US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;on Tuesday accused Russia of&nbsp;continuing to "threaten Mediterranean stability" and sowing "chaos, conflict, and division" in countries around the region.

“All of these actions clearly demonstrate that if anyone is playing political games and trying to stall progress in regional conflicts, it is Russia, which only acts to advance its own interests to the detriment of the entire region,” Pompeo said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-urges-greece-turkey-to-resolve-mediterranean-row-pledges-support-330951">Pompeo urges Greece, Turkey to resolve Mediterranean row; pledges support</a>

In a statement on "Russian Influence in the Mediterranean," the outgoing Secretary of State blasted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over comments that the United States is playing political games in the Mediterranean region and turned the tables to say it is Russia that is undermining stability in Syria, Libya, and other countries.

Lavrov "again gets the facts wrong and attempts to rewrite history," Pompeo said, denouncing Moscow's actions.

His statement came the same day that Russian President Vladimir Putin finally congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden on his victory over Donald Trump in the November presidential election.

Russia maintains a sizable naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean and regularly conducts naval maneuvers in the area. It had conducted&nbsp;live-fire naval exercises in the region,&nbsp;where there are escalating tensions between Turkey and regional neighbors Greece and Cyprus over rights to offshore energy resources.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-impose-sanctions-on-turkey-over-russian-s-400-defense-system-349164">US to impose sanctions on Turkey over Russian S-400 defense system</a>

Russia, which is involved in energy projects across the region, has significantly strengthened its military, political and economic ties with Turkey in recent years. Moscow and Ankara are coordinating closely on their military presence in Syria, while Turkey has purchased Russia’s advanced S-400 missile defense system and broken ground on a Russian-built nuclear power plant on its southern coast.

The United States imposed sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian ground-to-air defences and targeted the top Turkish defence development body, its president, and three employees.

The move, focused on the defence sector, including Turkey's Defence Industries Directorate (SSB), has drawn condemnation from NATO-ally Ankara and is likely to further strain Erdogan's relations with Western allies.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday accused Russia of continuing to "threaten Mediterranean stability" and sowing "chaos, conflict, and division" in countries around the region.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday accused Russia of continuing to "threaten Mediterranean stability" and sowing "chaos, conflict, and division" in countries around the region. “All of these actions clearly demonstrate that if anyone is playing political games and trying to stall progress in regional conflicts, it is Russia, which only acts to advance its own interests to the detriment of the entire region,” Pompeo said in a statement. Also read: Pompeo urges Greece, Turkey to resolve Mediterranean row; pledges support In a statement on "Russian Influence in the Mediterranean," the outgoing Secretary of State blasted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over comments that the United States is playing political games in the Mediterranean region and turned the tables to say it is Russia that is undermining stability in Syria, Libya, and other countries. Lavrov "again gets the facts wrong and attempts to rewrite history," Pompeo said, denouncing Moscow's actions. His statement came the same day that Russian President Vladimir Putin finally congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden on his victory over Donald Trump in the November presidential election. Russia maintains a sizable naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean and regularly conducts naval maneuvers in the area. It had conducted live-fire naval exercises in the region, where there are escalating tensions between Turkey and regional neighbors Greece and Cyprus over rights to offshore energy resources. Also read: US to impose sanctions on Turkey over Russian S-400 defense system Russia, which is involved in energy projects across the region, has significantly strengthened its military, political and economic ties with Turkey in recent years. Moscow and Ankara are coordinating closely on their military presence in Syria, while Turkey has purchased Russia’s advanced S-400 missile defense system and broken ground on a Russian-built nuclear power plant on its southern coast. The United States imposed sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian ground-to-air defences and targeted the top Turkish defence development body, its president, and three employees. The move, focused on the defence sector, including Turkey's Defence Industries Directorate (SSB), has drawn condemnation from NATO-ally Ankara and is likely to further strain Erdogan's relations with Western allies.

Russia sowing 'chaos and conflict' in Mediterranean region, says Pompeo

China's&nbsp;Communist Party (CCP) is using its United Front Work Department for coercing and bullying “those who would oppose Beijing’s policies,” as per US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The United States has imposed visa restrictions on these Chinese officials and others who have used or threatened to use violence, the release of private information or other coercive tactics to intimidate critics.

“The United Front frequently intimidates members of academia, businesses, civil society groups, and Chinese diaspora communities, including members of ethnic and religious minority communities who speak out against horrific human rights abuses taking place in Xinjiang, Tibet, and elsewhere in China,” he said, saying that its coercive tactics include the release of personal details of their targets, a practice known as “doxing.”

Pompeo said the visa restrictions would apply to those “who have engaged in the use or threat of physical violence, theft, and release of private information, espionage, sabotage, or malicious interference in domestic political affairs, academic freedom, personal privacy, or business activity.”

He accused China of seeking to “co-opt and coerce” people in the United States and elsewhere to support its “authoritarian narratives and policy preferences” and called on Beijing “to end its use of coercion and intimidation tactics to suppress freedom of expression.”

The&nbsp;United Front Work Department&nbsp;gathers intelligence on, manages relations with, and attempts to influence elite individuals and organisations inside and outside China. It is the driving force behind China's foreign influence campaigns. Under Xi Jinping, its operations have become more organised, expansive, and even insidious.

In 2017,&nbsp;the University of California, San Diego announced that the Dalai Lama will deliver a keynote speech at a commencement ceremony.&nbsp;There was a push back&nbsp;led by Chinese students and within hours of the university's announcement, the Chinese students and scholars association issued a statement. It was organised by the&nbsp;United Front Work Department.

It said: "If the university insists on acting unilaterally and inviting the Dalai Lama to give a speech at the graduation ceremony, our association vows to take further measures to firmly resist the university’s unreasonable behavior."

According to reports,&nbsp;hundreds of organisations for ethnic Chinese people have been formed in the West with each of them having&nbsp;direct or indirect links to the&nbsp;United Front Work Department.

Chinese students travelling overseas for education seems to be ideal candidates for recruitment.&nbsp;

According to reports, China's state security police recruited "long term moles" from more than half a million students studying overseas in 2018.

China's Communist Party (CCP) is using its United Front Work Department for coercing and bullying “those who would oppose Beijing’s policies,” as per US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

China's Communist Party (CCP) is using its United Front Work Department for coercing and bullying “those who would oppose Beijing’s policies,” as per US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The United States has imposed visa restrictions on these Chinese officials and others who have used or threatened to use violence, the release of private information or other coercive tactics to intimidate critics. “The United Front frequently intimidates members of academia, businesses, civil society groups, and Chinese diaspora communities, including members of ethnic and religious minority communities who speak out against horrific human rights abuses taking place in Xinjiang, Tibet, and elsewhere in China,” he said, saying that its coercive tactics include the release of personal details of their targets, a practice known as “doxing.” Pompeo said the visa restrictions would apply to those “who have engaged in the use or threat of physical violence, theft, and release of private information, espionage, sabotage, or malicious interference in domestic political affairs, academic freedom, personal privacy, or business activity.” He accused China of seeking to “co-opt and coerce” people in the United States and elsewhere to support its “authoritarian narratives and policy preferences” and called on Beijing “to end its use of coercion and intimidation tactics to suppress freedom of expression.” The United Front Work Department gathers intelligence on, manages relations with, and attempts to influence elite individuals and organisations inside and outside China. It is the driving force behind China's foreign influence campaigns. Under Xi Jinping, its operations have become more organised, expansive, and even insidious. In 2017, the University of California, San Diego announced that the Dalai Lama will deliver a keynote speech at a commencement ceremony. There was a push back led by Chinese students and within hours of the university's announcement, the Chinese students and scholars association issued a statement. It was organised by the United Front Work Department. It said: "If the university insists on acting unilaterally and inviting the Dalai Lama to give a speech at the graduation ceremony, our association vows to take further measures to firmly resist the university’s unreasonable behavior." According to reports, hundreds of organisations for ethnic Chinese people have been formed in the West with each of them having direct or indirect links to the United Front Work Department. Chinese students travelling overseas for education seems to be ideal candidates for recruitment. According to reports, China's state security police recruited "long term moles" from more than half a million students studying overseas in 2018.

How is CCP using United Front Work Department for its sinister agendas

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that President Donald Trump's administration, in a&nbsp;"fundamental change", has removed Sudan from the List of state sponsors of terrorism, a move that could help the African country get international loans to revive its battered economy and end its pariah status.&nbsp;

"Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism is officially rescinded.&nbsp;This represents a fundamental change in our bilateral relationship toward greater collaboration and support for Sudan's historic democratic transition," Pompeo said in a <a href="https://www.state.gov/sudans-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-designation-rescinded/">statement</a>.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-to-normalise-relations-with-israel-trump-announces-337538">Sudan to normalise relations with Israel, Trump announces</a>

Sudan has had the designation since 1993, on the grounds that ousted President Omar al-Bashir briefly hosted al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and other wanted militants. Sudan was also believed to have served as a pipeline for Iran to supply weapons to Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

The move comes after a 45-day Congressional review period following Trump's announcement of his intention to remove Sudan from the list, which was swiftly followed by the announcement that Israel and Sudan intend to normalise relations.

Delisting Sudan is also a key incentive for the government in Khartoum to normalise relations with Israel.

The two countries have agreed to have full diplomatic ties, making Sudan the third Arab state&nbsp;after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain&nbsp;to move to normalize relations with Israel this year. After Sudan, Morocco also established diplomatic ties with Israel.

Sudan is on a fragile transition to democracy following an uprising that led to the military's ouster of former autocratic President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.

The county is now ruled by a joint military and civilian government that seeks better ties with Washington and the West.

In October, Trump announced that he would remove Sudan from the list if it follows through on its pledge to pay $335 million to American terror victims and their families.

Sudan has agreed to pay compensation for victims of the 1998 bombings of the US&nbsp;Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, attacks carried out by al-Qaida while bin Laden was living in Sudan.

According to the October announcement, once the compensation money was deposited, Trump was to sign an order removing Sudan from the terrorism list on which it has languished under heavy American sanctions for 27 years.

Since Trump's announcement, the Sudanese government also inked an agreement with the US&nbsp;That could effectively stop any future compensation claims being filed against the African country in US&nbsp;Courts.

That deal restores in US&nbsp;Courts what is known as sovereign immunity to the Sudanese government. It would however enter into force after U.S. Congress passes legislation needed to implement the agreement. Khartoum has said the $335 million in compensation money would be held in an escrow account until then.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that President Donald Trump's administration, in a "fundamental change", has removed Sudan from the List of state sponsors of terrorism, a move that could help the African country get international loans to revive its battered economy and end its pariah status.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that President Donald Trump's administration, in a "fundamental change", has removed Sudan from the List of state sponsors of terrorism, a move that could help the African country get international loans to revive its battered economy and end its pariah status. "Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism is officially rescinded. This represents a fundamental change in our bilateral relationship toward greater collaboration and support for Sudan's historic democratic transition," Pompeo said in a statement. Also read: Sudan to normalise relations with Israel, Trump announces Sudan has had the designation since 1993, on the grounds that ousted President Omar al-Bashir briefly hosted al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and other wanted militants. Sudan was also believed to have served as a pipeline for Iran to supply weapons to Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. The move comes after a 45-day Congressional review period following Trump's announcement of his intention to remove Sudan from the list, which was swiftly followed by the announcement that Israel and Sudan intend to normalise relations. Delisting Sudan is also a key incentive for the government in Khartoum to normalise relations with Israel. The two countries have agreed to have full diplomatic ties, making Sudan the third Arab state after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to move to normalize relations with Israel this year. After Sudan, Morocco also established diplomatic ties with Israel. Sudan is on a fragile transition to democracy following an uprising that led to the military's ouster of former autocratic President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. The county is now ruled by a joint military and civilian government that seeks better ties with Washington and the West. In October, Trump announced that he would remove Sudan from the list if it follows through on its pledge to pay $335 million to American terror victims and their families. Sudan has agreed to pay compensation for victims of the 1998 bombings of the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, attacks carried out by al-Qaida while bin Laden was living in Sudan. According to the October announcement, once the compensation money was deposited, Trump was to sign an order removing Sudan from the terrorism list on which it has languished under heavy American sanctions for 27 years. Since Trump's announcement, the Sudanese government also inked an agreement with the US That could effectively stop any future compensation claims being filed against the African country in US Courts. That deal restores in US Courts what is known as sovereign immunity to the Sudanese government. It would however enter into force after U.S. Congress passes legislation needed to implement the agreement. Khartoum has said the $335 million in compensation money would be held in an escrow account until then.

'Fundamental change': Mike Pompeo says Sudan no longer on list of terror sponsors

The State Department’s acting inspector general will step down from his role on Friday, according to a spokesman for the inspector general’s office. The decision came as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s office criticized the watchdog agency regarding a report it published about official trips taken by Pompeo’s wife.

Matthew Klimow, the acting inspector general, was already scheduled to leave his post later this month because of provisions in the Vacancies Reform Act, a law that allows acting officials to serve for no more than 210 days after a role is declared vacant.

It was the latest sign of upheaval in the department’s office of the inspector general, which investigates corruption and wrongdoing at the agency and has had a tumultuous relationship with Pompeo and top officials.

The inspector general’s office on Thursday released a report that said State Department officials did not have sufficient documentation for some official trips taken by Susan Pompeo, Pompeo’s wife. The report said no laws had been broken and that no penalty should be assessed. This is one of two investigations into Pompeo’s potential misuse of government resources.

Shortly after the report was released, Pompeo’s office released a statement saying the couple was “fully vindicated from baseless claims” by Democrats and the media. His office went on to criticize the inspector general’s office for wasting “both time and taxpayer resources on this report.”

Ryan Holden, a spokesman for the inspector general’s office, did not say that Klimow’s departure was because of criticism from Pompeo’s office. He said Klimow’s tenure was “always anticipated” to end and that the departing inspector general had “a desire to return” to the embassy in Turkmenistan, where Klimow was the U.S. ambassador before becoming acting inspector general.

The State Department declined to comment on Klimow’s decision to exit the role earlier than expected.

Klimow’s plans to leave his post this week was reported earlier Thursday by The Washington Post.

In May, President Donald Trump fired a previous inspector general at the State Department, Steve Linick, at Pompeo’s private urging. Linick had opened investigations into Pompeo’s potential misuse of department resources and his effort to push arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Linick was succeeded by Stephen Akard, who stepped down from his role after less than three months.

Pompeo and his wife are still subject to another investigation into potential misuse of government resources. This one concerns allegations that a political appointee was asked to perform personal and political tasks for Pompeo and his wife, including picking up dry cleaning, making restaurant reservations and walking the family dog, Sherman.

Pompeo has dismissed accusations at the center of that inquiry and has repeatedly refused to meet with inspector general staff on the issue.

The State Department’s acting inspector general will step down from his role on Friday, according to a spokesman for the inspector general’s office. The decision came as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s office criticized the watchdog agency regarding a report it published about official trips taken by Pompeo’s wife.

The State Department’s acting inspector general will step down from his role on Friday, according to a spokesman for the inspector general’s office. The decision came as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s office criticized the watchdog agency regarding a report it published about official trips taken by Pompeo’s wife. Matthew Klimow, the acting inspector general, was already scheduled to leave his post later this month because of provisions in the Vacancies Reform Act, a law that allows acting officials to serve for no more than 210 days after a role is declared vacant. It was the latest sign of upheaval in the department’s office of the inspector general, which investigates corruption and wrongdoing at the agency and has had a tumultuous relationship with Pompeo and top officials. The inspector general’s office on Thursday released a report that said State Department officials did not have sufficient documentation for some official trips taken by Susan Pompeo, Pompeo’s wife. The report said no laws had been broken and that no penalty should be assessed. This is one of two investigations into Pompeo’s potential misuse of government resources. Shortly after the report was released, Pompeo’s office released a statement saying the couple was “fully vindicated from baseless claims” by Democrats and the media. His office went on to criticize the inspector general’s office for wasting “both time and taxpayer resources on this report.” Ryan Holden, a spokesman for the inspector general’s office, did not say that Klimow’s departure was because of criticism from Pompeo’s office. He said Klimow’s tenure was “always anticipated” to end and that the departing inspector general had “a desire to return” to the embassy in Turkmenistan, where Klimow was the U.S. ambassador before becoming acting inspector general. The State Department declined to comment on Klimow’s decision to exit the role earlier than expected. Klimow’s plans to leave his post this week was reported earlier Thursday by The Washington Post. In May, President Donald Trump fired a previous inspector general at the State Department, Steve Linick, at Pompeo’s private urging. Linick had opened investigations into Pompeo’s potential misuse of department resources and his effort to push arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Linick was succeeded by Stephen Akard, who stepped down from his role after less than three months. Pompeo and his wife are still subject to another investigation into potential misuse of government resources. This one concerns allegations that a political appointee was asked to perform personal and political tasks for Pompeo and his wife, including picking up dry cleaning, making restaurant reservations and walking the family dog, Sherman. Pompeo has dismissed accusations at the center of that inquiry and has repeatedly refused to meet with inspector general staff on the issue.

State department watchdog announces early departure as Pompeo criticizes his office

The United States on Monday imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on 14 Chinese officials over their alleged role in Beijing’s disqualification last month of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong.

The move, which was first reported by Reuters overnight and sent Asian stock markets lower, targeted the vice chairpersons of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), the top decision-making body of the Chinese legislature.

The action was widely seen as part of an effort by outgoing President Donald Trump to cement his tough-on-China legacy and also box president-elect Joe Biden, before he takes office on Jan. 20, into hardline positions on Beijing at a time of bipartisan anti-China sentiment in Congress.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-bans-us-investments-in-companies-linked-to-chinese-military-348176" hreflang="en">Trump bans US investments in companies linked to Chinese military</a>

The Trump administration earlier slapped sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the Asian financial hub’s current and former police chiefs and other top officials in August for what it said was their role in curtailing freedoms in a crackdown on the territory’s pro-democracy movement.

“Beijing’s unrelenting assault against Hong Kong’s democratic processes has gutted its Legislative Council, rendering the body a rubber stamp devoid of meaningful opposition,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed government last month expelled four opposition members from its legislature after China’s parliament gave city authorities new powers to curb dissent. The move triggered mass resignations by pro-democracy opposition lawmakers in the former British colony.

White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien said in November the expulsion showed the “One Country, Two Systems” formula, under which Hong Kong’s autonomy was to be safeguarded after Britain handed the territory back to China in 1997, was now “merely a fig leaf”, and he promised further U.S. action.

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Pompeo said the NPCSC has effectively “neutered” the ability of people in Hong Kong to choose their elected representatives. “These actions demonstrate once again Beijing’s complete disregard for its international commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a U.N.-registered treaty.”

Beijing’s action heightened alarm in the West. The Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group - comprised of Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States - said last month the move appeared to be part of a campaign to silence critics and called on China to reverse course.

The sanctions prohibit 14 individuals and their immediate members from travelling to the United States. Any assets the officials might have within the United States will be blocked and U.S. individuals and companies will be banned from dealing with them.

The news kept global markets on edge as investors fretted over fresh Sino-US tensions, which offset bets over more stimulus in Europe and the United States.

The United States on Monday imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on 14 Chinese officials over their alleged role in Beijing’s disqualification last month of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong.

The United States on Monday imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on 14 Chinese officials over their alleged role in Beijing’s disqualification last month of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong. The move, which was first reported by Reuters overnight and sent Asian stock markets lower, targeted the vice chairpersons of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), the top decision-making body of the Chinese legislature. The action was widely seen as part of an effort by outgoing President Donald Trump to cement his tough-on-China legacy and also box president-elect Joe Biden, before he takes office on Jan. 20, into hardline positions on Beijing at a time of bipartisan anti-China sentiment in Congress. Also read| Trump bans US investments in companies linked to Chinese military The Trump administration earlier slapped sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the Asian financial hub’s current and former police chiefs and other top officials in August for what it said was their role in curtailing freedoms in a crackdown on the territory’s pro-democracy movement. “Beijing’s unrelenting assault against Hong Kong’s democratic processes has gutted its Legislative Council, rendering the body a rubber stamp devoid of meaningful opposition,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed government last month expelled four opposition members from its legislature after China’s parliament gave city authorities new powers to curb dissent. The move triggered mass resignations by pro-democracy opposition lawmakers in the former British colony. White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien said in November the expulsion showed the “One Country, Two Systems” formula, under which Hong Kong’s autonomy was to be safeguarded after Britain handed the territory back to China in 1997, was now “merely a fig leaf”, and he promised further U.S. action. × Pompeo said the NPCSC has effectively “neutered” the ability of people in Hong Kong to choose their elected representatives. “These actions demonstrate once again Beijing’s complete disregard for its international commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a U.N.-registered treaty.” Beijing’s action heightened alarm in the West. The Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group - comprised of Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States - said last month the move appeared to be part of a campaign to silence critics and called on China to reverse course. The sanctions prohibit 14 individuals and their immediate members from travelling to the United States. Any assets the officials might have within the United States will be blocked and U.S. individuals and companies will be banned from dealing with them. The news kept global markets on edge as investors fretted over fresh Sino-US tensions, which offset bets over more stimulus in Europe and the United States.

US slaps sanctions on 14 Chinese officials over Hong Kong crackdown

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday that his country has designated&nbsp;Pakistan and&nbsp;China as&nbsp;countries of particular concern for violation of religious freedom.

The United States releases a&nbsp;list of countries with a dubious record on religious freedoms every year.

The US State Department issued a list of countries on Monday including&nbsp;Pakistan and China along with Myanmar, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan were placed in the list for engaging in or tolerating&nbsp;systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-china-intelligence-sharing-deal-threatens-us-peace-efforts-in-afghanistan-318932">Pakistan-China intelligence-sharing deal threatens US peace efforts in Afghanistan</a>

The State Department placed the Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Russia on a Special Watch List (SWL) for governments that have engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.

Pompeo said "Religious freedom is an unalienable right and the bedrock upon which free societies are built and flourish. Today, the United States -- a nation founded by those fleeing religious persecution, as the recent Commission on Unalienable Rights report noted -- once again took action to defend those who simply want to exercise this essential freedom.''

The US also designated al-Shabaab, al-Qaida, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, and the Taliban as 'Entities of Particular Concern'.

Pompeo said the US did not renew the prior 'Entity of Particular Concern' designations for al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS-Khorasan due to the total loss of territory formerly controlled by these terrorist organisations.

"While these two groups no longer meet the statutory criteria for designation, we will not rest until we have fully eliminated the threat of religious freedom abuses by any violent extremist and terrorist groups," he said.

Pompeo said Sudan and Uzbekistan have been removed from the Special Watch List based on significant, concrete progress undertaken by their respective governments over the past year.

"The courageous reforms of their laws and practices stand as models for other nations to follow," he said.

However, our work is far from complete. Pompeo said, adding that the US will continue to work tirelessly to end religiously motivated abuses and persecution around the world and to help ensure that each person, everywhere, at all times, has the right to live according to the dictates of conscience.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) praised the State Department's move to put 10 nations in the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs), including Nigeria for the first time, and four countries on the SWL for severe violations, pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday that his country has designated Pakistan and China as countries of particular concern for violation of religious freedom.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday that his country has designated Pakistan and China as countries of particular concern for violation of religious freedom. The United States releases a list of countries with a dubious record on religious freedoms every year. The US State Department issued a list of countries on Monday including Pakistan and China along with Myanmar, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan were placed in the list for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom. Also read: Pakistan-China intelligence-sharing deal threatens US peace efforts in Afghanistan The State Department placed the Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Russia on a Special Watch List (SWL) for governments that have engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom. Pompeo said "Religious freedom is an unalienable right and the bedrock upon which free societies are built and flourish. Today, the United States -- a nation founded by those fleeing religious persecution, as the recent Commission on Unalienable Rights report noted -- once again took action to defend those who simply want to exercise this essential freedom.'' The US also designated al-Shabaab, al-Qaida, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, and the Taliban as 'Entities of Particular Concern'. Pompeo said the US did not renew the prior 'Entity of Particular Concern' designations for al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS-Khorasan due to the total loss of territory formerly controlled by these terrorist organisations. "While these two groups no longer meet the statutory criteria for designation, we will not rest until we have fully eliminated the threat of religious freedom abuses by any violent extremist and terrorist groups," he said. Pompeo said Sudan and Uzbekistan have been removed from the Special Watch List based on significant, concrete progress undertaken by their respective governments over the past year. "The courageous reforms of their laws and practices stand as models for other nations to follow," he said. However, our work is far from complete. Pompeo said, adding that the US will continue to work tirelessly to end religiously motivated abuses and persecution around the world and to help ensure that each person, everywhere, at all times, has the right to live according to the dictates of conscience. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) praised the State Department's move to put 10 nations in the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs), including Nigeria for the first time, and four countries on the SWL for severe violations, pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).

US re-designates Pakistan, China as countries curbing religious freedom

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said that the country will impose visa restrictions on Chinese nationals who are engaged in overseas influence operations or have tried to silent dissent via threatening or any other coercive tactics.&nbsp;

"The United Front frequently intimidates members of academia, businesses, civil society groups, and Chinese diaspora communities, including members of ethnic and religious minority communities who speak out against horrific human rights abuses taking place in Xinjiang, Tibet, and elsewhere in China," said Pompeo, as quoted by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) United Front Work Department has been involved in putting pressure on people who slam China for human rights abuses in Uighur region, Tibet, and elsewhere, the secretary of state said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-intel-chief-says-china-has-created-biologically-enhanced-super-soldiers-347331">US intel chief says China has created biologically enhanced super soldiers</a>

He also said the 'coercive tactics' include releasing the personal information of dissenters or their family members online as a means of intimidation, a practice known as "doxing."

The visa restriction would apply to those "who have engaged in the use or threat of physical violence, theft and release of private information, espionage, sabotage, or malicious interference in domestic political affairs, academic freedom, personal privacy, or business activity," said Pompeo.

He said that those people whose actions "contravene the rules-based international order are not welcome" in the US.

The measure is the latest taken by the US against China after it took strict actions against the nation over human rights abuses, coronavirus pandemic and trade among others.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said that the country will impose visa restrictions on Chinese nationals who are engaged in overseas influence operations or have tried to silent dissent via threatening or any other coercive tactics.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said that the country will impose visa restrictions on Chinese nationals who are engaged in overseas influence operations or have tried to silent dissent via threatening or any other coercive tactics. "The United Front frequently intimidates members of academia, businesses, civil society groups, and Chinese diaspora communities, including members of ethnic and religious minority communities who speak out against horrific human rights abuses taking place in Xinjiang, Tibet, and elsewhere in China," said Pompeo, as quoted by news agency Reuters. Watch | The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) United Front Work Department has been involved in putting pressure on people who slam China for human rights abuses in Uighur region, Tibet, and elsewhere, the secretary of state said. Also read | US intel chief says China has created biologically enhanced super soldiers He also said the 'coercive tactics' include releasing the personal information of dissenters or their family members online as a means of intimidation, a practice known as "doxing." The visa restriction would apply to those "who have engaged in the use or threat of physical violence, theft and release of private information, espionage, sabotage, or malicious interference in domestic political affairs, academic freedom, personal privacy, or business activity," said Pompeo. He said that those people whose actions "contravene the rules-based international order are not welcome" in the US. The measure is the latest taken by the US against China after it took strict actions against the nation over human rights abuses, coronavirus pandemic and trade among others.

US slaps visa restrictions on Chinese nationals involved in crushing dissent

Violence in Afghanistan is "unacceptably high" as delayed peace negotiations get underway, US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, adding that Washington has asked the warring parties to "stand back and indeed stand down." 
 
Pompeo`s comments, made in a virtual address to the IISS Manama Dialogue, an annual security conference, came two days after Kabul-backed and Taliban negotiators reached a deal in Doha to proceed with talks on a political settlement to decades of strife. 
 
The negotiations were to have begun on March 10 under a US-Taliban accord for a US&nbsp;troop withdrawal. But they were delayed by disputes mainly over prisoner releases and the rules and procedure for the talks amid surging violence. 
 
Pompeo noted that he met with the negotiating teams during a November&nbsp;21 visit to Doha and he said he told both sides that the strife must be reduced. 
 
"I made clear to them that the violence levels can`t continue while these negotiations go on and it won`t work," Pompeo said. 
 
"We`ve asked all of them to stand back and indeed stand down in that respect," he said, adding that he hoped that the sides can begin to address some of the "front end" issues, including a nationwide ceasefire. 
&nbsp;

Violence in Afghanistan is "unacceptably high" as delayed peace negotiations get underway, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, adding that Washington has asked the warring parties to "stand back and indeed stand down.

Violence in Afghanistan is "unacceptably high" as delayed peace negotiations get underway, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, adding that Washington has asked the warring parties to "stand back and indeed stand down." Pompeo`s comments, made in a virtual address to the IISS Manama Dialogue, an annual security conference, came two days after Kabul-backed and Taliban negotiators reached a deal in Doha to proceed with talks on a political settlement to decades of strife. The negotiations were to have begun on March 10 under a US-Taliban accord for a US troop withdrawal. But they were delayed by disputes mainly over prisoner releases and the rules and procedure for the talks amid surging violence. Pompeo noted that he met with the negotiating teams during a November 21 visit to Doha and he said he told both sides that the strife must be reduced. "I made clear to them that the violence levels can`t continue while these negotiations go on and it won`t work," Pompeo said. "We`ve asked all of them to stand back and indeed stand down in that respect," he said, adding that he hoped that the sides can begin to address some of the "front end" issues, including a nationwide ceasefire.

Pompeo says violence levels in Afghanistan 'unacceptably high'

US President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;is all set to announce his&nbsp;cabinet picks shortly, and one of the main positions of Secretary of State might be filled by the&nbsp;veteran diplomat Antony Blinken, sources have revealed.

Blinken has earlier served as one of the top officials at the State Department and as deputy&nbsp;national security adviser in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/barack-obama">Obama</a> administration — with Joe Biden as the Vice President.

A close Biden ally has now revealed to local media houses that the 58-year-old is most likely to be Joe Biden's most likely pick to replace Mike Pompeo from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>'s cabinet, after Biden's historic win in the recently-held <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections.</a>

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-to-name-his-cabinet-ministers-on-tuesday-344730">Joe Biden to name his cabinet ministers on Tuesday</a>

Married to Evan Ryan — who has served as&nbsp;Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs — Blinken and his family has been a longtime confidante of Biden.

Often referred to as "diplomat's diplomat," Blinken is known to be deliberative and relatively soft-spoken, with expertise in nuances of foreign policy. The Harvard-educated scholar started his political career in&nbsp;late 1980s when he helped Michael Dukakis' presidential campaign raise money, and later joined&nbsp;President Bill Clinton's White House as a speechwriter and became one of his national security aides.

Blinken was also a strong support for the Biden-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/kamala-harris">Harris</a>&nbsp;campaign, lending them a helping hand his expert thoughts in matters beyond foreign policy too.

US President-elect Joe Biden is all set to announce his cabinet picks shortly, and one of the main positions of Secretary of State might be filled by the veteran diplomat Antony Blinken, sources have revealed.

US President-elect Joe Biden is all set to announce his cabinet picks shortly, and one of the main positions of Secretary of State might be filled by the veteran diplomat Antony Blinken, sources have revealed. Blinken has earlier served as one of the top officials at the State Department and as deputy national security adviser in the Obama administration — with Joe Biden as the Vice President. A close Biden ally has now revealed to local media houses that the 58-year-old is most likely to be Joe Biden's most likely pick to replace Mike Pompeo from Donald Trump's cabinet, after Biden's historic win in the recently-held US elections. Also read| Joe Biden to name his cabinet ministers on Tuesday Married to Evan Ryan — who has served as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs — Blinken and his family has been a longtime confidante of Biden. Often referred to as "diplomat's diplomat," Blinken is known to be deliberative and relatively soft-spoken, with expertise in nuances of foreign policy. The Harvard-educated scholar started his political career in late 1980s when he helped Michael Dukakis' presidential campaign raise money, and later joined President Bill Clinton's White House as a speechwriter and became one of his national security aides. Blinken was also a strong support for the Biden-Harris campaign, lending them a helping hand his expert thoughts in matters beyond foreign policy too.

Joe Biden to name Antony Blinken as Secretary of State: Reports

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held secret talks in Saudi Arabia Sunday with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, media said, in the first reported trip by an Israeli premier to the kingdom.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was in Israel last week, was also at the reported talks, a diplomatic correspondent at Israeli public broadcaster Kan said on Monday.&nbsp;

The broadcaster cited unnamed Israeli officials as saying that Netanyahu and the head of the Mossad spy agency, Yossi Cohen, "flew yesterday to Saudi Arabia and met Pompeo and MBS in the city of Neom", referring to the often used initials of Prince Mohammed.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-netanyahu-and-israel-trumps-gifts-kept-on-coming-344662">For Netanyahu and Israel, Trump’s gifts kept on coming</a>

The reported meeting comes weeks after Israel agreed historic US-brokered deals to normalise ties with two Saudi allies in the Gulf, the UAE and Bahrain, pacts known as the Abraham Accords.&nbsp;

Multiple other Israeli media outlets reported on a Netanyahu trip to Saudi Arabia, including prominent diplomatic correspondent Barak Ravid of Walla News and Axios, who reported Netanyahu and Cohen flew on a plane belonging to Israeli businessman Udi Angel.&nbsp;

Ravid also cited flight tracker data that apparently showed Angel's plane leaving Israel at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) on Sunday, heading to Neom on the Red Sea and returning to Israel five hours later.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-says-us-to-label-exports-from-west-bank-settlements-as-made-in-israel-344096">Pompeo says US to label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel'</a>

Netanyahu's office was not immediately available to comment on the reports.&nbsp;

The Saudi royal court and media ministry did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment on the reported meeting between Netanyahu, Prince Mohamed and Pompeo.

Pompeo had travelled to Neom on Sunday from the UAE as part of a Middle East tour. &nbsp;

The Abraham Accords were brokered by outgoing US President Donald Trump's administration.&nbsp;

US and Israeli officials have repeatedly indicated that more Arab states were set to forge ties with Israel. Sudan has agreed to do so in principle.&nbsp;

In late August, Netanyahu said Israel was holding secret talks with multiple Arab countries.

Publicly, Saudi Arabia has said it would stick to the decades-old Arab League position of not having ties with Israel until the Jewish state's conflict with the Palestinians is resolved.&nbsp;

Israeli experts have raised questions about the prospects of expanding the Abraham Accords under US President-elect Joe Biden's administration, particularly with respect to Saudi Arabia. &nbsp;

Trump's administration downplayed the role of human rights in international diplomacy, and in particular was cautious about criticising Saudi Arabia's rights record, notably over the murder by Saudi agents of prominent journalist and Saudi royal critic Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

Multiple Israeli analysts have said that a Biden administration, which will face pressure from the progressive left in the Democratic Party, would suffer a backlash if it pushed for an Israeli-Saudi peace deal without any meaningful rights reforms agreed by Saudi Arabia.

With Trump's term set to end on January 20, some Israeli experts have speculated that Washington would lobby hard for an Israeli-Saudi deal before Biden takes office.&nbsp;

Israel and the Arab Gulf state have engaged in quiet diplomacy for years over their common foe Iran.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held secret talks in Saudi Arabia Sunday with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, media said, in the first reported trip by an Israeli premier to the kingdom.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held secret talks in Saudi Arabia Sunday with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, media said, in the first reported trip by an Israeli premier to the kingdom. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was in Israel last week, was also at the reported talks, a diplomatic correspondent at Israeli public broadcaster Kan said on Monday. The broadcaster cited unnamed Israeli officials as saying that Netanyahu and the head of the Mossad spy agency, Yossi Cohen, "flew yesterday to Saudi Arabia and met Pompeo and MBS in the city of Neom", referring to the often used initials of Prince Mohammed. Also read| For Netanyahu and Israel, Trump’s gifts kept on coming The reported meeting comes weeks after Israel agreed historic US-brokered deals to normalise ties with two Saudi allies in the Gulf, the UAE and Bahrain, pacts known as the Abraham Accords. Multiple other Israeli media outlets reported on a Netanyahu trip to Saudi Arabia, including prominent diplomatic correspondent Barak Ravid of Walla News and Axios, who reported Netanyahu and Cohen flew on a plane belonging to Israeli businessman Udi Angel. Ravid also cited flight tracker data that apparently showed Angel's plane leaving Israel at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) on Sunday, heading to Neom on the Red Sea and returning to Israel five hours later. Also read| Pompeo says US to label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel' Netanyahu's office was not immediately available to comment on the reports. The Saudi royal court and media ministry did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment on the reported meeting between Netanyahu, Prince Mohamed and Pompeo. Pompeo had travelled to Neom on Sunday from the UAE as part of a Middle East tour. The Abraham Accords were brokered by outgoing US President Donald Trump's administration. US and Israeli officials have repeatedly indicated that more Arab states were set to forge ties with Israel. Sudan has agreed to do so in principle. In late August, Netanyahu said Israel was holding secret talks with multiple Arab countries. Publicly, Saudi Arabia has said it would stick to the decades-old Arab League position of not having ties with Israel until the Jewish state's conflict with the Palestinians is resolved. Israeli experts have raised questions about the prospects of expanding the Abraham Accords under US President-elect Joe Biden's administration, particularly with respect to Saudi Arabia. Trump's administration downplayed the role of human rights in international diplomacy, and in particular was cautious about criticising Saudi Arabia's rights record, notably over the murder by Saudi agents of prominent journalist and Saudi royal critic Jamal Khashoggi. Multiple Israeli analysts have said that a Biden administration, which will face pressure from the progressive left in the Democratic Party, would suffer a backlash if it pushed for an Israeli-Saudi peace deal without any meaningful rights reforms agreed by Saudi Arabia. With Trump's term set to end on January 20, some Israeli experts have speculated that Washington would lobby hard for an Israeli-Saudi deal before Biden takes office. Israel and the Arab Gulf state have engaged in quiet diplomacy for years over their common foe Iran.

Israeli PM held secret talks in Saudi with crown prince, Pompeo: Media

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met negotiators from the Afghan government & the Taliban in Doha. The meet shows progress in talks between the groups as Washington DC is speeding up its withdraw from the region.

Mike Pompeo in Qatar, meets Taliban negotiators

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met negotiators from the Afghan government and the Taliban in Doha.

Saturday's visit comes in the wake of a rocket attack which struck densely populated areas of Kabul, killing at least eight people in the latest outbreak of violence in the Afghan capital.

This was also the first meeting of the top American diplomat with the Taliban and the Afghans representatives after the US' recent announcement that it will reduce the number of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to 2,500 each by January 15 next year. The US currently has a little over 4,500 troops in Afghanistan.

"Met with both Taliban and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's negotiating teams in Doha. I commend both sides for continuing to negotiate and for the progress they have made. I encourage expedited discussions on a political roadmap and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire," Pompeo said in tweet on Saturday.

Pompeo met today with Taliban Political Deputy and Head of the Political Office Mullah Beradar and members of the Taliban negotiating team, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown said.

During the meeting, Pompeo commended both sides for continuing to negotiate and for the progress they have made, he said.

In his meeting with the Taliban, Pompeo commended both sides for continuing to negotiate and for the progress they have made. He called for a significant reduction in violence and encouraged expedited discussions on a political roadmap and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.

Pompeo reiterated that the people of Afghanistan expect and deserve to live in peace and security after 40 years of war and bloodshed, he said, adding tha the US Secretary of State also meet with Qatari Foreign Minister Al Thani in Doha and discuss bilateral and regional issues.

"We appreciate Qatar's ongoing support as a host to the Afghan peace negotiations. A united Gulf remains crucial for countering Iran's malign influence in the region," Pompeo said in another tweet.

The US signed an agreement with the Taliban in February to promote a negotiated end to the protracted conflict. Afghan government and Taliban negotiators have been meeting in Doha on a regular basis to try to broker a peace deal but have yet to yield any major breakthrough.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met negotiators from the Afghan government and the Taliban in Doha. Saturday's visit comes in the wake of a rocket attack which struck densely populated areas of Kabul, killing at least eight people in the latest outbreak of violence in the Afghan capital.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met negotiators from the Afghan government and the Taliban in Doha. Saturday's visit comes in the wake of a rocket attack which struck densely populated areas of Kabul, killing at least eight people in the latest outbreak of violence in the Afghan capital. This was also the first meeting of the top American diplomat with the Taliban and the Afghans representatives after the US' recent announcement that it will reduce the number of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to 2,500 each by January 15 next year. The US currently has a little over 4,500 troops in Afghanistan. "Met with both Taliban and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's negotiating teams in Doha. I commend both sides for continuing to negotiate and for the progress they have made. I encourage expedited discussions on a political roadmap and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire," Pompeo said in tweet on Saturday. Pompeo met today with Taliban Political Deputy and Head of the Political Office Mullah Beradar and members of the Taliban negotiating team, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown said. During the meeting, Pompeo commended both sides for continuing to negotiate and for the progress they have made, he said. In his meeting with the Taliban, Pompeo commended both sides for continuing to negotiate and for the progress they have made. He called for a significant reduction in violence and encouraged expedited discussions on a political roadmap and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. Pompeo reiterated that the people of Afghanistan expect and deserve to live in peace and security after 40 years of war and bloodshed, he said, adding tha the US Secretary of State also meet with Qatari Foreign Minister Al Thani in Doha and discuss bilateral and regional issues. "We appreciate Qatar's ongoing support as a host to the Afghan peace negotiations. A united Gulf remains crucial for countering Iran's malign influence in the region," Pompeo said in another tweet. The US signed an agreement with the Taliban in February to promote a negotiated end to the protracted conflict. Afghan government and Taliban negotiators have been meeting in Doha on a regular basis to try to broker a peace deal but have yet to yield any major breakthrough.

US Secy of State Pompeo meets Taliban, Afghan negotiators in Qatar

The top US diplomat met separately with the Afghan government and Taliban negotiation teams in a luxury hotel in the Qatari capital

US Secretary of State Pompeo meets Taliban, Kabul negotiators in Qatar

As Mike Pompeo became the first US diplomat to visit a West Bank settlement, watchdog reports suggest that Israel is moving ahead with settlement plans in East Jerusalem. On this week's The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis tells you how PM Netanyahu's new settlement plans could test his ties with a Biden White House. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM IST, only on WION.

The West Asia Post | Episode 8 | Your Window to West Asia

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet on Saturday Taliban and the Afghanistan negotiators of the intra-Afghan deal, the State Department said on Friday. &nbsp;

Pompeo will meet teams of both the sides separately in the Qatari capital Doha.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-welcome-us-troop-drawdown-from-afghanistan-as-good-step-343943">Taliban welcome US troop drawdown from Afghanistan as 'good step'</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

He will also meet Qatar's ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and the foreign minister during the Doha visit.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-taliban-was-involved-in-helmand-attacks-afghan-interior-minister-spokesperson-to-wion-343535">Pakistani Taliban was involved in Helmand attacks: Afghan Interior Minister spokesperson to WION</a>

Earlier this week, the Pentagon said it would soon withdraw 2,000 American troops from Afghanistan, ramping up the commitments with Taliban agreed in February.&nbsp;

It said the US would pull out 2,000 of its troops by mid-January that will leave only 2,500 in the region.&nbsp;

Donald Trump has repeatedly called for ending "foreign wars", including the one in Afghanistan which began after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

President-elect Joe Biden, also in a rare consensus supports pulling out troops from the region, however, experts say he will not look for a fast withdrawal as was aimed by Trump.&nbsp;

The talks between Taliban and Afghanistan have shown little sign of progress, but news agency AFP has said several sources confirmed that a key sticking point between the two sides has been resolved.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet on Saturday Taliban and the Afghanistan negotiators of the intra-Afghan deal, the State Department said on Friday. Pompeo will meet teams of both the sides separately in the Qatari capital Doha.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet on Saturday Taliban and the Afghanistan negotiators of the intra-Afghan deal, the State Department said on Friday. Pompeo will meet teams of both the sides separately in the Qatari capital Doha. Also read | Taliban welcome US troop drawdown from Afghanistan as 'good step' He will also meet Qatar's ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and the foreign minister during the Doha visit. Also read | Pakistani Taliban was involved in Helmand attacks: Afghan Interior Minister spokesperson to WION Earlier this week, the Pentagon said it would soon withdraw 2,000 American troops from Afghanistan, ramping up the commitments with Taliban agreed in February. It said the US would pull out 2,000 of its troops by mid-January that will leave only 2,500 in the region. Donald Trump has repeatedly called for ending "foreign wars", including the one in Afghanistan which began after the September 11, 2001 attacks. President-elect Joe Biden, also in a rare consensus supports pulling out troops from the region, however, experts say he will not look for a fast withdrawal as was aimed by Trump. The talks between Taliban and Afghanistan have shown little sign of progress, but news agency AFP has said several sources confirmed that a key sticking point between the two sides has been resolved.

Mike Pompeo to meet Taliban, Afghan negotiators in Doha

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday announced that the&nbsp;country&nbsp;will&nbsp;label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel'.

"All producers within areas where Israel exercises the relevant authorities... &nbsp;will be required to &nbsp;mark &nbsp;goods as &nbsp;'Israel', 'Product of Israel', or 'Made in Israel'  when exporting to the United States," Pompeo said in a statement.&nbsp;

He said the new guidelines apply "most notably" to Area C, the large part of the West Bank where Israel retains full civil and military control and where much of the settler population lives.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-wine-made-legally-says-israeli-settler-344105" hreflang="en">'Pompeo' wine made legally, says Israeli settler</a>

Area C also includes the strategic Jordan Valley and many Palestinian communities, areas that Israel considers to be disputed territory.&nbsp;

Pompeo's announcement seems to imply that even Palestinian exports from Area C should be tagged as Israeli products.&nbsp;

"Area C producers operate within the economic and administrative framework of Israel and their goods should be treated accordingly," he said.&nbsp;

Pompeo became the first&nbsp;American top diplomat to visit the Israel-occupied Golan Heights after a stop in a West Bank Jewish settlement that infuriated Palestinians.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-air-strikes-in-syria-kill-three-troops-hit-iranian-targets-343817" hreflang="en">Israel air strikes in Syria kill three troops, hit Iranian targets</a>

Pompeo’s predecessors as secretary of state have only visited the West Bank under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority, but never in a settlement because they held Israel’s presence there to be illegitimate.

The envoy of US President Donald Trump, who has made a staunchly pro-Israel stance a hallmark of his turbulent term in power, also called the pro-Palestinian BDS movement a "cancer" that Washington would designate as anti-Semitic.&nbsp;

After meeting close ally Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Pompeo&nbsp;announced that "today I will get a chance to visit the Golan Heights," the strategic territory the Jewish state seized from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967.

Trump delighted Israel in 2019 by recognising Israel's claim to sovereignty over the area of the Golan Heights that it captured from Syria in a 1967 war and later annexed, in a move that was not recognised by most of the international community.

Last year,&nbsp;Pompeo, an evangelical Christian, broke with decades of U.S. foreign policy to announce that the United States under Trump no longer viewed Israel's settlements in the West Bank as "inconsistent with international law".

These and other decisions were greeted with dismay by the Palestinians, who boycotted the Trump White House for nearly three years, accusing it of consistent pro-Israel bias.

The Palestinians have indicated they would resume relations as normal with Washington once President-elect Joe Biden takes office, widely seen as a gesture of goodwill towards his future administration.

Israel says the Golan,&nbsp;which overlooks northern Israel, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan,&nbsp;is a bulwark against Syria and Iranian forces based there. On Wednesday (November 18), Israel launched air raids against what it called a wide range of Syrian and Iranian targets in Syria in retaliation for what it said was an attempted bomb attack.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said of the proposed Golan visit: "Pompeo's visit to occupied land is an active partnership in this occupation."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;and Trump for their Middle East policy.

Pompeo, who announced new US&nbsp;sanctions on Iran while in Israel, said Washington would also step up action against pro-Palestinian efforts to isolate Israel economically and diplomatically.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday announced that the country will label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel'. "All producers within areas where Israel exercises the relevant authorities.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday announced that the country will label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel'. "All producers within areas where Israel exercises the relevant authorities...  will be required to  mark  goods as  'Israel', 'Product of Israel', or 'Made in Israel'  when exporting to the United States," Pompeo said in a statement. He said the new guidelines apply "most notably" to Area C, the large part of the West Bank where Israel retains full civil and military control and where much of the settler population lives. Also read: 'Pompeo' wine made legally, says Israeli settler Area C also includes the strategic Jordan Valley and many Palestinian communities, areas that Israel considers to be disputed territory. Pompeo's announcement seems to imply that even Palestinian exports from Area C should be tagged as Israeli products. "Area C producers operate within the economic and administrative framework of Israel and their goods should be treated accordingly," he said. Pompeo became the first American top diplomat to visit the Israel-occupied Golan Heights after a stop in a West Bank Jewish settlement that infuriated Palestinians. Also read: Israel air strikes in Syria kill three troops, hit Iranian targets Pompeo’s predecessors as secretary of state have only visited the West Bank under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority, but never in a settlement because they held Israel’s presence there to be illegitimate. The envoy of US President Donald Trump, who has made a staunchly pro-Israel stance a hallmark of his turbulent term in power, also called the pro-Palestinian BDS movement a "cancer" that Washington would designate as anti-Semitic. After meeting close ally Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Pompeo announced that "today I will get a chance to visit the Golan Heights," the strategic territory the Jewish state seized from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967. Trump delighted Israel in 2019 by recognising Israel's claim to sovereignty over the area of the Golan Heights that it captured from Syria in a 1967 war and later annexed, in a move that was not recognised by most of the international community. Last year, Pompeo, an evangelical Christian, broke with decades of U.S. foreign policy to announce that the United States under Trump no longer viewed Israel's settlements in the West Bank as "inconsistent with international law". These and other decisions were greeted with dismay by the Palestinians, who boycotted the Trump White House for nearly three years, accusing it of consistent pro-Israel bias. The Palestinians have indicated they would resume relations as normal with Washington once President-elect Joe Biden takes office, widely seen as a gesture of goodwill towards his future administration. Israel says the Golan, which overlooks northern Israel, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, is a bulwark against Syria and Iranian forces based there. On Wednesday (November 18), Israel launched air raids against what it called a wide range of Syrian and Iranian targets in Syria in retaliation for what it said was an attempted bomb attack. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said of the proposed Golan visit: "Pompeo's visit to occupied land is an active partnership in this occupation." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Pompeo and Trump for their Middle East policy. Pompeo, who announced new US sanctions on Iran while in Israel, said Washington would also step up action against pro-Palestinian efforts to isolate Israel economically and diplomatically.

Pompeo says US to label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo deliver a joint statement on Thursday, in Jerusalem. During which Mike Pompeo welcomed Israel-Bahrain deal

US Secretary of state welcomes Israel-Bahrain deal

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paid a fraught visit to Istanbul on Tuesday that included no official meetings and an agenda focused on religious freedoms that Ankara dismissed as "irrelevant".

Ties between Washington and its strategic NATO ally have remained tense despite a personal friendship between US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A group of 20 to 30 Turks shouted "Yankee go home!" as the evangelical Christian Pompeo headed in for a meeting with the Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople -- the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox world -- to express his "strong position" on religious freedoms.

Pompeo had publicly criticised Erdogan's controversial conversion of Istanbul's emblematic Hagia Sophia monument into a mosque in July.&nbsp;

"An incredible privilege to be here," Pompeo told the patriarch.

The foreign ministry declared ahead of Pompeo's arrival that the US should "first look in the mirror" before making an issue of the "completely irrelevant" subject of the freedom of faith in Turkey.

- Preparing for Biden -

Pompeo's seven-nation tour has been complicated by his unabashed support of Trump's unsubstantiated claim of election fraud -- and attempts by US allies to position themselves for Joe Biden's incoming presidency.

The US diplomat's two-night stay in Paris included a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron but no press conference that usually follows such talks.

Yet the Turkish leg seemed destined for problems from the start.

Officials said Pompeo wanted to visit Istanbul to see the patriarch and was only ready to meet Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the condition they come to him from the capital Ankara.

A meeting seemed possible after intense negotiations before the talks fell apart.

"This was a scheduling issue," a senior US official said.

"President Erdogan's schedule shifted and made it impossible to fit the parameters that from the very beginning we had set out".

It is difficult to gauge whether the election of Joe Biden -- whom Erdogan congratulated three days after his victory was called by US media -- played a role in the imbroglio.

But it will mean Pompeo will fail to discuss with Turkish officials the very problems he pointed to Monday after a meeting in Paris with Macron.

- 'Very real' sanction threat -

"President Macron and I spent a lot of time discussing Turkey's recent actions and we agreed they are very aggressive," Pompeo told the French daily Le Figaro.

Macron has sparred with Erdogan on a range of regional issues and shares Pompeo's mistrust of Turkey's robust foreign policy stance.

Pompeo cited Turkey's "support" to Azerbaijan&nbsp;in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia and repeated claims denied by Ankara that it had "deployed Syrian forces" in support of the Azerbaijani troops.

"We also mentioned its action in Libya where it also sent forces from third party countries, and its action in the eastern Mediterranean. I could continue this list," Pompeo said.

"Europe and the United States must work together to convince Erdogan such actions are not in the interest of his people."

The issues add to the dispute over Ankara's controversial acquisition of Russian advanced S-400 anti-missile systems.

The purchase, according to US law, should trigger immediate sanctions but Trump gave Turkey a reprieve.

The Turkish military tested the S-400s just weeks before the US vote.

"Sanctions is very much something that is on the table" and are a "very real" possibility, the US State Department warned last month.

The visit coincides with the publication of a New York Times report saying Trump last week asked his aides -- including Pompeo -- about the possibility of striking Iran's nuclear facilities.

The officials "dissuaded the president from moving ahead with a military strike," the report said.

Pompeo had no scheduled press conferences at which he could address the story.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paid a fraught visit to Istanbul on Tuesday that included no official meetings and an agenda focused on religious freedoms that Ankara dismissed as "irrelevant".

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paid a fraught visit to Istanbul on Tuesday that included no official meetings and an agenda focused on religious freedoms that Ankara dismissed as "irrelevant". Ties between Washington and its strategic NATO ally have remained tense despite a personal friendship between US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A group of 20 to 30 Turks shouted "Yankee go home!" as the evangelical Christian Pompeo headed in for a meeting with the Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople -- the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox world -- to express his "strong position" on religious freedoms. Pompeo had publicly criticised Erdogan's controversial conversion of Istanbul's emblematic Hagia Sophia monument into a mosque in July. "An incredible privilege to be here," Pompeo told the patriarch. The foreign ministry declared ahead of Pompeo's arrival that the US should "first look in the mirror" before making an issue of the "completely irrelevant" subject of the freedom of faith in Turkey. - Preparing for Biden - Pompeo's seven-nation tour has been complicated by his unabashed support of Trump's unsubstantiated claim of election fraud -- and attempts by US allies to position themselves for Joe Biden's incoming presidency. The US diplomat's two-night stay in Paris included a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron but no press conference that usually follows such talks. Yet the Turkish leg seemed destined for problems from the start. Officials said Pompeo wanted to visit Istanbul to see the patriarch and was only ready to meet Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the condition they come to him from the capital Ankara. A meeting seemed possible after intense negotiations before the talks fell apart. "This was a scheduling issue," a senior US official said. "President Erdogan's schedule shifted and made it impossible to fit the parameters that from the very beginning we had set out". It is difficult to gauge whether the election of Joe Biden -- whom Erdogan congratulated three days after his victory was called by US media -- played a role in the imbroglio. But it will mean Pompeo will fail to discuss with Turkish officials the very problems he pointed to Monday after a meeting in Paris with Macron. - 'Very real' sanction threat - "President Macron and I spent a lot of time discussing Turkey's recent actions and we agreed they are very aggressive," Pompeo told the French daily Le Figaro. Macron has sparred with Erdogan on a range of regional issues and shares Pompeo's mistrust of Turkey's robust foreign policy stance. Pompeo cited Turkey's "support" to Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia and repeated claims denied by Ankara that it had "deployed Syrian forces" in support of the Azerbaijani troops. "We also mentioned its action in Libya where it also sent forces from third party countries, and its action in the eastern Mediterranean. I could continue this list," Pompeo said. "Europe and the United States must work together to convince Erdogan such actions are not in the interest of his people." The issues add to the dispute over Ankara's controversial acquisition of Russian advanced S-400 anti-missile systems. The purchase, according to US law, should trigger immediate sanctions but Trump gave Turkey a reprieve. The Turkish military tested the S-400s just weeks before the US vote. "Sanctions is very much something that is on the table" and are a "very real" possibility, the US State Department warned last month. The visit coincides with the publication of a New York Times report saying Trump last week asked his aides -- including Pompeo -- about the possibility of striking Iran's nuclear facilities. The officials "dissuaded the president from moving ahead with a military strike," the report said. Pompeo had no scheduled press conferences at which he could address the story.

Pompeo in Turkey for fraught visit with no official talks

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Paris on Saturday at the start of a seven-country tour of Europe and the Middle East.

Notably, all nations on his schedule have congratulated Joe Biden for his victory in the recently-conducted US presidential race.

The tour is aimed at shoring up the priorities of the outgoing administration of President Donald Trump. It will include visits to Israeli settlements in the West Bank that have been avoided by previous secretaries of state.

Trump has so far not conceded defeat in the American election.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian noted on Friday: "For the moment, my counterpart is Mike Pompeo, until January 20. He's coming to Paris. I receive him."

The meeting will take place on Monday, Le Drian said, suggesting that Pompeo also will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The French president, who spoke with Biden four days ago to offer congratulations, has had a tense relationship with Trump.

Trump recently pulled out of the Paris global climate accord.

After France, Pompeo will visit Turkey, Georgia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Paris on Saturday at the start of a seven-country tour of Europe and the Middle East. Notably, all nations on his schedule have congratulated Joe Biden for his victory in the recently-conducted US presidential race.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Paris on Saturday at the start of a seven-country tour of Europe and the Middle East. Notably, all nations on his schedule have congratulated Joe Biden for his victory in the recently-conducted US presidential race. The tour is aimed at shoring up the priorities of the outgoing administration of President Donald Trump. It will include visits to Israeli settlements in the West Bank that have been avoided by previous secretaries of state. Trump has so far not conceded defeat in the American election. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian noted on Friday: "For the moment, my counterpart is Mike Pompeo, until January 20. He's coming to Paris. I receive him." The meeting will take place on Monday, Le Drian said, suggesting that Pompeo also will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. The French president, who spoke with Biden four days ago to offer congratulations, has had a tense relationship with Trump. Trump recently pulled out of the Paris global climate accord. After France, Pompeo will visit Turkey, Georgia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

US top diplomat Mike Pompeo lands in France on seven-nation tour

The&nbsp;United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said that&nbsp;Taiwan not part of China.

Speaking in a US&nbsp;radio interview on Thursday, Pompeo said, ''Taiwan has not been a part of China. That was recognised with the work that the Reagan administration did to lay out the policies that the United States has adhered to now for three-and-a-half decades."&nbsp;

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-puts-pressure-on-nations-to-not-recognise-taiwan-as-a-country-foreign-minister-joseph-wu-tells-wion-336966">China puts pressure on nations to not recognise Taiwan as a country: Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tells WION</a>

Pompeo's bold statement,&nbsp;which drew China's ire, goes hand-in-hand with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, who views&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;as a sovereign nation, not part of "one China" policy.&nbsp;Her stance infuriates Beijing, which is now buzzing the island with an unprecedented number of fighter jets and surveillance aircraft.

Thanking&nbsp;Pompeo for his support,&nbsp;Taiwan's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Joanne Ou said&nbsp;"The Republic of China on Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country, and not part of the People's Republic of China. This is a fact and the current situation."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-moves-forward-on-three-arms-sales-to-taiwan-china-says-will-make-necessary-response-334859">White House moves forward on three arms sales to Taiwan; China says will make necessary response</a>

Chinese&nbsp;foreign ministry responded to&nbsp;Pompeo's statement&nbsp;saying it will strike back against any moves that undermine its core interests.

Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Taiwan was an inalienable part of China and that Pompeo was further damaging Sino-US&nbsp;ties.

"We solemnly tell Pompeo and his ilk, that any behaviour that undermines China's core interests and interferes with China's domestic affairs will be met with a resolute counterattack by China," he said, without elaborating.

China has put sanctions on US&nbsp;companies selling weapons to Taiwan and flew fighter jets near the island when senior U.S. officials visited Taipei this year.

The defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to the communists, who founded the People's Republic of China.

The United States is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, and officially only acknowledges the Chinese position that Taiwan is part of it, rather than explicitly recognising China's claims.

Relations between Washington and Taipei warmed dramatically under Donald Trump's administration, beginning soon after the votes were counted.

Taiwan officials will travel to Washington next week for economic talks, which have also annoyed Beijing

The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said that Taiwan not part of China. Speaking in a US radio interview on Thursday, Pompeo said, ''Taiwan has not been a part of China.

The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said that Taiwan not part of China. Speaking in a US radio interview on Thursday, Pompeo said, ''Taiwan has not been a part of China. That was recognised with the work that the Reagan administration did to lay out the policies that the United States has adhered to now for three-and-a-half decades." Also read| China puts pressure on nations to not recognise Taiwan as a country: Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tells WION Pompeo's bold statement, which drew China's ire, goes hand-in-hand with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, who views Taiwan as a sovereign nation, not part of "one China" policy. Her stance infuriates Beijing, which is now buzzing the island with an unprecedented number of fighter jets and surveillance aircraft. Thanking Pompeo for his support, Taiwan's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Joanne Ou said "The Republic of China on Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country, and not part of the People's Republic of China. This is a fact and the current situation." Also read: White House moves forward on three arms sales to Taiwan; China says will make necessary response Chinese foreign ministry responded to Pompeo's statement saying it will strike back against any moves that undermine its core interests. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Taiwan was an inalienable part of China and that Pompeo was further damaging Sino-US ties. "We solemnly tell Pompeo and his ilk, that any behaviour that undermines China's core interests and interferes with China's domestic affairs will be met with a resolute counterattack by China," he said, without elaborating. China has put sanctions on US companies selling weapons to Taiwan and flew fighter jets near the island when senior U.S. officials visited Taipei this year. The defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to the communists, who founded the People's Republic of China. The United States is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, and officially only acknowledges the Chinese position that Taiwan is part of it, rather than explicitly recognising China's claims. Relations between Washington and Taipei warmed dramatically under Donald Trump's administration, beginning soon after the votes were counted. Taiwan officials will travel to Washington next week for economic talks, which have also annoyed Beijing

Taiwan not part of China, says Mike Pompeo; Beijing fumes

Turkey asked USA to look at human rights violations within its own borders and tackle Islamophobia, racism and hate crimes. The timing of the statement has assumed importance since it has come less than a week before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is due to visit Istanbul. The statement is being perceived as being emblematic of Turkey's current mood towards the US.

Pompeo will be in Istanbul next Monday. What's interesting is Pompeo will not visit any of Turkey's top officials but will meet Bartholomew I of Constantinople -- the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox world.

The State Department said Pompeo wanted to "discuss religious issues in Turkey and the region and to promote our strong stance on religious freedom around the world".

The meeting with the patriarch will come four months after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan converted Istanbul's emblematic Hagia Sophia monument into a mosque.

Pompeo publically criticised the conversion in July.

The Turkish foreign ministry called Pompeo's chosen subject matter for the visit "extremely inappropriate".

"It would be better if the United States looked in the mirror and showed the necessary sensitivity to human rights violations such as racism, Islamophobia and hate crimes in its own country," it said in a statement. 
Relations between Washington and its strategic NATO ally have run hot and cold during Donald Trump's presidency.

Erdogan has cultivated close personal relations with Trump and been able to call him up directly to try and influence specific policy decisions.

But Ankara and Washington have also sparred over US support for a Syrian Kurdish militia that Turkey views as a grave security threat.

Erdogan congratulated Joe Biden with his election victory on Tuesday -- three full days after it was called by US media.

He followed that up by sending a separate message to Trump a few hours later expressing thanks for his "warm friendship" and saying he stood by his side "no matter how the official election result is certified".

Turkey asked USA to look at human rights violations within its own borders and tackle Islamophobia, racism and hate crimes. The timing of the statement has assumed importance since it has come less than a week before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is due to visit Istanbul.

Turkey asked USA to look at human rights violations within its own borders and tackle Islamophobia, racism and hate crimes. The timing of the statement has assumed importance since it has come less than a week before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is due to visit Istanbul. The statement is being perceived as being emblematic of Turkey's current mood towards the US. Pompeo will be in Istanbul next Monday. What's interesting is Pompeo will not visit any of Turkey's top officials but will meet Bartholomew I of Constantinople -- the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox world. The State Department said Pompeo wanted to "discuss religious issues in Turkey and the region and to promote our strong stance on religious freedom around the world". The meeting with the patriarch will come four months after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan converted Istanbul's emblematic Hagia Sophia monument into a mosque. Pompeo publically criticised the conversion in July. The Turkish foreign ministry called Pompeo's chosen subject matter for the visit "extremely inappropriate". "It would be better if the United States looked in the mirror and showed the necessary sensitivity to human rights violations such as racism, Islamophobia and hate crimes in its own country," it said in a statement. Relations between Washington and its strategic NATO ally have run hot and cold during Donald Trump's presidency. Erdogan has cultivated close personal relations with Trump and been able to call him up directly to try and influence specific policy decisions. But Ankara and Washington have also sparred over US support for a Syrian Kurdish militia that Turkey views as a grave security threat. Erdogan congratulated Joe Biden with his election victory on Tuesday -- three full days after it was called by US media. He followed that up by sending a separate message to Trump a few hours later expressing thanks for his "warm friendship" and saying he stood by his side "no matter how the official election result is certified".

Turkey slams US less than a week before Mike Pompeo's visit

Watch this special episode of WION-VOA Co-Production over US Election 2020: Record voter turnout amid pandemic.

US Election 2020: Record voter turnout amid pandemic | WION-VOA Co-Production

Prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was not keen to meet US State Secretary Mike Pompeo, minister Wimal Weerawansa has said

WION Dispatch: Mahinda Rajapaksa was not keen to meet US State Secretary Pompeo

A report coming in from Sri Lanka claims that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa did not want to meet United States state secretary Mike Pompeo during his recent visit to the island nation. During his brief visit to Colombo Pompeo had bilateral talks with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka & foreign minister.

Report: Sri Lanka PM didn't want to meet Pompeo

In Sri Lanka, Mike Pompeo called China a 'predator'. The Chinese embassy responded by calling U.S. both the 'Alien' & 'The Predator'. Who will Sri Lanka choose in this 'war of giants'?

Gravitas:  'Alien vs Predator' in Sri Lanka

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took a firm stance against China on Wednesday (October 28) as he met Maldivian president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in Male.

Mike Pompeo: China brought lawlessness to Maldives

China is the "gravest threat" to the future of religious freedom, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday, in his latest verbal assault on Beijing during a whirlwind Asian tour.

Pompeo has made attacks against China the focus of his trip this week which kicked off in India and included visits to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Indonesia, and, later Friday, Vietnam.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mike-pompeo-china-brought-lawlessness-to-maldives-338668/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Pompeo&nbsp;said China had brutalised its Uighur minority in Xinjiang province, corralling them in huge detention centres and forcing some to eat pork during the Islamic holy month.

In his address to the youth wing of Indonesia's largest Muslim group, he also accused China of separating Uighur children from their parents and imposing sterilisations.

China denies mistreating Uighurs and says the camps are vocational training centres that are needed to tackle extremism and promote development.

"The gravest threat to the future of religious freedom is the Chinese Communist Party's war against people of all faiths: Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and Falun Gong practitioners alike," Pompeo said in a speech Thursday to major Muslim organisation the Nahdlatul Ulama.

"The atheist Chinese communist party has tried to convince the world that its brutalisation of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang is necessary as counter-terrorism or poverty alleviation," he added.

Rights groups say that more than one million Uighurs languish in camps in the northwest Xinjiang region as Beijing attempts to forcibly integrate the community and root out its Islamic heritage.

China has denied the numbers and describes the camps as vocational centres that teach skills to prevent the allure of Islamic radicalism following a series of attacks.

"But we know that there is no counter-terrorism justification in forcing Uighur Muslims to eat pork during Ramadan, or destroying a Muslim cemetery," Pompeo said.

"There is no poverty-alleviation justification for forced sterilisations, or taking children away from their parents to be re-educated in state-run boarding schools."

Pompeo rejected what he called Beijing's "fantastic tales of happy Uighurs".

"The Chinese Communist Party has tried to convince Indonesians to look away from the torments your fellow Muslims are suffering... Search your hearts. Look at the facts," he said.

"Think about what you know of how an authoritarian government treats those who resist its rule."

China is Indonesia's biggest trading partner and criticism in the Southeast Asian country of Beijing's treatment of Uighurs has been muted.

China is the "gravest threat" to the future of religious freedom, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday, in his latest verbal assault on Beijing during a whirlwind Asian tour.

China is the "gravest threat" to the future of religious freedom, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday, in his latest verbal assault on Beijing during a whirlwind Asian tour. Pompeo has made attacks against China the focus of his trip this week which kicked off in India and included visits to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Indonesia, and, later Friday, Vietnam. Pompeo said China had brutalised its Uighur minority in Xinjiang province, corralling them in huge detention centres and forcing some to eat pork during the Islamic holy month. In his address to the youth wing of Indonesia's largest Muslim group, he also accused China of separating Uighur children from their parents and imposing sterilisations. China denies mistreating Uighurs and says the camps are vocational training centres that are needed to tackle extremism and promote development. "The gravest threat to the future of religious freedom is the Chinese Communist Party's war against people of all faiths: Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and Falun Gong practitioners alike," Pompeo said in a speech Thursday to major Muslim organisation the Nahdlatul Ulama. "The atheist Chinese communist party has tried to convince the world that its brutalisation of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang is necessary as counter-terrorism or poverty alleviation," he added. Rights groups say that more than one million Uighurs languish in camps in the northwest Xinjiang region as Beijing attempts to forcibly integrate the community and root out its Islamic heritage. China has denied the numbers and describes the camps as vocational centres that teach skills to prevent the allure of Islamic radicalism following a series of attacks. "But we know that there is no counter-terrorism justification in forcing Uighur Muslims to eat pork during Ramadan, or destroying a Muslim cemetery," Pompeo said. "There is no poverty-alleviation justification for forced sterilisations, or taking children away from their parents to be re-educated in state-run boarding schools." Pompeo rejected what he called Beijing's "fantastic tales of happy Uighurs". "The Chinese Communist Party has tried to convince Indonesians to look away from the torments your fellow Muslims are suffering... Search your hearts. Look at the facts," he said. "Think about what you know of how an authoritarian government treats those who resist its rule." China is Indonesia's biggest trading partner and criticism in the Southeast Asian country of Beijing's treatment of Uighurs has been muted.

Pompeo says China treatment of Uighurs 'gravest threat' to religious freedom

The China-US rivalry became more real in the digital world after Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka took a jibe at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. After Mike Pompeo accused the Chinese Communist Party of being a “predator” while on a visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka -- the Chinese embassy hit back with a tweet.&nbsp;

“Sorry Mr. Secretary @SecPompeo, we’re busy promoting #China-#SriLanka friendship and cooperation, not interested in your #AlienVsPredator game invitation. The US can play two roles at the same time as always,” the mission said on Twitter.

The tweet is posted along with an image of the ‘Aliens vs. Predator’ video game with the words, “New Episode: 3 November 2020” – the date of the US presidential election.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Sorry Mr. Secretary <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a> , we're busy promoting <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a> friendship and cooperation, not interested in your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlienVsPredator?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlienVsPredator</a> game invitation. The US can play two roles at the same time as always. <a href="https://t.co/9Od8xsUphb">pic.twitter.com/9Od8xsUphb</a>
— Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka (@ChinaEmbSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChinaEmbSL/status/1321366971338936323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Mike Pompeo spent two days in Sri Lanka after visiting India. This was as part of a tour of South Asia as Washington seeks to strengthen ties amid China’s growing political and economic influence in the region. He had then said,“We see from bad deals, violations of sovereignty and lawlessness on land and sea that the Chinese Communist Party is a predator, and the United States comes in a different way, we come as a friend, and as a partner.”

The China-US rivalry became more real in the digital world after Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka took a jibe at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. After Mike Pompeo accused the Chinese Communist Party of being a “predator” while on a visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka -- the Chinese embassy hit back with a tweet.

The China-US rivalry became more real in the digital world after Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka took a jibe at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. After Mike Pompeo accused the Chinese Communist Party of being a “predator” while on a visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka -- the Chinese embassy hit back with a tweet. “Sorry Mr. Secretary @SecPompeo, we’re busy promoting #China-#SriLanka friendship and cooperation, not interested in your #AlienVsPredator game invitation. The US can play two roles at the same time as always,” the mission said on Twitter. The tweet is posted along with an image of the ‘Aliens vs. Predator’ video game with the words, “New Episode: 3 November 2020” – the date of the US presidential election. Sorry Mr. Secretary @SecPompeo , we're busy promoting #China-#SriLanka friendship and cooperation, not interested in your #AlienVsPredator game invitation. The US can play two roles at the same time as always. pic.twitter.com/9Od8xsUphb — Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka (@ChinaEmbSL) October 28, 2020 × Mike Pompeo spent two days in Sri Lanka after visiting India. This was as part of a tour of South Asia as Washington seeks to strengthen ties amid China’s growing political and economic influence in the region. He had then said,“We see from bad deals, violations of sovereignty and lawlessness on land and sea that the Chinese Communist Party is a predator, and the United States comes in a different way, we come as a friend, and as a partner.”

It's Aliens vs Predator as Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka takes jibe at Mike Pompeo

Even before Pompeo arrived in Sri Lanka, China had fired back at the US message, accusing Washington of bullying smaller nations.

Mike Pompeo: Sri Lanka must make difficult but necessary choices

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday the Chinese Communist Party has brought "bad deals" to Sri Lanka.

Mike Pompeo: US is a friend while China is a predator

India and the US are expanding their defence partnership to tackle China's military aggression. A key military pact was inked in Delhi today. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how the Basic Exchange & Cooperation Agreement (BECA) helps India in the ongoing border standoff with China.

Gravitas: India- China standoff: How Indo-US military pact helps Indian forces

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