Qatar will act as the United States' diplomatic representative in Afghanistan following the shuttering of its embassy during the Taliban takeover.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Friday that the country had signed an accord with Qatar to set up an interests section in Afghanistan.

The accord acts as an important signal of possible future direct engagement between Washington and the Taliban after two decades of war.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/troika-plus-pakistans-foreign-minister-says-afghanistan-at-brink-of-economic-collapse-428506" hreflang="en">Pakistan's foreign minister says Afghanistan at 'brink of economic collapse'</a>

Blinken said ''Qatar will establish a US interest section within its embassy in Afghanistan to provide certain consular services and monitor the condition and security of US diplomatic facilities in Afghanistan.''

"Let me again say how grateful we are for your leadership, your support on Afghanistan, but also to note that our partnership is much broader than that," Blinken told Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

The new agreement will into effect on December 31. It comes as the United States and other Western countries grapple with how to engage with the hardline Islamists.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-easily-won-afghanistan-because-300000-strong-army-did-not-exist-ex-finance-minister-428379" hreflang="en">Taliban took Kabul as 300,000-strong army didn't exist : Ex-Afghan minister</a>

Qatar, home to a major US military base, has played a major role both in the diplomacy and the evacuations as the United States ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Around half of the 124,000 Westerners and Western-allied Afghans flown out in the waning days of the US military involvement transited through Qatar.&nbsp;

Since the Taliban takeover, US embassy operations in Kabul have been relocated to Qatar.&nbsp;

The United States, European countries and others are reluctant to formally recognise the Pashtun-dominated Taliban, accusing them of backtracking on pledges of political and ethnic inclusivity and to uphold the rights of women and minorities.

(With inputs from agencies)

Qatar will act as the United States' diplomatic representative in Afghanistan following the shuttering of its embassy during the Taliban takeover. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Friday that the country had signed an accord with Qatar to set up an interests section in Afghanistan.

Qatar will act as the United States' diplomatic representative in Afghanistan following the shuttering of its embassy during the Taliban takeover. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Friday that the country had signed an accord with Qatar to set up an interests section in Afghanistan. The accord acts as an important signal of possible future direct engagement between Washington and the Taliban after two decades of war. Also read | Pakistan's foreign minister says Afghanistan at 'brink of economic collapse' Blinken said ''Qatar will establish a US interest section within its embassy in Afghanistan to provide certain consular services and monitor the condition and security of US diplomatic facilities in Afghanistan.'' "Let me again say how grateful we are for your leadership, your support on Afghanistan, but also to note that our partnership is much broader than that," Blinken told Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. The new agreement will into effect on December 31. It comes as the United States and other Western countries grapple with how to engage with the hardline Islamists. Also read | Taliban took Kabul as 300,000-strong army didn't exist : Ex-Afghan minister Qatar, home to a major US military base, has played a major role both in the diplomacy and the evacuations as the United States ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan. Around half of the 124,000 Westerners and Western-allied Afghans flown out in the waning days of the US military involvement transited through Qatar. Since the Taliban takeover, US embassy operations in Kabul have been relocated to Qatar. The United States, European countries and others are reluctant to formally recognise the Pashtun-dominated Taliban, accusing them of backtracking on pledges of political and ethnic inclusivity and to uphold the rights of women and minorities. (With inputs from agencies)

'Protecting power': Qatar to act as US diplomatic representative in Afghanistan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pledged to get to the bottom of so-called 'Havana syndrome'. There are suspicions that the mysterious illness plaguing US diplomats worldover could be caused by Russian microwave attacks.

Blinken on Friday named two senior figures to lead the State Department's response.

Officially called anomalous health incidents (AHI), cases of Havana syndrome first surfaced in 2016 in the Cuban capital, with US and Canadian diplomats complaining of severe headaches, nausea and possible brain damage after hearing high-pitched sounds.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-signs-law-to-support-victims-of-havana-syndrome-419398">Biden signs law to support victims of 'Havana Syndrome'</a>

Since then the number of US officials in the diplomatic and intelligence corps reporting similar experiences in countries including China, Austria, Colombia and Russia, has risen to the low hundreds, according to reports.

"All of us in the US government, and especially we at the State Department, are intently focused on getting to the bottom of what and who is causing these incidents, caring for those who've been affected, and protecting our people," Blinken said.

He said that the State Department had arranged for treatment of those affected at Johns Hopkins University, and was collecting baseline data from US diplomats before they deploy to use in analyzing reported cases.

Blinken appointed veterans envoys Jonathan Moore to coordinate the overall response and Margaret Uyehara to ensure that anyone reporting symptoms got full medical care.

He also said the department is deploying new technology at embassies and missions to help evaluate and protect staff from threats that could be linked to cases.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-likely-to-reopen-consulates-shut-in-2020-says-report-426931">US-China likely to reopen consulates shut in 2020, says report</a>

"We're drawing on the full capacity of our intelligence community. We're enlisting the best scientific minds inside and outside of government" to understand the problem, he said.

But some scientists express doubts about the Russian attacks theory and say there is not one affliction or cause of the reported cases.

And some have even dismissed the spread of cases as a mass psychogenic phenomenon in which people begin to feel sick after they learn of a health threat.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pledged to get to the bottom of so-called 'Havana syndrome'. There are suspicions that the mysterious illness plaguing US diplomats worldover could be caused by Russian microwave attacks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pledged to get to the bottom of so-called 'Havana syndrome'. There are suspicions that the mysterious illness plaguing US diplomats worldover could be caused by Russian microwave attacks. Blinken on Friday named two senior figures to lead the State Department's response. Officially called anomalous health incidents (AHI), cases of Havana syndrome first surfaced in 2016 in the Cuban capital, with US and Canadian diplomats complaining of severe headaches, nausea and possible brain damage after hearing high-pitched sounds. Also Read: Biden signs law to support victims of 'Havana Syndrome' Since then the number of US officials in the diplomatic and intelligence corps reporting similar experiences in countries including China, Austria, Colombia and Russia, has risen to the low hundreds, according to reports. "All of us in the US government, and especially we at the State Department, are intently focused on getting to the bottom of what and who is causing these incidents, caring for those who've been affected, and protecting our people," Blinken said. He said that the State Department had arranged for treatment of those affected at Johns Hopkins University, and was collecting baseline data from US diplomats before they deploy to use in analyzing reported cases. Blinken appointed veterans envoys Jonathan Moore to coordinate the overall response and Margaret Uyehara to ensure that anyone reporting symptoms got full medical care. He also said the department is deploying new technology at embassies and missions to help evaluate and protect staff from threats that could be linked to cases. Also Read: US-China likely to reopen consulates shut in 2020, says report "We're drawing on the full capacity of our intelligence community. We're enlisting the best scientific minds inside and outside of government" to understand the problem, he said. But some scientists express doubts about the Russian attacks theory and say there is not one affliction or cause of the reported cases. And some have even dismissed the spread of cases as a mass psychogenic phenomenon in which people begin to feel sick after they learn of a health threat. (With inputs from agencies)

Havana Syndrome: Blinken vows to solve mystery of illness affecting US diplomats

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken launches 'Havana Syndrome' probe

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Rome today. This was their second face to face session at a time when diplomatic relations between the two countries are at an all time low. Will there be an end to US-China bitter relation? VOA White House correspondent Patsy Widakuswara sheds light on it.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Rome

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Sudanese prime minister Abdalla Hamdok after the military released him from custody. Blinken expressed his deep concern over the ongoing takeover and emphasized the need for the Sudanese military to refrain from violence against protesters.

Sudan Coup: US Secy of State Blinken speaks with PM Hamdok after his release

The Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his counterparts from Israel, the United States, and the UAE have agreed to create a forum for economic cooperation between the countries.

During the quadrilateral meeting, possibilities for joint infrastructure projects in the fields of transportation, technology, maritime security, economics, and trade were discussed.

As part of the virtual meeting on Monday, Jaishankar, currently in Israel on a five-day visit, was accompanied by his Israeli counterpart, Yair Lapid.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/abraham-accords-dividend-india-us-uae-israel-foreign-ministers-to-hold-meeting-421701">Abraham Accords dividend: India, US, UAE &amp; Israel foreign ministers to hold meeting</a>

Meanwhile, Antony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister, participated virtually, as the four leaders exchanged views on regional issues of concern.

"The ministers decided to establish an international forum for economic cooperation," said a statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry after the meeting.

According to the statement, each minister will appoint a senior professional to a joint working group that will formulate options for cooperation in the areas identified by them.

The statement added that the ministers intend to hold an in-person meeting in the coming months at Expo 2020 in Dubai.

Watch |&nbsp;Foreign minister of the 4 nations meet virtually

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/foreign-minister-of-the-4-nations-meet-virtually-421954/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"I think the word we're looking for here is synergy because this is what we're going to try and create starting with this meeting. Synergy that will help us work together on infrastructure, digital infrastructure, transport, maritime security and other things that preoccupy us all," said the Israeli Foreign Minister, who initiated the meeting during his visit to Washington, said at the start of the meeting Monday evening.

"The key to success is how quickly can we move from 'government-to-government' to 'business-to-business'," Lapid said. "How quickly can we turn this into a working process that will put boots on the ground, changing infrastructure around the world."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-israel-agree-to-start-fta-negotiation-vaccine-certificate-recognition-421779">India, Israel agree to start FTA negotiation, vaccine certificate recognition</a>

Jaishankar called the meeting "fruitful," saying they discussed how to work together more closely on global issues and economic growth.&nbsp;"Agreed on expeditious follow-up," he said in a tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A fruitful first meeting with Israeli APM and FM <a href="https://twitter.com/yairlapid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YairLapid</a>, UAE FM <a href="https://twitter.com/ABZayed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ABZayed</a> and US Secretary of State <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecBlinken</a> this evening. 
 
Discussed working together more closely on economic growth and global issues. Agreed on expeditious follow-up. <a href="https://t.co/kVgFM0r6hs">pic.twitter.com/kVgFM0r6hs</a>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1450199506696355841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"I think it is very clear that on the big issues of our times we all think very similarly and what would be helpful would be if we could agree on some practical things to work upon," he said.

Meanwhile, an article in the Jerusalem Post newspaper noted the economic and defence industry advantages of the new ties and the potential to synergize the network of ties between Washington, Jerusalem, Abu Dhabi, and New Delhi.

Watch |&nbsp;WION tracks Jaishankar's Israel visit, economic growth and global issues on top agenda

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-tracks-jaishankars-israel-visit-economic-growth-and-global-issues-on-top-agenda-422105/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"That means that the whole can be more than the sum of its parts," it said.

Citing the growing power of near-peer rivals such as Russia and China, as well as regional states that oppose US policy, such as Iran and Turkey, the article said "That may be where the US-UAE-Israel-India connection comes together most of all, in presenting a moderate alternative to the aggressive extremist and authoritarian countries."

(With inputs from agencies)

The Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his counterparts from Israel, the United States, and the UAE have agreed to create a forum for economic cooperation between the countries.

The Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his counterparts from Israel, the United States, and the UAE have agreed to create a forum for economic cooperation between the countries. During the quadrilateral meeting, possibilities for joint infrastructure projects in the fields of transportation, technology, maritime security, economics, and trade were discussed. As part of the virtual meeting on Monday, Jaishankar, currently in Israel on a five-day visit, was accompanied by his Israeli counterpart, Yair Lapid. Also Read: Abraham Accords dividend: India, US, UAE & Israel foreign ministers to hold meeting Meanwhile, Antony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister, participated virtually, as the four leaders exchanged views on regional issues of concern. "The ministers decided to establish an international forum for economic cooperation," said a statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry after the meeting. According to the statement, each minister will appoint a senior professional to a joint working group that will formulate options for cooperation in the areas identified by them. The statement added that the ministers intend to hold an in-person meeting in the coming months at Expo 2020 in Dubai. Watch | Foreign minister of the 4 nations meet virtually "I think the word we're looking for here is synergy because this is what we're going to try and create starting with this meeting. Synergy that will help us work together on infrastructure, digital infrastructure, transport, maritime security and other things that preoccupy us all," said the Israeli Foreign Minister, who initiated the meeting during his visit to Washington, said at the start of the meeting Monday evening. "The key to success is how quickly can we move from 'government-to-government' to 'business-to-business'," Lapid said. "How quickly can we turn this into a working process that will put boots on the ground, changing infrastructure around the world." Also read | India, Israel agree to start FTA negotiation, vaccine certificate recognition Jaishankar called the meeting "fruitful," saying they discussed how to work together more closely on global issues and economic growth. "Agreed on expeditious follow-up," he said in a tweet. A fruitful first meeting with Israeli APM and FM @YairLapid, UAE FM @ABZayed and US Secretary of State @SecBlinken this evening. Discussed working together more closely on economic growth and global issues. Agreed on expeditious follow-up. pic.twitter.com/kVgFM0r6hs — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 18, 2021 × "I think it is very clear that on the big issues of our times we all think very similarly and what would be helpful would be if we could agree on some practical things to work upon," he said. Meanwhile, an article in the Jerusalem Post newspaper noted the economic and defence industry advantages of the new ties and the potential to synergize the network of ties between Washington, Jerusalem, Abu Dhabi, and New Delhi. Watch | WION tracks Jaishankar's Israel visit, economic growth and global issues on top agenda "That means that the whole can be more than the sum of its parts," it said. Citing the growing power of near-peer rivals such as Russia and China, as well as regional states that oppose US policy, such as Iran and Turkey, the article said "That may be where the US-UAE-Israel-India connection comes together most of all, in presenting a moderate alternative to the aggressive extremist and authoritarian countries." (With inputs from agencies)

Virtual quadrilateral meet: India, Israel, US and UAE agree to establish joint economic forum

United States is working to expand relations between Israel and other Arab nations and they wish to do it via Abraham Accords, and hope to restoring ties that can be leveraged to advance progress on the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. Susan Tehrani brings you more details on the common objectives of the trilateral meet.

Antony Blinken hosts trilateral meeting with Israel and Arab nations, Iran tops the agenda

Following a meeting in Washington with his Israeli and United Arab Emirates counterparts, Secretary of State Antony Blinken laid out a tougher U.S. Stance toward Tehran's new government. Washington has said that it is ready to consider "all options" if Iran is unwilling to return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken lays out tougher stance toward Tehran's new government

Israeli foreign minister warn Iran against nuclear weapons

Colombia said on Tuesday that it was aware of so-called 'Havana Syndrome' cases at US Embassy in country's capital Bogota but was leaving the investigation to Washington.

"Of course we have knowledge of this situation but I want to leave it to the US authorities, who are doing their own investigation, because it is about their own personnel," said Colombian President Ivan Duque to reporters in New York.

At least five US families associated with the embassy in Colombia have come down with symptoms associated with the mysterious affliction, which include headaches, nausea and possible brain damage, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-signs-law-to-support-victims-of-havana-syndrome-419398">Biden signs law to support victims of 'Havana Syndrome'</a> 
&nbsp; 
The cases in Colombia are latest in the series of instances of 'Havana syndrome' experienced by US diplomats in many countries of the world. The cases were seen first in Cuba then in China, Germany, Australia, Taiwan and the US capital.

US President Joe Biden on Friday signed a law providing financial support for victims of the mysterious illness.

The Havana Act provides financial compensation for members of the State Department and CIA who suffer brain injury from what officials suspect may be directed microwave attacks.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/havana-syndrome-strikes-again-what-is-it-exactly-408221">Havana Syndrome strikes again? What is it exactly?</a>

The cause of the illnesses has not been fully diagnosed and the identity of the attacker, if there is one, has not been revealed.

The Cuban government investigated the matter and has repeatedly rejected US statements on the matter as disinformation.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/havana-syndrome-cases-may-be-linked-to-crickets-claims-report-418143">Havana syndrome cases may be linked to crickets, claims report</a>

The US Embassy in Bogota, one of the largest in the world, includes a strong contingent of agents working in both intelligence and counter-narcotics operations, in addition to career diplomats and personnel.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit the country on October 20.

(With inputs from agencies)

Colombia said on Tuesday that it was aware of so-called 'Havana Syndrome' cases at US Embassy in country's capital Bogota but was leaving the investigation to Washington.

Colombia said on Tuesday that it was aware of so-called 'Havana Syndrome' cases at US Embassy in country's capital Bogota but was leaving the investigation to Washington. "Of course we have knowledge of this situation but I want to leave it to the US authorities, who are doing their own investigation, because it is about their own personnel," said Colombian President Ivan Duque to reporters in New York. At least five US families associated with the embassy in Colombia have come down with symptoms associated with the mysterious affliction, which include headaches, nausea and possible brain damage, the Wall Street Journal reported. Also Read | Biden signs law to support victims of 'Havana Syndrome' The cases in Colombia are latest in the series of instances of 'Havana syndrome' experienced by US diplomats in many countries of the world. The cases were seen first in Cuba then in China, Germany, Australia, Taiwan and the US capital. US President Joe Biden on Friday signed a law providing financial support for victims of the mysterious illness. The Havana Act provides financial compensation for members of the State Department and CIA who suffer brain injury from what officials suspect may be directed microwave attacks. Also Read | Havana Syndrome strikes again? What is it exactly? The cause of the illnesses has not been fully diagnosed and the identity of the attacker, if there is one, has not been revealed. The Cuban government investigated the matter and has repeatedly rejected US statements on the matter as disinformation. Also Read | Havana syndrome cases may be linked to crickets, claims report The US Embassy in Bogota, one of the largest in the world, includes a strong contingent of agents working in both intelligence and counter-narcotics operations, in addition to career diplomats and personnel. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit the country on October 20. (With inputs from agencies)

Havana Syndrome: Colombia to leave investigation to US

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Paris, hoping to contain the fallout from the AUKUS deal. France has agreed to send their envoy back to Australia with the intention of mending ties. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Blinken in France to contain AUKUS fallout

The United States and France are at loggerheads over the AUKUS deal, but a phone call amid Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron have lowered the tensions. US secretary of states Antony Blinken acknowledges that repairing ties with Paris will take some time.

US secretary of states Antony Blinken says rebuilding France ties will take time | WION USA Direct

The United States and Australia went to extraordinary lengths to keep Paris in the dark as they secretly negotiated a plan to build nuclear submarines, scuttling France’s largest defense contract and so enraging President Emmanuel Macron that on Friday he ordered the withdrawal of France's ambassadors to both nations.

Macron's decision was a stunning and unexpected escalation of the breach between Washington and Paris, on a day that the two countries had planned to celebrate an alliance that goes back to the defeat of Britain in the Revolutionary War.

Yet it was driven by France's realization that two of its closest allies have been negotiating secretly for months. According to interviews with U.S. and British officials, the Australians approached the new administration soon after President Joe Biden's inauguration and said they had concluded that they had to get out of a $60 billion agreement with France to supply them with a dozen attack submarines.

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The conventionally powered French subs, the Australians feared, would be obsolete by the time they were delivered. They expressed interest in seeking a fleet of quieter nuclear-powered submarines based on American and British designs that could patrol areas of the South China Sea with less risk of detection.

But it was unclear how they would terminate the agreement with France, which was already over budget and running behind schedule. "They told us they would take care of dealing with the French," one senior U.S. official said.

The Australians knew they had a receptive audience. Biden, who has made pushing back hard on China's territorial ambitions a central tenet of his national security policy, told aides those French-made submarines would not do. They did not have the ability to range the Pacific and show up unexpectedly off Chinese shores — adding an element of military advantage for the West.

The Australians, by all accounts, never made clear to the French that they were preparing to cancel the deal, which had taken years to negotiate. And in meeting after meeting with their French counterparts — some including Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken — the Americans did not give France a heads-up about their plans to step in with their own designs, the officials said, asking for anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy. It was a classic case of diplomatic avoidance.

Biden's top aides finally discussed the issue with the French hours before it was publicly announced at the White House in a virtual meeting with Biden, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain and Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia.

The result was a blowup that has now led to a vivid breach of trust with one of America's oldest allies.

In the end, Biden's decision was the result of a brutal calculus that nations sometimes make in which one ally is determined to be more strategically vital than another — something national leaders and diplomats never like to admit to in public. And it was a sign that as Biden begins to execute what the Obama administration, 12 years ago, called the "pivot to Asia," there is the risk of stepping on political land mines as old, traditional allies in Europe feel left behind.

"As much as the pivot has been described as pivoting to Asia without pivoting away from someplace else, that is just not possible," Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security, who has long ties to both the Australian and American players in the deal, said Wednesday. "Military resources are finite. Doing more in one area means doing less in others."

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It also apparently means hiding negotiations from some of your closest allies.

By the time the Biden administration began engaging Australia and Britain seriously about its emerging strategy to counter China, a three-year-old contract worth $60 billion or more for a dozen submarines, to be constructed largely by the French, was already teetering, U.S. officials said. The submarines were based on a propulsion technology that was so limited in range, and so easy for the Chinese to detect, that it would be obsolete by the time the first submarines were put in the water, perhaps as long as 15 years from now.

There was an obvious alternative, the kind of nuclear-powered submarines deployed by the Americans and the British. But U.S. and Australian officials agreed that if the French caught wind of the fact that the plug was going to be pulled on one of the biggest defense contracts in their history, they almost certainly would try to sabotage the alternative plan, according to officials who were familiar with the discussions between Washington and Canberra.

So they decided to keep the work to a very small group of officials and made no mention of it to the French, even when Biden and Blinken met their French counterparts in June.

Biden made no mention of the plans during a chummy chat with Macron at a summit meeting in June in Cornwall, where they sat in lawn chairs by the sea and talked about the future of the Atlantic alliance. (Biden, Johnson and Morrison met together the same day, discussed the emerging deal, and in a vague statement which seems more revealing today than it did then, referred to "deepening strategic cooperation between the three governments" to meet a changing defense environment in the Indo-Pacific.) Three days later, Morrison met separately with Macron but left no impression he was rethinking the deal, the French insist.

According to French officials, Blinken also stayed silent June 25 when his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, welcomed him back to Paris — where Blinken spent his high school years — and extolled the importance of the French submarine deal.

And as recently as Aug. 30, when the French and Australian defense and foreign ministers held their annual “consultation,” they issued a joint communiqué that said the two countries were committed to deepening cooperation in the defense industry and "underlined the importance of the Future Submarine program."

By that time, the Australians not only knew the program was dead; they had nearly sealed the agreement in principle with Washington and London.

The French ambassador to the United States, Philippe Étienne, said in several interviews that he first heard of the deal in leaked news reports appearing in the Australian media and in Politico. Other French officials said they had been suspicious that something was up a week ago but did not get an immediate response from Blinken or Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The first U.S. official to discuss the details with Étienne was Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, a few hours before the public announcement Wednesday.

U.S. officials insist it was not their place to talk to the French about their business deal with Australia. But now, in light of the blowup, some officials say they regret they did not insist that the Australians level with the French about their intentions earlier.

The Chinese government also did not get a heads-up, no surprise since the official U.S. position is that the submarine deal is not aimed at any particular nation. But China’s first response to the new alliance, awkwardly named AUKUS (for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States), was that it was "extremely irresponsible" and would start an arms race. In fact, the Pentagon’s most recent China report says the Chinese navy has built a dozen nuclear subs, some of which can carry nuclear weapons. Australia has vowed never to deploy nuclear weapons.

Even before Macron recalled the ambassadors, Biden’s aides seemed taken aback by the ferocity of the French response, especially Le Drian’s characterization that it was a "knife in the back." They have suggested the French were being overly dramatic and believe the two countries will gradually return to normal relations. History suggests they may be right: A huge breach prompted by the British and French invasion of the Suez Canal in 1956 was eventually papered over, as was the "Nixon Shock" with the Japanese in 1971, when the United States gave no notice about its decision to come off the gold standard.

In this case, U.S. officials said the decision to toss over the existing French-Australian contract, and replace it with one that would bind Australia technologically and strategically to the nuclear submarine program, generated virtually no internal debate, participants said. The reason was straightforward: In the Biden White House, the imperative to challenge China’s growing footprint, and its efforts to push the U.S. Navy east, to the next island chain in the Pacific, reigns supreme.

"It says a lot about how Washington discerns its interests in the Pacific,"&nbsp;said Fontaine, "that there was no hand-wringing about angering the French."

For years, U.S. officials have known that the turn toward Asia could strain relations with European allies. While former President Barack Obama initially embraced the phrase "the pivot" to describe the American move to the region of the world where its economic and strategic interests are greatest — as a basketball player, he latched on to the sports metaphor — his White House eventually banned the public use of the phrase because of European objections.

That did not stop Kurt M. Campbell, a major architect of the strategy, from publishing a 2016 book about it called "The Pivot: The Future of American Statecraft in Asia," which was advertised as an account of "a necessary course correction for American diplomacy, commercial engagement and military innovations."

Campbell is now the Asia coordinator at the National Security Council, and when the Australians decided they were ready to dump the French deal, he was among the first they contacted.

The United States and Australia went to extraordinary lengths to keep Paris in the dark as they secretly negotiated a plan to build nuclear submarines, scuttling France’s largest defense contract and so enraging President Emmanuel Macron that on Friday he ordered the withdrawal of France's ambassadors to both nations.

The United States and Australia went to extraordinary lengths to keep Paris in the dark as they secretly negotiated a plan to build nuclear submarines, scuttling France’s largest defense contract and so enraging President Emmanuel Macron that on Friday he ordered the withdrawal of France's ambassadors to both nations. Macron's decision was a stunning and unexpected escalation of the breach between Washington and Paris, on a day that the two countries had planned to celebrate an alliance that goes back to the defeat of Britain in the Revolutionary War. Yet it was driven by France's realization that two of its closest allies have been negotiating secretly for months. According to interviews with U.S. and British officials, the Australians approached the new administration soon after President Joe Biden's inauguration and said they had concluded that they had to get out of a $60 billion agreement with France to supply them with a dozen attack submarines. ALSO READ | Nancy Pelosi compares Capitol riot to 9/11 attack; US police ready for 'Justice for J6' rally The conventionally powered French subs, the Australians feared, would be obsolete by the time they were delivered. They expressed interest in seeking a fleet of quieter nuclear-powered submarines based on American and British designs that could patrol areas of the South China Sea with less risk of detection. But it was unclear how they would terminate the agreement with France, which was already over budget and running behind schedule. "They told us they would take care of dealing with the French," one senior U.S. official said. The Australians knew they had a receptive audience. Biden, who has made pushing back hard on China's territorial ambitions a central tenet of his national security policy, told aides those French-made submarines would not do. They did not have the ability to range the Pacific and show up unexpectedly off Chinese shores — adding an element of military advantage for the West. The Australians, by all accounts, never made clear to the French that they were preparing to cancel the deal, which had taken years to negotiate. And in meeting after meeting with their French counterparts — some including Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken — the Americans did not give France a heads-up about their plans to step in with their own designs, the officials said, asking for anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy. It was a classic case of diplomatic avoidance. Biden's top aides finally discussed the issue with the French hours before it was publicly announced at the White House in a virtual meeting with Biden, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain and Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia. The result was a blowup that has now led to a vivid breach of trust with one of America's oldest allies. In the end, Biden's decision was the result of a brutal calculus that nations sometimes make in which one ally is determined to be more strategically vital than another — something national leaders and diplomats never like to admit to in public. And it was a sign that as Biden begins to execute what the Obama administration, 12 years ago, called the "pivot to Asia," there is the risk of stepping on political land mines as old, traditional allies in Europe feel left behind. "As much as the pivot has been described as pivoting to Asia without pivoting away from someplace else, that is just not possible," Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security, who has long ties to both the Australian and American players in the deal, said Wednesday. "Military resources are finite. Doing more in one area means doing less in others." ALSO READ | Fire breaks out in building near Capitol building before far-right rally It also apparently means hiding negotiations from some of your closest allies. By the time the Biden administration began engaging Australia and Britain seriously about its emerging strategy to counter China, a three-year-old contract worth $60 billion or more for a dozen submarines, to be constructed largely by the French, was already teetering, U.S. officials said. The submarines were based on a propulsion technology that was so limited in range, and so easy for the Chinese to detect, that it would be obsolete by the time the first submarines were put in the water, perhaps as long as 15 years from now. There was an obvious alternative, the kind of nuclear-powered submarines deployed by the Americans and the British. But U.S. and Australian officials agreed that if the French caught wind of the fact that the plug was going to be pulled on one of the biggest defense contracts in their history, they almost certainly would try to sabotage the alternative plan, according to officials who were familiar with the discussions between Washington and Canberra. So they decided to keep the work to a very small group of officials and made no mention of it to the French, even when Biden and Blinken met their French counterparts in June. Biden made no mention of the plans during a chummy chat with Macron at a summit meeting in June in Cornwall, where they sat in lawn chairs by the sea and talked about the future of the Atlantic alliance. (Biden, Johnson and Morrison met together the same day, discussed the emerging deal, and in a vague statement which seems more revealing today than it did then, referred to "deepening strategic cooperation between the three governments" to meet a changing defense environment in the Indo-Pacific.) Three days later, Morrison met separately with Macron but left no impression he was rethinking the deal, the French insist. According to French officials, Blinken also stayed silent June 25 when his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, welcomed him back to Paris — where Blinken spent his high school years — and extolled the importance of the French submarine deal. And as recently as Aug. 30, when the French and Australian defense and foreign ministers held their annual “consultation,” they issued a joint communiqué that said the two countries were committed to deepening cooperation in the defense industry and "underlined the importance of the Future Submarine program." By that time, the Australians not only knew the program was dead; they had nearly sealed the agreement in principle with Washington and London. The French ambassador to the United States, Philippe Étienne, said in several interviews that he first heard of the deal in leaked news reports appearing in the Australian media and in Politico. Other French officials said they had been suspicious that something was up a week ago but did not get an immediate response from Blinken or Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The first U.S. official to discuss the details with Étienne was Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, a few hours before the public announcement Wednesday. U.S. officials insist it was not their place to talk to the French about their business deal with Australia. But now, in light of the blowup, some officials say they regret they did not insist that the Australians level with the French about their intentions earlier. The Chinese government also did not get a heads-up, no surprise since the official U.S. position is that the submarine deal is not aimed at any particular nation. But China’s first response to the new alliance, awkwardly named AUKUS (for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States), was that it was "extremely irresponsible" and would start an arms race. In fact, the Pentagon’s most recent China report says the Chinese navy has built a dozen nuclear subs, some of which can carry nuclear weapons. Australia has vowed never to deploy nuclear weapons. Even before Macron recalled the ambassadors, Biden’s aides seemed taken aback by the ferocity of the French response, especially Le Drian’s characterization that it was a "knife in the back." They have suggested the French were being overly dramatic and believe the two countries will gradually return to normal relations. History suggests they may be right: A huge breach prompted by the British and French invasion of the Suez Canal in 1956 was eventually papered over, as was the "Nixon Shock" with the Japanese in 1971, when the United States gave no notice about its decision to come off the gold standard. In this case, U.S. officials said the decision to toss over the existing French-Australian contract, and replace it with one that would bind Australia technologically and strategically to the nuclear submarine program, generated virtually no internal debate, participants said. The reason was straightforward: In the Biden White House, the imperative to challenge China’s growing footprint, and its efforts to push the U.S. Navy east, to the next island chain in the Pacific, reigns supreme. "It says a lot about how Washington discerns its interests in the Pacific," said Fontaine, "that there was no hand-wringing about angering the French." For years, U.S. officials have known that the turn toward Asia could strain relations with European allies. While former President Barack Obama initially embraced the phrase "the pivot" to describe the American move to the region of the world where its economic and strategic interests are greatest — as a basketball player, he latched on to the sports metaphor — his White House eventually banned the public use of the phrase because of European objections. That did not stop Kurt M. Campbell, a major architect of the strategy, from publishing a 2016 book about it called "The Pivot: The Future of American Statecraft in Asia," which was advertised as an account of "a necessary course correction for American diplomacy, commercial engagement and military innovations." Campbell is now the Asia coordinator at the National Security Council, and when the Australians decided they were ready to dump the French deal, he was among the first they contacted.

Hidden agenda behind deal France called a betrayal

US Secy of State, Antony Blinken was grilled on last US airstrike on Kabul. The senators have asked if the man killed was an ISIS-K operative or an aid worker.

US Secy of State, Antony Blinken  grilled on last US airstrike in Kabul

The United States and Pakistan, two have been allies for a long time but it has been a complicated relationship of sorts. American Senator has grilled Antony Blinken on the role of Pakistan. US Secy of State Antony Blinken has said that Pakistan harboured Taliban members.

US Secy of State Antony Blinken says Pakistan harboured Taliban members

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified in front of Congress for the second day. This time he fielded questions on the last airstrike conducted by the United States and whether the strike had killed an aid worker rather than an Islamic state militant.

United States: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before Congress once again

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has admitted that he does not know whether a person killed in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul was an ISIS-K member or an aid worker, and that the Biden administration is still looking into the matter.

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken says US drone strike under probe

Pakistan has a “multiplicity of interests” in Afghanistan, including “some that are in conflict with ours,” United States Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said.

Pakistan has a “multiplicity of interests” in Afghanistan: Antony Blinken

US Secy of State, Antony Blinken has defended the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Blinken said that the Biden had made the big decisions.

US Secy of State, Antony Blinken defends US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

US Secy of State Antony Blinken testified in senate and said that the US stands by troop withdrawal in Afghanistan.

US Secy of State Antony Blinken testifies in senate

The US Secy of State, Antony Blinken has said that the US will reassess its ties with Pakistan. Blinken noted that Pakistan has harboured members of the Taliban before.

US Secy of State, Antony Blinken to reassess its ties with Pakistan

Antony Blinken visited Germany to discuss a joint strategy on how to engage with the Taliban. Will the US embrace, arrest or ignore the blacklisted ministers? What is the cost of America's 'pragmatic' engagement? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: How will US deal with blacklisted Taliban ministers?

After consultations with partners on how to show a united front to the hardline new administration in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned that the Taliban would have to earn legitimacy from the rest of the world.&nbsp;

"The Taliban seek international legitimacy. Any legitimacy — any support — will have to be earned, " Blinken told reporters at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany, after leading a 20-nation ministerial meeting on the Afghan crisis.

Standing beside him, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the international community expected the Taliban to respect human rights, especially women's rights, to allow humanitarian supplies into the country, and to let individuals who wanted to leave to do so.

Maas stated that the talks on Wednesday were "the beginning point for international coordination" in dealing with the Taliban.

The virtual summit was attended by European allies as well as Pakistan, a long-time Taliban supporter.

Initial reactions showed that the new administration could have trouble gaining the international support that the new authorities so sorely need to prevent a financial crisis.

The interior minister is Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is wanted by the FBI for questioning.

The declaration came just hours after the Taliban shot their weapons into the air to disperse protestors in Kabul's capital and arrested several journalists, marking the second time in less than a week that harsh measures were employed to disperse a demonstration.&nbsp;

The US State Department expressed concern that the Cabinet consisted solely of Taliban, no women, and individuals with a questionable track record, but stated that the new administration's actions would be judged.

Maas stated that Germany is prepared to provide humanitarian aid through the United Nations and that it will continue to communicate with the Taliban in order to guarantee the departure of former employees and others from Afghanistan.

He went on to say that any commitment beyond that would be contingent on the Taliban's actions.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

After consultations with partners on how to show a united front to the hardline new administration in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned that the Taliban would have to earn legitimacy from the rest of the world.

After consultations with partners on how to show a united front to the hardline new administration in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned that the Taliban would have to earn legitimacy from the rest of the world. "The Taliban seek international legitimacy. Any legitimacy — any support — will have to be earned, " Blinken told reporters at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany, after leading a 20-nation ministerial meeting on the Afghan crisis. Standing beside him, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the international community expected the Taliban to respect human rights, especially women's rights, to allow humanitarian supplies into the country, and to let individuals who wanted to leave to do so. Maas stated that the talks on Wednesday were "the beginning point for international coordination" in dealing with the Taliban. The virtual summit was attended by European allies as well as Pakistan, a long-time Taliban supporter. Initial reactions showed that the new administration could have trouble gaining the international support that the new authorities so sorely need to prevent a financial crisis. The interior minister is Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is wanted by the FBI for questioning. The declaration came just hours after the Taliban shot their weapons into the air to disperse protestors in Kabul's capital and arrested several journalists, marking the second time in less than a week that harsh measures were employed to disperse a demonstration. The US State Department expressed concern that the Cabinet consisted solely of Taliban, no women, and individuals with a questionable track record, but stated that the new administration's actions would be judged. Maas stated that Germany is prepared to provide humanitarian aid through the United Nations and that it will continue to communicate with the Taliban in order to guarantee the departure of former employees and others from Afghanistan. He went on to say that any commitment beyond that would be contingent on the Taliban's actions. (With inputs from agencies)

Any legitimacy, any support 'will have to be earned': Blinken to Taliban

Secretary of State, Antony Blinken will appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 14 to testify about the administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Secretary of State, Antony Blinken to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

US Defence Secy of State, Antony Binken met with Qatar Emir and thanked him for facilitating the safe evacuation of Americans from Afghanistan.

US Defence Secy of State, Antony Blinken meets with Qatar Emir

Amid the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, US Secy of State, Antony Blinken thanked Qatar for supporting US evacuations. 'No country has done more than Qatar,' he said. 'Qatar served 10,000 meals, 3 times a day,' he said.

US Secy of State, Antony Blinken thanks Qatar for supporting US evacuations

US Secy of State, Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin reached Qatar and conducted talks with top officials of Qatar. Blinken expressed gratitude for Qatar's support in US' evacuations.

No country has done more than Qatar: US Secy of State, Antony Blinken

US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, embarks on a two-day Qatar visit, as he looks to form a united front with allies following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. Blinken will also voice America's "deep gratitude" to Doha.

Antony Blinken to visit Qatar to hold ministerial meeting on Afghan crisis

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday headed to Qatar. This is his first trip since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Qatar is a major US military base and has been a gateway for 55,000 people airlifted out of Afghanistan after Taliban's takeover of the country.

After his visit to Qatar, Blinken will head to US airbase of Ramstein in Germany. Thousands of Afghans moving to United States have been temporarily housed at the air base. Blinken will hold a a virtual 20-nation ministerial meeting on the crisis alongside German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

Blinken said that in Qatar he will "express our deep gratitude for all that they're doing to support the evacuation effort" and meet rescued Afghans as well as US diplomats, who have relocated functions from the shuttered embassy in Kabul to Doha.

He will also speak to the Qataris about efforts alongside Turkey to reopen Kabul's ramshackle airport -- a pressing priority that is necessary for flying in badly needed humanitarian aid and evacuating remaining Afghans.

The Taliban have promised that they will keep letting Afghans leave if they want to -- one of the key issues that US allies expect to discuss in the talks in Germany.

The US says it will monitor the Taliban's follow-up on commitments

But US officials said that Blinken does not plan to meet the Taliban, who have also made Doha their diplomatic base from which they negotiated the US pullout with the previous administration of Donald Trump.

"On the scope of high-level engagement with the Taliban, I would put that sort of in the recognition category to be considered or to be determined as we see what happens with their efforts to govern," said Dean Thompson, the top US diplomat for South and Central Asia.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday headed to Qatar. This is his first trip since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Qatar is a major US military base and has been a gateway for 55,000 people airlifted out of Afghanistan after Taliban's takeover of the country.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday headed to Qatar. This is his first trip since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Qatar is a major US military base and has been a gateway for 55,000 people airlifted out of Afghanistan after Taliban's takeover of the country. After his visit to Qatar, Blinken will head to US airbase of Ramstein in Germany. Thousands of Afghans moving to United States have been temporarily housed at the air base. Blinken will hold a a virtual 20-nation ministerial meeting on the crisis alongside German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. Blinken said that in Qatar he will "express our deep gratitude for all that they're doing to support the evacuation effort" and meet rescued Afghans as well as US diplomats, who have relocated functions from the shuttered embassy in Kabul to Doha. He will also speak to the Qataris about efforts alongside Turkey to reopen Kabul's ramshackle airport -- a pressing priority that is necessary for flying in badly needed humanitarian aid and evacuating remaining Afghans. The Taliban have promised that they will keep letting Afghans leave if they want to -- one of the key issues that US allies expect to discuss in the talks in Germany. The US says it will monitor the Taliban's follow-up on commitments But US officials said that Blinken does not plan to meet the Taliban, who have also made Doha their diplomatic base from which they negotiated the US pullout with the previous administration of Donald Trump. "On the scope of high-level engagement with the Taliban, I would put that sort of in the recognition category to be considered or to be determined as we see what happens with their efforts to govern," said Dean Thompson, the top US diplomat for South and Central Asia. (With inputs from agencies)

Blinken heads to Qatar amid unfolding Afghan situation

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that the&nbsp;country and the international community expects the Taliban to form an inclusive government with representations from different communities and interests.

At a news conference,&nbsp;Blinken said,&nbsp;"As we've said and as countries around the world have said, there is an expectation that any government that emerges now will have some real inclusivity, and that it will have non-Talibs in it, who are representative of different communities and different interests in Afghanistan."

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Western nations plan to dump Afghan refugees in Asia&nbsp;

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After the takeover of Afghanistan&nbsp;on August 15, the Taliban is expected to announce the formation of the new government.

The secretary of state said, "We will see what, in fact, emerges, but I have to tell you that as important as what the government looks like is, more important still is what any government does. And that's what we're really looking at. We're looking at what actions, what policies any new Afghan government pursues. That's what matters the most."

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The expectation is to see inclusivity in government, but ultimately the expectation is to see a government that makes good on commitments that the Taliban have made, particularly in freedom of travel, not allowing Afghanistan to be used as a launching ground for terrorism directed at the US or any of the allies and partners, upholding the basic rights of the Afghan people, including women and minorities, and not engaging in reprisals, the official added.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that the country and the international community expects the Taliban to form an inclusive government with representations from different communities and interests.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that the country and the international community expects the Taliban to form an inclusive government with representations from different communities and interests. At a news conference, Blinken said, "As we've said and as countries around the world have said, there is an expectation that any government that emerges now will have some real inclusivity, and that it will have non-Talibs in it, who are representative of different communities and different interests in Afghanistan." Watch | Gravitas: Western nations plan to dump Afghan refugees in Asia × After the takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, the Taliban is expected to announce the formation of the new government. The secretary of state said, "We will see what, in fact, emerges, but I have to tell you that as important as what the government looks like is, more important still is what any government does. And that's what we're really looking at. We're looking at what actions, what policies any new Afghan government pursues. That's what matters the most." Also Read | 9/11 attacks: US president moves to declassify documents as 20th anniversary approaches The expectation is to see inclusivity in government, but ultimately the expectation is to see a government that makes good on commitments that the Taliban have made, particularly in freedom of travel, not allowing Afghanistan to be used as a launching ground for terrorism directed at the US or any of the allies and partners, upholding the basic rights of the Afghan people, including women and minorities, and not engaging in reprisals, the official added. (With inputs from agencies)

Expect Taliban to form inclusive government in Afghanistan, says Blinken  

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan. This marks the third conversation held in August between the two leaders on Afghan crisis.

Indian FM Jaishankar discusses Afghan crisis with US State Secy Blinken

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