch | Kenya on the boil as protests erupt against tax hikes

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"The bad news for you is, we're not going anywhere. You're stuck with us," Biden joked, prompting laughter from Zelensky.

US&nbsp;National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had said Biden would discuss the issue of long-range missiles with Zelensky when they met.

 
Speaking to reporters later, Biden said: "One thing Zelensky understands now is that whether or not he's in NATO now is not relevant" as long as he has the commitments that have been made at the summit. "He's not concerned about that now."

Zelensky told Biden he wanted to thank "all Americans" for the billions of dollars in aid his country had received.

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said he had told Ukraine that its international allies were "not Amazon" and Kyiv needed to show gratitude for weapons donations to persuade Western politicians to give more.

Zelensky said: "We were always grateful to the UK, prime ministers and the minister of defence because the people are always supporting us."

Britain, France, Germany and the US&nbsp;have been negotiating with Kyiv for weeks over a broad international framework of support, encompassing modern advanced military equipment such as fighter jets, training, intelligence-sharing and cyber defence.

In return, Ukraine would pledge better governance, including through judicial and economic reforms and enhanced transparency.

The first sitting of a new NATO-Ukraine Council was also held on Wednesday, a format designed to tighten cooperation between Kyiv and the 31-nation alliance.

<h2>'Potentially very dangerous'</h2>

NATO is built around mutual security guarantees whereby an attack on one is an attack on all, and it has carefully avoided extending any firm military commitments to Ukraine, worried it would risk taking it closer to a full-on war with Russia.

Ukraine has been wary of any less-binding security "assurances", given Russia's invasion already trampled the so-called Budapest Memorandum under which international powers committed to keeping the country safe in exchange for Kyiv giving up its Soviet-era nuclear arms.

Speaking earlier alongside Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine was closer to the alliance than ever before and brushed aside new warnings from Russia about the consequences of supporting Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the security arrangements for Ukraine were not designed to be a substitute for full NATO membership and said the commitments at the summit marked a high point for the West's support for Kyiv.

Russia, which says NATO's eastward expansion is an existential threat to its own security, swiftly lashed out.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "potentially very dangerous" for the West to give Ukraine security guarantees.

The Russian foreign ministry said the summit showed that NATO was reverting to "Cold War schemes" and added that it would respond "in a timely and appropriate manner, using all means and methods at our disposal."

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President Joe Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having a "craven lust for land and power" at the end of a NATO summit on Wednesday where Ukraine won new security assurances from the US and its allies for its defence against Moscow.

President Joe Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having a "craven lust for land and power" at the end of a NATO summit on Wednesday where Ukraine won new security assurances from the US and its allies for its defence against Moscow. Members of the world's most powerful military bloc offered the prospect of long-term protection a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky decried as "absurd" a refusal to offer an invitation or timetable for Ukraine's entry into NATO. Ukraine has been pushing for rapid membership while fighting a Russian invasion unleashed in February 2022 that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions. Instead, a declaration by the G7 group of the world's most industrialised countries launched a framework for bilateral negotiations to provide military and financial support, intelligence sharing and a promise of immediate steps if Russia should attack again. Also Read | Alarming warning from WHO: Bird flu poses increased risk of adapting to humans "Our support will last long into the future. It's a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine," Biden said, alongside Zelensky and leaders of the G7, which is made up of the US, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. Speaking in Vilnius, Lithuania, at the end of the two-day meeting on Russia's doorstep, Biden said Putin had badly underestimated the resolve of the US-led military alliance. "NATO is stronger, more energised and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didn't happen by accident. It wasn't inevitable," Biden said. "When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart ... But he thought wrong." Also Read | India backs Pakistan’s resolution at UN condemning Quran burning protests Swallowing his disappointment over the lack of a membership timetable, Zelensky hailed NATO's "practical and unprecedented support for Ukraine" and said that at the summit Ukraine had obtained "unambiguous clarity that Ukraine will be in NATO". He tweeted: "I believe we will be in NATO once the security situation stabilises. Put simply, when the war is over, Ukraine will be invited into NATO and Ukraine will clearly become a member of the Alliance. I felt no thoughts of any other sort." At a meeting with Zelensky, Biden promised him the US was doing everything it could to meet Ukraine's needs and acknowledged Zelensky's frustration about the scale and speed of support. "Your resilience and your resolve have been a model for the whole world to see," Biden said. "I look forward to the day when we're having the meeting celebrating your official, official membership in NATO." Watch | Kenya on the boil as protests erupt against tax hikes × "The bad news for you is, we're not going anywhere. You're stuck with us," Biden joked, prompting laughter from Zelensky. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had said Biden would discuss the issue of long-range missiles with Zelensky when they met. Speaking to reporters later, Biden said: "One thing Zelensky understands now is that whether or not he's in NATO now is not relevant" as long as he has the commitments that have been made at the summit. "He's not concerned about that now." Zelensky told Biden he wanted to thank "all Americans" for the billions of dollars in aid his country had received. British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said he had told Ukraine that its international allies were "not Amazon" and Kyiv needed to show gratitude for weapons donations to persuade Western politicians to give more. Zelensky said: "We were always grateful to the UK, prime ministers and the minister of defence because the people are always supporting us." Britain, France, Germany and the US have been negotiating with Kyiv for weeks over a broad international framework of support, encompassing modern advanced military equipment such as fighter jets, training, intelligence-sharing and cyber defence. In return, Ukraine would pledge better governance, including through judicial and economic reforms and enhanced transparency. The first sitting of a new NATO-Ukraine Council was also held on Wednesday, a format designed to tighten cooperation between Kyiv and the 31-nation alliance. 'Potentially very dangerous' NATO is built around mutual security guarantees whereby an attack on one is an attack on all, and it has carefully avoided extending any firm military commitments to Ukraine, worried it would risk taking it closer to a full-on war with Russia. Ukraine has been wary of any less-binding security "assurances", given Russia's invasion already trampled the so-called Budapest Memorandum under which international powers committed to keeping the country safe in exchange for Kyiv giving up its Soviet-era nuclear arms. Speaking earlier alongside Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine was closer to the alliance than ever before and brushed aside new warnings from Russia about the consequences of supporting Ukraine. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the security arrangements for Ukraine were not designed to be a substitute for full NATO membership and said the commitments at the summit marked a high point for the West's support for Kyiv. Russia, which says NATO's eastward expansion is an existential threat to its own security, swiftly lashed out. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "potentially very dangerous" for the West to give Ukraine security guarantees. The Russian foreign ministry said the summit showed that NATO was reverting to "Cold War schemes" and added that it would respond "in a timely and appropriate manner, using all means and methods at our disposal." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

NATO allies offer Ukraine security assurances as Biden hits out at 'craven' Putin

Japan is offering a hand of help to its friendly allies. For the first time in history, Japan is breaking its aid rules. Japan plans to offer friendly nations financial assistance to help them bolster their defences. The move marks Tokyo's first departure from rules that forbid using international aid for military purposes.

What is Japan's new aid scheme that allows for overseas defence funding?

The United States wants to 'friendshore' its investments. It plans to do business only with its 'trusted allies' or countries with 'shared values'. Is this strategy a new form of the Cold war? How could it change the world order? Palki Sharma explains on Gravitas Plus.

Gravitas Plus: Is 'friendshoring' the future of trade?

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow cherished its relations with nations in Latin America, Asia, and Africa and was prepared to provide modern weapons to its allies.

Will India benefit from Putin's call to offer Russia's ‘most advanced weapons’ to allies?

Since the outbreak of war, over $330 billion in financial resources, which were owned by Russia's elite and the central bank, have been frozen by the sanctions task force of leading Ukraine allies, the group said on Wednesday. In a joint statement, the Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs Task Force (REPO) said that they have blocked $30 billion in assets belonging to Russian oligarchs and officials. They have also immobilised $300 billion, which were owned by the Russian central bank. At least five luxury yachts have also been detained. The opulent real estate, which was owned by the country's billionaires, has also been frozen. &nbsp;

In a statement released by the US Treasury, the group said, "Together, we will ensure that our sanctions continue to impose costs on Russia for its unprovoked and continuing aggression in Ukraine." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-first-country-other-than-russia-to-recognise-ukraine-separatist-republics-of-donetsk-and-lugansk-493080">Syria recognises Ukraine separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk</a>

The members of REPO include top finance and justice officials of the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Britain and the European Commission. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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REPO has said that it would continue to pursue the assets of Russians. “REPO's work is not yet complete. We continue to increase Russia's cost of its war," they said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Since the outbreak of war, over $330 billion in financial resources, which were owned by Russia's elite and the central bank, have been frozen by the sanctions task force of leading Ukraine allies, the group said on Wednesday.

Since the outbreak of war, over $330 billion in financial resources, which were owned by Russia's elite and the central bank, have been frozen by the sanctions task force of leading Ukraine allies, the group said on Wednesday. In a joint statement, the Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs Task Force (REPO) said that they have blocked $30 billion in assets belonging to Russian oligarchs and officials. They have also immobilised $300 billion, which were owned by the Russian central bank. At least five luxury yachts have also been detained. The opulent real estate, which was owned by the country's billionaires, has also been frozen. In a statement released by the US Treasury, the group said, "Together, we will ensure that our sanctions continue to impose costs on Russia for its unprovoked and continuing aggression in Ukraine." Also Read: Syria recognises Ukraine separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk The members of REPO include top finance and justice officials of the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Britain and the European Commission. WATCH WION LIVE HERE REPO has said that it would continue to pursue the assets of Russians. “REPO's work is not yet complete. We continue to increase Russia's cost of its war," they said. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

More than $330 billion of Russian assets frozen by Ukraine allies till now

It seems like there's no end to legal wars for former South African President Jacob Zuma. In the latest, Zuma has now been accused of systemic and unlawful efforts to give business allies control of billions of dollars worth of state assets during his stay in power from 2009 to 2018.

More trouble for Jacob Zuma, probe finds questionable deals under his rule

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of tough sanctions on Moscow has put landlocked Mongolia in a tight spot economically and diplomatically, and experts warn that its delicate balancing act between East and West could be upset.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, a small group of protesters gathered on Ulaanbaatar's Sukhbaatar Square to call for an end to hostilities in Ukraine, only to be confronted by residents worried about antagonising Russia.

The stand-off reflected the fault lines in a country that underwent a democratic transition in 1990 following decades of Soviet hegemony and now worries about the growing regional dominance of China.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/putin-is-at-war-with-children-russian-police-detain-5-children-for-laying-flowers-at-ukrainian-embassy-458420" hreflang="en">'Putin is at war with children': Russian police detain 5 children for laying flowers at Ukrainian embassy</a>

Surrounded by Russia in the north and China in the south, Mongolia has cultivated allies such as Japan, South Korea and the United States in a "third neighbour" diplomatic strategy aimed at reinforcing its political independence, but its economy has continued to rely on its two giant neighbours.

Mongolia's central bank warned at the start of the week that most of its foreign trade is facilitated through Russian banks and it sources nearly all of its oil from its northern neighbour, which is now facing international isolation.

Bank Governor Lkhavgasuren Byadran warned there were risks that payments could not be made, and deliveries of food and consumer goods from Europe also faced disruption.

“We are too dependent on Russia and it will hit us in many aspects, not only petrol," said Sumati Luvsandendev, a Mongolian political analyst and opinion pollster, noting that Mongolia sourced large amounts of grain from Russian suppliers.

"Our banks are reliant on transfer through Russian banks so SWIFT will hit our import-export operations as well," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/business-economy/russia-ukraine-crisis-day-8-swift-says-will-comply-with-eu-instructions-disconnect-7-russian-banks-458393" hreflang="en">Russia-Ukraine Crisis Day 8: SWIFT says will comply with EU instructions, disconnect 7 Russian banks</a>

Mongolia also remains one of the few remaining member countries of the Russia-led International Bank for Economic Cooperation and the International Investment Bank, following the withdrawal of five European nations on Wednesday.

Sandwiched&nbsp;

By making Russia more dependent on China as a market for its raw materials, the crisis in Ukraine could undermine years of Mongolian efforts to escape from its neighbours' shadow. &nbsp;

"For a country like us, sandwiched between two giants, a landlocked but extremely open economy relies on smooth border trade," said Otgochuluu Chuluuntseren, economist and former government official. "The situation was tense anyway. Now, this war has made the Mongolian economy even more troubled."

Following a decision by Germany to cancel the Nord Stream II gas pipeline, Mongolia is also likely to become more strategically important for Russia's energy-dependent and increasingly east-facing economy.

Mongolia signed an agreement this week to build the Mongolian section of a transnational gas transmission project aimed at supplying 50 billion cubic metres of Russian gas to China, known as Power of Siberia 2.

Mongolia has usually tried to keep out of geopolitical disputes. It did not comment on Russia's decision to send troops to Kazakhstan to help quell protests last year, or on the US&nbsp;withdrawal from Afghanistan – even though its own soldiers have been deployed there.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/silence-the-gunsnow-world-is-rejecting-russias-lies-heres-how-world-leaders-reacted-to-unga-vote-458355">'Silence the guns...now', 'world is rejecting Russia’s lies': Here's how world leaders reacted to UNGA vote</a>

So far, it has stayed silent over the invasion of Ukraine, and it was one of 34 countries to abstain on a U.N. resolution demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops on Wednesday.

“The current leadership... is disinclined to rustle Putin or Xi's feathers," said Julian Dierkes, an expert in Mongolian politics at the University of British Columbia. &nbsp;

But it could come under pressure to take sides in an increasingly polarised geopolitical conflict, especially if Moscow – ostracized by Europe and the West – pivots eastwards.

"I used to think that Russia didn't really pay enough attention to Mongolia to be upset, but in the current circumstances that may not be the case," said Dierkes.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Ukraine under attack: The 4 hotspots

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The more it is forced to take sides on issues like Ukraine, the less room for manoeuvre Mongolia will have when it comes to its strategy aimed at counterbalancing Russian and Chinese economic and political influence through the cultivation of "third neighbours" like the United States and Japan.

"Regarding our third neighbours, we hope that they understand our unique situation," said Otgochuluu. "Mongolia is committed to universal values of freedom and democracy. But its economy is not self-sufficient."

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of tough sanctions on Moscow has put landlocked Mongolia in a tight spot economically and diplomatically, and experts warn that its delicate balancing act between East and West could be upset.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of tough sanctions on Moscow has put landlocked Mongolia in a tight spot economically and diplomatically, and experts warn that its delicate balancing act between East and West could be upset. On Tuesday, a small group of protesters gathered on Ulaanbaatar's Sukhbaatar Square to call for an end to hostilities in Ukraine, only to be confronted by residents worried about antagonising Russia. The stand-off reflected the fault lines in a country that underwent a democratic transition in 1990 following decades of Soviet hegemony and now worries about the growing regional dominance of China. Also read | 'Putin is at war with children': Russian police detain 5 children for laying flowers at Ukrainian embassy Surrounded by Russia in the north and China in the south, Mongolia has cultivated allies such as Japan, South Korea and the United States in a "third neighbour" diplomatic strategy aimed at reinforcing its political independence, but its economy has continued to rely on its two giant neighbours. Mongolia's central bank warned at the start of the week that most of its foreign trade is facilitated through Russian banks and it sources nearly all of its oil from its northern neighbour, which is now facing international isolation. Bank Governor Lkhavgasuren Byadran warned there were risks that payments could not be made, and deliveries of food and consumer goods from Europe also faced disruption. “We are too dependent on Russia and it will hit us in many aspects, not only petrol," said Sumati Luvsandendev, a Mongolian political analyst and opinion pollster, noting that Mongolia sourced large amounts of grain from Russian suppliers. "Our banks are reliant on transfer through Russian banks so SWIFT will hit our import-export operations as well," he said. Also read | Russia-Ukraine Crisis Day 8: SWIFT says will comply with EU instructions, disconnect 7 Russian banks Mongolia also remains one of the few remaining member countries of the Russia-led International Bank for Economic Cooperation and the International Investment Bank, following the withdrawal of five European nations on Wednesday. Sandwiched By making Russia more dependent on China as a market for its raw materials, the crisis in Ukraine could undermine years of Mongolian efforts to escape from its neighbours' shadow. "For a country like us, sandwiched between two giants, a landlocked but extremely open economy relies on smooth border trade," said Otgochuluu Chuluuntseren, economist and former government official. "The situation was tense anyway. Now, this war has made the Mongolian economy even more troubled." Following a decision by Germany to cancel the Nord Stream II gas pipeline, Mongolia is also likely to become more strategically important for Russia's energy-dependent and increasingly east-facing economy. Mongolia signed an agreement this week to build the Mongolian section of a transnational gas transmission project aimed at supplying 50 billion cubic metres of Russian gas to China, known as Power of Siberia 2. Mongolia has usually tried to keep out of geopolitical disputes. It did not comment on Russia's decision to send troops to Kazakhstan to help quell protests last year, or on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan – even though its own soldiers have been deployed there. Also read | 'Silence the guns...now', 'world is rejecting Russia’s lies': Here's how world leaders reacted to UNGA vote So far, it has stayed silent over the invasion of Ukraine, and it was one of 34 countries to abstain on a U.N. resolution demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops on Wednesday. “The current leadership... is disinclined to rustle Putin or Xi's feathers," said Julian Dierkes, an expert in Mongolian politics at the University of British Columbia. But it could come under pressure to take sides in an increasingly polarised geopolitical conflict, especially if Moscow – ostracized by Europe and the West – pivots eastwards. "I used to think that Russia didn't really pay enough attention to Mongolia to be upset, but in the current circumstances that may not be the case," said Dierkes. Watch | Gravitas: Ukraine under attack: The 4 hotspots The more it is forced to take sides on issues like Ukraine, the less room for manoeuvre Mongolia will have when it comes to its strategy aimed at counterbalancing Russian and Chinese economic and political influence through the cultivation of "third neighbours" like the United States and Japan. "Regarding our third neighbours, we hope that they understand our unique situation," said Otgochuluu. "Mongolia is committed to universal values of freedom and democracy. But its economy is not self-sufficient."

Mongolia's East-West balancing act buffeted by Russian invasion of Ukraine

The Biden administration is trying to convince its Arab allies that the United States, despite appearances to the contrary, is not fed up with the region and headed for the doors.

It is a tough sell. At a meeting Saturday in Bahrain that comes on the eve of global talks meant to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faced tough questions about how Arab allies were supposed to deal with the whiplash of an American national security policy that upends itself every four to eight years with a new president.

With President Joe Biden now trying to undo President Donald Trump’s own undoing of President Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear deal, some Arab allies expressed frustration that they were caught in the middle and must go their own way. The United Arab Emirates, for instance, is taking steps to de-escalate its own tensions with Tehran, after years of striking a harsher tone.

The tumultuous US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August after 20 years, the announced withdrawal of US&nbsp;combat troops from Iraq by the end of this year, and the Biden administration’s recent hyping of China as its biggest and most serious national security priority have combined to leave officials in the Middle East, site of so much American national security angst over the past 20 years, feeling left out.

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“Now that you’re on the clock to withdraw your combat troops from Iraq, and with the withdrawal of Afghanistan, there are a lot of worries here,” Farhad Alaaldin, the chairman of the Iraq Advisory Council, a research institute in Baghdad, told Austin during a question-and-answer session Saturday at the International Institute for Strategic Studies conference in Manama, Bahrain’s capital. “Your partners on the scene are worried, and some of them are starting to run for cover.”

The defence secretary made efforts to reassure his counterparts in Bahrain that the United States would remain engaged in the Middle East. Referring to “a lot of angst that I hear,” Austin insisted that “we’re not going to abandon these interests going forward.”

As part of the diplomatic outreach this weekend, Brett McGurk, the White House Middle East coordinator, and Robert Malley, Biden’s Iran envoy, joined the defence secretary in Manama.

Austin said that the Biden administration would seek to counter Iran, even as the United States tries to resuscitate the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump abandoned. The latest round of talks to revive that deal are set to begin Nov. 29 in Vienna, and officials have been privately pessimistic that a breakthrough would come any time soon.

“We remain committed to a diplomatic outcome of the nuclear issue,” Austin said. “But if Iran isn’t willing to engage seriously, then we will look at all the options necessary to keep the United States secure.”

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Those options are limited. If Trump, for all of his often-stated antipathy toward Tehran, balked at striking Iranian nuclear facilities out of fear of prompting another prolonged US engagement in the region, Biden is even less likely to take such an action, aides acknowledge, no matter how many “options” Austin mentions. In fact, concerns over ruining the looming nuclear talks is one of the reasons the administration has so far refrained from hitting back at Iran for an armed drone attack last month on an American military base in southern Syria.

US&nbsp;officials say that they believe the drone attack, which caused no casualties, was Iranian retaliation for Israeli airstrikes in Syria.

Five so-called suicide drones were launched at the American base at Al Tanf on October&nbsp;20 in what the US&nbsp;Central Command called a “deliberate and coordinated” attack. Only two detonated on impact, but they were loaded with ball bearings and shrapnel with a “clear intent to kill,” a senior U.S. military official said.

Most of the 200 US troops stationed at the base, whose main role is training Syrian militias to fight the Islamic State, had been evacuated hours earlier after being tipped off by Israeli intelligence, officials said.

US&nbsp;officials said they believed that Iran directed and supplied the proxy forces that carried out the attack. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attack, although Iranian news media applauded it.

Brian Katulis, a vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute, called the Biden administration’s policy in the region one of “treading water.” He warned that it could come with inherent problems.

“In a turbulent region,” Katulis said, “the seas can get rough and waves can swell up at a moment’s notice, making it all but impossible to keep afloat.”

The Biden administration is trying to convince its Arab allies that the United States, despite appearances to the contrary, is not fed up with the region and headed for the doors.

The Biden administration is trying to convince its Arab allies that the United States, despite appearances to the contrary, is not fed up with the region and headed for the doors. It is a tough sell. At a meeting Saturday in Bahrain that comes on the eve of global talks meant to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faced tough questions about how Arab allies were supposed to deal with the whiplash of an American national security policy that upends itself every four to eight years with a new president. With President Joe Biden now trying to undo President Donald Trump’s own undoing of President Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear deal, some Arab allies expressed frustration that they were caught in the middle and must go their own way. The United Arab Emirates, for instance, is taking steps to de-escalate its own tensions with Tehran, after years of striking a harsher tone. The tumultuous US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August after 20 years, the announced withdrawal of US combat troops from Iraq by the end of this year, and the Biden administration’s recent hyping of China as its biggest and most serious national security priority have combined to leave officials in the Middle East, site of so much American national security angst over the past 20 years, feeling left out. Also read | Transgender day of remembrance: Biden honours 46 transgender Americans killed due to violence in US “Now that you’re on the clock to withdraw your combat troops from Iraq, and with the withdrawal of Afghanistan, there are a lot of worries here,” Farhad Alaaldin, the chairman of the Iraq Advisory Council, a research institute in Baghdad, told Austin during a question-and-answer session Saturday at the International Institute for Strategic Studies conference in Manama, Bahrain’s capital. “Your partners on the scene are worried, and some of them are starting to run for cover.” The defence secretary made efforts to reassure his counterparts in Bahrain that the United States would remain engaged in the Middle East. Referring to “a lot of angst that I hear,” Austin insisted that “we’re not going to abandon these interests going forward.” As part of the diplomatic outreach this weekend, Brett McGurk, the White House Middle East coordinator, and Robert Malley, Biden’s Iran envoy, joined the defence secretary in Manama. Austin said that the Biden administration would seek to counter Iran, even as the United States tries to resuscitate the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump abandoned. The latest round of talks to revive that deal are set to begin Nov. 29 in Vienna, and officials have been privately pessimistic that a breakthrough would come any time soon. “We remain committed to a diplomatic outcome of the nuclear issue,” Austin said. “But if Iran isn’t willing to engage seriously, then we will look at all the options necessary to keep the United States secure.” Also read | 'Very worried': WHO warns of 500,000 deaths by March amid new wave in Europe Those options are limited. If Trump, for all of his often-stated antipathy toward Tehran, balked at striking Iranian nuclear facilities out of fear of prompting another prolonged US engagement in the region, Biden is even less likely to take such an action, aides acknowledge, no matter how many “options” Austin mentions. In fact, concerns over ruining the looming nuclear talks is one of the reasons the administration has so far refrained from hitting back at Iran for an armed drone attack last month on an American military base in southern Syria. US officials say that they believe the drone attack, which caused no casualties, was Iranian retaliation for Israeli airstrikes in Syria. Five so-called suicide drones were launched at the American base at Al Tanf on October 20 in what the US Central Command called a “deliberate and coordinated” attack. Only two detonated on impact, but they were loaded with ball bearings and shrapnel with a “clear intent to kill,” a senior U.S. military official said. Most of the 200 US troops stationed at the base, whose main role is training Syrian militias to fight the Islamic State, had been evacuated hours earlier after being tipped off by Israeli intelligence, officials said. US officials said they believed that Iran directed and supplied the proxy forces that carried out the attack. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attack, although Iranian news media applauded it. Brian Katulis, a vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute, called the Biden administration’s policy in the region one of “treading water.” He warned that it could come with inherent problems. “In a turbulent region,” Katulis said, “the seas can get rough and waves can swell up at a moment’s notice, making it all but impossible to keep afloat.”

US tries to convince Arab allies it isn’t abandoning them

In his first address to the to the United Nations General Assembly, US president Joe Biden focus the importance of working together as a single major alliance. The US prez emphasized the importance of allies at a time when US has strained diplomatic ties with some of its allies.

Joe Biden declares world at 'inflection point', emphasizes importance of allies

Canada would consider taking in additional Afghan refugees on behalf of the United States or other allies if asked to do so, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday.

"We should keep the door open to all possibilities," Mendicino said in an interview.

"If there were Afghans who had assisted coalition partners during the mission that also met the criteria for our humanitarian resettlement program, I think we should be prepared to consider such an arrangement," the minister said.

Canada is part of a coalition of countries frantically trying to evacuate Afghan citizens who supported Western missions in Afghanistan over the years, amidst a Taliban takeover of the country that occurred in days, rather than months as expected.

Canada withdrew the bulk of its troops from Afghanistan in 2011, but participated in a NATO mission to train the Afghan military until 2014.

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Helping out Afghans who supported Canada's past missions has become a hot political topic ahead of the Sept. 20 election, called by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday.

The Canadian Armed Forces flew 175 vulnerable Afghans and 13 foreign nationals out of Kabul late on Thursday, and evacuations "are scheduled to continue on a regular basis so long as the security situation permits," according to a statement.

Canada has evacuated nearly 1,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals to date, the statement said.

Evacuation flights could include families of refugees already living in Canada 18 whose resettlement has so far been held up by bureaucracy, Mendicino said.

The independent tribunal that assesses asylum claims in Canada has agreed to expedite Afghan refugee applications, a crucial step for asylum claimants to reunite with their families, the minister said.

Separately, last week Canada committed to resettling 20,000 Afghan refugees who have already fled the country, and on Friday Mendicino said the government was keeping "an open mind" about potentially increasing that number.

Canada would consider taking in additional Afghan refugees on behalf of the United States or other allies if asked to do so, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday.

Canada would consider taking in additional Afghan refugees on behalf of the United States or other allies if asked to do so, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday. "We should keep the door open to all possibilities," Mendicino said in an interview. "If there were Afghans who had assisted coalition partners during the mission that also met the criteria for our humanitarian resettlement program, I think we should be prepared to consider such an arrangement," the minister said. Canada is part of a coalition of countries frantically trying to evacuate Afghan citizens who supported Western missions in Afghanistan over the years, amidst a Taliban takeover of the country that occurred in days, rather than months as expected. Canada withdrew the bulk of its troops from Afghanistan in 2011, but participated in a NATO mission to train the Afghan military until 2014. Also read | Experts look at toxic algae after California family is found dead on hiking trail Helping out Afghans who supported Canada's past missions has become a hot political topic ahead of the Sept. 20 election, called by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday. The Canadian Armed Forces flew 175 vulnerable Afghans and 13 foreign nationals out of Kabul late on Thursday, and evacuations "are scheduled to continue on a regular basis so long as the security situation permits," according to a statement. Canada has evacuated nearly 1,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals to date, the statement said. Evacuation flights could include families of refugees already living in Canada 18 whose resettlement has so far been held up by bureaucracy, Mendicino said. The independent tribunal that assesses asylum claims in Canada has agreed to expedite Afghan refugee applications, a crucial step for asylum claimants to reunite with their families, the minister said. Separately, last week Canada committed to resettling 20,000 Afghan refugees who have already fled the country, and on Friday Mendicino said the government was keeping "an open mind" about potentially increasing that number.

Canada would consider accepting Afghan refugees on behalf of US allies - Minister

Cuba this week received shipments of food and medical supplies from allies Mexico, Russia and Bolivia in a bid to ease shortages and discontent amid the island's worst economic crisis in decades and a surge in coronavirus cases. 
 
The donations, which authorities started distributing on Friday, come nearly three weeks after unprecedented protests broke out nationwide, spurred by frustrations with dire economic conditions and curbs on civil freedoms. 
 
Cuba blames the unrest on US-backed mercenaries exploiting hardships it says were largely brought about by decades of US&nbsp;sanctions and disguising attempts at unrest through the campaign #SOSCuba calling for humanitarian aid. 
 
Now, it has taken back the humanitarian relief narrative, with the help of allies that have also blamed the US&nbsp;trade embargo for much of Cuba's woes. 
 
On Friday, a Mexican navy ship carrying 1,000 tonnes of beans as well as medical equipment and oxygen for COVID-19 patients arrived in the country, which currently has one of the highest infection rates per capita in the world. Two more will arrive shortly, Interior Commerce Minister Betsy Díaz said late on Friday on state television. 
 
"I want to personally thank President Andrés Manuel López Obrador who ... has ratified Mexico's traditional rejection of the blockade and its will to help Cuba," Cuban Trade Minister Rodrigo Malmierca said at the ship-receiving ceremony.

Cuba this week received shipments of food and medical supplies from allies Mexico, Russia and Bolivia in a bid to ease shortages and discontent amid the island's worst economic crisis in decades and a surge in coronavirus cases.

Cuba this week received shipments of food and medical supplies from allies Mexico, Russia and Bolivia in a bid to ease shortages and discontent amid the island's worst economic crisis in decades and a surge in coronavirus cases. The donations, which authorities started distributing on Friday, come nearly three weeks after unprecedented protests broke out nationwide, spurred by frustrations with dire economic conditions and curbs on civil freedoms. Cuba blames the unrest on US-backed mercenaries exploiting hardships it says were largely brought about by decades of US sanctions and disguising attempts at unrest through the campaign #SOSCuba calling for humanitarian aid. Now, it has taken back the humanitarian relief narrative, with the help of allies that have also blamed the US trade embargo for much of Cuba's woes. On Friday, a Mexican navy ship carrying 1,000 tonnes of beans as well as medical equipment and oxygen for COVID-19 patients arrived in the country, which currently has one of the highest infection rates per capita in the world. Two more will arrive shortly, Interior Commerce Minister Betsy Díaz said late on Friday on state television. "I want to personally thank President Andrés Manuel López Obrador who ... has ratified Mexico's traditional rejection of the blockade and its will to help Cuba," Cuban Trade Minister Rodrigo Malmierca said at the ship-receiving ceremony.

Cuba receives food, medicine donations from allies to ease crisis

A senior North Korean official ridiculed American hopes for talks on Tuesday, as the United States and South Korea agreed to consider scrapping a controversial working group established to coordinate their policy toward Pyongyang. 
 
Kim Yo Jong, a senior official in the ruling party and sister of leader Kim Jong Un, released a statement in state media on Tuesday saying the United States appears to be interpreting signals from Pyongyang in a way that would lead to disappointment. 
 
She was responding to US&nbsp;National Security adviser Jake Sullivan, who on Sunday said, he saw as an 'interesting signal' in a recent speech by Kim Jong Un on preparing for both confrontation and diplomacy with the United States. 
 
"It seems that the US&nbsp;may interpret the situation in such a way as to seek a comfort for itself," she said in a statement carried by KCNA. "The expectation, which they chose to harbour the wrong way, would plunge them into a greater disappointment." 
 
Kim's statement came during a visit to Seoul by recently appointed US&nbsp;special representative for North Korea Sung Kim, who was scheduled to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Unification Minister Lee In-young, who handles relations with the North, on Tuesday. 
 
On Monday, Sung Kim said he was willing to meet with the North Koreans 'anywhere, anytime without preconditions' and that he looks forward to a 'positive response soon'. 
 
During talks between Kim and his South Korean counterpart Noh Kyu-duk, the two agreed to 'look into terminating the working group' while reinforcing coordination at other levels, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 
 
The working group was set up in 2018 to help the two allies coordinate their approaches to issues, such as denuclearisation talks, humanitarian aid, sanctions enforcement and inter-Korean relations amid a flurry of diplomatic engagement with North Korea at the time. 
 
When asked last year about Seoul's proposals, such as reopening individual tourism to its northern neighbour, US&nbsp;ambassador to South Korea at the time, Harry Harris, said that 'in order to avoid a misunderstanding later that could trigger sanctions... it’s better to run this through the working group'. 
 
Though Harris added that it was not the United States’ place to approve South Korean decisions, the remarks caused controversy in Seoul and a former aide to South Korean President Moon Jae-in later told parliament the working group was increasingly seen as an obstacle to inter-Korean relations. 
 
The Moon administration would see ending the working group as a goodwill gesture from new US&nbsp;President Joe Biden, said Ramon Pacheco Pardo, a Korea expert at King's College London. 
 
"From a South Korean perspective, this was basically a mechanism for the US&nbsp;to block inter-Korean projects during the Trump years," he said. "It would be a clever political move for the Biden administration to end the group, since consultation between Washington and Seoul will take place anyway." 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

A senior North Korean official ridiculed American hopes for talks on Tuesday, as the United States and South Korea agreed to consider scrapping a controversial working group established to coordinate their policy toward Pyongyang.

A senior North Korean official ridiculed American hopes for talks on Tuesday, as the United States and South Korea agreed to consider scrapping a controversial working group established to coordinate their policy toward Pyongyang. Kim Yo Jong, a senior official in the ruling party and sister of leader Kim Jong Un, released a statement in state media on Tuesday saying the United States appears to be interpreting signals from Pyongyang in a way that would lead to disappointment. She was responding to US National Security adviser Jake Sullivan, who on Sunday said, he saw as an 'interesting signal' in a recent speech by Kim Jong Un on preparing for both confrontation and diplomacy with the United States. "It seems that the US may interpret the situation in such a way as to seek a comfort for itself," she said in a statement carried by KCNA. "The expectation, which they chose to harbour the wrong way, would plunge them into a greater disappointment." Kim's statement came during a visit to Seoul by recently appointed US special representative for North Korea Sung Kim, who was scheduled to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Unification Minister Lee In-young, who handles relations with the North, on Tuesday. On Monday, Sung Kim said he was willing to meet with the North Koreans 'anywhere, anytime without preconditions' and that he looks forward to a 'positive response soon'. During talks between Kim and his South Korean counterpart Noh Kyu-duk, the two agreed to 'look into terminating the working group' while reinforcing coordination at other levels, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The working group was set up in 2018 to help the two allies coordinate their approaches to issues, such as denuclearisation talks, humanitarian aid, sanctions enforcement and inter-Korean relations amid a flurry of diplomatic engagement with North Korea at the time. When asked last year about Seoul's proposals, such as reopening individual tourism to its northern neighbour, US ambassador to South Korea at the time, Harry Harris, said that 'in order to avoid a misunderstanding later that could trigger sanctions... it’s better to run this through the working group'. Though Harris added that it was not the United States’ place to approve South Korean decisions, the remarks caused controversy in Seoul and a former aide to South Korean President Moon Jae-in later told parliament the working group was increasingly seen as an obstacle to inter-Korean relations. The Moon administration would see ending the working group as a goodwill gesture from new US President Joe Biden, said Ramon Pacheco Pardo, a Korea expert at King's College London. "From a South Korean perspective, this was basically a mechanism for the US to block inter-Korean projects during the Trump years," he said. "It would be a clever political move for the Biden administration to end the group, since consultation between Washington and Seoul will take place anyway." (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea ridicules US hopes for talks as allies rethink approach

China is the single nation that militarily, economically, diplomatically and politically has the ability to try to disturb the rules-based order that the United States, its friends and allies strongly defend, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said.

He also said that China is both the most consequential and most complicated relationship the US has. "It (China) is the single nation state that militarily, economically, diplomatically, politically has the ability to try to up the rules-based order that we strongly defend because it's advanced our own security and prosperity for so many years," Blinken told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on Tuesday.

Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee during the hearing on the 2022 Budget Request for the State Department, Blinken said the US-China relationship has increasing adversarial aspects to it.

"It certainly has competitive ones. And it still has some cooperative ones as well. But the common denominator is to approach each of those aspects of the relationship from a position of strength. I think that strength starts with a few things," he said.

Blinken said that it starts with alliances and partnerships. "This is a unique strategic asset for us, something that China does not enjoy. That's why we're working to revitalise those alliances and partnerships. It includes our engagement in international organisations and international life because when we pull back, China fills in and starts to shape the rules and set the norms," he said.

"It absolutely includes our military and our deterrent capability. As you know, better than I, some years ago we started to shift resources to the Asia Pacific, including about 60 per cent of our Navy. Continue to take the steps necessary to make sure we have a strong deterrent," Blinken said.

Finally, it involves making the right investments in ourselves, he said. "Investments in our technology, investments in our workers, investments in innovation and research and development, all of those elements together or how we approach China from a position of strength," Blinken said.

Responding to a question, the secretary of state said that China is making more investments in its nuclear programme and seeks to build its arsenal. "This is something that I think we need to engage because it presents a growing challenge. So, this is something that we're focused on. We're working on it," he said.

Blinken said that the foundational piece of ties with China has to be approaching it from a position of strength. The elements of that strength are strong alliances and partnerships.

"That is a strategic asset for us that China doesn't have. When we are working and speaking collectively with others who are aggrieved by China's practices in one area or another, we are much stronger. We're much more effective just in the economic realm, to cite one example," he said.

"Alone, we're about 20 per cent, 25 per cent of the world GDP. When we're working in concert with other democracies, we are 50 per cent or 60 per cent of the world GDP. It's a lot harder for China to ignore. So, alliances and partnerships, that's a critical piece," Blinken said.

Second is actually leaning in an engaging in these very imperfect international institutions, he said.&nbsp;"The challenge there is that these institutions tend to set the rules, the standards, the norms. When we pull back, China fills in, and it has a stronger hand in setting the rules on new technologies, for example leaning. We are leaning in, making sure with our allies and partners that we're present," he said.

"Third, what you've just done or are on the verge of doing, I think this afternoon, with this very important legislation that is making the right investments in ourselves, and our technology, in research and development, in our workers, that is fundamentally our greatest source of strength when it comes to competing and dealing effectively with China," Blinken said.

He said, of course, "our military, our deterrent capacity, all of those things have to be married together."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

China is the single nation that militarily, economically, diplomatically and politically has the ability to try to disturb the rules-based order that the United States, its friends and allies strongly defend, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said.

China is the single nation that militarily, economically, diplomatically and politically has the ability to try to disturb the rules-based order that the United States, its friends and allies strongly defend, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said. He also said that China is both the most consequential and most complicated relationship the US has. "It (China) is the single nation state that militarily, economically, diplomatically, politically has the ability to try to up the rules-based order that we strongly defend because it's advanced our own security and prosperity for so many years," Blinken told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on Tuesday. Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee during the hearing on the 2022 Budget Request for the State Department, Blinken said the US-China relationship has increasing adversarial aspects to it. "It certainly has competitive ones. And it still has some cooperative ones as well. But the common denominator is to approach each of those aspects of the relationship from a position of strength. I think that strength starts with a few things," he said. Blinken said that it starts with alliances and partnerships. "This is a unique strategic asset for us, something that China does not enjoy. That's why we're working to revitalise those alliances and partnerships. It includes our engagement in international organisations and international life because when we pull back, China fills in and starts to shape the rules and set the norms," he said. "It absolutely includes our military and our deterrent capability. As you know, better than I, some years ago we started to shift resources to the Asia Pacific, including about 60 per cent of our Navy. Continue to take the steps necessary to make sure we have a strong deterrent," Blinken said. Finally, it involves making the right investments in ourselves, he said. "Investments in our technology, investments in our workers, investments in innovation and research and development, all of those elements together or how we approach China from a position of strength," Blinken said. Responding to a question, the secretary of state said that China is making more investments in its nuclear programme and seeks to build its arsenal. "This is something that I think we need to engage because it presents a growing challenge. So, this is something that we're focused on. We're working on it," he said. Blinken said that the foundational piece of ties with China has to be approaching it from a position of strength. The elements of that strength are strong alliances and partnerships. "That is a strategic asset for us that China doesn't have. When we are working and speaking collectively with others who are aggrieved by China's practices in one area or another, we are much stronger. We're much more effective just in the economic realm, to cite one example," he said. "Alone, we're about 20 per cent, 25 per cent of the world GDP. When we're working in concert with other democracies, we are 50 per cent or 60 per cent of the world GDP. It's a lot harder for China to ignore. So, alliances and partnerships, that's a critical piece," Blinken said. Second is actually leaning in an engaging in these very imperfect international institutions, he said. "The challenge there is that these institutions tend to set the rules, the standards, the norms. When we pull back, China fills in, and it has a stronger hand in setting the rules on new technologies, for example leaning. We are leaning in, making sure with our allies and partners that we're present," he said. "Third, what you've just done or are on the verge of doing, I think this afternoon, with this very important legislation that is making the right investments in ourselves, and our technology, in research and development, in our workers, that is fundamentally our greatest source of strength when it comes to competing and dealing effectively with China," Blinken said. He said, of course, "our military, our deterrent capacity, all of those things have to be married together." (With inputs from agencies)

China has ability to try to disturb rules-based order that US, allies defend: Blinken 

The US&nbsp;policy chief for the Indo-Pacific said on Tuesday that Washington aims to work with Japan, New Zealand, Australia and others to assist island nations in the Pacific, a region of increasing strategic competition with China. 
 
Five Pacific island nations announced in February they would start withdrawing from the Pacific Island Forum, the region's main political grouping after a fractious leadership vote.&nbsp; 
 
White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said the United States wanted to work with others to reconvene the forum, after what he termed a 'schism',&nbsp;to enable future bilateral and institutional engagement. 
 
"These are islands which we have enormous historical moral and strategic interests in, and then sometimes we forget that," Campbell told an online event hosted by the Center for a New American Security think thank. 
 
"And increasingly, again this is an arena of competition both in terms of values, their role at the United Nations, their health challenges, climate change their potential role militarily, healthy fishing stocks, just down the list. 
 
"So one of the things that we are looking to do over the course of the next little while, working closely with allies like Australia, New Zealand, Japan and others, is to convene with Pacific island nations to talk about arenas of common purpose," he said. 
 
Campbell said the aim would be to make progress in areas such as fisheries and coastguard activity and in delivery of support and assistance, including vaccines. 
 
He said the region faced enormous challenges dealing with poverty, disease, and climate change and helping to meet those was difficult given their small disparate populations. 
 
"But for the United States, again this is another area where we must step up our game." 
 
The sparsely populated South Pacific island countries have in recent years become battlegrounds for influence between China and the United States and its allies. 
 
Most of the island nation governments have been facing severe economic headwinds due to their heavy reliance on international tourism, an industry that abruptly shut last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The US policy chief for the Indo-Pacific said on Tuesday that Washington aims to work with Japan, New Zealand, Australia and others to assist island nations in the Pacific, a region of increasing strategic competition with China.

The US policy chief for the Indo-Pacific said on Tuesday that Washington aims to work with Japan, New Zealand, Australia and others to assist island nations in the Pacific, a region of increasing strategic competition with China. Five Pacific island nations announced in February they would start withdrawing from the Pacific Island Forum, the region's main political grouping after a fractious leadership vote. White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said the United States wanted to work with others to reconvene the forum, after what he termed a 'schism', to enable future bilateral and institutional engagement. "These are islands which we have enormous historical moral and strategic interests in, and then sometimes we forget that," Campbell told an online event hosted by the Center for a New American Security think thank. "And increasingly, again this is an arena of competition both in terms of values, their role at the United Nations, their health challenges, climate change their potential role militarily, healthy fishing stocks, just down the list. "So one of the things that we are looking to do over the course of the next little while, working closely with allies like Australia, New Zealand, Japan and others, is to convene with Pacific island nations to talk about arenas of common purpose," he said. Campbell said the aim would be to make progress in areas such as fisheries and coastguard activity and in delivery of support and assistance, including vaccines. He said the region faced enormous challenges dealing with poverty, disease, and climate change and helping to meet those was difficult given their small disparate populations. "But for the United States, again this is another area where we must step up our game." The sparsely populated South Pacific island countries have in recent years become battlegrounds for influence between China and the United States and its allies. Most of the island nation governments have been facing severe economic headwinds due to their heavy reliance on international tourism, an industry that abruptly shut last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. (With inputs from agencies)

US says to work with allies to help Pacific islands amid China rivalry

President Joe Biden's meeting with leaders of the G7 leading industrial economies in an English seaside village this week will usher in a new focus on rallying US&nbsp;allies against common adversaries - the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia and China. 
 
New COVID-19 variants and rising death tolls in some countries will loom large during the gathering from Friday to Sunday, alongside climate change, strengthening global supply chains and ensuring the West maintains its technological edge over China, the world's second-largest economy. 
 
Biden, a Democrat, vowed to rebuild relations with allies after four rocky years under former President Donald Trump, who pulled Washington out of several multilateral institutions and threatened at one point to quit NATO. 
 
"In this moment of global uncertainty, as the world still grapples with a once-in-a-century pandemic, this trip is about realising America’s renewed commitment to our allies and partners," Biden wrote in an opinion piece published by the Washington Post on Saturday. 
 
The gathering will put Biden's 'America is back' motto to the test, with allies disillusioned during the Trump years looking for tangible, lasting action. 
 
It is a pivotal moment for the United States and the world, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on CNN on Sunday. 
 
"Is international cooperation going to be restored or are we still in this world where nationalism, protectionism and to some extent isolationism are dominating?" Brown asked.

Russia will be at the forefront of attention at the G7 summit in Cornwall, England, and the days afterward when Biden meets with European leaders and NATO allies in Brussels, before heading to Geneva to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. 
 
The recent ransomware attack on JBS, the world's largest meatpacker, by a criminal group likely based in Russia, and Putin's financial backing for Belarus after it forced a Ryanair flight to land so it could arrest a dissident journalist on board, are pushing US&nbsp;officials to consider sharper action. 
 
On the sidelines of the NATO summit, Biden is also expected to meet with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, a crucial session between the sparring NATO allies after Ankara's purchase of Russian defence systems angered Washington and risked driving a wedge within the alliance. 
 
G7 finance ministers reached a landmark global deal on Saturday to set a minimum global corporate tax rate of at least 15%, potentially hitting giant tech companies like Alphabet Inc's Google, Facebook Inc and Amazon.com Inc. Biden and his counterparts will give the deal their final blessing in Cornwall. 
 
The Biden administration, which on Thursday detailed its plans to donate 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines globally by the end of June, is leaning heavily on allies to follow suit as the global pandemic death toll approaches 4 million, US&nbsp;and diplomatic sources say. 
 
Washington reversed course last month and backed negotiations over waivers for intellectual property protections at the World Trade Organization to speed vaccine production in developing countries, much to the chagrin of Germany and Britain. 
 
European diplomats say they see little common ground on the issue, and argue that any WTO compromise would take months to finalise and implement. That may prove a moot point if sufficient vaccine doses are shared with developing countries to slow - and eventually halt - the pandemic. 
 
Biden announced plans in May to require US&nbsp;government contractors and financial institutions to be more transparent about the climate change risks faced by their investments, and administration officials are pushing other countries to adopt similar plans. 
 
The UK also wants governments to require businesses to report such risks as a way to boost investment in green projects. But agreement on a way forward is unlikely to come in June. A deal could emerge at a UN&nbsp;climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, in November. 
 
G7 countries also have different views on carbon pricing, which the International Monetary Fund views as a key way to curb carbon dioxide emissions and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. 
 
The Biden administration will urge allies to unite against China over allegations of forced labour in Xinjiang province, home to the Muslim Uighur minority, even as it seeks to maintain Beijing as an ally in the climate change fight. 
 
Sources following the discussions say they expect G7 leaders to adopt strong language on the forced labour issue. China denies all accusations of abuse in Xinjiang. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

President Joe Biden's meeting with leaders of the G7 leading industrial economies in an English seaside village this week will usher in a new focus on rallying US allies against common adversaries - the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia and China.

President Joe Biden's meeting with leaders of the G7 leading industrial economies in an English seaside village this week will usher in a new focus on rallying US allies against common adversaries - the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia and China. New COVID-19 variants and rising death tolls in some countries will loom large during the gathering from Friday to Sunday, alongside climate change, strengthening global supply chains and ensuring the West maintains its technological edge over China, the world's second-largest economy. Biden, a Democrat, vowed to rebuild relations with allies after four rocky years under former President Donald Trump, who pulled Washington out of several multilateral institutions and threatened at one point to quit NATO. "In this moment of global uncertainty, as the world still grapples with a once-in-a-century pandemic, this trip is about realising America’s renewed commitment to our allies and partners," Biden wrote in an opinion piece published by the Washington Post on Saturday. The gathering will put Biden's 'America is back' motto to the test, with allies disillusioned during the Trump years looking for tangible, lasting action. It is a pivotal moment for the United States and the world, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on CNN on Sunday. "Is international cooperation going to be restored or are we still in this world where nationalism, protectionism and to some extent isolationism are dominating?" Brown asked. Russia will be at the forefront of attention at the G7 summit in Cornwall, England, and the days afterward when Biden meets with European leaders and NATO allies in Brussels, before heading to Geneva to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. The recent ransomware attack on JBS, the world's largest meatpacker, by a criminal group likely based in Russia, and Putin's financial backing for Belarus after it forced a Ryanair flight to land so it could arrest a dissident journalist on board, are pushing US officials to consider sharper action. On the sidelines of the NATO summit, Biden is also expected to meet with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, a crucial session between the sparring NATO allies after Ankara's purchase of Russian defence systems angered Washington and risked driving a wedge within the alliance. G7 finance ministers reached a landmark global deal on Saturday to set a minimum global corporate tax rate of at least 15%, potentially hitting giant tech companies like Alphabet Inc's Google, Facebook Inc and Amazon.com Inc. Biden and his counterparts will give the deal their final blessing in Cornwall. The Biden administration, which on Thursday detailed its plans to donate 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines globally by the end of June, is leaning heavily on allies to follow suit as the global pandemic death toll approaches 4 million, US and diplomatic sources say. Washington reversed course last month and backed negotiations over waivers for intellectual property protections at the World Trade Organization to speed vaccine production in developing countries, much to the chagrin of Germany and Britain. European diplomats say they see little common ground on the issue, and argue that any WTO compromise would take months to finalise and implement. That may prove a moot point if sufficient vaccine doses are shared with developing countries to slow - and eventually halt - the pandemic. Biden announced plans in May to require US government contractors and financial institutions to be more transparent about the climate change risks faced by their investments, and administration officials are pushing other countries to adopt similar plans. The UK also wants governments to require businesses to report such risks as a way to boost investment in green projects. But agreement on a way forward is unlikely to come in June. A deal could emerge at a UN climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, in November. G7 countries also have different views on carbon pricing, which the International Monetary Fund views as a key way to curb carbon dioxide emissions and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The Biden administration will urge allies to unite against China over allegations of forced labour in Xinjiang province, home to the Muslim Uighur minority, even as it seeks to maintain Beijing as an ally in the climate change fight. Sources following the discussions say they expect G7 leaders to adopt strong language on the forced labour issue. China denies all accusations of abuse in Xinjiang. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden G7, NATO to-do list: Unite allies, fight autocracy, attack COVID-19

The OPEC group of oil-producing countries and its allies look set to boost production further when they meet on Tuesday, as pandemic-hit demand for crude recovers.

The OPEC+ alliance, consisting of 23 countries, implemented sharp output cuts to support prices after the coronavirus pandemic crushed the global economy last year.

But since early May, the cartel has started implementing more generous production increases as oil prices have recovered and the health situation improves in developed economies.

Currently, the production roadmap for OPEC+ members consists of a series of increases between May and July adding up to some 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd).

On the agenda at Tuesday's meeting, expected to start at 1100 GMT, will be whether this can be extended into August.

"OPEC+ currently finds itself in a very favourable situation," said Eugen Weinberg of Commerzbank.

Among OPEC's allies, Russia has been pushing for faster rises in output but traditional OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia supports a much more cautious note, pointing to the surge of coronavirus infections in parts of Asia.

"As always, the key flashpoint is likely to be tensions between Russia and Saudi Arabia," said Matthew Weller, global head of market research at FOREX.com.

"Russia will undoubtedly push for a more rapid increase in production to support its economy, whereas Saudi Arabia is expected to favour the more conservative path agreed upon last month," Weller said.

Riyadh could point to how markets have been shaken by a vicious third wave of the virus that has swept through India, the world's third-biggest consumer of crude after the US and China.&nbsp;

Several other Asian countries have also had to adopt virus-related restrictions, representing a brake on demand.

OPEC has remained optimistic in its predictions for 2021, expecting demand to reach 96.5 million bpd, an increase of six million on 2020 levels.

This, combined with OPEC's previous policy of production restraints, means analysts expect the market to tighten sufficiently by August for demand to start outstripping supply.

This has been reflected in recent movements in crude prices, which have climbed back to pre-pandemic levels.

Aside from demand, the other factor OPEC and its allies must take into account are the actions of other oil-rich states, such as the world's number one producer, the United States.

Changes among the alliance's members themselves will no doubt also be on the agenda.

After facilities in war-torn Libya began producing again from the end of 2020, eventually adding a million bpd to the market, all eyes will be on Iran.

If negotiations in Vienna on the full revival of the 2015 nuclear deal are successful, it could lead to many economic sanctions on the Islamic republic being lifted, including the US embargo on Iranian oil exports.

If Iran were able to get back to its level of exports three years ago -- when then US president Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions -- it could mean an extra 1.5 million bpd coming to the market.

(With inputs from agencies)

The OPEC group of oil-producing countries and its allies look set to boost production further when they meet on Tuesday, as pandemic-hit demand for crude recovers.

The OPEC group of oil-producing countries and its allies look set to boost production further when they meet on Tuesday, as pandemic-hit demand for crude recovers. The OPEC+ alliance, consisting of 23 countries, implemented sharp output cuts to support prices after the coronavirus pandemic crushed the global economy last year. But since early May, the cartel has started implementing more generous production increases as oil prices have recovered and the health situation improves in developed economies. Currently, the production roadmap for OPEC+ members consists of a series of increases between May and July adding up to some 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd). On the agenda at Tuesday's meeting, expected to start at 1100 GMT, will be whether this can be extended into August. "OPEC+ currently finds itself in a very favourable situation," said Eugen Weinberg of Commerzbank. Among OPEC's allies, Russia has been pushing for faster rises in output but traditional OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia supports a much more cautious note, pointing to the surge of coronavirus infections in parts of Asia. "As always, the key flashpoint is likely to be tensions between Russia and Saudi Arabia," said Matthew Weller, global head of market research at FOREX.com. "Russia will undoubtedly push for a more rapid increase in production to support its economy, whereas Saudi Arabia is expected to favour the more conservative path agreed upon last month," Weller said. Riyadh could point to how markets have been shaken by a vicious third wave of the virus that has swept through India, the world's third-biggest consumer of crude after the US and China. Several other Asian countries have also had to adopt virus-related restrictions, representing a brake on demand. OPEC has remained optimistic in its predictions for 2021, expecting demand to reach 96.5 million bpd, an increase of six million on 2020 levels. This, combined with OPEC's previous policy of production restraints, means analysts expect the market to tighten sufficiently by August for demand to start outstripping supply. This has been reflected in recent movements in crude prices, which have climbed back to pre-pandemic levels. Aside from demand, the other factor OPEC and its allies must take into account are the actions of other oil-rich states, such as the world's number one producer, the United States. Changes among the alliance's members themselves will no doubt also be on the agenda. After facilities in war-torn Libya began producing again from the end of 2020, eventually adding a million bpd to the market, all eyes will be on Iran. If negotiations in Vienna on the full revival of the 2015 nuclear deal are successful, it could lead to many economic sanctions on the Islamic republic being lifted, including the US embargo on Iranian oil exports. If Iran were able to get back to its level of exports three years ago -- when then US president Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions -- it could mean an extra 1.5 million bpd coming to the market. (With inputs from agencies)

OPEC and allies set for another crude output increase

Jordan’s neighbours and allies reacted with statements of support after the Jordanian military said on Saturday that King Abdullah’s half-brother and former Crown Prince Hamza bin Hussein had been told to halt actions used to target the country’s ‘security and stability’.

In a statement published by the state news agency, it said the action was part of a broader security investigation in which a former minister, a member of the royal family and some other unidentified individuals were detained.

In response to the action, US State Department spokesman Ned Price in an email, said, "We are closely following the reports and in touch with Jordanian officials. King Abdullah is a key partner of the United States, and he has our full support."

In a statement, the Saudi royal court said, "The kingdom affirms its full support, with all its capabilities, to all decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah and His Highness Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, the Crown Prince, to maintain security and stability."

In a separate statement, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Jordan’s stability and prosperity was the ‘basis for the stability and prosperity of the whole region’ and vowed ‘firm and lasting’ support for it.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs stressed the UAE’s full support for all decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah and his crown prince to maintain Jordan’s security and stability and ‘to defuse any attempt to impact them’.&nbsp;

Senior Emirati official Anwar Gargash said on Twitter Jordan’s ‘wise policy to build bridges in a turbulent region was not an easy choice but was, and remains, the necessary direction’.

Egypt voiced support for King Abdullah and his efforts ‘to maintain the security and stability of the kingdom against any attempts to undermine it’, its presidency spokesman wrote on Facebook.

Oman completely stands by Jordan under the leadership of King Abdullah and firmly supports anything that preserves Jordan’s security, sovereignty and stability, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa affirmed full support to the decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah to maintain Jordan’s security and stability and ‘defuse all disruptive attempts’, state news agency BNA said.

In a statement, GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah Mubarak al-Hajraf said the bloc affirmed its full support for all decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah to preserve the security and stability of Jordan.

"Jordan’s security and safety is a fundamental basis for the security and safety of the Arab world," Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad al-Hariri said on Twitter. "All the solidarity with the Jordanian leadership and King Abdullah in defending the gains of the Jordanian people, protecting their stability, and refusing interference in their affairs."

Kuwait’s foreign ministry expressed its support to all measures taken by King Abdullah and his crown prince to maintain the security and stability of Jordan.

"The Iraqi government affirms that it stands with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, in any steps taken to preserve the security and stability of the country and take care of the interests of the brotherly people of Jordan, in a way that boosts their presence, by relying on measures that aim to extend the respect of the state," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Qatar expressed its full solidarity with Jordan and full support to the decisions and measures issued by King Abdullah to preserve security and stability, and boost the process of progress and prosperity, state news agency QNA said.

It said strategic bilateral relations ‘will remain an honest and strong guard against any attempts to undermine the security and stability in the two countries and the region’.

Yemen’s internationally recognised government ‘affirms its absolute support and totally stands with all decisions and measures taken by His Majesty King Abdullah aimed at maintaining security and ending any attempts to destabilise the sisterly Kingdom of Jordan,’ state news agency Saba said.

"Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that we stand by the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the king, the government, and the people," the official Palestinian news agency WAFA said in a statement.

"We support the decisions taken by King Abdullah II to preserve Jordan`s security and ensure its stability and unity. 
"We support the steps taken by King Abdullah to maintain Jordanian national security, stressing that Jordan’s security and stability is a supreme Palestinian interest."

"The secretary-general of the Arab League expressed full solidarity with the measures taken by the Jordanian leadership to maintain the security of the kingdom and maintain the stability," the Arab League said in a statement on its Facebook page, citing Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

"He also stressed his confidence in the leadership’s wisdom and its keenness to secure the country’s stability in parallel with the respect for the constitution and the law.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry voiced support for King Abdullah and the government of Jordan, and said that it was watching developments with concern.

"We do not see the stability and calm of Jordan, a country that is key to peace in the Middle East, as separate from Turkey’s stability and calm," the ministry said in a statement.

"In this framework, we express our strong support for King Abdullah II and the Jordanian government, as well as for the tranquility, welfare and well-being of the friendly and brotherly people of Jordan," it said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Jordan’s neighbours and allies reacted with statements of support after the Jordanian military said on Saturday that King Abdullah’s half-brother and former Crown Prince Hamza bin Hussein had been told to halt actions used to target the country’s ‘security and stability’.

Jordan’s neighbours and allies reacted with statements of support after the Jordanian military said on Saturday that King Abdullah’s half-brother and former Crown Prince Hamza bin Hussein had been told to halt actions used to target the country’s ‘security and stability’. In a statement published by the state news agency, it said the action was part of a broader security investigation in which a former minister, a member of the royal family and some other unidentified individuals were detained. In response to the action, US State Department spokesman Ned Price in an email, said, "We are closely following the reports and in touch with Jordanian officials. King Abdullah is a key partner of the United States, and he has our full support." In a statement, the Saudi royal court said, "The kingdom affirms its full support, with all its capabilities, to all decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah and His Highness Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, the Crown Prince, to maintain security and stability." In a separate statement, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Jordan’s stability and prosperity was the ‘basis for the stability and prosperity of the whole region’ and vowed ‘firm and lasting’ support for it. The Ministry of Presidential Affairs stressed the UAE’s full support for all decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah and his crown prince to maintain Jordan’s security and stability and ‘to defuse any attempt to impact them’. Senior Emirati official Anwar Gargash said on Twitter Jordan’s ‘wise policy to build bridges in a turbulent region was not an easy choice but was, and remains, the necessary direction’. Egypt voiced support for King Abdullah and his efforts ‘to maintain the security and stability of the kingdom against any attempts to undermine it’, its presidency spokesman wrote on Facebook. Oman completely stands by Jordan under the leadership of King Abdullah and firmly supports anything that preserves Jordan’s security, sovereignty and stability, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa affirmed full support to the decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah to maintain Jordan’s security and stability and ‘defuse all disruptive attempts’, state news agency BNA said. In a statement, GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah Mubarak al-Hajraf said the bloc affirmed its full support for all decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah to preserve the security and stability of Jordan. "Jordan’s security and safety is a fundamental basis for the security and safety of the Arab world," Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad al-Hariri said on Twitter. "All the solidarity with the Jordanian leadership and King Abdullah in defending the gains of the Jordanian people, protecting their stability, and refusing interference in their affairs." Kuwait’s foreign ministry expressed its support to all measures taken by King Abdullah and his crown prince to maintain the security and stability of Jordan. "The Iraqi government affirms that it stands with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, in any steps taken to preserve the security and stability of the country and take care of the interests of the brotherly people of Jordan, in a way that boosts their presence, by relying on measures that aim to extend the respect of the state," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Qatar expressed its full solidarity with Jordan and full support to the decisions and measures issued by King Abdullah to preserve security and stability, and boost the process of progress and prosperity, state news agency QNA said. It said strategic bilateral relations ‘will remain an honest and strong guard against any attempts to undermine the security and stability in the two countries and the region’. Yemen’s internationally recognised government ‘affirms its absolute support and totally stands with all decisions and measures taken by His Majesty King Abdullah aimed at maintaining security and ending any attempts to destabilise the sisterly Kingdom of Jordan,’ state news agency Saba said. "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that we stand by the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the king, the government, and the people," the official Palestinian news agency WAFA said in a statement. "We support the decisions taken by King Abdullah II to preserve Jordan`s security and ensure its stability and unity. "We support the steps taken by King Abdullah to maintain Jordanian national security, stressing that Jordan’s security and stability is a supreme Palestinian interest." "The secretary-general of the Arab League expressed full solidarity with the measures taken by the Jordanian leadership to maintain the security of the kingdom and maintain the stability," the Arab League said in a statement on its Facebook page, citing Ahmed Aboul Gheit. "He also stressed his confidence in the leadership’s wisdom and its keenness to secure the country’s stability in parallel with the respect for the constitution and the law. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry voiced support for King Abdullah and the government of Jordan, and said that it was watching developments with concern. "We do not see the stability and calm of Jordan, a country that is key to peace in the Middle East, as separate from Turkey’s stability and calm," the ministry said in a statement. "In this framework, we express our strong support for King Abdullah II and the Jordanian government, as well as for the tranquility, welfare and well-being of the friendly and brotherly people of Jordan," it said. (With inputs from agencies)

Jordan's neighbours, allies voice support over its security moves

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington stood united with NATO allies in efforts to bring a 'responsible' end to the conflict in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

"Tactical decisions aside, we are united with our NATO allies in seeking to bring a responsible end to this conflict and to remove our troops from harm's way, just as we are collectively determined to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists, who could threaten the United States or our allies," Blinken said at a press conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels.&nbsp;

The foreign ministers of NATO member states on Tuesday convened for a two-day in-person meeting in Brussels, for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Last week, the Taliban movement urged the US to complete the pullout of its troops from Afghanistan by May 1 as agreed last year. &nbsp;

Suhail Shaheen, a member of the movement's negotiating team, said at recent talks in Moscow that the US forces would violate the February 2020 agreement with the Taliban by staying in Afghanistan beyond the May deadline.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden, in turn, told ABC News earlier in March that it would be 'tough' for all US servicemen to leave Afghanistan by May 1. &nbsp;

The US president also said that the final decision on the pullout of troops was yet to be made and Washington was consulting with its allies on the matter. &nbsp;

The NBC News reported last week, citing sources, that the Biden administration was considering extending the US troop deployment in Afghanistan until November. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington stood united with NATO allies in efforts to bring a 'responsible' end to the conflict in Afghanistan.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington stood united with NATO allies in efforts to bring a 'responsible' end to the conflict in Afghanistan. "Tactical decisions aside, we are united with our NATO allies in seeking to bring a responsible end to this conflict and to remove our troops from harm's way, just as we are collectively determined to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists, who could threaten the United States or our allies," Blinken said at a press conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. The foreign ministers of NATO member states on Tuesday convened for a two-day in-person meeting in Brussels, for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week, the Taliban movement urged the US to complete the pullout of its troops from Afghanistan by May 1 as agreed last year. Suhail Shaheen, a member of the movement's negotiating team, said at recent talks in Moscow that the US forces would violate the February 2020 agreement with the Taliban by staying in Afghanistan beyond the May deadline. US President Joe Biden, in turn, told ABC News earlier in March that it would be 'tough' for all US servicemen to leave Afghanistan by May 1. The US president also said that the final decision on the pullout of troops was yet to be made and Washington was consulting with its allies on the matter. The NBC News reported last week, citing sources, that the Biden administration was considering extending the US troop deployment in Afghanistan until November. (With inputs from agencies)

Blinken: US united with NATO allies for a 'responsible' end to Afghan conflict 

US President-elect Joe Biden has said the United States would be "ready to lead" again on the global stage, turning the page on Republican President Donald Trump's "America First" policies as he pledged to work together with the nation's allies.

Video: Biden introduces cabinet picks

Lawmakers in the US are having discussions on the potential impact of a new law under which any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia would attract American sanctions, an influential US senator said today.

Senator Tim Kaine, who is on the both Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, said sanctions like Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act (CAATSA) would drive friends and allies away and give adversaries a chance to come together.

Signed into law by President Donald Trump in August 2017, the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act or CCTSA imposes sanctions on a country or utility for any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia.

"We worry about it (CAATSA) will drive our allies away and also we give adversaries reasons to come together," Kaine told PTI.&nbsp

Kaine said both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are working to bring in the necessary reform in CAATSA.&nbsp

"We are starting to talk about CAATSA reforms both in the armed services and the foreign relations committees,? he said, but quickly added that ?it is premature? to say what will happen.&nbsp

"But we're having the discussion about the application of CAATSA now and how it would punish potentially punish allies of ours," Kaine said.

Responding to a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi having informal summits with the presidents of China and Russia, he said it "does not worry" him.&nbsp

"Of course, they are going to talk to great nations that are in their neighbourhood. Of course, they will," he said.&nbsp

"I continue to believe this administration understands how important the US India relationship is. I don't mind criticising President Trump. But on US-India relationship, I do know that they view it as very important," Kaine said.

"They understand the importance of the relationship. I mean, they definitely do," said the Senator from Virginia, who was vice presidential nominee of the Democratic party in the 2016 presidential elections.&nbsp

Signed into law by President Donald Trump in August 2017, the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act or CCTSA imposes sanctions on a country or utility for any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia

Lawmakers in the US are having discussions on the potential impact of a new law under which any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia would attract American sanctions, an influential US senator said today. Senator Tim Kaine, who is on the both Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, said sanctions like Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act (CAATSA) would drive friends and allies away and give adversaries a chance to come together. Signed into law by President Donald Trump in August 2017, the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act or CCTSA imposes sanctions on a country or utility for any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia. "We worry about it (CAATSA) will drive our allies away and also we give adversaries reasons to come together," Kaine told PTI. Kaine said both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are working to bring in the necessary reform in CAATSA. "We are starting to talk about CAATSA reforms both in the armed services and the foreign relations committees,? he said, but quickly added that ?it is premature? to say what will happen. "But we're having the discussion about the application of CAATSA now and how it would punish potentially punish allies of ours," Kaine said. Responding to a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi having informal summits with the presidents of China and Russia, he said it "does not worry" him. "Of course, they are going to talk to great nations that are in their neighbourhood. Of course, they will," he said. "I continue to believe this administration understands how important the US India relationship is. I don't mind criticising President Trump. But on US-India relationship, I do know that they view it as very important," Kaine said. "They understand the importance of the relationship. I mean, they definitely do," said the Senator from Virginia, who was vice presidential nominee of the Democratic party in the 2016 presidential elections.

Lawmakers discuss about impact of CAATSA on allies: US Senator

allies

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