Just hours after the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, Tehran demanded the United Nations Security Council condemn the killing and take action against those responsible, but diplomats say the call is likely to go unheeded.

At a minimum, the 15-member body could discuss Friday's killing of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh behind closed doors if a member requests such a meeting or it could agree on - by consensus - a statement on the issue.

But South Africa's U.N. ambassador, Jerry Matjila, council president for December, said on Tuesday that no member had so far requested to discuss the killing of Iran in general. Diplomats also said there had been no discussion of a statement.

The Security Council is charged with maintaining international peace and security and has the ability to authorize military action and impose sanctions. But such measures require at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China.

While no party has claimed responsibility for the killing of Fakhrizadeh - viewed by Western powers as the architect of Iran's abandoned nuclear weapons program - Iran has accused Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has declined to comment.

The United States traditionally shields Israel from any action at the Security Council. Washington has declined to comment on the assassination of the scientist.

The U.N. investigator on extra-judicial executions, Agnes Callamard, said on Friday that many questions surrounded the killing of Fakhrizadeh, but noted the definition of an extraterritorial targeted killing outside of an armed conflict.

Callamard posted on Twitter that such killing was "a violation of international human rights law prohibiting the arbitrary deprivation of life and a violation of the U.N. Charter prohibiting the use of force extraterritorially in times of peace."

Iran also addressed its letter on Friday to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In response, Guterres urged restraint and condemned "any assassination or extrajudicial killing," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Saturday.

The Security Council is due to meet on Dec. 22 for its biannual meeting on compliance with a resolution that enshrines a 2015 nuclear accord between world powers and Iran, which U.S. President Donald Trump's administration quit in 2018.

Any council member or Iran could choose to raise the killing of Fakhrizadeh during that meeting.

Just hours after the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, Tehran demanded the United Nations Security Council condemn the killing and take action against those responsible, but diplomats say the call is likely to go unheeded.

Just hours after the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, Tehran demanded the United Nations Security Council condemn the killing and take action against those responsible, but diplomats say the call is likely to go unheeded. At a minimum, the 15-member body could discuss Friday's killing of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh behind closed doors if a member requests such a meeting or it could agree on - by consensus - a statement on the issue. But South Africa's U.N. ambassador, Jerry Matjila, council president for December, said on Tuesday that no member had so far requested to discuss the killing of Iran in general. Diplomats also said there had been no discussion of a statement. The Security Council is charged with maintaining international peace and security and has the ability to authorize military action and impose sanctions. But such measures require at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China. While no party has claimed responsibility for the killing of Fakhrizadeh - viewed by Western powers as the architect of Iran's abandoned nuclear weapons program - Iran has accused Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has declined to comment. The United States traditionally shields Israel from any action at the Security Council. Washington has declined to comment on the assassination of the scientist. The U.N. investigator on extra-judicial executions, Agnes Callamard, said on Friday that many questions surrounded the killing of Fakhrizadeh, but noted the definition of an extraterritorial targeted killing outside of an armed conflict. Callamard posted on Twitter that such killing was "a violation of international human rights law prohibiting the arbitrary deprivation of life and a violation of the U.N. Charter prohibiting the use of force extraterritorially in times of peace." Iran also addressed its letter on Friday to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In response, Guterres urged restraint and condemned "any assassination or extrajudicial killing," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Saturday. The Security Council is due to meet on Dec. 22 for its biannual meeting on compliance with a resolution that enshrines a 2015 nuclear accord between world powers and Iran, which U.S. President Donald Trump's administration quit in 2018. Any council member or Iran could choose to raise the killing of Fakhrizadeh during that meeting.

UN Security Council unlikely to act on Iran scientist killing: Diplomats 

Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is once again working to revise and reactivate its diplomatic code of conduct amid arise in criticism for its failure to monitor the frequent meetings between political leaders and foreign diplomats.

WION Dispatch: Nepal plans to revise code of conduct amid the growing Chinese interference

Nepal to revise diplomatic code of conduct, concerns over meetings between envoys & politicians

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw military drills on Friday, state media KCNA said, a rare public outing amid efforts to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus in the isolated country.

North Korea has not confirmed any cases of the virus, but state media said a month-long quarantine period had been imposed for people showing symptoms and “high-intensity” measures were taken including reinforcing checks in border regions and at airports and sea ports.

On Feb. 16, Kim made his first public appearance in 22 days to visit a mausoleum marking the anniversary of the birth of his father and late leader Kim Jong Il.

The military drill was to “judge the mobility and the fire power strike ability” on the frontline and eastern units and ended to the “great satisfaction” of Kim, KCNA said on Saturday.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-makes-first-public-appearance-in-22-days-amid-virus-outbreak-280995">North Korea's Kim makes first public appearance in 22 days amid virus outbreak</a>

<div>“Soldiers, who have firmly armed themselves with a-match-for-a-hundred idea of the Party and trained under the simulated conditions of actual battles, reduced a target islet to a sea of flames,” KCNA said.</div>

In a separate dispatch, KCNA said Kim has also convened a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party’s powerful politburo where a stricter enforcement of “top-class anti-epidemic steps” was discussed to prevent the spread of the virus.

“In case the infectious disease spreading beyond control finds its way into our country, it will entail serious consequences,” Kim was quoted as telling the meeting. “No special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system.”

He instructed the officials to “seal off all the channels and space through which the infectious disease may find its way, and strengthen check-up, test and quarantine,” KCNA added.

Also watch:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korea-reports-2022-positive-cases-of-coronavirus-283277"> South Korea reports 2,022 positive cases of Coronavirus</a>

A plan is under way to evacuate some 60 quarantined foreign diplomats from North Korea, including from Germany, French and Switzerland, CNN reported on Friday, citing an unnamed source inside the country. The report also said other countries with diplomatic missions were seeking to scale down their operations.

KCNA released photographs of Kim presiding over the meeting as well as overseeing the drills without wearing a surgical mask. All of the aides who accompanied Kim on the military inspection had identical black masks, whereas none of the participants at the meeting did.

“Kim’s activities appear to be intended to highlight to his people that his campaign to build a self-reliant economy is business as usual while boosting military morale and also showing they were not affected by the virus,” said Kim Dong-yup, a professor at Kyungnam University in Seoul.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korea-worst-hit-after-mainland-china-school-exams-postponed-283267">South Korea worst-hit after Mainland China, School exams postponed</a>

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw military drills on Friday, state media KCNA said, a rare public outing amid efforts to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus in the isolated country.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw military drills on Friday, state media KCNA said, a rare public outing amid efforts to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus in the isolated country. North Korea has not confirmed any cases of the virus, but state media said a month-long quarantine period had been imposed for people showing symptoms and “high-intensity” measures were taken including reinforcing checks in border regions and at airports and sea ports. On Feb. 16, Kim made his first public appearance in 22 days to visit a mausoleum marking the anniversary of the birth of his father and late leader Kim Jong Il. The military drill was to “judge the mobility and the fire power strike ability” on the frontline and eastern units and ended to the “great satisfaction” of Kim, KCNA said on Saturday. Also read: North Korea's Kim makes first public appearance in 22 days amid virus outbreak “Soldiers, who have firmly armed themselves with a-match-for-a-hundred idea of the Party and trained under the simulated conditions of actual battles, reduced a target islet to a sea of flames,” KCNA said. In a separate dispatch, KCNA said Kim has also convened a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party’s powerful politburo where a stricter enforcement of “top-class anti-epidemic steps” was discussed to prevent the spread of the virus. “In case the infectious disease spreading beyond control finds its way into our country, it will entail serious consequences,” Kim was quoted as telling the meeting. “No special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system.” He instructed the officials to “seal off all the channels and space through which the infectious disease may find its way, and strengthen check-up, test and quarantine,” KCNA added. Also watch: South Korea reports 2,022 positive cases of Coronavirus A plan is under way to evacuate some 60 quarantined foreign diplomats from North Korea, including from Germany, French and Switzerland, CNN reported on Friday, citing an unnamed source inside the country. The report also said other countries with diplomatic missions were seeking to scale down their operations. KCNA released photographs of Kim presiding over the meeting as well as overseeing the drills without wearing a surgical mask. All of the aides who accompanied Kim on the military inspection had identical black masks, whereas none of the participants at the meeting did. “Kim’s activities appear to be intended to highlight to his people that his campaign to build a self-reliant economy is business as usual while boosting military morale and also showing they were not affected by the virus,” said Kim Dong-yup, a professor at Kyungnam University in Seoul. Also see: South Korea worst-hit after Mainland China, School exams postponed

North Korea's Kim guides military drills, warns 'serious consequences' if virus breaks out: Report

Mexico on Monday accused Bolivia of intimidating its diplomats while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivias-morales-arrives-in-argentina-to-get-refugee-status-268008">Bolivia</a> said Mexico had hijacked a regional summit and dragged its feet in recognizing its new, conservative premier.&nbsp;

Mexico's Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it was "deeply concerned" about "excessive" surveillance of the Mexican ambassador's residence and Mexican embassy in Bolivia by about 150 Bolivian intelligence and security service personnel.

In a letter to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivias-morales-arrives-in-argentina-to-get-refugee-status-268008">Organization of American States</a> (OAS), Mexico said the Bolivians were "intimidating" diplomatic staff and attempted to "detain and inspect" the ambassador's vehicle on Monday.

Bolivia has tilted rightward since former&nbsp;socialist President Evo Morales resigned in November after a presidential election which the OAS said was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivia-election-rigging-in-favour-of-morales-was-overwhelming-oas-final-report-266281">rigged</a> in his favor. Bolivia is currently governed by interim President Jeanine Añez, a former conservative senator and opponent of Morales.

Mexico's leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador granted asylum to Morales, and he is now in Argentina where the new Peronist government of President Alberto Fernandez has indicated it will also give him political asylum.

On Monday, Bolivia's foreign ministry said it was considering pulling out of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) because Mexico, the 2020 president of the organization, made plans this year during Bolivia's presidency for a meeting on January&nbsp;8.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/175-children-abused-by-mexican-branch-of-catholic-church-report-269567">Mexico</a> had also been guilty of "unfriendly conduct" and had shown itself to be "reluctant" to recognize the Añez presidency, it added.&nbsp;

Bolivian Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivia-reforges-us-ties-as-political-alliances-redrawn-264972">Karen Longaric</a> said she would not attend the January&nbsp;8 meeting in Mexico. "We will see if in the future we will remain part of CELAC or not," she told journalists at a news conference in La Paz.

Mexico on Monday accused Bolivia of intimidating its diplomats while Bolivia said Mexico had hijacked a regional summit and dragged its feet in recognizing its new, conservative premier.

Mexico on Monday accused Bolivia of intimidating its diplomats while Bolivia said Mexico had hijacked a regional summit and dragged its feet in recognizing its new, conservative premier. Mexico's Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it was "deeply concerned" about "excessive" surveillance of the Mexican ambassador's residence and Mexican embassy in Bolivia by about 150 Bolivian intelligence and security service personnel. In a letter to the Organization of American States (OAS), Mexico said the Bolivians were "intimidating" diplomatic staff and attempted to "detain and inspect" the ambassador's vehicle on Monday. Bolivia has tilted rightward since former socialist President Evo Morales resigned in November after a presidential election which the OAS said was rigged in his favor. Bolivia is currently governed by interim President Jeanine Añez, a former conservative senator and opponent of Morales. Mexico's leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador granted asylum to Morales, and he is now in Argentina where the new Peronist government of President Alberto Fernandez has indicated it will also give him political asylum. On Monday, Bolivia's foreign ministry said it was considering pulling out of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) because Mexico, the 2020 president of the organization, made plans this year during Bolivia's presidency for a meeting on January 8. Mexico had also been guilty of "unfriendly conduct" and had shown itself to be "reluctant" to recognize the Añez presidency, it added. Bolivian Foreign Minister Karen Longaric said she would not attend the January 8 meeting in Mexico. "We will see if in the future we will remain part of CELAC or not," she told journalists at a news conference in La Paz.

Mexico accuses Bolivia of intimidating diplomats in La Paz

Application WhatsApp was used to hack smartphones. The journalists, activists, Diplomats are among the victims. NSO Group was accused of using WhatsApp to hack phones. Indian Government sends notice to WhatsApp.

Your Story: Indian Government sends notice to WhatsApp

Application WhatsApp was used to hack smartphones. The journalists, activists, Diplomats are among the victims. NSO Group was accused of using WhatsApp to hack phones. IT Ministry seeks WhatsApp's response on Spyware issue

Breaking News: IT Ministry seeks WhatsApp's response on Spyware issue

Application WhatsApp was used to hack smartphones. The journalists, activists, Diplomats are among the victims. NSO Group was accused of using WhatsApp to hack phones.

WhatsApp used to hack smartphones; WION correspondent also targeted

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whatsapp-sues-israels-nso-for-alleged-cyber-espionage-targeting-civil-society-worldwide-258713">Israeli</a> diplomats began an open-ended strike on Wednesday, closing more than 100 embassies and consulates around the world in a protest over working conditions.

The stoppage follows a long-running dispute between diplomatic staff and the finance ministry, which the envoys say has unilaterally changed its rules on reimbursing expenses for entertaining official guests.

"We are forced to close the Israeli representations in the world as of today (October 30)," the foreign ministry staff union said in a statement.

"No services will be provided to the public and admission to delegations will not be allowed."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-military-chief-gantz-receives-official-mandate-to-form-government-in-israel-257948">Israel's</a> ambassador to Belgium, Emmanuel Nachshon, said the row was over a treasury demand that receipts be provided with expense claims for home entertaining.

"Our embassy is closed like the rest of the Israeli embassies in the world," he told Israeli public radio.

"When you host somebody in your home when you hold a dinner or other activity, it's not always possible to provide a receipt for everything," he said.

"They need to trust us when we declare such an expense."

Israeli financial daily Globes reported last month that the foreign ministry was in deep crisis after repeated cuts to its budget and that its accountant general had ordered envoys to stop all business trips and entertaining and end overtime for local staff.

Israeli diplomats began an open-ended strike on Wednesday, closing more than 100 embassies and consulates around the world in a protest over working conditions. The stoppage follows a long-running dispute between diplomatic staff and the finance ministry, which the envoys say has unilaterally changed its rules on reimbursing expenses for entertaining official guests.

Israeli diplomats began an open-ended strike on Wednesday, closing more than 100 embassies and consulates around the world in a protest over working conditions. The stoppage follows a long-running dispute between diplomatic staff and the finance ministry, which the envoys say has unilaterally changed its rules on reimbursing expenses for entertaining official guests. "We are forced to close the Israeli representations in the world as of today (October 30)," the foreign ministry staff union said in a statement. "No services will be provided to the public and admission to delegations will not be allowed." Israel's ambassador to Belgium, Emmanuel Nachshon, said the row was over a treasury demand that receipts be provided with expense claims for home entertaining. "Our embassy is closed like the rest of the Israeli embassies in the world," he told Israeli public radio. "When you host somebody in your home when you hold a dinner or other activity, it's not always possible to provide a receipt for everything," he said. "They need to trust us when we declare such an expense." Israeli financial daily Globes reported last month that the foreign ministry was in deep crisis after repeated cuts to its budget and that its accountant general had ordered envoys to stop all business trips and entertaining and end overtime for local staff.

Israeli diplomats strike over working conditions

A longtime US&nbsp;diplomat who served as President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine will tell his story to congressional committee staff on Thursday as part of a Democratic-led impeachment probe of the Republican president.

Kurt Volker resigned as special representative for Ukraine negotiations on Friday, the day after the public release of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-in-donald-trump-ukraine-scandal-a-cia-officer-report-252276">whistleblower complaint</a> that described him as trying to "contain the damage" from efforts by Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani to press Ukraine to investigate Democrats.

Volker's meeting with the committee comes after an emotional day in the impeachment inquiry on Wednesday when Trump railed at journalists during a news conference, resorted to the use of an expletive on Twitter and called the probe "a hoax and a fraud" while pledging to cooperate.

Democratic lawmakers had said earlier on Wednesday they were prepared to subpoena White House records about Trump's July 25 telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Charges that Trump pressured Zelenskiy in that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-feud-heats-up-donald-trump-says-joe-biden-was-subject-of-ukraine-call-251345">call</a> to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading rival in Trump's bid for re-election in 2020, helped prompt House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to announce a formal <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-denounces-impeachment-inquiry-as-a-coup-253163">impeachment investigation</a> last week.

On Thursday, staff from the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees will conduct a transcribed interview with Volker.

The 54-year-old, who is also a former US&nbsp;ambassador to NATO, is appearing voluntarily.

The briefing will take place behind closed doors, the first of a series of events in the probe, none of them public, scheduled within the 10 days.

More are expected.

Late on Wednesday, US&nbsp;Representative Mike McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the session with Volker, saying that Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans were not being given equal representation or the chance to question Volker.

He also expressed concern that US&nbsp;Representative Eliot Engel, the Democratic House foreign affairs chairman, had ceded oversight of US foreign policy to the Intelligence Committee because that panel, he said, would lead the questioning of Volker.

An Intelligence Committee aide said the panel's staff would conduct the interview because Pelosi had designated it as the lead committee in the impeachment inquiry.

Intelligence Committee investigators have been working with the Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees, "both of which will have equal Majority and Minority representation," the aide said in an email.

Representatives for the Foreign Affairs Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Friday, Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson will testify at an Intelligence Committee hearing.

Marie Yovanovitch, who was the US&nbsp;ambassador in Kiev until Trump recalled her in May before her normal term was up, will meet with committee staff on October&nbsp;11.

'Perfect'- or 'wrong'?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-nothing-compromising-in-trump-call-to-ukraine-leader-253325">Trump</a>&nbsp;has denied wrongdoing, repeatedly calling his call with Zelenskiy "perfect."

Pelosi dismissed that characterization at a news conference on Wednesday, saying: "It's not perfect - it's wrong."

Some of Trump's Republican allies have joined him in seeking to discredit Representative Adam Schiff, chairman of the House intelligence panel, after a New York Times report on Wednesday that the whistleblower had contacted the committee for advice on how to proceed.

Both Republicans and Democrats familiar with the process said, however, that Schiff's panel had acted properly in advising the person to contact an Inspector General and seek legal counsel.

Staff from eight Senate and House congressional committees, including Republicans and Democrats, also reacted with surprise on Wednesday after a briefing by the State Department's inspector general, Steve Linick.

At the briefing, which was held behind closed doors but not classified, Linick handed out packets of documents that the only lawmaker who attended, Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, described as "propaganda and disinformation."

Committee staff members who attended the briefing said it concerned a package of documents delivered to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that included allegations against Biden and Yovanovitch.

A photograph of one document, whose source was not disclosed, described a discredited theory promoted by Trump allies that Yovanovitch was installed in her post by billionaire George Soros, a Democratic donor frequently attacked by far-right activists.

The impeachment probe could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Republican-controlled Senate. Republicans, however, have shown little appetite for ousting him.

A longtime US diplomat who served as President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine will tell his story to congressional committee staff on Thursday as part of a Democratic-led impeachment probe of the Republican president.

A longtime US diplomat who served as President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine will tell his story to congressional committee staff on Thursday as part of a Democratic-led impeachment probe of the Republican president. Kurt Volker resigned as special representative for Ukraine negotiations on Friday, the day after the public release of a whistleblower complaint that described him as trying to "contain the damage" from efforts by Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani to press Ukraine to investigate Democrats. Volker's meeting with the committee comes after an emotional day in the impeachment inquiry on Wednesday when Trump railed at journalists during a news conference, resorted to the use of an expletive on Twitter and called the probe "a hoax and a fraud" while pledging to cooperate. Democratic lawmakers had said earlier on Wednesday they were prepared to subpoena White House records about Trump's July 25 telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Charges that Trump pressured Zelenskiy in that call to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading rival in Trump's bid for re-election in 2020, helped prompt House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to announce a formal impeachment investigation last week. On Thursday, staff from the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees will conduct a transcribed interview with Volker. The 54-year-old, who is also a former US ambassador to NATO, is appearing voluntarily. The briefing will take place behind closed doors, the first of a series of events in the probe, none of them public, scheduled within the 10 days. More are expected. Late on Wednesday, US Representative Mike McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the session with Volker, saying that Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans were not being given equal representation or the chance to question Volker. He also expressed concern that US Representative Eliot Engel, the Democratic House foreign affairs chairman, had ceded oversight of US foreign policy to the Intelligence Committee because that panel, he said, would lead the questioning of Volker. An Intelligence Committee aide said the panel's staff would conduct the interview because Pelosi had designated it as the lead committee in the impeachment inquiry. Intelligence Committee investigators have been working with the Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees, "both of which will have equal Majority and Minority representation," the aide said in an email. Representatives for the Foreign Affairs Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Friday, Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson will testify at an Intelligence Committee hearing. Marie Yovanovitch, who was the US ambassador in Kiev until Trump recalled her in May before her normal term was up, will meet with committee staff on October 11. 'Perfect'- or 'wrong'? Trump has denied wrongdoing, repeatedly calling his call with Zelenskiy "perfect." Pelosi dismissed that characterization at a news conference on Wednesday, saying: "It's not perfect - it's wrong." Some of Trump's Republican allies have joined him in seeking to discredit Representative Adam Schiff, chairman of the House intelligence panel, after a New York Times report on Wednesday that the whistleblower had contacted the committee for advice on how to proceed. Both Republicans and Democrats familiar with the process said, however, that Schiff's panel had acted properly in advising the person to contact an Inspector General and seek legal counsel. Staff from eight Senate and House congressional committees, including Republicans and Democrats, also reacted with surprise on Wednesday after a briefing by the State Department's inspector general, Steve Linick. At the briefing, which was held behind closed doors but not classified, Linick handed out packets of documents that the only lawmaker who attended, Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, described as "propaganda and disinformation." Committee staff members who attended the briefing said it concerned a package of documents delivered to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that included allegations against Biden and Yovanovitch. A photograph of one document, whose source was not disclosed, described a discredited theory promoted by Trump allies that Yovanovitch was installed in her post by billionaire George Soros, a Democratic donor frequently attacked by far-right activists. The impeachment probe could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Republican-controlled Senate. Republicans, however, have shown little appetite for ousting him.

United States diplomat at center of Trump-Ukraine affair to meet House committee staff

China and the United States are deadlocked over a UN resolution to extend a mission in Afghanistan, with Beijing signalling it will cast a veto because there is no reference to its Belt and Road project, diplomats said on Monday.

A planned vote on Monday by the 15-member Security Council to renew the UN mission, known as UNAMA, was delayed to Tuesday to allow for more negotiations.

The mission's mandate expires on Tuesday.

To pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the United States, China, France, Russia and Britain.

Ahead of the postponement, diplomats said China was expected to veto a resolution drafted by Germany and Indonesia that did not include a reference to its global Belt and Road infrastructure project.

China's UN&nbsp;mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China was then planning to propose a vote on a short draft resolution, known as a technical rollover, to allow the mission to keep operating, diplomats said.

But they added it could fail to get the nine votes needed to pass because several council members were considering abstaining.

Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she "did not know where this news had come from".

The situation in Afghanistan was at a crucial stage and China supported UNAMA - the UN&nbsp;Assistance Mission in Afghanistan&nbsp;to support reconstruction there, she said.

China hoped Security Council members would "jointly safeguard the important consensus reached in the past, respect each other's concerns, continue to carry out constructive cooperation on the Afghan issue and safeguard the unity of the Security Council".

The UN&nbsp;mission, which was established in 2002, is helping Afghanistan prepare for a September&nbsp;28 presidential election and is pushing for peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

Talks between the United States and Taliban militants on a US&nbsp;troop withdrawal fell apart this month.

There are about 14,000 US&nbsp;troops and thousands of other NATO troops in the country, 18 years after a US-led coalition ousted the Taliban following September 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks on the United States.

The UNAMA mandate is renewed annually by the Security Council.

The resolutions in 2016, 2017 and 2018 all included a reference welcoming and urging efforts, like China's Belt and Road initiative, to facilitate trade and transit.

But when it came time to extend the mandate again in March, the United States and other Western council members wanted the language removed, sparking a standoff with China.

The council ended up adopting a six-month technical rollover to allow the mission to keep operating.

At the time, acting US ambassador Jonathan Cohen denounced China for holding "the resolution hostage" by insisting "on making it about Chinese national political priorities rather than the people of Afghanistan".

He criticized Beijing's Belt and Road initiative&nbsp;which aims to link China by sea and land through an infrastructure network with southeast and central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa&nbsp;for "known problems with corruption, debt distress, environmental damage, and lack of transparency".

At a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan last week, Cohen referred to the impasse with China.

"We strongly believe this mandate is too important at this moment to have one Security Council member deny consensus for reasons having nothing to do with UNAMA," Cohen said.

Chinese UN&nbsp;Ambassador Zhang Jun did not specifically mention the negotiations on the UNAMA resolution, but said China was working with Afghanistan to advance "the Belt and Road construction to actively support the Afghan rebuilding and its reintegration into the regional economic development".

China and the United States are deadlocked over a UN resolution to extend a mission in Afghanistan, with Beijing signalling it will cast a veto because there is no reference to its Belt and Road project, diplomats said on Monday.

China and the United States are deadlocked over a UN resolution to extend a mission in Afghanistan, with Beijing signalling it will cast a veto because there is no reference to its Belt and Road project, diplomats said on Monday. A planned vote on Monday by the 15-member Security Council to renew the UN mission, known as UNAMA, was delayed to Tuesday to allow for more negotiations. The mission's mandate expires on Tuesday. To pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the United States, China, France, Russia and Britain. Ahead of the postponement, diplomats said China was expected to veto a resolution drafted by Germany and Indonesia that did not include a reference to its global Belt and Road infrastructure project. China's UN mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China was then planning to propose a vote on a short draft resolution, known as a technical rollover, to allow the mission to keep operating, diplomats said. But they added it could fail to get the nine votes needed to pass because several council members were considering abstaining. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she "did not know where this news had come from". The situation in Afghanistan was at a crucial stage and China supported UNAMA - the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan to support reconstruction there, she said. China hoped Security Council members would "jointly safeguard the important consensus reached in the past, respect each other's concerns, continue to carry out constructive cooperation on the Afghan issue and safeguard the unity of the Security Council". The UN mission, which was established in 2002, is helping Afghanistan prepare for a September 28 presidential election and is pushing for peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Talks between the United States and Taliban militants on a US troop withdrawal fell apart this month. There are about 14,000 US troops and thousands of other NATO troops in the country, 18 years after a US-led coalition ousted the Taliban following September 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks on the United States. The UNAMA mandate is renewed annually by the Security Council. The resolutions in 2016, 2017 and 2018 all included a reference welcoming and urging efforts, like China's Belt and Road initiative, to facilitate trade and transit. But when it came time to extend the mandate again in March, the United States and other Western council members wanted the language removed, sparking a standoff with China. The council ended up adopting a six-month technical rollover to allow the mission to keep operating. At the time, acting US ambassador Jonathan Cohen denounced China for holding "the resolution hostage" by insisting "on making it about Chinese national political priorities rather than the people of Afghanistan". He criticized Beijing's Belt and Road initiative which aims to link China by sea and land through an infrastructure network with southeast and central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa for "known problems with corruption, debt distress, environmental damage, and lack of transparency". At a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan last week, Cohen referred to the impasse with China. "We strongly believe this mandate is too important at this moment to have one Security Council member deny consensus for reasons having nothing to do with UNAMA," Cohen said. Chinese UN Ambassador Zhang Jun did not specifically mention the negotiations on the UNAMA resolution, but said China was working with Afghanistan to advance "the Belt and Road construction to actively support the Afghan rebuilding and its reintegration into the regional economic development".

Belt and Road row: China, US in standoff over UN mission in Afghanistan

European Union leaders met on Sunday to decide who wins the bloc's top posts, with Dutch socialist Frans Timmermans in pole position to be named the EU's next chief executive, diplomats and officials said. EU leaders were also meant to choose the next president of the European Central Bank (ECB), but that decision seems now likely to be postponed for lack of consensus. The other main jobs up for grabs are the presidency of the European Council - grouping the EU governments - the EU's foreign policy chief. Leaders are seeking a balance of men and women in the top positions, and also a balance between eastern and western member states.

European Union leaders meet to decide on bloc's top jobs

Pakistan escorts a group of foreign journalists and diplomats to the site of an Indian air strike to show that, contrary to Delhi's claims, no infrastructure was damaged.

Pakistan's Balakot stunt on the eve of India Polls

Pakistan takes media, diplomats on visit to Indian strike site

Canadian diplomats who suffered from mysterious health complaints while they were posted to Cuba in 2017 are suing Ottawa for taking too long to evacuate them and provide them treatment, reports said Wednesday.

Fourteen people, including current and former diplomats and their families, are seeking $21 million&nbsp;in damages from the federal government.&nbsp;

All of them have been back in Canada for a year but still suffer from what has become known as "Havana syndrome," a mystery illness with symptoms including strong migraines as well as visual and auditory disorders.

According to CBC, which interviewed five of those affected, the first symptoms appeared in the spring of 2017 — but they say that Ottawa waited more than a year before helping everyone.

Questioned on the subject on Wednesday while she was in Washington, foreign minister Chrystia Freeland said the safety of diplomats remained a top priority.

"I am not going to comment on the specifics, but I do want to reiterate that I have met with some of these diplomats and, as I said to them, their health and safety needs to be our priority and they have my true sympathy and concern," she said.

On January 30, Canada announced it had reduced its staffing at the embassy to about half as a result of the unexplained symptoms.

Canadian public broadcaster CBC said just eight officials would be left at the embassy.

Canadian diplomats who suffered from mysterious health complaints while they were posted to Cuba in 2017 are suing Ottawa for taking too long to evacuate them and provide them treatment, reports said Wednesday.

Canadian diplomats who suffered from mysterious health complaints while they were posted to Cuba in 2017 are suing Ottawa for taking too long to evacuate them and provide them treatment, reports said Wednesday. Fourteen people, including current and former diplomats and their families, are seeking $21 million in damages from the federal government. All of them have been back in Canada for a year but still suffer from what has become known as "Havana syndrome," a mystery illness with symptoms including strong migraines as well as visual and auditory disorders. According to CBC, which interviewed five of those affected, the first symptoms appeared in the spring of 2017 — but they say that Ottawa waited more than a year before helping everyone. Questioned on the subject on Wednesday while she was in Washington, foreign minister Chrystia Freeland said the safety of diplomats remained a top priority. "I am not going to comment on the specifics, but I do want to reiterate that I have met with some of these diplomats and, as I said to them, their health and safety needs to be our priority and they have my true sympathy and concern," she said. On January 30, Canada announced it had reduced its staffing at the embassy to about half as a result of the unexplained symptoms. Canadian public broadcaster CBC said just eight officials would be left at the embassy.

Canadian diplomats hit by mystery symptoms in Cuba sue Ottawa: Report

A few days ago, the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan held in Varanasi came to a grand close. From various accounts, it was a major success and is viewed as a fitting display of India’s soft power. A more formidable demonstration of soft power happened in 2015 when the United Nations, at New Delhi’s prodding, adopted June 21 as the International Yoga Day.&nbsp;

While soft power, as well as hard power, is driven by the political leadership of the day, the sustenance and credibility of such power depend largely on the strength of a nation’s international diplomacy.

In our case, it’s the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) ecosystem which shoulders that responsibility. Over the decades since independence, the IFS has given us brilliant officers who have effectively presented India’s stand before the world community, not just when the country spoke from a position of strength but also when it had to defend itself in times of grave challenges — global sanctions following India’s conduct of nuclear tests in 1998 is one such instance. But this must not lead us to presume that our international diplomacy infrastructure, which is responsible for furthering the country’s foreign policy, is at its best.

Several experts have commented on the subject, but most recently it is former Deputy National Security Advisor and retired IFS officer Arvind Gupta, who has flagged the matter. In his book, "How India Manages its National Security", Gupta has raised pointed issues which need urgent course-correction. His credentials to comment on the issue are impeccable, and his views need serious consideration. Here are some of the concerns.

In terms of both size and global outreach, Russia and the United States of America are key players. Russia has over 10,000 diplomats — roughly 3,000 are based in Moscow alone. The US has more than 11,000 members in its diplomatic service, whereas the other big country, China, has approximately 7,500 diplomats.&nbsp;

Where does India stand? According to the book, the number stands at a low of about 1,200. An article in Bloomberg has pegged the number at an even lower 940. This does not gel with the country’s global ambition.&nbsp;

It’s true that efforts have been made in recent years to bolster this pathetic number, but the new recruits will take time to gain expertise. And this where the second concern lies. As Gupta points out in his book, the scarcity has compelled the Ministry of External Affairs to absorb officials from other ministries and agencies on deputation to meet the workload. The limitations that this brings on the table are obvious.

A key element of India’s soft power derives from the country’s rich civilisational history — cultural diversity, heritage and language. Here, Gupta points out that our diplomats, “exposed to global influences, are often unaware of and not sufficiently trained in the Indian ethos”. One does not need to be an expert to understand that such a deficiency is hitting at the very foundation on which India’s soft power rests.

There is also the issue of area and domain specialisation, which in the author’s words, “are the twin pillars that support effective diplomacy”. While random efforts are made to acclimatise the IFS officers in these aspects, there hasn’t been, according to Gupta, “a conscious policy of developing are expertise among diplomats”. The result is that after a few years, even those officials who have gained some expertise, tend to lose touch with their core strength — such as, for example, proficiency in a foreign language which they may have acquired.

The External Affairs Ministry has several territorial divisions which are mandated to handle bilateral relations. Given that New Delhi has over the years not just reached out to many countries but also built solid relationships based on mutual interests and shared concerns, one would expect the territorial divisions to be fully equipped to meet the challenge. But again these divisions are considerably understaffed and overloaded with work. The fallout is a drop in efficiency to nimbly respond to global developments. “This weakness affects the overall diplomatic effort of the country”, says the book.

The expansion of our diplomatic corps, in both numbers and reach, needs money. India has 184 missions and posts abroad, and they cannot be run on a diet of pragmatic idealism; finances are required. Funds are also needed to meet the obligations that India has vowed to many countries for their development. If that is impacted due to the paucity of money, the country’s diplomacy suffers loss of face. Given the ambitious scale on which New Delhi has been pursuing its global outreach, one would expect the Union Budget to set aside an acceptable allocation for the External Affairs Ministry. But look at what a 2017 report of the Standing Committee of Parliament had to say: “While analysing the budgetary allocations made for the MEA during 2015-16, the Committee had found that the Ministry had sought an allocation of Rs 22,967.01 crore… against which the actual allocation made at the Budget Estimate stage was only Rs 14,966.83 crore.” The panel went on to say that despite an intervention made by the External Affairs Minister, “the situation could not be improved”.

Arvind Gupta offers an interesting to enhance coordination among the various diplomatic efforts. He states that “coordination among the MEA and other agencies involved… is where Indian diplomacy hits a weak spot”. He laments the frequent turf wars, and suggests a structure that would not just coordinate diplomatic efforts with the various agencies involved, keeping national security in mind, but also have teeth — meaning, it must go beyond being an advisory body.

It’s now too late for the incumbent regime at the Centre to undertake a revamp and reform of the country’s diplomatic infrastructure. Will the next government bite the bullet?

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

A few days ago, the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan held in Varanasi came to a grand close. From various accounts, it was a major success and is viewed as a fitting display of India’s soft power.

A few days ago, the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan held in Varanasi came to a grand close. From various accounts, it was a major success and is viewed as a fitting display of India’s soft power. A more formidable demonstration of soft power happened in 2015 when the United Nations, at New Delhi’s prodding, adopted June 21 as the International Yoga Day. While soft power, as well as hard power, is driven by the political leadership of the day, the sustenance and credibility of such power depend largely on the strength of a nation’s international diplomacy. In our case, it’s the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) ecosystem which shoulders that responsibility. Over the decades since independence, the IFS has given us brilliant officers who have effectively presented India’s stand before the world community, not just when the country spoke from a position of strength but also when it had to defend itself in times of grave challenges — global sanctions following India’s conduct of nuclear tests in 1998 is one such instance. But this must not lead us to presume that our international diplomacy infrastructure, which is responsible for furthering the country’s foreign policy, is at its best. Several experts have commented on the subject, but most recently it is former Deputy National Security Advisor and retired IFS officer Arvind Gupta, who has flagged the matter. In his book, "How India Manages its National Security", Gupta has raised pointed issues which need urgent course-correction. His credentials to comment on the issue are impeccable, and his views need serious consideration. Here are some of the concerns. In terms of both size and global outreach, Russia and the United States of America are key players. Russia has over 10,000 diplomats — roughly 3,000 are based in Moscow alone. The US has more than 11,000 members in its diplomatic service, whereas the other big country, China, has approximately 7,500 diplomats. Where does India stand? According to the book, the number stands at a low of about 1,200. An article in Bloomberg has pegged the number at an even lower 940. This does not gel with the country’s global ambition. It’s true that efforts have been made in recent years to bolster this pathetic number, but the new recruits will take time to gain expertise. And this where the second concern lies. As Gupta points out in his book, the scarcity has compelled the Ministry of External Affairs to absorb officials from other ministries and agencies on deputation to meet the workload. The limitations that this brings on the table are obvious. A key element of India’s soft power derives from the country’s rich civilisational history — cultural diversity, heritage and language. Here, Gupta points out that our diplomats, “exposed to global influences, are often unaware of and not sufficiently trained in the Indian ethos”. One does not need to be an expert to understand that such a deficiency is hitting at the very foundation on which India’s soft power rests. There is also the issue of area and domain specialisation, which in the author’s words, “are the twin pillars that support effective diplomacy”. While random efforts are made to acclimatise the IFS officers in these aspects, there hasn’t been, according to Gupta, “a conscious policy of developing are expertise among diplomats”. The result is that after a few years, even those officials who have gained some expertise, tend to lose touch with their core strength — such as, for example, proficiency in a foreign language which they may have acquired. The External Affairs Ministry has several territorial divisions which are mandated to handle bilateral relations. Given that New Delhi has over the years not just reached out to many countries but also built solid relationships based on mutual interests and shared concerns, one would expect the territorial divisions to be fully equipped to meet the challenge. But again these divisions are considerably understaffed and overloaded with work. The fallout is a drop in efficiency to nimbly respond to global developments. “This weakness affects the overall diplomatic effort of the country”, says the book. The expansion of our diplomatic corps, in both numbers and reach, needs money. India has 184 missions and posts abroad, and they cannot be run on a diet of pragmatic idealism; finances are required. Funds are also needed to meet the obligations that India has vowed to many countries for their development. If that is impacted due to the paucity of money, the country’s diplomacy suffers loss of face. Given the ambitious scale on which New Delhi has been pursuing its global outreach, one would expect the Union Budget to set aside an acceptable allocation for the External Affairs Ministry. But look at what a 2017 report of the Standing Committee of Parliament had to say: “While analysing the budgetary allocations made for the MEA during 2015-16, the Committee had found that the Ministry had sought an allocation of Rs 22,967.01 crore… against which the actual allocation made at the Budget Estimate stage was only Rs 14,966.83 crore.” The panel went on to say that despite an intervention made by the External Affairs Minister, “the situation could not be improved”. Arvind Gupta offers an interesting to enhance coordination among the various diplomatic efforts. He states that “coordination among the MEA and other agencies involved… is where Indian diplomacy hits a weak spot”. He laments the frequent turf wars, and suggests a structure that would not just coordinate diplomatic efforts with the various agencies involved, keeping national security in mind, but also have teeth — meaning, it must go beyond being an advisory body. It’s now too late for the incumbent regime at the Centre to undertake a revamp and reform of the country’s diplomatic infrastructure. Will the next government bite the bullet? (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Scarcity of diplomats at Centre affects India's global outreach

The US&nbsp;State Department on Friday issued an expanded health alert for all of China amid reports some US&nbsp;diplomats based in the country had experienced a mysterious malady that resembles a brain injury and has already affected US&nbsp;personnel in Cuba.

A previous statement in May only mentioned the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou as the location for the health alert, though it was sent to US&nbsp;citizens throughout the country.

The State Department had confirmed earlier that one US&nbsp;employee assigned to the consulate in Guangzhou had "suffered a medical incident", and that it had deployed a team to screen employees and family members there.

On Wednesday the US&nbsp;government said that it had brought a group of people from that consulate back to the United States for further evaluation of their symptoms, and that it was offering screening to anyone at the US&nbsp;embassy in Beijing or other consulates in China who requested it.

The United States also operates consulates in the mainland Chinese cities of Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan.

The location of the health alert was changed to "countrywide" from Guangzhou in the updated statement sent by email.

"The State Department received medical confirmation that a US&nbsp;government employee in China suffered a medical incident consistent with what other US&nbsp;government personnel experienced in Havana, Cuba," the statement said, reiterating comments made last month by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

It warned of "unexplained physical symptoms or events, auditory or sensory phenomena", and said symptoms of the ailment included dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, cognitive issues, visual problems, ear complaints and hearing loss, as well as difficulty sleeping.

China has said that it thoroughly investigated the initial case reported by the United States and found no reasons or clues to explain it.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday that as far as she was aware the Chinese government had not had any formal communication with US&nbsp;officials on any new cases.

China's state-run Global Times tabloid called the situation at the consulate "very strange".

"Practically all Chinese people do not believe that this country's official organisations would carry out such sonic attacks against US&nbsp;diplomats. This does not fit with China's basic concept and principles of diplomacy, and is inconceivable," the Global Times said in an editorial.

It also said people found it hard to believe that another foreign country could carry out such an attack in China, escape China's monitoring, and leave no trace.

Last year, 24 US&nbsp;government employees and family members in Cuba displayed the symptoms, which were similar to those related to concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, according to the State Department.

The illnesses among the American diplomats stationed in Havana heightened tension between the old Cold War foes.

Pompeo released a statement on Tuesday saying the department established a task force last month "to direct a multi-agency response to the unexplained health incidents".

A previous statement only mentioned the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou as the location for the health alert

The US State Department on Friday issued an expanded health alert for all of China amid reports some US diplomats based in the country had experienced a mysterious malady that resembles a brain injury and has already affected US personnel in Cuba. A previous statement in May only mentioned the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou as the location for the health alert, though it was sent to US citizens throughout the country. The State Department had confirmed earlier that one US employee assigned to the consulate in Guangzhou had "suffered a medical incident", and that it had deployed a team to screen employees and family members there. On Wednesday the US government said that it had brought a group of people from that consulate back to the United States for further evaluation of their symptoms, and that it was offering screening to anyone at the US embassy in Beijing or other consulates in China who requested it. The United States also operates consulates in the mainland Chinese cities of Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan. The location of the health alert was changed to "countrywide" from Guangzhou in the updated statement sent by email. "The State Department received medical confirmation that a US government employee in China suffered a medical incident consistent with what other US government personnel experienced in Havana, Cuba," the statement said, reiterating comments made last month by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. It warned of "unexplained physical symptoms or events, auditory or sensory phenomena", and said symptoms of the ailment included dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, cognitive issues, visual problems, ear complaints and hearing loss, as well as difficulty sleeping. China has said that it thoroughly investigated the initial case reported by the United States and found no reasons or clues to explain it. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday that as far as she was aware the Chinese government had not had any formal communication with US officials on any new cases. China's state-run Global Times tabloid called the situation at the consulate "very strange". "Practically all Chinese people do not believe that this country's official organisations would carry out such sonic attacks against US diplomats. This does not fit with China's basic concept and principles of diplomacy, and is inconceivable," the Global Times said in an editorial. It also said people found it hard to believe that another foreign country could carry out such an attack in China, escape China's monitoring, and leave no trace. Last year, 24 US government employees and family members in Cuba displayed the symptoms, which were similar to those related to concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, according to the State Department. The illnesses among the American diplomats stationed in Havana heightened tension between the old Cold War foes. Pompeo released a statement on Tuesday saying the department established a task force last month "to direct a multi-agency response to the unexplained health incidents".

US expands China health alert amid illness reports

Russia has expelled diplomats from 23 countries in retaliation against the West in an escalating spy row, in the biggest wave of tit-for-tat expulsions in recent memory.

The Russian foreign ministry said it had summoned the heads of missions from 23 countries to tell them that some of their diplomats had to leave.

France, Germany, Canada and Poland each said that Russia was expelling four of their diplomats. Other countries including Ukraine, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania and Norway were also told to pull their envoys.

The moves came in retaliation for the coordinated expulsion of Russian diplomats by Britain and its allies over a nerve agent attack against former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4.

"This is certainly not a surprise," Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said through a spokeswoman, referring to Moscow's expulsion of two of the country's diplomats.

Britain has said it is "highly likely" that Russia was responsible for the Skripal attack using the Novichok nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union, but Russia has angrily denied any involvement.

After the poisoning, Britain kicked off the global response by announcing it would expel 23 Russian diplomats, suspend high-level diplomatic contact with Moscow and not send any members of its royal family to the 2018 football World Cup hosted by Russia.

Russia then responded by closing a British consulate in Saint Petersburg and the British Council educational and cultural organisation.

In further measures against the UK, the Russian foreign ministry gave Britain a month to cut the number of diplomatic staff in Russia to the same number Russia has in Britain, a move London called "regrettable".

"This doesn't change the facts of the matter: the attempted assassination of two people on British soil, for which there is no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian State was culpable," a spokeswoman for Britain's Foreign Office said.

Two Australian diplomats were expelled, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull saying it was "a disappointing, although not unexpected, reaction by the Russian Government to the decision of the Australian Government to expel two Russian diplomats working as undeclared intelligence officers."In the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin presided over a meeting of the country's Security Council which discussed the most recent retaliatory steps against Britain and its allies.

"Russia did not unleash any diplomatic war," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "Russia never initiated any exchange of sanctions."

Moscow announced Thursday that it would expel 60 US diplomats and close the US consulate in Saint Petersburg after the expulsion of its own diplomats and the closure of one of its US consulates.

In all, more than 150 Russian diplomats have been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations which are accusing Russia of being involved in the Skripal poisoning.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned Moscow's response might "not only" be symmetrical.

On the streets in Saint Petersburg, passersby said they welcomed the decision to shut down the US consulate general.

"This is great news," said Viktor Glushko, 60. "It is about time."

Another man shouted: "Get out of here!" as he passed by the US consulate where staff were seen loading plastic sacks into vehicles Friday.

In Washington, the State Department said there was no justification for the most recent Russian move and that the United States "reserves the right to respond".

US media showed footage of a Russian government plane on the tarmac at Washington's Dulles airport, apparently to begin ferrying the expelled Russians home.

But a State Department official told AFP that Russia has not been asked to cut the headcount at its mission, and so it could apply to accredit new diplomats to its US embassy to replace those leaving.In London, the Russian Embassy on Friday accused British authorities of "another blatant provocation", claiming they had searched an Aeroflot plane without proper permissions.

"We have no other explanation but that the incident at Heathrow is in one way or another connected with the hostile policy that the UK government is conducting with regard to Russia," they said in a statement.

London's Metropolitan Police said on Twitter that it was aware of the issue.

"Please be advised that Metropolitan Police are not conducting a search of an Airbus inbound from Moscow at Heathrow," they tweeted, without giving further details.

The UK hospital where Skripal and his daughter are being treated said Thursday that Yulia, 33, was "improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition", while 66-year-old Sergei remained in a critical but stable condition.

The Russian foreign ministry said it had summoned the heads of missions from 23 countries to tell them that some of their diplomats had to leave

Russia has expelled diplomats from 23 countries in retaliation against the West in an escalating spy row, in the biggest wave of tit-for-tat expulsions in recent memory. The Russian foreign ministry said it had summoned the heads of missions from 23 countries to tell them that some of their diplomats had to leave. France, Germany, Canada and Poland each said that Russia was expelling four of their diplomats. Other countries including Ukraine, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania and Norway were also told to pull their envoys. The moves came in retaliation for the coordinated expulsion of Russian diplomats by Britain and its allies over a nerve agent attack against former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. "This is certainly not a surprise," Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said through a spokeswoman, referring to Moscow's expulsion of two of the country's diplomats. Britain has said it is "highly likely" that Russia was responsible for the Skripal attack using the Novichok nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union, but Russia has angrily denied any involvement. After the poisoning, Britain kicked off the global response by announcing it would expel 23 Russian diplomats, suspend high-level diplomatic contact with Moscow and not send any members of its royal family to the 2018 football World Cup hosted by Russia. Russia then responded by closing a British consulate in Saint Petersburg and the British Council educational and cultural organisation. In further measures against the UK, the Russian foreign ministry gave Britain a month to cut the number of diplomatic staff in Russia to the same number Russia has in Britain, a move London called "regrettable". "This doesn't change the facts of the matter: the attempted assassination of two people on British soil, for which there is no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian State was culpable," a spokeswoman for Britain's Foreign Office said. Two Australian diplomats were expelled, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull saying it was "a disappointing, although not unexpected, reaction by the Russian Government to the decision of the Australian Government to expel two Russian diplomats working as undeclared intelligence officers."In the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin presided over a meeting of the country's Security Council which discussed the most recent retaliatory steps against Britain and its allies. "Russia did not unleash any diplomatic war," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "Russia never initiated any exchange of sanctions." Moscow announced Thursday that it would expel 60 US diplomats and close the US consulate in Saint Petersburg after the expulsion of its own diplomats and the closure of one of its US consulates. In all, more than 150 Russian diplomats have been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations which are accusing Russia of being involved in the Skripal poisoning. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned Moscow's response might "not only" be symmetrical. On the streets in Saint Petersburg, passersby said they welcomed the decision to shut down the US consulate general. "This is great news," said Viktor Glushko, 60. "It is about time." Another man shouted: "Get out of here!" as he passed by the US consulate where staff were seen loading plastic sacks into vehicles Friday. In Washington, the State Department said there was no justification for the most recent Russian move and that the United States "reserves the right to respond". US media showed footage of a Russian government plane on the tarmac at Washington's Dulles airport, apparently to begin ferrying the expelled Russians home. But a State Department official told AFP that Russia has not been asked to cut the headcount at its mission, and so it could apply to accredit new diplomats to its US embassy to replace those leaving.In London, the Russian Embassy on Friday accused British authorities of "another blatant provocation", claiming they had searched an Aeroflot plane without proper permissions. "We have no other explanation but that the incident at Heathrow is in one way or another connected with the hostile policy that the UK government is conducting with regard to Russia," they said in a statement. London's Metropolitan Police said on Twitter that it was aware of the issue. "Please be advised that Metropolitan Police are not conducting a search of an Airbus inbound from Moscow at Heathrow," they tweeted, without giving further details. The UK hospital where Skripal and his daughter are being treated said Thursday that Yulia, 33, was "improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition", while 66-year-old Sergei remained in a critical but stable condition.

Russia expels diplomats from 23 countries as spy crisis escalates

Russia on Friday summoned ambassadors of nine nations while declaring that Britain has one month to reduce diplomatic presence.

"The ambassadors will be handed protest notes and told about the Russian side's retaliatory measures," the foreign ministry said in a statement as ambassadors were seen arriving at the Russian foreign ministry.&nbsp

As the tit-for-tat diplomacy over expulsion continued, Dutch ambassador Renee Jones-Bos said Russia has expelled two diplomats over the spy row.

Dutch Ambassador Renee Jones-Bos told TASS state news agency: "Two of my colleagues are leaving Moscow. But we (the embassy) are staying here."

Russia had announced the expulsion of US 60 diplomats on Thursday and had decided to close the US consulate in Saint Petersburg after President Trump had ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats and the subsequent closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle.

More than 150 Russian diplomats have been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations in a coordinated action against Moscow.&nbsp

The Western nations have accused Putin's regime of being involved in the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in a nerve agent attack in the English city of Salisbury on March 4.

Reports said on Thursday that Skripal's daughter Yulia was out of danger but Sergei was still in critical condition.

&nbsp

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CX11TEq3sWE" width="560"></iframe>

More than 150 Russian diplomats have been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations in a coordinated action against Moscow.

Russia on Friday summoned ambassadors of nine nations while declaring that Britain has one month to reduce diplomatic presence. "The ambassadors will be handed protest notes and told about the Russian side's retaliatory measures," the foreign ministry said in a statement as ambassadors were seen arriving at the Russian foreign ministry. As the tit-for-tat diplomacy over expulsion continued, Dutch ambassador Renee Jones-Bos said Russia has expelled two diplomats over the spy row. Dutch Ambassador Renee Jones-Bos told TASS state news agency: "Two of my colleagues are leaving Moscow. But we (the embassy) are staying here." Russia had announced the expulsion of US 60 diplomats on Thursday and had decided to close the US consulate in Saint Petersburg after President Trump had ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats and the subsequent closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle. More than 150 Russian diplomats have been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations in a coordinated action against Moscow. The Western nations have accused Putin's regime of being involved in the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in a nerve agent attack in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. Reports said on Thursday that Skripal's daughter Yulia was out of danger but Sergei was still in critical condition.

Spy poisoning row: Britain has one month to reduce diplomatic presence, says Russia

Harassment of Indian diplomats in Pakistan used to be common in the past. Indian diplomats posted in Pakistan would return home after completion of their tour of duty with tales of horrific and obnoxious acts of harassment of their families and children. Certain categories were special targets. Things were presumably quiet in recent times. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-high-commissioner-to-india-summoned-by-pak-government-to-report-on-harassment-row-35911" target="_blank">The recent upsurge</a> is a measure of deteriorating bilateral relations. Pakistan has, as expected, alleged harassment of their mission&#39;s staff.

Pakistani reaction may have something to do with India but also something more to do with the internal domestic scene and the forthcoming elections. The Deep State would like the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) relegated and substituted by a party of choice. The PML (N) under Mian Nawaz Sharif has been far too defiant despite all the pressure, the judiciary included, that the Deep State has put on him. A politician even thinking he can be independent of the Army is bad news for the Army and definitely not good for the politician.

The plan at this stage could be to have a less-than-clever man, who is gullible with an outsized ego at the helm. Imran Khan of the Pakistan TehrikInsaf party is assumed to be more suitable. His problem would be to make a dent in the Punjab province and break the hold of the Sharif Bothers. Imran Khan would need props for the Punjab theatre. Mainstreaming Hafiz Saeed of the JUD is presumably to serve multiple purposes. Legitimisation by itself is a virtue for a terrorist organisation, which can now openly collect funds and take part in political activity, Hafiz Saeed can campaign for himself and his associates. This is, however, not a new phenomenon. In 2013, ahead of the general elections, the PML(N) had come to an understanding with the rabidly anti-Shia AhleSunnatWalJamaat for seat-to-seat adjustments. The chief of the rabidly anti-Shia DeobandhiSipah-e-Sahaba, Azam Tariq was three times member of Pakistan&#39;s national parliament. He contested his last elections in 2002 while in police custody, provided the crucial one-seat majority to the prime minister, Zafarullah Khan Jamali, under the Musharraf government. Tariq was assassinated in 2003. Pakistani courts have recently allowed registration of Hafiz Saeed&#39;s new party Pakistan Milli Muslim League and would be the unknown factor in the elections.

Perhaps the biggest recent revelation about the role of Islamists was the Faizabad Interchange by the Barelvireligious group Tehreek-e-LabaikYaRasool Allah (TLYR) Rizvi faction demanding the sacking of interior minister on a religious issue was ultimately sorted out by the Army and protesters were paid cash for leaving. The civilians had abdicated and the Army was the arbiter. This standoff was in November 2017. Increasingly, the one-time peaceful Islamic priests and sometimes even the oddities among them have witnessed how profitable it has been to be a radical cross-border mujahideen and now demand similar treatment. The state cannot call off the jihad it has nurtured because there will thousands of unemployed jihadis on the streets of Lahore and Islamabad.

Thus, we have not only the Army backing their favourite jihadis but also the politicians helping them become mainstream including those groups like the LeT, (JuD&#39;s armed wing) that had carried out plotted the Mumbai carnage in 2008. For this to be topically effective, persons like Hafiz Saeed need ammunition to be able to raise the anti-Indian temperature, draw crowds of believers and votes election time. Ratcheting of this tension has begun. We should expect more violence in Kashmir, heightened crossfire at the LOC or the issue of Jadav to resurface. Deteriorated relations with India will also convince the Americans that inclusion of India in solving Afghanistan or even presence there of Indians in Afghanistan is bad news for the US.

There is very little content in India-Pakistan relations. There was never much of it anyway. It is much less now. There is barely any trade and no tourism. Pakistan will not implement the Afghan Transit Treaty; has dragged its feet on granting MFN with 1209 items on the negative list. Exports to India are terror and more terror. That being so, there is little point in maintaining such large missions there, and if our policy is to ignore Pakistan until they learn to behave like a responsible neighbour (as this writer has been recommending on the past) we should have downgraded our embassy representation a long time ago.

The recent withdrawal of their High Commissioner either indicates a further deterioration in the bilateral relations or is a confirmation that there is no substance in this relationship. Merely issuing visas for medical treatment in India are good humane gestures but these by themselves do not add substance to this relationship. Those who can afford to go the US or Europe are also those who control the levers in Pakistan. They go there for medical treatment, education, vacations or seeking shelter from state harassment. Looking at it realistically, noble acts do no enhance bilateral relations; only furtherance or preservations of national interests helps. This plus a little bit of cognitive empathy for the other side that tries to understand without emotion their point of view. This might help us understand why they behave in a particular manner and not be carried away by sentiment.

We always forget in our naivete that the Pakistan establishment does not seek a better relationship with India. It never has. Now that it is swinging further to the right, it will never seek such a relationship. It would be good to factor this into our calculations.&nbsp;

Harassment of Indian diplomats in Pakistan used to be common in the past. The recent upsurge is a measure of deteriorating bilateral relations

Harassment of Indian diplomats in Pakistan used to be common in the past. Indian diplomats posted in Pakistan would return home after completion of their tour of duty with tales of horrific and obnoxious acts of harassment of their families and children. Certain categories were special targets. Things were presumably quiet in recent times. The recent upsurge is a measure of deteriorating bilateral relations. Pakistan has, as expected, alleged harassment of their mission's staff. Pakistani reaction may have something to do with India but also something more to do with the internal domestic scene and the forthcoming elections. The Deep State would like the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) relegated and substituted by a party of choice. The PML (N) under Mian Nawaz Sharif has been far too defiant despite all the pressure, the judiciary included, that the Deep State has put on him. A politician even thinking he can be independent of the Army is bad news for the Army and definitely not good for the politician. The plan at this stage could be to have a less-than-clever man, who is gullible with an outsized ego at the helm. Imran Khan of the Pakistan TehrikInsaf party is assumed to be more suitable. His problem would be to make a dent in the Punjab province and break the hold of the Sharif Bothers. Imran Khan would need props for the Punjab theatre. Mainstreaming Hafiz Saeed of the JUD is presumably to serve multiple purposes. Legitimisation by itself is a virtue for a terrorist organisation, which can now openly collect funds and take part in political activity, Hafiz Saeed can campaign for himself and his associates. This is, however, not a new phenomenon. In 2013, ahead of the general elections, the PML(N) had come to an understanding with the rabidly anti-Shia AhleSunnatWalJamaat for seat-to-seat adjustments. The chief of the rabidly anti-Shia DeobandhiSipah-e-Sahaba, Azam Tariq was three times member of Pakistan's national parliament. He contested his last elections in 2002 while in police custody, provided the crucial one-seat majority to the prime minister, Zafarullah Khan Jamali, under the Musharraf government. Tariq was assassinated in 2003. Pakistani courts have recently allowed registration of Hafiz Saeed's new party Pakistan Milli Muslim League and would be the unknown factor in the elections. Perhaps the biggest recent revelation about the role of Islamists was the Faizabad Interchange by the Barelvireligious group Tehreek-e-LabaikYaRasool Allah (TLYR) Rizvi faction demanding the sacking of interior minister on a religious issue was ultimately sorted out by the Army and protesters were paid cash for leaving. The civilians had abdicated and the Army was the arbiter. This standoff was in November 2017. Increasingly, the one-time peaceful Islamic priests and sometimes even the oddities among them have witnessed how profitable it has been to be a radical cross-border mujahideen and now demand similar treatment. The state cannot call off the jihad it has nurtured because there will thousands of unemployed jihadis on the streets of Lahore and Islamabad. Thus, we have not only the Army backing their favourite jihadis but also the politicians helping them become mainstream including those groups like the LeT, (JuD's armed wing) that had carried out plotted the Mumbai carnage in 2008. For this to be topically effective, persons like Hafiz Saeed need ammunition to be able to raise the anti-Indian temperature, draw crowds of believers and votes election time. Ratcheting of this tension has begun. We should expect more violence in Kashmir, heightened crossfire at the LOC or the issue of Jadav to resurface. Deteriorated relations with India will also convince the Americans that inclusion of India in solving Afghanistan or even presence there of Indians in Afghanistan is bad news for the US. There is very little content in India-Pakistan relations. There was never much of it anyway. It is much less now. There is barely any trade and no tourism. Pakistan will not implement the Afghan Transit Treaty; has dragged its feet on granting MFN with 1209 items on the negative list. Exports to India are terror and more terror. That being so, there is little point in maintaining such large missions there, and if our policy is to ignore Pakistan until they learn to behave like a responsible neighbour (as this writer has been recommending on the past) we should have downgraded our embassy representation a long time ago. The recent withdrawal of their High Commissioner either indicates a further deterioration in the bilateral relations or is a confirmation that there is no substance in this relationship. Merely issuing visas for medical treatment in India are good humane gestures but these by themselves do not add substance to this relationship. Those who can afford to go the US or Europe are also those who control the levers in Pakistan. They go there for medical treatment, education, vacations or seeking shelter from state harassment. Looking at it realistically, noble acts do no enhance bilateral relations; only furtherance or preservations of national interests helps. This plus a little bit of cognitive empathy for the other side that tries to understand without emotion their point of view. This might help us understand why they behave in a particular manner and not be carried away by sentiment. We always forget in our naivete that the Pakistan establishment does not seek a better relationship with India. It never has. Now that it is swinging further to the right, it will never seek such a relationship. It would be good to factor this into our calculations.

Pakistan's internal politics guides harassment of Indian diplomats

Moscow on Wednesday called Britain&#39;s decision to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/britains-may-says-russia-responsible-for-attack-on-ex-spy-in-uk-35826" target="_blank">expel 23 Russian diplomats</a> over the poisoning of an ex-spy a sign that London was choosing confrontation with Russia, adding that retaliation would follow shortly.

&quot;The British government made a choice for confrontation with Russia,&quot; the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday expelled the diplomats and suspended high-level contacts with Russia after Moscow did not respond to her demand for an explanation on how a Soviet-designed nerve agent came to be used to attack former spy Sergei Skripal on British soil.

May said there was &quot;no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian state was culpable&quot; for the attack on Skripal and his daughter, who fell ill from exposure to a substance called Novichok in the city of Salisbury on March 4 and are currently in hospital.

The Russian ministry said May&#39;s statement was an &quot;unprecedentedly rude provocation which undermines the foundations of normal bilateral dialogue between our countries.&quot;

It accused London of pursuing a political agenda and choosing to &quot;aggravate relations,&quot; calling the announced measures &quot;hostile&quot;.

May also confirmed that neither members of the royal family nor ministers would attend the football World Cup in Russia this year.

&quot;Our response measures will not be tardy,&quot; the Russian foreign ministry said.

'The British government made a choice for confrontation with Russia,' the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement

Moscow on Wednesday called Britain's decision to expel 23 Russian diplomats over the poisoning of an ex-spy a sign that London was choosing confrontation with Russia, adding that retaliation would follow shortly. "The British government made a choice for confrontation with Russia," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday expelled the diplomats and suspended high-level contacts with Russia after Moscow did not respond to her demand for an explanation on how a Soviet-designed nerve agent came to be used to attack former spy Sergei Skripal on British soil. May said there was "no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian state was culpable" for the attack on Skripal and his daughter, who fell ill from exposure to a substance called Novichok in the city of Salisbury on March 4 and are currently in hospital. The Russian ministry said May's statement was an "unprecedentedly rude provocation which undermines the foundations of normal bilateral dialogue between our countries." It accused London of pursuing a political agenda and choosing to "aggravate relations," calling the announced measures "hostile". May also confirmed that neither members of the royal family nor ministers would attend the football World Cup in Russia this year. "Our response measures will not be tardy," the Russian foreign ministry said.

Moscow says will retaliate soon to Britain's expulsion of diplomats

Watch live:&nbsp;Jordan&#39;s King Abdullah II addresses conference on &lsquo;Islamic Heritage&#39;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="550" id="frmwion" scrolling="no" src="http://wionews.dittotv.com/?header=no" width="100%"></iframe>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, diplomats, representatives from a wide range of Islamic institutions, academicians and think-tanks are attending the event

Watch live: Jordan's King Abdullah II addresses conference on ‘Islamic Heritage'

Watch live: Jordan's King's speech on 'Islamic Heritage' from Vigyan Bhawan

The Trump administration is nearing completion of a new &quot;Buy American&quot; plan that calls for US military attaches and diplomats to help drum up billions of dollars more in business overseas for the American weapons industry, going beyond the assistance they currently provide, US officials said.

President Donald Trump as early as February is expected to announce a &quot;whole of government&quot; effort to ease export rules on purchases by foreign countries of US-made military equipment, from fighter jets and drones to warships and artillery, according to people familiar with the plan.

Trump is seeking to fulfil a 2016 election campaign promise to create jobs in the United States by selling more goods and services abroad to bring down the US trade deficit from a six-year high of $50 billion.

The administration is also under pressure from US defence contractors facing growing competition from foreign rivals such as China and Russia. But any loosening of the restrictions on weapons sales would be in defiance of human rights and arms control advocates who said there was too great a risk of fueling violence in regions such as the Middle East and South Asia or arms being diverted to be used in terrorist attacks.

Besides the greater use of a network of military and commercial attaches already stationed at US embassies in foreign capitals, senior officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said another thrust of the plan will be to set in motion a realignment of the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR). It is a central policy governing arms exports since 1976 and has not been fully revamped in more than three decades.

This expanded government effort on behalf of American arms makers, together with looser restrictions on weapons exports and more favourable treatment of sales to non-NATO allies and partners, could bring additional billions of dollars in deals and more jobs, a senior US official said, without providing specifics.

The strategy of having the Pentagon and the US State Department take a more active role in securing foreign arms deals could especially benefit major defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co.

&quot;We want to see those guys, the commercial and military attach, unfettered to be salesmen for this stuff, to be promoters,&quot; said the senior administration official, who is close to the internal deliberations and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A State Department official asked to confirm details of the coming new policy, said the revamped approach &quot;gives our partners a greater capacity to help share the burden of international security, benefits the defence industrial base and will provide more good jobs for American workers.&quot; 
The White House and Pentagon declined official comment.

Defense industry officials and lobbyists have privately welcomed what they expect will be a more sales-friendly approach. 
It is unclear how deeply the diplomats and military officers overseas will delve into dealmaking and what guidelines will be established, said officials in the administration.

Trump, a Republican, has the legal authority to direct government embassy &quot;security assistance officers,&quot; both military personnel and civilians, to do more to help drive arms sales.

Administration officials see this group, which already has duties such as managing military aid overseas and providing information to foreign governments for buying US arms, as underutilized by previous presidents.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/arms%20export-us-reuters-20180108015436.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
The Trump administration plans to cut regulations in order to boost arms sales overseas. (Reuters)
</div>
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&#39;Back seat&#39; for human rights?

One national security analyst said that easing export restrictions to allow defence contractors to reap greater profits internationally would increase the danger of top-of-the-line US weapons going to governments with poor human rights records or being used by militants.

&quot;This administration has demonstrated from the very beginning that human rights have taken a back seat to economic concerns,&quot; said Rachel Stohl, director of the conventional defense program at the Stimson Center in Washington. &quot;And the short-sightedness of a new arms export policy could have serious long-term implications.&quot;

The administration officials said human rights considerations would remain part of the formula for arms sales decisions. But they said such reviews would now afford greater weight than before to whether a deal would be good for the US economy and strengthen America&#39;s defence industrial base, in which case red tape would be cut accordingly.

Rules to make it easier to sell US-made military drones overseas and compete against fast-growing Chinese and Israeli rivals are also expected to be in the Trump plan, officials said.

Trump&#39;s Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, also sought to make it easier to sell to America&#39;s most trusted allies but in a more cautious approach that his administration billed as a way to boost American business while keeping strict controls against more dangerous arms proliferation. Foreign weapons sales soared during his tenure, with the United States retaining its position as the world&#39;s top arms supplier.

Shares of the five biggest US defence contractors, including Lockheed, Boeing, Raytheon Co, General Dynamics Corp and Northrop Grumman have more than tripled over the last five years and currently trade at or near all-time highs.

Foreign military sales in fiscal 2017, comprising much of Trump&#39;s first year in office and the final months of Obama&#39;s term, climbed to $42 billion, compared to $31 billion in the prior year, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The Trump administration is under pressure from US defence contractors facing growing competition from foreign rivals such as China and Russia.

The Trump administration is nearing completion of a new "Buy American" plan that calls for US military attaches and diplomats to help drum up billions of dollars more in business overseas for the American weapons industry, going beyond the assistance they currently provide, US officials said. President Donald Trump as early as February is expected to announce a "whole of government" effort to ease export rules on purchases by foreign countries of US-made military equipment, from fighter jets and drones to warships and artillery, according to people familiar with the plan. Trump is seeking to fulfil a 2016 election campaign promise to create jobs in the United States by selling more goods and services abroad to bring down the US trade deficit from a six-year high of $50 billion. The administration is also under pressure from US defence contractors facing growing competition from foreign rivals such as China and Russia. But any loosening of the restrictions on weapons sales would be in defiance of human rights and arms control advocates who said there was too great a risk of fueling violence in regions such as the Middle East and South Asia or arms being diverted to be used in terrorist attacks. Besides the greater use of a network of military and commercial attaches already stationed at US embassies in foreign capitals, senior officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said another thrust of the plan will be to set in motion a realignment of the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR). It is a central policy governing arms exports since 1976 and has not been fully revamped in more than three decades. This expanded government effort on behalf of American arms makers, together with looser restrictions on weapons exports and more favourable treatment of sales to non-NATO allies and partners, could bring additional billions of dollars in deals and more jobs, a senior US official said, without providing specifics. The strategy of having the Pentagon and the US State Department take a more active role in securing foreign arms deals could especially benefit major defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co. "We want to see those guys, the commercial and military attach, unfettered to be salesmen for this stuff, to be promoters," said the senior administration official, who is close to the internal deliberations and spoke on condition of anonymity. A State Department official asked to confirm details of the coming new policy, said the revamped approach "gives our partners a greater capacity to help share the burden of international security, benefits the defence industrial base and will provide more good jobs for American workers." The White House and Pentagon declined official comment. Defense industry officials and lobbyists have privately welcomed what they expect will be a more sales-friendly approach. It is unclear how deeply the diplomats and military officers overseas will delve into dealmaking and what guidelines will be established, said officials in the administration. Trump, a Republican, has the legal authority to direct government embassy "security assistance officers," both military personnel and civilians, to do more to help drive arms sales. Administration officials see this group, which already has duties such as managing military aid overseas and providing information to foreign governments for buying US arms, as underutilized by previous presidents. The Trump administration plans to cut regulations in order to boost arms sales overseas. (Reuters) × 'Back seat' for human rights? One national security analyst said that easing export restrictions to allow defence contractors to reap greater profits internationally would increase the danger of top-of-the-line US weapons going to governments with poor human rights records or being used by militants. "This administration has demonstrated from the very beginning that human rights have taken a back seat to economic concerns," said Rachel Stohl, director of the conventional defense program at the Stimson Center in Washington. "And the short-sightedness of a new arms export policy could have serious long-term implications." The administration officials said human rights considerations would remain part of the formula for arms sales decisions. But they said such reviews would now afford greater weight than before to whether a deal would be good for the US economy and strengthen America's defence industrial base, in which case red tape would be cut accordingly. Rules to make it easier to sell US-made military drones overseas and compete against fast-growing Chinese and Israeli rivals are also expected to be in the Trump plan, officials said. Trump's Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, also sought to make it easier to sell to America's most trusted allies but in a more cautious approach that his administration billed as a way to boost American business while keeping strict controls against more dangerous arms proliferation. Foreign weapons sales soared during his tenure, with the United States retaining its position as the world's top arms supplier. Shares of the five biggest US defence contractors, including Lockheed, Boeing, Raytheon Co, General Dynamics Corp and Northrop Grumman have more than tripled over the last five years and currently trade at or near all-time highs. Foreign military sales in fiscal 2017, comprising much of Trump's first year in office and the final months of Obama's term, climbed to $42 billion, compared to $31 billion in the prior year, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

Donald Trump to call on Pentagon, diplomats to play bigger role in arms sales: Sources

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