The representatives from the United States and Afghanistan will sign the peace deal today. The peace agreement will pave the way for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. American soldiers have been in the country fighting against the Taliban for the last 18 years. India has also been invited by the Qatar government to the peace deal ceremony.

Taliban's Suhail Shaheen Exclusively speaks to WION

Afghan Peace Deal: 'Will ensure Afghanistan is never used as terror base' says Mike Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Qatar's capital city, Doha on Saturday to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-future-in-the-balance-as-us-taliban-set-to-sign-historic-peace-deal-283420">witness the signing of a historic deal with Taliban insurgents</a> in an effort to end the 18-year war in Afghanistan.

Pompeo arrived on a flight from Washington and was due to hold a meeting with the Qatari Emir before attending the signing ceremony.

The deal paves the way for the United States to gradually withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. But there are doubts over whether it will lead to a lasting peace as it merely paves the way for talks between the Afghan sides that many expect could be much more complicated.

Hours before the deal, the Taliban ordered all its fighters in Afghanistan "to refrain from any kind of attack ... for the happiness of the nation."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-india-changed-its-gameplan-on-tackling-the-taliban-in-afghanistan-283344">How India changed its gameplan on tackling the Taliban in Afghanistan</a>

"The biggest thing is that we hope the US remain committed to their promises during the negotiation and peace deal," said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the hardline Islamist group.

Mujahid said it was "irritating and provocative" that foreign military aircraft continued to fly over Taliban territory, but militia fighters were following the order to stand-down.

'Monumental Day'

Millions of Afghans are hoping that the deal could pave the way for an end to America's longest war, fought in their country.

The war, which has killed tens of thousands of people, began when the United States launched attacks on Afghanistan just weeks after the September&nbsp;11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington by the Afghanistan-based al Qaeda militant group.

Watch: US-Taliban peace deal would lead to complete withdrawal of US troops?

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Washington accused the Taliban of harbouring al Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden, and with its allies ousted the group from power. But the Taliban has remained a potent force and currently controls about 40% of Afghan territory.

For U.S President Donald Trump, the deal represents a chance to make good on his promise to bring US troops home. But security experts have also called it a foreign policy gamble that would give the Taliban international legitimacy.

"Today is a monumental day for Afghanistan," the US&nbsp;Embassy in Kabul said on Twitter. "It is about making peace and crafting a common brighter future. We stand with Afghanistan."

A 31-member Taliban delegation was in Qatar to oversee the signing by their political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

Foreign ministers and bureaucrats from Pakistan, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan arrived at the venue ahead of the signing ceremony, slated to take place at the Sheraton hotel in Doha.

Trump said in a statement on Friday said the deal will pave way for US&nbsp;troop numbers to drop to 8,600 from about 13,000 in the weeks following the deal.

Further reductions of Western forces will hinge on the Taliban adhering to a "reduction in violence" pledge, a condition that will be assessed by the United States.

'My country deserves it'

For millions of Afghans, the deal represents some hope for an end to years of bloodshed.

"Peace is extremely simple and my country deserves it. Today is the day when maybe we will see a positive change," said Javed Hassan, 38, a school teacher living on the outskirts of Afghan capital, Kabul.

Hassan's children were killed in a bomb blast carried out by the Taliban in 2018. Since then, he has been writing letters to world leaders urging them to end the Afghan war.

But prospects for peace remain uncertain given the next step is reaching agreement with the Afghan government.

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived in Kabul on Saturday, in a move officials and experts said was aimed at reassuring the Afghan government about the United States' commitment to the country.

Under the deal, the Taliban wants 5,000 fighters to be released from Afghan-run jails, but it is not clear whether the Afghan government will agree.

There are also questions about whether Taliban fighters loyal to hardline Islamist splinter groups will be willing to adhere to the reduction in violence agreement.

Some senior commanders of the Taliban who arrived in Doha for the signing said they will ensure that the US and Afghan governments accept all the conditions laid down by the group, according to Afghan defence officials.

Sources in the Taliban earlier this month said they were prepared to launch a spring offensive and had recruited more than 6,000 fighters and suicide bombers if the agreement collapses.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Qatar's capital city, Doha on Saturday to witness the signing of a historic deal with Taliban insurgents in an effort to end the 18-year war in Afghanistan.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Qatar's capital city, Doha on Saturday to witness the signing of a historic deal with Taliban insurgents in an effort to end the 18-year war in Afghanistan. Pompeo arrived on a flight from Washington and was due to hold a meeting with the Qatari Emir before attending the signing ceremony. The deal paves the way for the United States to gradually withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. But there are doubts over whether it will lead to a lasting peace as it merely paves the way for talks between the Afghan sides that many expect could be much more complicated. Hours before the deal, the Taliban ordered all its fighters in Afghanistan "to refrain from any kind of attack ... for the happiness of the nation." Also read: How India changed its gameplan on tackling the Taliban in Afghanistan "The biggest thing is that we hope the US remain committed to their promises during the negotiation and peace deal," said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the hardline Islamist group. Mujahid said it was "irritating and provocative" that foreign military aircraft continued to fly over Taliban territory, but militia fighters were following the order to stand-down. 'Monumental Day' Millions of Afghans are hoping that the deal could pave the way for an end to America's longest war, fought in their country. The war, which has killed tens of thousands of people, began when the United States launched attacks on Afghanistan just weeks after the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington by the Afghanistan-based al Qaeda militant group. Watch: US-Taliban peace deal would lead to complete withdrawal of US troops? × Washington accused the Taliban of harbouring al Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden, and with its allies ousted the group from power. But the Taliban has remained a potent force and currently controls about 40% of Afghan territory. For U.S President Donald Trump, the deal represents a chance to make good on his promise to bring US troops home. But security experts have also called it a foreign policy gamble that would give the Taliban international legitimacy. "Today is a monumental day for Afghanistan," the US Embassy in Kabul said on Twitter. "It is about making peace and crafting a common brighter future. We stand with Afghanistan." A 31-member Taliban delegation was in Qatar to oversee the signing by their political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. Foreign ministers and bureaucrats from Pakistan, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan arrived at the venue ahead of the signing ceremony, slated to take place at the Sheraton hotel in Doha. Trump said in a statement on Friday said the deal will pave way for US troop numbers to drop to 8,600 from about 13,000 in the weeks following the deal. Further reductions of Western forces will hinge on the Taliban adhering to a "reduction in violence" pledge, a condition that will be assessed by the United States. 'My country deserves it' For millions of Afghans, the deal represents some hope for an end to years of bloodshed. "Peace is extremely simple and my country deserves it. Today is the day when maybe we will see a positive change," said Javed Hassan, 38, a school teacher living on the outskirts of Afghan capital, Kabul. Hassan's children were killed in a bomb blast carried out by the Taliban in 2018. Since then, he has been writing letters to world leaders urging them to end the Afghan war. But prospects for peace remain uncertain given the next step is reaching agreement with the Afghan government. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived in Kabul on Saturday, in a move officials and experts said was aimed at reassuring the Afghan government about the United States' commitment to the country. Under the deal, the Taliban wants 5,000 fighters to be released from Afghan-run jails, but it is not clear whether the Afghan government will agree. There are also questions about whether Taliban fighters loyal to hardline Islamist splinter groups will be willing to adhere to the reduction in violence agreement. Some senior commanders of the Taliban who arrived in Doha for the signing said they will ensure that the US and Afghan governments accept all the conditions laid down by the group, according to Afghan defence officials. Sources in the Taliban earlier this month said they were prepared to launch a spring offensive and had recruited more than 6,000 fighters and suicide bombers if the agreement collapses.

US-Taliban set to sign troop withdrawal deal as Pompeo lands in Doha

The rapid spread of the coronavirus increased fears of a pandemic on Friday, with six countries reporting their first cases and the World Health Organization (WHO) raising its global spread and impact risk alert to "very high".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/dow-drops-1000-points-as-pandemic-fears-heighten-in-early-trade-283399">World shares fell again</a>, winding up their worst week since the 2008 global financial crisis and bringing the global wipeout to $6 trillion.

Hopes that the epidemic that started in China late last year would be over in months, and that economic activity would quickly return to normal, have been shattered.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said his organization was not underestimating the risk.

"That is why we said today the global risk is very high," he told reporters in Geneva. "We increased it from 'high' to 'very high'."

WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said the scenario of the coronavirus reaching multiple or all countries "is something we have been looking at and warning against since quite a while."

Switzerland joined countries banning big events to try to curb the epidemic, forcing the cancellation of next week's Geneva international car show, one of the industry's most important gatherings.

Tedros said mainland China had reported 329 new cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest there in more than a month, taking its tally to more than 78,800 cases with almost 2,800 deaths.

China's three biggest airlines restored some international flights and the Shanghai fashion show, initially postponed, went ahead online.

Troops deployed

But as the outbreak eases in China, it is surging elsewhere.

Mexico, Nigeria, Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands and Lithuania reported their first cases, all with travel history connected to Italy, the worst-affected European country. Mexico is the second Latin American country to register the virus, after Brazil.

Countries other than China now account for about three-quarters of new infections.

Bulgaria said it was ready to deploy up to 1,000 troops and military equipment to the border with Turkey to prevent illegal migrant inflows as it steps up measures against the coronavirus. It has not reported any cases.

Mongolia, which has yet to confirm a case, placed its president, Battulga Khaltmaa, in quarantine as a precaution after he returned from a trip to China, state media reported.

A Chinese official said some recovered patients had been found to be infectious, suggesting the epidemic may be even harder to eradicate than previously thought.

Lindmeier said the WHO was looking very carefully into reports of some people getting re-infected.

In addition to stockpiling medical supplies, some governments ordered schools shut and cancelled big gatherings to try to halt the flu-like disease.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's administration was considering invoking special powers to expand production of protective gear.

In Europe, Germany warned of an impending epidemic and Greece, a gateway for refugees from the Middle East, announced tighter border controls.

The death toll in Italy rose to 17 and those testing positive rose to 655. Germany has nearly 60 cases, France about 38 and Spain 23, according to a Reuters count.

Olympic doubts

South Korea has the most cases outside China. It reported 571 new infections on Friday, bringing the total to 2,337, with 13 people killed.

The head of the WHO's emergency programme, Dr Mike Ryan, said Iran's outbreak may be worse than realised - its toll of 34 dead is the highest outside China. Tedros said he expected a WHO team to be in Iran by Sunday or Monday.

US intelligence agencies are monitoring the spread of the coronavirus in Iran and India, where only a handful of cases have been reported, sources said.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States had offered to help Iran, raising doubts about its willingness to share information.

Japan is scheduled to host the 2020 Olympics in July but Ryan said discussions were being held about whether to go ahead.

Organisers will decide next week on the ceremonial torch relay, due to arrive on March 20 for a 121-day journey. Confirmed cases in Japan have risen above 200, with four deaths, excluding more than 700 cases on a quarantined cruise liner, Diamond Princess.

A British man infected on the ship had died, bringing the death toll among passengers to six, Kyodo newswire reported.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had called for schools to close and vowed to prevent a severe blow to an economy teetering on the brink of recession.

In Moscow, authorities were deporting 88 foreigners who violated quarantine measures, the RIA news agency cited Moscow's deputy mayor as saying.

Chinese-ruled Hong Kong, where the coronavirus has killed two and infected more than 90, quarantined a pet dog of a coronavirus patient after it tested "weak positive", though authorities had no evidence the virus can be transmitted to pets.

The rapid spread of the coronavirus increased fears of a pandemic on Friday, with six countries reporting their first cases and the World Health Organization (WHO) raising its global spread and impact risk alert to "very high".

The rapid spread of the coronavirus increased fears of a pandemic on Friday, with six countries reporting their first cases and the World Health Organization (WHO) raising its global spread and impact risk alert to "very high". World shares fell again, winding up their worst week since the 2008 global financial crisis and bringing the global wipeout to $6 trillion. Hopes that the epidemic that started in China late last year would be over in months, and that economic activity would quickly return to normal, have been shattered. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said his organization was not underestimating the risk. "That is why we said today the global risk is very high," he told reporters in Geneva. "We increased it from 'high' to 'very high'." WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said the scenario of the coronavirus reaching multiple or all countries "is something we have been looking at and warning against since quite a while." Switzerland joined countries banning big events to try to curb the epidemic, forcing the cancellation of next week's Geneva international car show, one of the industry's most important gatherings. Tedros said mainland China had reported 329 new cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest there in more than a month, taking its tally to more than 78,800 cases with almost 2,800 deaths. China's three biggest airlines restored some international flights and the Shanghai fashion show, initially postponed, went ahead online. Troops deployed But as the outbreak eases in China, it is surging elsewhere. Mexico, Nigeria, Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands and Lithuania reported their first cases, all with travel history connected to Italy, the worst-affected European country. Mexico is the second Latin American country to register the virus, after Brazil. Countries other than China now account for about three-quarters of new infections. Bulgaria said it was ready to deploy up to 1,000 troops and military equipment to the border with Turkey to prevent illegal migrant inflows as it steps up measures against the coronavirus. It has not reported any cases. Mongolia, which has yet to confirm a case, placed its president, Battulga Khaltmaa, in quarantine as a precaution after he returned from a trip to China, state media reported. A Chinese official said some recovered patients had been found to be infectious, suggesting the epidemic may be even harder to eradicate than previously thought. Lindmeier said the WHO was looking very carefully into reports of some people getting re-infected. In addition to stockpiling medical supplies, some governments ordered schools shut and cancelled big gatherings to try to halt the flu-like disease. US President Donald Trump's administration was considering invoking special powers to expand production of protective gear. In Europe, Germany warned of an impending epidemic and Greece, a gateway for refugees from the Middle East, announced tighter border controls. The death toll in Italy rose to 17 and those testing positive rose to 655. Germany has nearly 60 cases, France about 38 and Spain 23, according to a Reuters count. Olympic doubts South Korea has the most cases outside China. It reported 571 new infections on Friday, bringing the total to 2,337, with 13 people killed. The head of the WHO's emergency programme, Dr Mike Ryan, said Iran's outbreak may be worse than realised - its toll of 34 dead is the highest outside China. Tedros said he expected a WHO team to be in Iran by Sunday or Monday. US intelligence agencies are monitoring the spread of the coronavirus in Iran and India, where only a handful of cases have been reported, sources said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States had offered to help Iran, raising doubts about its willingness to share information. Japan is scheduled to host the 2020 Olympics in July but Ryan said discussions were being held about whether to go ahead. Organisers will decide next week on the ceremonial torch relay, due to arrive on March 20 for a 121-day journey. Confirmed cases in Japan have risen above 200, with four deaths, excluding more than 700 cases on a quarantined cruise liner, Diamond Princess. A British man infected on the ship had died, bringing the death toll among passengers to six, Kyodo newswire reported. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had called for schools to close and vowed to prevent a severe blow to an economy teetering on the brink of recession. In Moscow, authorities were deporting 88 foreigners who violated quarantine measures, the RIA news agency cited Moscow's deputy mayor as saying. Chinese-ruled Hong Kong, where the coronavirus has killed two and infected more than 90, quarantined a pet dog of a coronavirus patient after it tested "weak positive", though authorities had no evidence the virus can be transmitted to pets.

WHO raises global risk of coronavirus from 'high' to 'very high'

The United States has seen a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan during the past six days, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, one day before Washington hopes to sign a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/mike-pompeo-warns-iran-not-to-be-spoiler-in-afghanistan-283390">US-Taliban deal </a>on American troop withdrawal.

Pompeo's remark suggested that if the drop in violence continues for a full week as intended, it will be possible to sign the pact as part of a wider effort to promote intra-Afghan reconciliation and to end the United States' longest war.

The top US&nbsp;diplomat, testifying before a congressional committee, also said Washington is watching to see whether neighbouring Iran may seek to play a spoiler role in Afghanistan, where the United States has roughly 13,000 service members stationed.

"We have seen just these last six days a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan," Pompeo told the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee.

He said there was a history of Iran taking actions inside Afghanistan "to act as a spoiler."

"We are watching closely to see if the Islamic Republic of Iran begins to take even more active measures, active measures that undermine our efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and just as importantly put our American soldiers who are on the ground there in both the Kabul area and in the west at risk as well," Pompeo added.

The United States has seen a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan during the past six days, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, one day before Washington hopes to sign a US-Taliban deal on American troop withdrawal.

The United States has seen a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan during the past six days, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, one day before Washington hopes to sign a US-Taliban deal on American troop withdrawal. Pompeo's remark suggested that if the drop in violence continues for a full week as intended, it will be possible to sign the pact as part of a wider effort to promote intra-Afghan reconciliation and to end the United States' longest war. The top US diplomat, testifying before a congressional committee, also said Washington is watching to see whether neighbouring Iran may seek to play a spoiler role in Afghanistan, where the United States has roughly 13,000 service members stationed. "We have seen just these last six days a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan," Pompeo told the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee. He said there was a history of Iran taking actions inside Afghanistan "to act as a spoiler." "We are watching closely to see if the Islamic Republic of Iran begins to take even more active measures, active measures that undermine our efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and just as importantly put our American soldiers who are on the ground there in both the Kabul area and in the west at risk as well," Pompeo added.

US State Secretary Pompeo sees 'significant reduction' in Afghanistan violence

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday warned Iran not to scuttle an upcoming agreement with the Taliban, accusing the US adversary of seeking to be a "spoiler."

Pompeo confirmed that a one-week partial truce was holding with the Taliban, who are scheduled to sign the landmark accord with the United States in Qatar on Saturday.

"There is a history of Iran engaging in activity inside of Afghanistan to act as a spoiler," Pompeo told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"We've seen just these last six days a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan and we are watching closely to see if the Islamic Republic of Iran begins to take even more active measure that undermine our efforts at peace and reconciliation," he said.

He warned that Iran could increase risks for US troops, whose numbers are expected to be sharply scaled down under the Doha agreement.

Iran's Shiite clerical regime has been historically opposed to the Taliban, which practices an austere brand of Sunni Islam, and quietly backed the 2001 US-led invasion that toppled the Taliban regime.

Iran was part of a coalition that backed the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance and in 1998 amassed troops near the Afghan border after a Taliban assault on Iran's consulate in Herat.

But Iran has increasingly been involved in proxy conflicts with the United States elsewhere, notably in Iraq.

Iran has been mostly cautious in its recent comments on Afghanistan.

But Foreign Minister Javad Zarif last year criticized the US talks with the Taliban, saying they only boosted the extremists and alienated the internationally-backed government.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday warned Iran not to scuttle an upcoming agreement with the Taliban, accusing the US adversary of seeking to be a "spoiler.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday warned Iran not to scuttle an upcoming agreement with the Taliban, accusing the US adversary of seeking to be a "spoiler." Pompeo confirmed that a one-week partial truce was holding with the Taliban, who are scheduled to sign the landmark accord with the United States in Qatar on Saturday. "There is a history of Iran engaging in activity inside of Afghanistan to act as a spoiler," Pompeo told the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "We've seen just these last six days a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan and we are watching closely to see if the Islamic Republic of Iran begins to take even more active measure that undermine our efforts at peace and reconciliation," he said. He warned that Iran could increase risks for US troops, whose numbers are expected to be sharply scaled down under the Doha agreement. Iran's Shiite clerical regime has been historically opposed to the Taliban, which practices an austere brand of Sunni Islam, and quietly backed the 2001 US-led invasion that toppled the Taliban regime. Iran was part of a coalition that backed the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance and in 1998 amassed troops near the Afghan border after a Taliban assault on Iran's consulate in Herat. But Iran has increasingly been involved in proxy conflicts with the United States elsewhere, notably in Iraq. Iran has been mostly cautious in its recent comments on Afghanistan. But Foreign Minister Javad Zarif last year criticized the US talks with the Taliban, saying they only boosted the extremists and alienated the internationally-backed government.

Mike Pompeo warns Iran not to be 'spoiler' in Afghanistan

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has postponed his inauguration on US request. This after Washington raised concerns that the controversy over his re-election might hamper the signing of a peace deal with the Taliban, later this week.

Afghan President delays his inauguration on US request

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-deputy-leader-says-committed-to-peace-in-op-ed-281883">United States</a> and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-deputy-leader-says-committed-to-peace-in-op-ed-281883">Taliban</a> will sign an agreement on February&nbsp;29 at the end of a week long period of violence reduction in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-deputy-leader-says-committed-to-peace-in-op-ed-281883">Taliban </a>said on Friday.

Afghan, international and Taliban forces will observe the reduced violence period beginning at midnight (1930 GMT), an Afghan official and Taliban leaders said earlier.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-deputy-leader-says-committed-to-peace-in-op-ed-281883">Taliban deputy leader says 'committed' to peace in op-ed</a>

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"Following lengthy negotiations between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-special-envoy-discusses-taliban-deal-with-re-elected-afghan-president-281887">United States of America</a>, both parties agreed to sign the finalised accord in the presence of international observers," a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-deputy-leader-says-committed-to-peace-in-op-ed-281883">Taliban </a>spokesman said in a statement.

Both sides would also make arrangements for the release of prisoners, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

Separately, Pompeo said in a statement that the United States and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-deputy-leader-says-committed-to-peace-in-op-ed-281883">Taliban </a>have been engaged in talks to facilitate a political settlement in Afghanistan and to reduce the US presence in the region.

The agreement will be signed upon the successful implementation of an understanding with the Taliban on a significant and nationwide reduction in violence, Pompeo added.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-special-envoy-discusses-taliban-deal-with-re-elected-afghan-president-281887">US special envoy discusses Taliban deal with re-elected Afghan president</a>

The agreement could represent a chance for peace in the country after years of war and a US troop presence that dates back to 2001.

US and Taliban negotiators have been meeting in Doha since 2018 even though fighting has raged in Afghanistan and thousands of civilians and combatants have been killed as the insurgents have expanded their territorial control.

"Based on the plan, the reduction in violence (RIV) will start between the Taliban and international and Afghan security forces for one week," Javid Faisal, spokesperson for the Afghan National Security Advisor, told Reuters.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-taliban-reach-violence-reduction-pact-that-could-lead-to-us-withdrawal-280783">US, Taliban reach violence reduction pact that could lead to US withdrawal</a>

"We hope it is extended for a longer time and opens the way for a ceasefire and intra-Afghan talks," he added.

Three senior Taliban leaders - two in Doha and one in Afghanistan - also confirmed to Reuters that they had agreed on a reduction of violence in Afghanistan for seven days starting Friday night. All three spoke on condition of anonymity.

Not a 'ceasefire'

One Taliban leader based in Doha told Reuters that the period could not be called a "ceasefire."

"Every party has the right of self-defence but there would no attacks on each other’s positions in these seven days,” the Taliban leader said.

“It is to create a security environment in Afghanistan and can be extended if things go well after signing of a peace accord with the US,” he added.

Officials privy to the talks had said last week that an agreement with the Taliban would be followed by negotiations on an intra-Afghan political settlement between the Taliban and an Afghan delegation that would include government officials.

The Taliban have previously refused to speak directly to the Kabul government, which they denounce as a US puppet.

Afghan forces will keep up normal military operations against other groups such as Islamic State, during the RIV period, Afghan spokesman Faisal said.

He added that Afghan forces will also retaliate against the smallest violation of the understanding by the Taliban.

"Local government and security officials have been instructed by the president himself on how to follow the regulations agreed upon for the RIV period," he said.

The United States and the Taliban will sign an agreement on February 29 at the end of a week long period of violence reduction in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Taliban said on Friday.

The United States and the Taliban will sign an agreement on February 29 at the end of a week long period of violence reduction in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Taliban said on Friday. Afghan, international and Taliban forces will observe the reduced violence period beginning at midnight (1930 GMT), an Afghan official and Taliban leaders said earlier. Also read: Taliban deputy leader says 'committed' to peace in op-ed × "Following lengthy negotiations between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the United States of America, both parties agreed to sign the finalised accord in the presence of international observers," a Taliban spokesman said in a statement. Both sides would also make arrangements for the release of prisoners, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. Separately, Pompeo said in a statement that the United States and the Taliban have been engaged in talks to facilitate a political settlement in Afghanistan and to reduce the US presence in the region. The agreement will be signed upon the successful implementation of an understanding with the Taliban on a significant and nationwide reduction in violence, Pompeo added. Also read: US special envoy discusses Taliban deal with re-elected Afghan president The agreement could represent a chance for peace in the country after years of war and a US troop presence that dates back to 2001. US and Taliban negotiators have been meeting in Doha since 2018 even though fighting has raged in Afghanistan and thousands of civilians and combatants have been killed as the insurgents have expanded their territorial control. "Based on the plan, the reduction in violence (RIV) will start between the Taliban and international and Afghan security forces for one week," Javid Faisal, spokesperson for the Afghan National Security Advisor, told Reuters. Also read: US, Taliban reach violence reduction pact that could lead to US withdrawal "We hope it is extended for a longer time and opens the way for a ceasefire and intra-Afghan talks," he added. Three senior Taliban leaders - two in Doha and one in Afghanistan - also confirmed to Reuters that they had agreed on a reduction of violence in Afghanistan for seven days starting Friday night. All three spoke on condition of anonymity. Not a 'ceasefire' One Taliban leader based in Doha told Reuters that the period could not be called a "ceasefire." "Every party has the right of self-defence but there would no attacks on each other’s positions in these seven days,” the Taliban leader said. “It is to create a security environment in Afghanistan and can be extended if things go well after signing of a peace accord with the US,” he added. Officials privy to the talks had said last week that an agreement with the Taliban would be followed by negotiations on an intra-Afghan political settlement between the Taliban and an Afghan delegation that would include government officials. The Taliban have previously refused to speak directly to the Kabul government, which they denounce as a US puppet. Afghan forces will keep up normal military operations against other groups such as Islamic State, during the RIV period, Afghan spokesman Faisal said. He added that Afghan forces will also retaliate against the smallest violation of the understanding by the Taliban. "Local government and security officials have been instructed by the president himself on how to follow the regulations agreed upon for the RIV period," he said.

US, Taliban expected to sign peace deal on February 29: Mike Pompeo

Washington plans to sign a peace deal with the Taliban on Feb. 29 following the successful implementation of a countrywide reduction in violence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Friday.

WION Fineprint: US-Taliban to sign peace deal on Feb 29

US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-calls-chinas-treatment-of-uighurs-stain-of-the-century-237014">Mike Pompeo</a> on Wednesday closed a three-nation Africa tour with a thinly-veiled swipe at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-calls-chinas-treatment-of-uighurs-stain-of-the-century-237014">China </a>as he talked up Washington's ability to stimulate growth and entrepreneurship on the continent.

"Countries should be wary of authoritarian regimes with empty promises. They breed corruption, dependency," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-calls-chinas-treatment-of-uighurs-stain-of-the-century-237014">Pompeo </a>said in a speech to diplomats and business leaders at the United Nation's Economic Commission for Africa in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

"They run the risk that the prosperity and sovereignty and progress that Africa so needs and desperately wants won't happen."

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-calls-chinas-treatment-of-uighurs-stain-of-the-century-237014">Pompeo&nbsp;calls China's treatment of Uighurs 'stain of the century'</a>

Pompeo in his remarks did not explicitly mention <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-calls-chinas-treatment-of-uighurs-stain-of-the-century-237014">China </a>Africa's largest trading partner&nbsp;but analysts predicted ahead of his trip that he would attempt to pitch the US as an alternative source of investment. &nbsp;

On Wednesday Pompeo name-checked US companies operating in all three countries on his Africa tour, the first by a US cabinet-level official in 19 months: Bechtel in Senegal, Chevron in Angola and Coca-Cola in Ethiopia.

He also hailed the free market generally, blasting "failed socialist experiments of years past" in places like Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

And he criticised a proposed constitutional amendment in South Africa that would allow private property to be expropriated without compensation -- a plan that seeks to overcome inequalities set down in the apartheid era.

The amendment would be "disastrous for that economy and most importantly for the South African people," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-says-us-must-confront-chinas-communist-party-259032">Pompeo says US must confront China's Communist Party</a>

Pompeo left later for Riyadh.

Pompeo's attempt to lay out a positive vision for US cooperation with Africa has been undermined by President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-calls-chinas-treatment-of-uighurs-stain-of-the-century-237014">Donald Trump</a>'s Africa policy so far, analysts say.

Critics are quick to cite Trump's widely-reported remarks in 2018 when he used a profanity to describe African and poorer Western Hemisphere nations whose citizens migrate to the United States.

Washington is currently discussing military cuts in Africa, and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-calls-chinas-treatment-of-uighurs-stain-of-the-century-237014">US </a>recently announced tightened visa rules targeting Africa's most populous country, Nigeria, as well as Tanzania, Sudan and Eritrea.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-west-is-winning-us-tells-china-france-wary-280845">'The West is winning,' US tells China</a>

"Pompeo is unlikely to undo the damage from the Trump administration's travel bans, the proposed budget cuts, or the president's disparaging comments about the region," said Judd Devermont, Africa director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think-tank in Washington.

But African leaders would nonetheless "welcome his long-overdue engagement and focus on the positives as much as possible," Devermont said.

Even so, countries like Ethiopia have benefitted from Chinese engagement, rendering Pompeo's message less effective, said Abel Abate Demissie, an Ethiopian political analyst.

''It is undeniable that Chinese investment was quite crucial in keeping Ethiopia on track as one of the world's fastest-growing economies for many years," Abel said.

He added that much Chinese money has gone toward tangible projects like roads and buildings, while American money is more often funnelled to "less visible" fields like education and health.

"The fact that Chinese loans and sometimes grants have less bureaucracy also makes it quite convenient for Ethiopia and Africa at large," Abel said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-calls-chinas-treatment-of-uighurs-stain-of-the-century-237014">China </a>has funnelled cash and loans into infrastructure projects across the continent.

However, Beijing has faced accusations, which it denies, of saddling poor nations with debt, siphoning off mineral resources and leaving environmental damage. &nbsp;

Pompeo insisted Wednesday that Trump was eager to play a bigger role on the continent.

"If there's one thing you should know about our president my boss you should know that he loves deals," he said, drawing laughs from the audience.

"He wants more to happen between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-west-is-winning-us-tells-china-france-wary-280845">United States</a> and nations all across Africa."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday closed a three-nation Africa tour with a thinly-veiled swipe at China as he talked up Washington's ability to stimulate growth and entrepreneurship on the continent.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday closed a three-nation Africa tour with a thinly-veiled swipe at China as he talked up Washington's ability to stimulate growth and entrepreneurship on the continent. "Countries should be wary of authoritarian regimes with empty promises. They breed corruption, dependency," Pompeo said in a speech to diplomats and business leaders at the United Nation's Economic Commission for Africa in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. "They run the risk that the prosperity and sovereignty and progress that Africa so needs and desperately wants won't happen." Also read: Pompeo calls China's treatment of Uighurs 'stain of the century' Pompeo in his remarks did not explicitly mention China Africa's largest trading partner but analysts predicted ahead of his trip that he would attempt to pitch the US as an alternative source of investment. On Wednesday Pompeo name-checked US companies operating in all three countries on his Africa tour, the first by a US cabinet-level official in 19 months: Bechtel in Senegal, Chevron in Angola and Coca-Cola in Ethiopia. He also hailed the free market generally, blasting "failed socialist experiments of years past" in places like Zimbabwe and Tanzania. And he criticised a proposed constitutional amendment in South Africa that would allow private property to be expropriated without compensation -- a plan that seeks to overcome inequalities set down in the apartheid era. The amendment would be "disastrous for that economy and most importantly for the South African people," he said. Also read: Pompeo says US must confront China's Communist Party Pompeo left later for Riyadh. Pompeo's attempt to lay out a positive vision for US cooperation with Africa has been undermined by President Donald Trump's Africa policy so far, analysts say. Critics are quick to cite Trump's widely-reported remarks in 2018 when he used a profanity to describe African and poorer Western Hemisphere nations whose citizens migrate to the United States. Washington is currently discussing military cuts in Africa, and the US recently announced tightened visa rules targeting Africa's most populous country, Nigeria, as well as Tanzania, Sudan and Eritrea. Also read: 'The West is winning,' US tells China "Pompeo is unlikely to undo the damage from the Trump administration's travel bans, the proposed budget cuts, or the president's disparaging comments about the region," said Judd Devermont, Africa director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think-tank in Washington. But African leaders would nonetheless "welcome his long-overdue engagement and focus on the positives as much as possible," Devermont said. Even so, countries like Ethiopia have benefitted from Chinese engagement, rendering Pompeo's message less effective, said Abel Abate Demissie, an Ethiopian political analyst. ''It is undeniable that Chinese investment was quite crucial in keeping Ethiopia on track as one of the world's fastest-growing economies for many years," Abel said. He added that much Chinese money has gone toward tangible projects like roads and buildings, while American money is more often funnelled to "less visible" fields like education and health. "The fact that Chinese loans and sometimes grants have less bureaucracy also makes it quite convenient for Ethiopia and Africa at large," Abel said. China has funnelled cash and loans into infrastructure projects across the continent. However, Beijing has faced accusations, which it denies, of saddling poor nations with debt, siphoning off mineral resources and leaving environmental damage. Pompeo insisted Wednesday that Trump was eager to play a bigger role on the continent. "If there's one thing you should know about our president my boss you should know that he loves deals," he said, drawing laughs from the audience. "He wants more to happen between the United States and nations all across Africa."

Mike Pompeo closes Africa tour with warning about China's 'empty promises'

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss regional security, namely Iran, after the US killing last month of a top Iranian general pushed the oil-producing region closer to an all-out war.

In meetings with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the next two days, Pompeo will also raise economic and human rights issues like the case of a Saudi-American physician who remains on trial after nearly two years in detention, he told reporters traveling with him.

Saudi Arabia has backed the Trump administration's efforts to counter Iran but cautioned against military action after a series of strikes last year damaged its oil facilities. Riyadh blamed the attacks on Tehran, which denies responsibility.

The United States and Iran backed off from intensified conflict last month after a US air strike in Iraq killed Qassem Soleimani and Tehran retaliated with missile strikes on US&nbsp;bases that injured more than 100 troops.

"We are not rushed, the pressure campaign continues. It's not just an economic pressure campaign... It's isolation through diplomacy as well," Pompeo said before his flight to Riyadh.

"(In Riyadh) we'll spend a lot of time talking about the security issues -- the threats from Islamic Republic of Iran in particular, but we'll talk about a broad range of things."

Saudi Arabia has come in for intense criticism from Western governments and the US Congress over its devastating five-year war in Yemen as well as the detention of prominent women activists and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul embassy in 2018.

Five Democratic senators, the chairman of the House foreign affairs committee and the Republican ranking member have urged Pompeo to press for a resolution to the court case of dual national Walid Fitaihi, who was arrested in 2017 under an anti-corruption campaign, and lift travel bans on his family.

Pompeo's trip comes three weeks after President Donald Trump unveiled his long-awaited Middle East peace plan, which the Palestinians rejected outright.

Saudi Arabia expressed support for direct peace negotiations under US auspices while reiterating unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss regional security, namely Iran, after the US killing last month of a top Iranian general pushed the oil-producing region closer to an all-out war.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss regional security, namely Iran, after the US killing last month of a top Iranian general pushed the oil-producing region closer to an all-out war. In meetings with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the next two days, Pompeo will also raise economic and human rights issues like the case of a Saudi-American physician who remains on trial after nearly two years in detention, he told reporters traveling with him. Saudi Arabia has backed the Trump administration's efforts to counter Iran but cautioned against military action after a series of strikes last year damaged its oil facilities. Riyadh blamed the attacks on Tehran, which denies responsibility. The United States and Iran backed off from intensified conflict last month after a US air strike in Iraq killed Qassem Soleimani and Tehran retaliated with missile strikes on US bases that injured more than 100 troops. "We are not rushed, the pressure campaign continues. It's not just an economic pressure campaign... It's isolation through diplomacy as well," Pompeo said before his flight to Riyadh. "(In Riyadh) we'll spend a lot of time talking about the security issues -- the threats from Islamic Republic of Iran in particular, but we'll talk about a broad range of things." Saudi Arabia has come in for intense criticism from Western governments and the US Congress over its devastating five-year war in Yemen as well as the detention of prominent women activists and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul embassy in 2018. Five Democratic senators, the chairman of the House foreign affairs committee and the Republican ranking member have urged Pompeo to press for a resolution to the court case of dual national Walid Fitaihi, who was arrested in 2017 under an anti-corruption campaign, and lift travel bans on his family. Pompeo's trip comes three weeks after President Donald Trump unveiled his long-awaited Middle East peace plan, which the Palestinians rejected outright. Saudi Arabia expressed support for direct peace negotiations under US auspices while reiterating unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause.

Mike Pompeo in Saudi Arabia to talk Iran, economy and human rights

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-never-yield-to-americas-pressure-for-talks-says-president-rouhani-280967">campaign of maximum pressure against Iran</a> would continue, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday. Pompeo also said that the authorities in Washington are ready to talk to Iran "anytime", but that it needed to "fundamentally" change its behaviour.&nbsp;

"We are not rushed, the pressure campaign continues. It's not just an economic pressure campaign... it's isolation through diplomacy as well", Pompeo told reporters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa before boarding a flight to Saudi Arabia.

The latest statement comes days after Iran President Hassan Rouhani had said that his country will never yield to America's pressure for talks.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unbearable-for-us-to-accept-irans-victory-rouhani-taunts-on-anniversary-of-shahs-ouster-280079">&nbsp;'Unbearable for US to accept Iran's victory': Rouhani taunts on anniversary of Shah's ouster</a> 
&nbsp; 
"Iran will never negotiate under pressure ... We will never yield to America's pressure and we will not negotiate from a position of weakness. America's 'maximum pressure' towards Iran is doomed to failure," Rouhani said.

Tensions have increased between Iran and the United States since 2018 when President Donald Trump exited a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers and Washington reimposed sanctions on Tehran that has crippled its economy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-not-lift-sanctions-to-negotiate-with-iran-donald-trump-276694">US will not lift sanctions to negotiate with Iran: Donald Trump</a>

Trump administration wants a new deal that further curbs Iran's nuclear programme, ends its ballistic missile programme and its involvement in decades of proxy wars in the Middle East.

Tehran has rejected holding negotiations over a new deal, saying talks are possible only if the United States returns to the nuclear pact and lifts sanctions.

Iran has been involved in decades of regional proxy wars with its key regional rival Saudi Arabia.

"Securing peace and stability in the sensitive region of the Middle East and in the Persian Gulf is impossible without Iran's help," Rouhani said.

(With inputs from Reuters)

A campaign of maximum pressure against Iran would continue, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday. Pompeo also said that the authorities in Washington are ready to talk to Iran "anytime", but that it needed to "fundamentally" change its behaviour.

A campaign of maximum pressure against Iran would continue, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday. Pompeo also said that the authorities in Washington are ready to talk to Iran "anytime", but that it needed to "fundamentally" change its behaviour. "We are not rushed, the pressure campaign continues. It's not just an economic pressure campaign... it's isolation through diplomacy as well", Pompeo told reporters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa before boarding a flight to Saudi Arabia. The latest statement comes days after Iran President Hassan Rouhani had said that his country will never yield to America's pressure for talks. Also read: 'Unbearable for US to accept Iran's victory': Rouhani taunts on anniversary of Shah's ouster "Iran will never negotiate under pressure ... We will never yield to America's pressure and we will not negotiate from a position of weakness. America's 'maximum pressure' towards Iran is doomed to failure," Rouhani said. Tensions have increased between Iran and the United States since 2018 when President Donald Trump exited a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers and Washington reimposed sanctions on Tehran that has crippled its economy. Also read: US will not lift sanctions to negotiate with Iran: Donald Trump Trump administration wants a new deal that further curbs Iran's nuclear programme, ends its ballistic missile programme and its involvement in decades of proxy wars in the Middle East. Tehran has rejected holding negotiations over a new deal, saying talks are possible only if the United States returns to the nuclear pact and lifts sanctions. Iran has been involved in decades of regional proxy wars with its key regional rival Saudi Arabia. "Securing peace and stability in the sensitive region of the Middle East and in the Persian Gulf is impossible without Iran's help," Rouhani said. (With inputs from Reuters)

US ready to talk to Iran, but pressure to continue says Secretary of State Pompeo

Ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar&nbsp;met State Secretary Mike Pompeo on Saturday in Germany.

During the meet, both leaders discussed bilateral relations as they met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.&nbsp;

"Good to see @SecPompeo at #MSC2020. Allowed us to take stock of the relationship as we look forward to @realDonaldTrump 's visit," Jaishankar said on Twitter.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Good to see <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSC2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSC2020</a>. Allowed us to take stock of the relationship as we look forward to <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s visit. <a href="https://t.co/msiifvLC0F">pic.twitter.com/msiifvLC0F</a>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1228626222055378945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Nancy Pelosi's&nbsp;&nbsp;"consistent support" to India-US ties has always been a great source of strength, sais Jaishankar as he also met the US speaker in Germany.

The Munich Security Conference, being held here from February 14-16, is the world's leading forum for debate on international security policy.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will pay a state visit to India on February 24 and 25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, it was announced this week.

In addition to New Delhi, Trump will also visit Ahmedabad to address a joint public meeting with Modi at a newly-built stadium.

Trump on his maiden trip to India will also meet the country's top business leaders in New Delhi on February 25, in a bid to push for deeper trade and business relations between the two nations.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met State Secretary Mike Pompeo on Saturday in Germany. During the meet, both leaders discussed bilateral relations as they met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met State Secretary Mike Pompeo on Saturday in Germany. During the meet, both leaders discussed bilateral relations as they met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. "Good to see @SecPompeo at #MSC2020. Allowed us to take stock of the relationship as we look forward to @realDonaldTrump 's visit," Jaishankar said on Twitter. Good to see @SecPompeo at #MSC2020. Allowed us to take stock of the relationship as we look forward to @realDonaldTrump’s visit. pic.twitter.com/msiifvLC0F — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 15, 2020 × Nancy Pelosi's "consistent support" to India-US ties has always been a great source of strength, sais Jaishankar as he also met the US speaker in Germany. The Munich Security Conference, being held here from February 14-16, is the world's leading forum for debate on international security policy. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will pay a state visit to India on February 24 and 25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, it was announced this week. In addition to New Delhi, Trump will also visit Ahmedabad to address a joint public meeting with Modi at a newly-built stadium. Trump on his maiden trip to India will also meet the country's top business leaders in New Delhi on February 25, in a bid to push for deeper trade and business relations between the two nations. (With inputs from agencies)

Jaishankar meets Pompeo, Pelosi on sidelines of Munich Security Conference

US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-rejects-claims-that-us-has-quit-global-role-280810">Mike Pompeo</a> defended on Saturday his nation's global role despite misgivings in Europe, vowing that Western values would prevail over Russian and Chinese desires for "empire".

Seeking to reassure Europeans troubled by US President Donald Trump's "America first" rhetoric, his ambivalence over the NATO military alliance and tariffs on European goods, Pompeo said there was no crisis in Western leadership.

"I'm happy to report that the death of the transatlantic alliance is grossly exaggerated. The West is winning, and we're winning together," he said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference, listing US steps to protect liberal democracies.

Pompeo was, in part, responding to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who on Friday accused the United States, Russia and China of making the world more dangerous.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-ukraine-receives-support-from-pompeo-in-the-middle-of-the-impeachment-of-president-donald-trump-277795">Also read: US state secretary Pompeo pledges support for Ukraine amid Trump impeachment trial</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron told the conference of international leaders, lawmakers and diplomats he was not surprised by Steinmeier's speech and had liked it.

"We cannot be the United States' junior partner," Macron said, adding that while he supported NATO, Europe needed to be able to tackle threats in its neighbourhood and at times act independently of Washington.

"I'm impatient for European solutions," Macron said.

Trump's decision to pull out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, as well as the Paris climate accord, have undermined European priorities, while moves such as recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital have weakened European diplomacy, envoys say.

Pompeo defended the US strategy, saying Europe, Japan and other American allies were united on China, Iran and Russia, despite "tactical differences."

Pompeo, however, reiterated Washington's opposition to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline under construction between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea, a project backed by the government of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Citing Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, cyber threats in Iran and economic coercion by China, Pompeo said those countries were still "desiring empires" and destabilising the rules-based international system.

'Not mad'

Macron said the West's policy of defiance towards Russia in recent years had failed and, as nobody wanted to confront Moscow directly, the only option was to have a closer dialogue to resolve differences.

"I hear the defiance of all our partners, I'm not mad, but I know that being defiant and weak ... is not a policy, it's a completely inefficient system," Macron told the Munich Security Conference, saying he saw none of his allies willing to confront Russia.

"There is a second choice, which is to be demanding and restart a strategic dialogue because today we talk less and less, conflicts multiply and we aren't able to resolve them, he added.

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, speaking immediately after Pompeo, focused his remarks solely on China, accusing Beijing of a "nefarious strategy" through telecommunications firm Huawei.

"It is essential that we as an international community wake up to the challenges presented by Chinese manipulation of the long-standing international rules-based order," Esper said.

He said it was not too late for Britain, which last month said it would allow Huawei a limited role in building its 5G networks, to take "two steps back," but added he still needed to asses London's decision.

"We could have a win-win strategy if we just abide by the international rules that have been set in place for decades ... that respect human rights, that respect sovereignty," he said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended on Saturday his nation's global role despite misgivings in Europe, vowing that Western values would prevail over Russian and Chinese desires for "empire".

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended on Saturday his nation's global role despite misgivings in Europe, vowing that Western values would prevail over Russian and Chinese desires for "empire". Seeking to reassure Europeans troubled by US President Donald Trump's "America first" rhetoric, his ambivalence over the NATO military alliance and tariffs on European goods, Pompeo said there was no crisis in Western leadership. "I'm happy to report that the death of the transatlantic alliance is grossly exaggerated. The West is winning, and we're winning together," he said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference, listing US steps to protect liberal democracies. Pompeo was, in part, responding to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who on Friday accused the United States, Russia and China of making the world more dangerous. Also read: US state secretary Pompeo pledges support for Ukraine amid Trump impeachment trial French President Emmanuel Macron told the conference of international leaders, lawmakers and diplomats he was not surprised by Steinmeier's speech and had liked it. "We cannot be the United States' junior partner," Macron said, adding that while he supported NATO, Europe needed to be able to tackle threats in its neighbourhood and at times act independently of Washington. "I'm impatient for European solutions," Macron said. Trump's decision to pull out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, as well as the Paris climate accord, have undermined European priorities, while moves such as recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital have weakened European diplomacy, envoys say. Pompeo defended the US strategy, saying Europe, Japan and other American allies were united on China, Iran and Russia, despite "tactical differences." Pompeo, however, reiterated Washington's opposition to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline under construction between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea, a project backed by the government of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Citing Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, cyber threats in Iran and economic coercion by China, Pompeo said those countries were still "desiring empires" and destabilising the rules-based international system. 'Not mad' Macron said the West's policy of defiance towards Russia in recent years had failed and, as nobody wanted to confront Moscow directly, the only option was to have a closer dialogue to resolve differences. "I hear the defiance of all our partners, I'm not mad, but I know that being defiant and weak ... is not a policy, it's a completely inefficient system," Macron told the Munich Security Conference, saying he saw none of his allies willing to confront Russia. "There is a second choice, which is to be demanding and restart a strategic dialogue because today we talk less and less, conflicts multiply and we aren't able to resolve them, he added. US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, speaking immediately after Pompeo, focused his remarks solely on China, accusing Beijing of a "nefarious strategy" through telecommunications firm Huawei. "It is essential that we as an international community wake up to the challenges presented by Chinese manipulation of the long-standing international rules-based order," Esper said. He said it was not too late for Britain, which last month said it would allow Huawei a limited role in building its 5G networks, to take "two steps back," but added he still needed to asses London's decision. "We could have a win-win strategy if we just abide by the international rules that have been set in place for decades ... that respect human rights, that respect sovereignty," he said.

'The West is winning,' US tells China; France wary

An air strike in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/i-urge-the-united-states-to-stop-killing-our-people-karzai-279802">Afghanistan </a>has killed at least eight civilians, officials said Saturday, as the war-torn country prepares for a "reduction in violence" under a deal between Taliban militants and the United States.

The incident took place in the eastern province of Nangarhar on Friday when a vehicle carrying civilians was struck, according to Ataullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the provincial governor.

"The target of the attack was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-afghan-forces-clash-despite-talk-of-breakthrough-in-peace-deal-280693">Taliban </a>militants who wanted to establish checkpoints on the road, but unfortunately civilians were hit," he told AFP, putting the death toll at eight.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/i-urge-the-united-states-to-stop-killing-our-people-karzai-279802">I urge the United States to stop killing our people: Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai</a>

Talib Khan, a relative of the dead, told AFP the victims had been driving home from a picnic when their truck was hit, killing everyone inside.

Another relative, Shah Mir, 70, said: "No other breadwinner is left in my house, all my three sons were killed. I have a dozen grandchildren, I don't know how to bring them up."

It was not immediately clear who bombed the vehicle, but the US and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-afghan-forces-clash-despite-talk-of-breakthrough-in-peace-deal-280693">Afghan </a>militaries are the only forces in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eight-including-newborn-killed-in-airstrike-in-afghanistans-khost-province-265602">Afghanistan </a>conducting air strikes.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eight-including-newborn-killed-in-airstrike-in-afghanistans-khost-province-265602">Eight including newborn killed in airstrike in Afghanistan's Khost province</a>

A US military spokesman said they were "looking into the incident" and an Afghan defence ministry spokesman said they had launched an investigation.

The strike comes after US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday an agreement with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eight-including-newborn-killed-in-airstrike-in-afghanistans-khost-province-265602">Taliban </a>was in place for a "conditions-based" seven-day reduction in violence.

The move is part of a long quest to forge a deal that could eventually lead to a comprehensive ceasefire.

It was not clear when the reduction in violence would start, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-afghan-forces-clash-despite-talk-of-breakthrough-in-peace-deal-280693">Taliban </a>official said it was imminent and a US official said Friday it would begin "really soon".

A UN agency in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-afghan-forces-clash-despite-talk-of-breakthrough-in-peace-deal-280693">Afghanistan </a>in December reported that more than 100,000 Afghan civilians had been killed or wounded over the past decade.

A grim milestone after more than 18 years of war since US and NATO allies invaded the country following the September 11 attacks in 2001.

An air strike in Afghanistan has killed at least eight civilians, officials said Saturday, as the war-torn country prepares for a "reduction in violence" under a deal between Taliban militants and the United States.

An air strike in Afghanistan has killed at least eight civilians, officials said Saturday, as the war-torn country prepares for a "reduction in violence" under a deal between Taliban militants and the United States. The incident took place in the eastern province of Nangarhar on Friday when a vehicle carrying civilians was struck, according to Ataullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the provincial governor. "The target of the attack was Taliban militants who wanted to establish checkpoints on the road, but unfortunately civilians were hit," he told AFP, putting the death toll at eight. Also read: I urge the United States to stop killing our people: Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai Talib Khan, a relative of the dead, told AFP the victims had been driving home from a picnic when their truck was hit, killing everyone inside. Another relative, Shah Mir, 70, said: "No other breadwinner is left in my house, all my three sons were killed. I have a dozen grandchildren, I don't know how to bring them up." It was not immediately clear who bombed the vehicle, but the US and Afghan militaries are the only forces in Afghanistan conducting air strikes. Also read: Eight including newborn killed in airstrike in Afghanistan's Khost province A US military spokesman said they were "looking into the incident" and an Afghan defence ministry spokesman said they had launched an investigation. The strike comes after US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday an agreement with the Taliban was in place for a "conditions-based" seven-day reduction in violence. The move is part of a long quest to forge a deal that could eventually lead to a comprehensive ceasefire. It was not clear when the reduction in violence would start, a Taliban official said it was imminent and a US official said Friday it would begin "really soon". A UN agency in Afghanistan in December reported that more than 100,000 Afghan civilians had been killed or wounded over the past decade. A grim milestone after more than 18 years of war since US and NATO allies invaded the country following the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Eight civilians killed in Afghanistan air strike: Officials

US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-taliban-reach-violence-reduction-pact-that-could-lead-to-us-withdrawal-280783">Mike&nbsp;Pompeo</a>&nbsp;on Friday rejected European pessimism about Washington's retreat from the global stage, saying the death of the transatlantic bond is "grossly over-exaggerated".

"The West is winning and we're winning together,"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-taliban-reach-violence-reduction-pact-that-could-lead-to-us-withdrawal-280783">Pompeo&nbsp;</a>said at the Munich Security Conference.

The annual gathering of world leaders, generals and diplomats to discuss security challenges has been dominated by fears of diminishing Western influence in the face of a more assertive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-china-trade-pact-fails-to-resolve-three-fundamental-issues-274848">China </a>and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-russia-talks-on-syrias-idlib-inconclusive-280239">Russia</a>.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-taliban-reach-violence-reduction-pact-that-could-lead-to-us-withdrawal-280783">US, Taliban reach violence reduction pact that could lead to US withdrawal</a>

Pompeo&nbsp;spoke a day after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier suggested the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-taliban-reach-violence-reduction-pact-that-could-lead-to-us-withdrawal-280783">United States</a> rejected "even the idea of an international community" and was acting "at the expense of neighbours and partners".

"Those statements don't reflect reality. I'm happy to report that the death of the transatlantic alliance is grossly over-exaggerated,"&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;said, paraphrasing a famous Mark Twain quote.

He said Washington played a key role in keeping Europe safe by reinforcing NATO's eastern flank on the border with Russia, and had led a multinational effort to defeat the Islamic State jihadist group.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-china-trade-pact-fails-to-resolve-three-fundamental-issues-274848">US-China trade pact fails to resolve three fundamental issues</a>

"Is this an America that 'rejects the international community'?" he asked.

"The free West has a brighter future than illiberal alternatives."&nbsp;

He also warned of the threats posed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-russia-talks-on-syrias-idlib-inconclusive-280239">Russia's </a>territorial ambitions, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-china-trade-pact-fails-to-resolve-three-fundamental-issues-274848">China's </a>military buildup in the South <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-china-trade-pact-fails-to-resolve-three-fundamental-issues-274848">China </a>Sea and Iran's "campaigns of terror" through proxy conflicts in the Middle East.

In a nod to concerns about European reliance on Russian natural gas,&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;also announced that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-taliban-reach-violence-reduction-pact-that-could-lead-to-us-withdrawal-280783">US </a>would finance energy projects in eastern EU countries.

"The United States through our International Development Finance Corporation, and with the support of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-taliban-reach-violence-reduction-pact-that-could-lead-to-us-withdrawal-280783">US </a>Congress intends to provide up to $1 billion in financing to the Central and Eastern European countries of the Three Seas Initiative,"&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;told the conference.

"Our aim is to galvanise private sector investment in their energy sectors."

The pledge comes amid fierce US opposition to Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline, set to double the country's gas shipments to Germany.

Washington believes the pipeline will give Russia too much influence over security and economic issues in western Europe.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday rejected European pessimism about Washington's retreat from the global stage, saying the death of the transatlantic bond is "grossly over-exaggerated".

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday rejected European pessimism about Washington's retreat from the global stage, saying the death of the transatlantic bond is "grossly over-exaggerated". "The West is winning and we're winning together," Pompeo said at the Munich Security Conference. The annual gathering of world leaders, generals and diplomats to discuss security challenges has been dominated by fears of diminishing Western influence in the face of a more assertive China and Russia. Also read: US, Taliban reach violence reduction pact that could lead to US withdrawal Pompeo spoke a day after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier suggested the United States rejected "even the idea of an international community" and was acting "at the expense of neighbours and partners". "Those statements don't reflect reality. I'm happy to report that the death of the transatlantic alliance is grossly over-exaggerated," Pompeo said, paraphrasing a famous Mark Twain quote. He said Washington played a key role in keeping Europe safe by reinforcing NATO's eastern flank on the border with Russia, and had led a multinational effort to defeat the Islamic State jihadist group. Also read: US-China trade pact fails to resolve three fundamental issues "Is this an America that 'rejects the international community'?" he asked. "The free West has a brighter future than illiberal alternatives." He also warned of the threats posed by Russia's territorial ambitions, China's military buildup in the South China Sea and Iran's "campaigns of terror" through proxy conflicts in the Middle East. In a nod to concerns about European reliance on Russian natural gas, Pompeo also announced that the US would finance energy projects in eastern EU countries. "The United States through our International Development Finance Corporation, and with the support of the US Congress intends to provide up to $1 billion in financing to the Central and Eastern European countries of the Three Seas Initiative," Pompeo told the conference. "Our aim is to galvanise private sector investment in their energy sectors." The pledge comes amid fierce US opposition to Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline, set to double the country's gas shipments to Germany. Washington believes the pipeline will give Russia too much influence over security and economic issues in western Europe.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejects claims that US has quit global role

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zafar-satellite-did-not-reach-orbit-as-planned-iranian-defence-ministry-279606">Iran's </a>government on Wednesday rejected <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zafar-satellite-did-not-reach-orbit-as-planned-iranian-defence-ministry-279606">US </a>allegations that the Islamic republic's satellite programme has a military dimension, days after the failed launch of its latest satellite.

"The subject of satellite launch vehicles and satellites is a civilian matter," Defence Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zafar-satellite-did-not-reach-orbit-as-planned-iranian-defence-ministry-279606">Amir Hatami</a> was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zafar-satellite-did-not-reach-orbit-as-planned-iranian-defence-ministry-279606">'Zafar' satellite did not reach orbit as planned: Iranian defence ministry</a>

"We could use a satellite for defence purposes, but the satellite launcher is a completely non-defensive subject and it's the definite and absolute right of the Iranian nation.

"There is no prohibition in the world" against this satellite programme, he said.

Iran attempted on Sunday to launch a satellite dubbed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zafar-satellite-did-not-reach-orbit-as-planned-iranian-defence-ministry-279606">Zafar </a>which is Farsi for "Victory" but it failed to reach orbit.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/successfully-launched-satellite-failed-to-reach-orbit-says-iran-defence-ministry-official-279692">'Successfully' launched satellite failed to reach orbit, says Iran Defence Ministry official</a>

Washington on Tuesday accused <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zafar-satellite-did-not-reach-orbit-as-planned-iranian-defence-ministry-279606">Tehran </a>of using satellites as a cover to develop its missile programme.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the technology involved to launch satellites was "virtually identical" to the know-how for long-range ballistic missiles.

But <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zafar-satellite-did-not-reach-orbit-as-planned-iranian-defence-ministry-279606">Hatami </a>said Iran was only doing the same as "all other countries" with satellite programmes.

Iran would press ahead with its satellite programme and planned to launch a new version of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zafar-satellite-did-not-reach-orbit-as-planned-iranian-defence-ministry-279606">Zafar </a>by early next year, he added.

"The Zafar 2, given its weight, will be launched with the Simorgh launcher," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zafar-satellite-did-not-reach-orbit-as-planned-iranian-defence-ministry-279606">Hatami </a>said, referring to the rocket used in Sunday's launch.

"We will still do research on the launcher and the satellites and will certainly continue this research until we are stable in this domain and until we are able to do it sustainably."

Iran's government on Wednesday rejected US allegations that the Islamic republic's satellite programme has a military dimension, days after the failed launch of its latest satellite.

Iran's government on Wednesday rejected US allegations that the Islamic republic's satellite programme has a military dimension, days after the failed launch of its latest satellite. "The subject of satellite launch vehicles and satellites is a civilian matter," Defence Minister Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. Also read: 'Zafar' satellite did not reach orbit as planned: Iranian defence ministry "We could use a satellite for defence purposes, but the satellite launcher is a completely non-defensive subject and it's the definite and absolute right of the Iranian nation. "There is no prohibition in the world" against this satellite programme, he said. Iran attempted on Sunday to launch a satellite dubbed the Zafar which is Farsi for "Victory" but it failed to reach orbit. Also read: 'Successfully' launched satellite failed to reach orbit, says Iran Defence Ministry official Washington on Tuesday accused Tehran of using satellites as a cover to develop its missile programme. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the technology involved to launch satellites was "virtually identical" to the know-how for long-range ballistic missiles. But Hatami said Iran was only doing the same as "all other countries" with satellite programmes. Iran would press ahead with its satellite programme and planned to launch a new version of the Zafar by early next year, he added. "The Zafar 2, given its weight, will be launched with the Simorgh launcher," Hatami said, referring to the rocket used in Sunday's launch. "We will still do research on the launcher and the satellites and will certainly continue this research until we are stable in this domain and until we are able to do it sustainably."

Iran denies satellite programme has military dimension

United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo condemned terrorists and violent extremists who target religious minorities, especially mentioning Pakistan's statement of Hindu minorities among other countries.

Mike Pompeo: People can't practice faith freely

The United States was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-slams-us-for-stalling-peace-talks-278581">accused by the Taliban</a> on Twitter for obstructing negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would result in the Americans ending their 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. 
 
The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-envoy-for-taliban-talks-back-in-kabul-official-278071">US Government</a> is still wrangling with the Taliban over a possible agreement that would allow US troops to begin leaving Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees. 
 
Insurgents have saddled the blame for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trump-wants-significant-drop-in-taliban-violence-for-afghan-talks-275983">pitiful state</a> of progress on the White House, and have called out the Administration on the growing list of demands being made to pave the way for a deal.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-violence-rises-amid-us-taliban-talks-watchdog-277677">Afghanistan violence rises amid US-Taliban talks: Watchdog</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reaction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reaction</a> 
IEA has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a> should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them.
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1224647135746043905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In a tweet made be Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban it was asserted that the extremist outfit has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution. "Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials. @SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them," he tweeted.

This preceded statements made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan that the insurgents must present demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence if they wished to enter any agreement.

The United States was accused by the Taliban on Twitter for obstructing negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would result in the Americans ending their 18-year-old war in Afghanistan.

The United States was accused by the Taliban on Twitter for obstructing negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would result in the Americans ending their 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. The US Government is still wrangling with the Taliban over a possible agreement that would allow US troops to begin leaving Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees. Insurgents have saddled the blame for the pitiful state of progress on the White House, and have called out the Administration on the growing list of demands being made to pave the way for a deal. Also Read: Afghanistan violence rises amid US-Taliban talks: Watchdog #Reaction IEA has the intention & capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials.@SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them. — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) February 4, 2020 × In a tweet made be Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban it was asserted that the extremist outfit has the intention & capacity for a resolution. "Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials. @SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them," he tweeted. This preceded statements made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan that the insurgents must present demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence if they wished to enter any agreement.

Taliban takes to Twitter; accuses US Government of halting peace talks

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a discussion in London said that the "Chinese Communist Party presents the central threat of our times."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-uk-eu-allows-huawei-5g-with-strict-guidelines-277407">Also Read: After UK, EU allows Huawei 5G with strict guidelines</a>

Pompeo in a joint appearance with Britain's foreign secretary Dominic Raab said: "While we still have to be enormously vigilant about terror...the Chinese Communist Party presents the central threat of our times."

The US secretary of state added that "Western allies must ensure that the next century is governed by these Western democratic principles."

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/huawei-gets-green-light-in-uks-5g-network-277187/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Pompeo's remarks come amid differences between the UK and the United States over allowing China's Huawei 5G network to operate in Britain.

After the Johnson government gave the go-ahead for limited use of Huawei's 5G network, Pompeo had urged the British government to "relook" its implementation.

The United States had expressed doubt to the UK government over intelligence-sharing if the UK allows Huawei's 5G to operate. Pompeo said he would "evaluate what the United Kingdom did" referring to the China Huwaei announcement.

Huawei has consistently denied it is engaged in espionage.

The European Union also allowed Huawei's 5G infrastructure, however, it added it would closely monitor it as it urged countries to "assess the risk profile of suppliers (and)... apply relevant restrictions for suppliers considered to be high risk" accordingly, including shutting them out of "key assets defined as critical and sensitive".

The European body also recommended EU states avoid "major dependency on a single supplier" and "dependency on suppliers considered to be high risk".

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a discussion in London said that the "Chinese Communist Party presents the central threat of our times." Also Read: After UK, EU allows Huawei 5G with strict guidelines Pompeo in a joint appearance with Britain's foreign secretary Dominic Raab said: "While we still have to be enormously vigilant about terror.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a discussion in London said that the "Chinese Communist Party presents the central threat of our times." Also Read: After UK, EU allows Huawei 5G with strict guidelines Pompeo in a joint appearance with Britain's foreign secretary Dominic Raab said: "While we still have to be enormously vigilant about terror...the Chinese Communist Party presents the central threat of our times." The US secretary of state added that "Western allies must ensure that the next century is governed by these Western democratic principles." Watch Video: Pompeo's remarks come amid differences between the UK and the United States over allowing China's Huawei 5G network to operate in Britain. After the Johnson government gave the go-ahead for limited use of Huawei's 5G network, Pompeo had urged the British government to "relook" its implementation. The United States had expressed doubt to the UK government over intelligence-sharing if the UK allows Huawei's 5G to operate. Pompeo said he would "evaluate what the United Kingdom did" referring to the China Huwaei announcement. Huawei has consistently denied it is engaged in espionage. The European Union also allowed Huawei's 5G infrastructure, however, it added it would closely monitor it as it urged countries to "assess the risk profile of suppliers (and)... apply relevant restrictions for suppliers considered to be high risk" accordingly, including shutting them out of "key assets defined as critical and sensitive". The European body also recommended EU states avoid "major dependency on a single supplier" and "dependency on suppliers considered to be high risk".

Chinese Communist Party presents central threat of our times: Pompeo

The US State Department has removed a National Public Radio (NPR) reporter from the press pool for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's upcoming foreign trip, a press association and NPR said on Monday.

The US State Department has removed a National Public Radio (NPR) reporter from the press pool for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's upcoming foreign trip, a press association and NPR said on Monday. The development comes days after Pompeo's tense interview with NPR journalist. The removal of NPR reporter Michele Kelemen, who was part of the travelling pool of correspondents with Pompeo on his planned trip to the UK, Ukraine, Belarus and Central Asia, can be seen only as retaliation for her colleague's interview, the State Department Correspondents' Association (SDCA) said. "The State Department press corps has a long tradition of accompanying secretaries of state on their travels and we find it unacceptable to punish an individual member of our association," Shaun Tandon, the head of the association, said in a statement. Pompeo was interviewed on Friday by NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly, and was asked repeatedly about Ukraine and ousted US Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch during a testy nine-minute exchange. Yovanovitch's removal was a key event in the actions that prompted the impeachment of President Donald Trump by the Democratic-led US House of Representatives last month. Following the interview, Kelly said Pompeo cursed at her and repeatedly "used the F-word" and asked her: "Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?"

NPR reporter removed from Mike Pompeo trip after testy interview

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-not-lift-sanctions-to-negotiate-with-iran-donald-trump-276694">United States</a> Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-i-am-legally-required-to-testify-will-be-happy-to-do-it-pompeo-on-trumps-impeachment-275980">Mike Pompeo</a> on Sunday said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-johnson-signs-agreement-for-britain-to-leave-european-union-276448">United Kingdom</a>'s sovereignty is at risk if Chinese firm <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-johnson-talk-telecoms-security-ahead-of-huawei-decision-276527">Huawei</a> is allowed to develop 5G infrastructure in the country.&nbsp;

The US administration has repeatedly warned its allies not to allow the Chinese company to develop 5G infrastructure in their countries, claiming it would be a security risk considering the company's close links to the Chinese government.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-johnson-talk-telecoms-security-ahead-of-huawei-decision-276527">Trump, Johnson talk telecoms security ahead of Huawei decision</a>

Huawei has repeatedly denied the allegations that its equipment could be used to spy on people.

Pompeo wrote on Twitter on Sunday night: “The UK has a momentous decision ahead on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-launches-first-private-5g-low-orbit-broadband-satellite-274708">5G</a>.

“British MP Tom Tugendhat gets it right: ‘The truth is that only nations able to protect their data will be sovereign’.”

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The UK has a momentous decision ahead on 5G. British MP Tom Tugendhat gets it right: “The truth is that only nations able to protect their data will be sovereign.” <a href="https://t.co/8lLEUEUxdL">https://t.co/8lLEUEUxdL</a>
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1221485901525803008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The secretary of state retweeted a comment by Tugendhat, the chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee in the last parliament, in which the Conservative MP said: “Sovereignty means control of data as much as land. We need to decide what we’re willing to invest in and who we are willing to share our tech with.

“The real costs will come later if we get this wrong and allow Huawei to run 5G.”

&nbsp;

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Pompeo’s last-ditch attempt follows <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-johnson-signs-agreement-for-britain-to-leave-european-union-276448">Boris Johnson</a>-led Conservative government signalling that it believed Huawei kit was needed to ensure that the 5G mobile network was affordable. However, the government is expected to agree to new restrictions on the tech giant, reported UK newspaper The Guardian.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-johnson-signs-agreement-for-britain-to-leave-european-union-276448">PM Johnson signs agreement for Britain to leave European Union</a>

Furthermore, Britain’s spy agencies believe that any risk that Huawei technology could be compromised by the Chinese government to carry out surveillance can be mitigated, the report added.&nbsp;

Pompeo is due to meet Boris Johnson and the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, in London on Wednesday.

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that United Kingdom's sovereignty is at risk if Chinese firm Huawei is allowed to develop 5G infrastructure in the country.

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that United Kingdom's sovereignty is at risk if Chinese firm Huawei is allowed to develop 5G infrastructure in the country. The US administration has repeatedly warned its allies not to allow the Chinese company to develop 5G infrastructure in their countries, claiming it would be a security risk considering the company's close links to the Chinese government. Also read: Trump, Johnson talk telecoms security ahead of Huawei decision Huawei has repeatedly denied the allegations that its equipment could be used to spy on people. Pompeo wrote on Twitter on Sunday night: “The UK has a momentous decision ahead on 5G. “British MP Tom Tugendhat gets it right: ‘The truth is that only nations able to protect their data will be sovereign’.” The UK has a momentous decision ahead on 5G. British MP Tom Tugendhat gets it right: “The truth is that only nations able to protect their data will be sovereign.” https://t.co/8lLEUEUxdL — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 26, 2020 × The secretary of state retweeted a comment by Tugendhat, the chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee in the last parliament, in which the Conservative MP said: “Sovereignty means control of data as much as land. We need to decide what we’re willing to invest in and who we are willing to share our tech with. “The real costs will come later if we get this wrong and allow Huawei to run 5G.” Pompeo’s last-ditch attempt follows Boris Johnson-led Conservative government signalling that it believed Huawei kit was needed to ensure that the 5G mobile network was affordable. However, the government is expected to agree to new restrictions on the tech giant, reported UK newspaper The Guardian. Also read: PM Johnson signs agreement for Britain to leave European Union Furthermore, Britain’s spy agencies believe that any risk that Huawei technology could be compromised by the Chinese government to carry out surveillance can be mitigated, the report added. Pompeo is due to meet Boris Johnson and the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, in London on Wednesday.

UK's sovereignty at risk if Huawei is allowed for 5G, warns Mike Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cursed at a National Public Radio reporter and repeatedly "used the F-word" in a shouted diatribe after she questioned him about Ukraine and the ousted American ambassador to Kiev in an interview on Friday, the reporter said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cursed at a National Public Radio reporter and repeatedly "used the F-word" in a shouted diatribe after she questioned him about Ukraine and the ousted American ambassador to Kiev in an interview on Friday, the reporter said. Mary Louise Kelly conducted a testy interview lasting about nine minutes with Pompeo for NPR's "All Things Considered" programme, asking him about Iran and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who was ousted by President Donald Trump last May. Yovanovitch's removal was a key event in the actions that prompted Trump's impeachment in the House of Representatives last month. "Afterwards, Pompeo proceeded to shout his displeasure at being questioned about Ukraine. He used repeated expletives, according to Kelly," NPR said in a statement. "He asked, 'Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?' He used the F-word in that sentence and many others," Kelly said in an interview of her own with NPR later on Friday. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Kelly said Pompeo shouted at her "for about the same amount of time as the interview itself." Pompeo then had aides bring a blank map of the world and asked Kelly to show Ukraine. "People will hear about this," Pompeo said after Kelly pointed at Ukraine on the map, she said. When Kelly turned her questioning to Ukraine in the latter part of the interview with Pompeo, he said he had agreed to discuss only Iran. Kelly said she had informed Pompeo's aides that she would ask also about Ukraine, and posed several questions, including whether Pompeo owed an apology to Yovanovitch, who testified last year in the House impeachment inquiry about her ouster. The incident also has figured in Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate. "I have defended every State Department official. ... I've defended every single person on this team," Pompeo replied. In November, Pompeo declined to defend Yovanovitch after Trump attacked her on Twitter. Yovanovitch was removed by Trump following a negative campaign against her by his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and others. Giuliani at the time was pushing to have Ukraine investigate Trump's political rival Joe Biden.

Radio reporter says Pompeo cursed at her after testy interview

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Berlin to take part in a summit. Libyan rival camps and their foreign backers will also attend the summit to discuss ways to end a proxy war over the capital Tripoli and the oil producer.

US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo reaches Berlin for summit

Libyan rival camps and their foreign backers will attend a summit in Berlin on Sunday to discuss ways to end a proxy war over the capital <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tayyip-erdogan-calls-on-europe-to-support-turkeys-moves-in-libya-275097">Tripoli</a> and the oil producer, which has displaced 140,000 and now more than halved the country's crude output.

Germany and the United Nations hope to persuade Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt to push their opposing camps to agree on a lasting truce in Tripoli, home to the internationally recognized government.

As with previous failed attempts, center stage of the one-day meeting will be occupied by eastern commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/general-haftar-ready-to-abide-by-ongoing-ceasefire-in-libya-germany-274749">Khalifa Haftar</a>, who in April started a campaign to take Tripoli. Western powers hope this time to put pressure on him to continue a ceasefire that has largely held for one week.

Haftar on Monday walked out on a Russo-Turkish summit, in contrast with his rival Fayez al-Serraj, the internationally recognized prime minister, who signed a lasting truce proposal put forward to both leaders.

Haftar, a former general from the regime of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tayyip-erdogan-calls-on-europe-to-support-turkeys-moves-in-libya-275097">Muammar Gaddafi</a> toppled in 2011, appeared confident this week when German foreign minister Heiko Maas visited him at his base outside Benghazi to ask him to come to Berlin.

He leaned back in his chair while Maas was leaning towards him to make his peace pitch, a picture from the meeting showed.

Haftar escalated the conflict on Friday when allied tribesmen shut down eastern oil ports, cutting oil production by 800,000 barrels a day. That will hit hard Tripoli, which benefits most from oil revenues.

Watch:&nbsp;US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo reaches Berlin for summit

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The one-day summit, which will also bring together US&nbsp;Secretary of States Mike Pompeo and European and Arab leaders, will not attempt to broker a power-sharing agreement between Haftar and Serraj.

Instead, the focus is on a lasting ceasefire to restart talks.

Haftar is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Jordan, Sudanese and Chadian fighters, and most recently Russian mercenaries, which helped him gain a bit on the Tripoli front. France has also given some support.

That has prompted Turkey to rush to Serraj's rescue by sending troops to Tripoli. Up to 2,000 fighters from Syria's civil war have also joined the battle to defend the capital, a UN&nbsp;official said on Saturday.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
In <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Berlin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Berlin</a> to engage world leaders and <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> officials to work toward ending hostilities in Libya. Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Germany?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Germany</a> for serving as host and leading this important initiative. <a href="https://t.co/W8tjlO9R45">pic.twitter.com/W8tjlO9R45</a>
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1218663923823628288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"I mean this is a region-wide conflict broadening, and looking increasingly like Syria which is why the whole international community is getting together in Germany," a senior US&nbsp;state department official told reporters travelling with Pompeo.

Still, expectations were "moderate," the official added.

Tarek Megerisi, a policy fellow with the North Africa and Middle East program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said there was no sign Haftar's backers were pushing him to stop the war.

"That means that obtaining a commitment to maintain this forum where all interfering actors meet in the form of follow-up committees would likely be the most valuable output Germany could achieve," he said.

Libyan rival camps and their foreign backers will attend a summit in Berlin on Sunday to discuss ways to end a proxy war over the capital Tripoli and the oil producer, which has displaced 140,000 and now more than halved the country's crude output.

Libyan rival camps and their foreign backers will attend a summit in Berlin on Sunday to discuss ways to end a proxy war over the capital Tripoli and the oil producer, which has displaced 140,000 and now more than halved the country's crude output. Germany and the United Nations hope to persuade Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt to push their opposing camps to agree on a lasting truce in Tripoli, home to the internationally recognized government. As with previous failed attempts, center stage of the one-day meeting will be occupied by eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, who in April started a campaign to take Tripoli. Western powers hope this time to put pressure on him to continue a ceasefire that has largely held for one week. Haftar on Monday walked out on a Russo-Turkish summit, in contrast with his rival Fayez al-Serraj, the internationally recognized prime minister, who signed a lasting truce proposal put forward to both leaders. Haftar, a former general from the regime of Muammar Gaddafi toppled in 2011, appeared confident this week when German foreign minister Heiko Maas visited him at his base outside Benghazi to ask him to come to Berlin. He leaned back in his chair while Maas was leaning towards him to make his peace pitch, a picture from the meeting showed. Haftar escalated the conflict on Friday when allied tribesmen shut down eastern oil ports, cutting oil production by 800,000 barrels a day. That will hit hard Tripoli, which benefits most from oil revenues. Watch: US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo reaches Berlin for summit × The one-day summit, which will also bring together US Secretary of States Mike Pompeo and European and Arab leaders, will not attempt to broker a power-sharing agreement between Haftar and Serraj. Instead, the focus is on a lasting ceasefire to restart talks. Haftar is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Jordan, Sudanese and Chadian fighters, and most recently Russian mercenaries, which helped him gain a bit on the Tripoli front. France has also given some support. That has prompted Turkey to rush to Serraj's rescue by sending troops to Tripoli. Up to 2,000 fighters from Syria's civil war have also joined the battle to defend the capital, a UN official said on Saturday. In #Berlin to engage world leaders and @UN officials to work toward ending hostilities in Libya. Thanks to #Germany for serving as host and leading this important initiative. pic.twitter.com/W8tjlO9R45 — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 18, 2020 × "I mean this is a region-wide conflict broadening, and looking increasingly like Syria which is why the whole international community is getting together in Germany," a senior US state department official told reporters travelling with Pompeo. Still, expectations were "moderate," the official added. Tarek Megerisi, a policy fellow with the North Africa and Middle East program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said there was no sign Haftar's backers were pushing him to stop the war. "That means that obtaining a commitment to maintain this forum where all interfering actors meet in the form of follow-up committees would likely be the most valuable output Germany could achieve," he said.

Libyan rival camps to discuss ways to end crisis with an international summit in Berlin later today

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promised Friday to investigate whether the ousted ambassador to Ukraine was being spied on by President Donald Trump's supporters but said he was unaware if so.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-broke-law-by-withholding-ukraine-aid-congressional-agency-274758">White House broke law by withholding Ukraine aid, says Congressional agency</a>

House Democrats, who cited Trump's dismissal of ambassador Marie Yovanovitch as they impeached him, released documents this week that suggested that the envoy was under private surveillance.

After days of the State Department not commenting, Pompeo said in two interviews with conservative media that he had not previously heard of any surveillance of Yovanovitch.

"We do our best to make sure that no harm will come to anyone," he told radio host Tony Katz.

"We will do everything we need to do to evaluate whether there was something that took place there," he said.

"I suspect that much of what's been reported will ultimately prove wrong, but our obligation -&nbsp;my obligation as secretary of state -&nbsp;is to make sure that we evaluate, investigate," he said.

Pompeo said he has never met Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian-born American who was working with Trump's personal lawyer, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.

The documents released by House Democrats detailed exchanges in which Yovanovitch's location was discussed, indicating that she may be under watch.

Ukraine earlier announced a probe amid indications that officials joined the alleged surveillance effort.

Trump last year removed Yovanovitch as ambassador and later denounced her in a call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that triggered his impeachment.

Witnesses testified that Trump saw the veteran diplomat as an impediment in his bid to pressure Ukraine to investigate his domestic rival Joe Biden, whose son served on the board of a Ukrainian company.

Pompeo, a stalwart ally of Trump, has come under sharp criticism from former career diplomats for not robustly defending Yovanovitch either to the White House or in public.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promised Friday to investigate whether the ousted ambassador to Ukraine was being spied on by President Donald Trump's supporters but said he was unaware if so.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promised Friday to investigate whether the ousted ambassador to Ukraine was being spied on by President Donald Trump's supporters but said he was unaware if so. White House broke law by withholding Ukraine aid, says Congressional agency House Democrats, who cited Trump's dismissal of ambassador Marie Yovanovitch as they impeached him, released documents this week that suggested that the envoy was under private surveillance. After days of the State Department not commenting, Pompeo said in two interviews with conservative media that he had not previously heard of any surveillance of Yovanovitch. "We do our best to make sure that no harm will come to anyone," he told radio host Tony Katz. "We will do everything we need to do to evaluate whether there was something that took place there," he said. "I suspect that much of what's been reported will ultimately prove wrong, but our obligation - my obligation as secretary of state - is to make sure that we evaluate, investigate," he said. Pompeo said he has never met Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian-born American who was working with Trump's personal lawyer, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. The documents released by House Democrats detailed exchanges in which Yovanovitch's location was discussed, indicating that she may be under watch. Ukraine earlier announced a probe amid indications that officials joined the alleged surveillance effort. Trump last year removed Yovanovitch as ambassador and later denounced her in a call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that triggered his impeachment. Witnesses testified that Trump saw the veteran diplomat as an impediment in his bid to pressure Ukraine to investigate his domestic rival Joe Biden, whose son served on the board of a Ukrainian company. Pompeo, a stalwart ally of Trump, has come under sharp criticism from former career diplomats for not robustly defending Yovanovitch either to the White House or in public.

Will probe possible surveillance of Ukraine envoy: Pompeo

US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-applauds-taiwan-president-re-election-mike-pompeo-273668">Mike Pompeo</a> on Monday warned Silicon Valley not to bolster China's "Orwellian" state, two days before the world's two largest economies sign a partial trade deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/is-the-us-losing-the-artificial-intelligence-arms-race-258757">Also read: Is the US losing the artificial intelligence arms race?</a>

Speaking to a tech-heavy crowd in San Francisco, Pompeo trumpeted the "phase one" deal to tame a two-year trade war but told businesses that they needed to do more.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/human-rights-watch-incited-criminal-activity-says-china-after-denying-kenneth-roth-entry-into-hong-kong-274076">Also read: Human Rights Watch incited criminal activity, says China after denying Kenneth Roth entry into Hong Kong</a> 
 
"We need to make sure American technology doesn't power a truly Orwellian surveillance state. We need to make sure American principles aren't sacrificed for prosperity," Pompeo said at the Commonwealth Club.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-china-spy-concerns-australia-launches-anti-espionage-task-force-265625">Also read: Amid China spy concerns, Australia launches anti-espionage task force</a>

He said he was not discouraging firms from heading to China, insisting that the Trump administration wants "American companies to get rich doing business there."

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"At the same time, we need to make sure that our companies don't do deals that strengthen our competitor's military or tighten their regime's grip of repression in parts of that country," he said.

Rights advocates have voiced growing concern about China's use of technology to develop intrusive electronic surveillance.

In the tightly controlled western region of Xinjiang, where experts say more than one million mostly Muslim people are incarcerated, China is said to be fine-tuning technology that will allow security forces to quickly identify anyone and give details about their movements and background.

"Ask yourselves just a few questions — who am I dealing with? What's the true risk/return calculus to doing business in China?" Pompeo said.

Trump is set to sign the partial deal on Wednesday after prolonged feuding, dropping new tariffs that were set to take effect on Chinese electronic products and cutting in half those imposed on September 1 on $120 billion worth of products.

The White House has said the agreement includes improvements on Beijing's requirements that foreign companies transfer technology -- which the United States say is a pretext for rampant intellectual theft.

The Trump administration says that the accord will also give US companies better access to the Chinese market for financial services and require China to buy more US products.

"We will do our part in the government. We will keep ramping up our enforcement," Pompeo said.

"But defending freedom and national security isn't just the government's job. It's one for each and every citizen," he told the tech companies.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday warned Silicon Valley not to bolster China's "Orwellian" state, two days before the world's two largest economies sign a partial trade deal.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday warned Silicon Valley not to bolster China's "Orwellian" state, two days before the world's two largest economies sign a partial trade deal. Also read: Is the US losing the artificial intelligence arms race? Speaking to a tech-heavy crowd in San Francisco, Pompeo trumpeted the "phase one" deal to tame a two-year trade war but told businesses that they needed to do more. Also read: Human Rights Watch incited criminal activity, says China after denying Kenneth Roth entry into Hong Kong "We need to make sure American technology doesn't power a truly Orwellian surveillance state. We need to make sure American principles aren't sacrificed for prosperity," Pompeo said at the Commonwealth Club. Also read: Amid China spy concerns, Australia launches anti-espionage task force He said he was not discouraging firms from heading to China, insisting that the Trump administration wants "American companies to get rich doing business there." "At the same time, we need to make sure that our companies don't do deals that strengthen our competitor's military or tighten their regime's grip of repression in parts of that country," he said. Rights advocates have voiced growing concern about China's use of technology to develop intrusive electronic surveillance. In the tightly controlled western region of Xinjiang, where experts say more than one million mostly Muslim people are incarcerated, China is said to be fine-tuning technology that will allow security forces to quickly identify anyone and give details about their movements and background. "Ask yourselves just a few questions — who am I dealing with? What's the true risk/return calculus to doing business in China?" Pompeo said. Trump is set to sign the partial deal on Wednesday after prolonged feuding, dropping new tariffs that were set to take effect on Chinese electronic products and cutting in half those imposed on September 1 on $120 billion worth of products. The White House has said the agreement includes improvements on Beijing's requirements that foreign companies transfer technology -- which the United States say is a pretext for rampant intellectual theft. The Trump administration says that the accord will also give US companies better access to the Chinese market for financial services and require China to buy more US products. "We will do our part in the government. We will keep ramping up our enforcement," Pompeo said. "But defending freedom and national security isn't just the government's job. It's one for each and every citizen," he told the tech companies.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warns Silicon Valley on China ahead of trade pact

An Iran hawk who advocated killing General Qasem Soleimani, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has ordered his diplomats to limit contacts with militant Iranian exile and opposition groups that support either regime change or greater rights for ethnic groups like Kurds and Arabs.

Coming on the back of the Soleimani killing, Pompeo’s directive appears to put an end to the Trump administration’s hinting that it covertly supports insurgent efforts to at the very least destabilise the Iranian government if not topple it.

A litmus test of the directive by Pompeo, known to have a close relationship with Donald J Trump, is likely to be whether the president’s personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, distances himself from the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an offshoot of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, a group that was taken off the US Treasury’s list of designated terrorists several years ago.

Giuliani is a frequent, well-paid speaker at gatherings of the group that has built a significant network among Western political elites. The council and the Mujahedeen openly call for regime change in Iran.

The Mujahedeen were moved with US assistance from their exile base in Iraq to a reportedly Saudi-funded secretive facility in Albania.

A New Jersey-based lobbying firm hired by the NCRI, Rosemont Associates, reported last year in its filing as a foreign agent frequent email and telephone contact on behalf of its client with the US embassy in the Albanian capital of Tirana as well as Brian Hook, the US Special Representative for Iran, and Gabriel Noronha, an aide to Hook.

In his directive, Pompeo said that “Direct US government engagement with these groups could prove counterproductive to our policy goal of seeking a comprehensive deal with the Iranian regime that addresses its destabilising behaviour.”&nbsp;

The secretary went on to say that Iranian opposition groups “Try to engage US officials regularly to gain at least the appearance of tacit support and enhance their visibility and clout.”

Pompeo’s cable, while keeping a potential negotiated deal with Iran on the table, does not stop other US government agencies from covertly supporting the various groups, that also includes Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of al-Ahwaz (AMLA), the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI).

Iran, which has long believed that the United States, alongside Saudi Arabia and Israel, supported the Mujahedeen as well as ethnic militants that intermittently launch attacks inside Iran, is likely to take a wait-and see-attitude towards Pompeo’s directive that could be seen as a signal that the Trump administration is not seeking regime change.

The timing of the directive is significant. Iran responded to the killing of Soleimani with carefully calibrated missile attacks on US facilities in Iraq in a bid to create an environment in which backchanneling potentially could steer the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table.

While it was uncertain that one round of escalated tensions would do the trick, potential efforts were not helped by the death of Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, a key interlocutor who has repeatedly helped resolve US-Iranian problems and initiated contacts that ultimately led to the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program.

In his directive, Pompeo, referring to Komala, acknowledged that “Iran’s regime appears to assess that the United States and/or Israel support this group of militant Kurds.”

Iranian perceptions were reinforced not only by calls for regime change by senior figures like Giuliani and Saudi prince Turki al-Faisal, a former head of the kingdom’s intelligence service and ex-ambassador to Britain and the United States, but also the appointment in 2018 of Steven Fagin as counsel general in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Shortly before moving to Erbil, Fagin met in Washington as head of the State Department’s Office of Iranian Affairs, with Mustafa Hijri, leader of the KDPI as it stepped up its attacks in Iranian Kurdistan.

Iranian perceptions were further informed by the appointment of John Bolton, Trump’s since departed national security advisor and like Giuliani a frequent speaker at NCRI events, who publicly advocates support of ethnic insurgencies in Iran in a bid to change the regime.

As Trump’s first director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Pompeo named Michael D’Andrea, a hard-charging, chain-smoking covert operations officer, alternatively nicknamed the Dark Prince or Ayatollah Mike, whose track record includes overseeing the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, as head of the CIA’s Iran operations.

The appointment was followed by the publication by a Riyadh-based think tank believed to be close to crown prince Mohammed bin Salman of a study for Saudi support for a low-level Baloch insurgency in Iran. Prince Mohammed vowed around the same time that “We will work so that the battle is for them in Iran, not in Saudi Arabia.”

Pakistani militants have claimed that Saudi Arabia had stepped up funding of militant madrassas or religious seminaries in the Pakistani province of Balochistan that allegedly serves as havens for anti-Iranian fighters.

The New York Times reported this week that aides to Prince Mohammed had in the past discussed with private businessmen the assassination of Soleimani, an architect of Iran’s regional network of proxies, and other Iranians as well as ways of sabotaging the country’s economy.

Pompeo’s directive is unlikely to persuade Iran that Washington has had a change of heart. Indeed, it hasn’t. Trump maintains his campaign of maximum pressure and this week imposed additional sanctions on Iran.

Nonetheless, potentially taking regime change off the table facilitates backchanneling that aims at getting the two nations to talk again. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

An Iran hawk who advocated killing General Qasem Soleimani, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has ordered his diplomats to limit contacts with militant Iranian exile and opposition groups that support either regime change or greater rights for ethnic groups like Kurds and Arabs.

An Iran hawk who advocated killing General Qasem Soleimani, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has ordered his diplomats to limit contacts with militant Iranian exile and opposition groups that support either regime change or greater rights for ethnic groups like Kurds and Arabs. Coming on the back of the Soleimani killing, Pompeo’s directive appears to put an end to the Trump administration’s hinting that it covertly supports insurgent efforts to at the very least destabilise the Iranian government if not topple it. A litmus test of the directive by Pompeo, known to have a close relationship with Donald J Trump, is likely to be whether the president’s personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, distances himself from the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an offshoot of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, a group that was taken off the US Treasury’s list of designated terrorists several years ago. Giuliani is a frequent, well-paid speaker at gatherings of the group that has built a significant network among Western political elites. The council and the Mujahedeen openly call for regime change in Iran. The Mujahedeen were moved with US assistance from their exile base in Iraq to a reportedly Saudi-funded secretive facility in Albania. A New Jersey-based lobbying firm hired by the NCRI, Rosemont Associates, reported last year in its filing as a foreign agent frequent email and telephone contact on behalf of its client with the US embassy in the Albanian capital of Tirana as well as Brian Hook, the US Special Representative for Iran, and Gabriel Noronha, an aide to Hook. In his directive, Pompeo said that “Direct US government engagement with these groups could prove counterproductive to our policy goal of seeking a comprehensive deal with the Iranian regime that addresses its destabilising behaviour.” The secretary went on to say that Iranian opposition groups “Try to engage US officials regularly to gain at least the appearance of tacit support and enhance their visibility and clout.” Pompeo’s cable, while keeping a potential negotiated deal with Iran on the table, does not stop other US government agencies from covertly supporting the various groups, that also includes Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of al-Ahwaz (AMLA), the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI). Iran, which has long believed that the United States, alongside Saudi Arabia and Israel, supported the Mujahedeen as well as ethnic militants that intermittently launch attacks inside Iran, is likely to take a wait-and see-attitude towards Pompeo’s directive that could be seen as a signal that the Trump administration is not seeking regime change. The timing of the directive is significant. Iran responded to the killing of Soleimani with carefully calibrated missile attacks on US facilities in Iraq in a bid to create an environment in which backchanneling potentially could steer the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table. While it was uncertain that one round of escalated tensions would do the trick, potential efforts were not helped by the death of Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, a key interlocutor who has repeatedly helped resolve US-Iranian problems and initiated contacts that ultimately led to the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program. In his directive, Pompeo, referring to Komala, acknowledged that “Iran’s regime appears to assess that the United States and/or Israel support this group of militant Kurds.” Iranian perceptions were reinforced not only by calls for regime change by senior figures like Giuliani and Saudi prince Turki al-Faisal, a former head of the kingdom’s intelligence service and ex-ambassador to Britain and the United States, but also the appointment in 2018 of Steven Fagin as counsel general in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. Shortly before moving to Erbil, Fagin met in Washington as head of the State Department’s Office of Iranian Affairs, with Mustafa Hijri, leader of the KDPI as it stepped up its attacks in Iranian Kurdistan. Iranian perceptions were further informed by the appointment of John Bolton, Trump’s since departed national security advisor and like Giuliani a frequent speaker at NCRI events, who publicly advocates support of ethnic insurgencies in Iran in a bid to change the regime. As Trump’s first director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Pompeo named Michael D’Andrea, a hard-charging, chain-smoking covert operations officer, alternatively nicknamed the Dark Prince or Ayatollah Mike, whose track record includes overseeing the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, as head of the CIA’s Iran operations. The appointment was followed by the publication by a Riyadh-based think tank believed to be close to crown prince Mohammed bin Salman of a study for Saudi support for a low-level Baloch insurgency in Iran. Prince Mohammed vowed around the same time that “We will work so that the battle is for them in Iran, not in Saudi Arabia.” Pakistani militants have claimed that Saudi Arabia had stepped up funding of militant madrassas or religious seminaries in the Pakistani province of Balochistan that allegedly serves as havens for anti-Iranian fighters. The New York Times reported this week that aides to Prince Mohammed had in the past discussed with private businessmen the assassination of Soleimani, an architect of Iran’s regional network of proxies, and other Iranians as well as ways of sabotaging the country’s economy. Pompeo’s directive is unlikely to persuade Iran that Washington has had a change of heart. Indeed, it hasn’t. Trump maintains his campaign of maximum pressure and this week imposed additional sanctions on Iran. Nonetheless, potentially taking regime change off the table facilitates backchanneling that aims at getting the two nations to talk again. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US backs off support to regime change in Iran

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-will-not-change-position-on-taiwan-after-landslide-election-273675">China</a> on Sunday slammed officials from the US and other countries for congratulating Taiwan President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taiwan-elections-a-brief-analysis-273501">Tsai Ing-wen</a> after she was re-elected with a landslide victory in a stunning rebuke of Beijing's campaign to isolate the self-ruled island.

Tsai, who had pitched herself as a defender of liberal democratic values against an increasingly authoritarian China, secured a record-breaking win in Saturday's presidential election.

US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-applauds-taiwan-president-re-election-mike-pompeo-273668">Mike Pompeo</a>, as well as top diplomats from Britain and Japan, issued statements congratulating Tsai and the island's democratic elections.

But Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, denounced their actions as violating the one-China principle.

"The Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this," said foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

"We oppose any form of official exchange between Taiwan and countries that have established diplomatic relations with China," he said in a statement.

Chinese state media also sought to downplay Tsai's victory and cast doubt on the legitimacy of her campaign by accusing the Taiwanese leader of "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dirty-tactics-chinese-media-on-tsais-landslide-taiwan-poll-win-273750">dirty tactics</a>" and cheating.

Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) used "dirty tactics such as cheating, repression and intimidation to get votes, fully exposing their selfish, greedy and evil nature", said official news agency Xinhua in an op-ed Sunday.

Xinhua also accused Tsai of buying votes, and said "external dark forces" were partly responsible for the election results.

Beijing, which has vowed to one day take Taiwan -- by force if necessary -- loathes Tsai because she refuses to acknowledge the idea that Taiwan is part of "one China".

China doubled down on its "one-China principle" after Tsai's victory, with Geng emphasising Sunday that "regardless of what happens in Taiwan, the basic facts won't change: there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China".

"The Chinese government's position won't change," he added in a statement.

Orchestrating tensions

Over the last four years, Beijing has ramped up economic, military and diplomatic pressure on the island, hoping it would scare voters into supporting Tsai's opposition.

But the strong-arm tactics have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-president-tsai-ing-wen-declares-victory-in-taiwan-election-273651">backfired</a> and voters flocked to Tsai's DPP, fuelled in part by China's hardline response to months of huge and violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

Chinese state media have accused Tsai, who frequently invokes Hong Kong's protests as a warning about a Beijing-controlled Taiwan, of fear-mongering.

Tsai and her party are "orchestrating tensions", wrote the nationalistic Global Times on Saturday.

At the end of 2019, the Taiwanese leader "wantonly hyped up the so-called threat from the Chinese mainland while slandering Han Kuo-yu's mainland connections", it said, referring to her Beijing-friendly main opponent from the Kuomintang party.

Chinese state media also dismissed Saturday's election results as an anomaly in long-term ties between Taiwan and the mainland, with Xinhua describing Tsai's win as a "fluke".

"The fact that the Chinese mainland is getting increasingly stronger and the Taiwan island is getting weaker is an inevitable reality," added the Global Times.

"Recognising and complying with the reality is the only feasible option for Taiwan's peaceful development."

China on Sunday slammed officials from the US and other countries for congratulating Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen after she was re-elected with a landslide victory in a stunning rebuke of Beijing's campaign to isolate the self-ruled island.

China on Sunday slammed officials from the US and other countries for congratulating Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen after she was re-elected with a landslide victory in a stunning rebuke of Beijing's campaign to isolate the self-ruled island. Tsai, who had pitched herself as a defender of liberal democratic values against an increasingly authoritarian China, secured a record-breaking win in Saturday's presidential election. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as top diplomats from Britain and Japan, issued statements congratulating Tsai and the island's democratic elections. But Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, denounced their actions as violating the one-China principle. "The Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this," said foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang. "We oppose any form of official exchange between Taiwan and countries that have established diplomatic relations with China," he said in a statement. Chinese state media also sought to downplay Tsai's victory and cast doubt on the legitimacy of her campaign by accusing the Taiwanese leader of "dirty tactics" and cheating. Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) used "dirty tactics such as cheating, repression and intimidation to get votes, fully exposing their selfish, greedy and evil nature", said official news agency Xinhua in an op-ed Sunday. Xinhua also accused Tsai of buying votes, and said "external dark forces" were partly responsible for the election results. Beijing, which has vowed to one day take Taiwan -- by force if necessary -- loathes Tsai because she refuses to acknowledge the idea that Taiwan is part of "one China". China doubled down on its "one-China principle" after Tsai's victory, with Geng emphasising Sunday that "regardless of what happens in Taiwan, the basic facts won't change: there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China". "The Chinese government's position won't change," he added in a statement. Orchestrating tensions Over the last four years, Beijing has ramped up economic, military and diplomatic pressure on the island, hoping it would scare voters into supporting Tsai's opposition. But the strong-arm tactics have backfired and voters flocked to Tsai's DPP, fuelled in part by China's hardline response to months of huge and violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Chinese state media have accused Tsai, who frequently invokes Hong Kong's protests as a warning about a Beijing-controlled Taiwan, of fear-mongering. Tsai and her party are "orchestrating tensions", wrote the nationalistic Global Times on Saturday. At the end of 2019, the Taiwanese leader "wantonly hyped up the so-called threat from the Chinese mainland while slandering Han Kuo-yu's mainland connections", it said, referring to her Beijing-friendly main opponent from the Kuomintang party. Chinese state media also dismissed Saturday's election results as an anomaly in long-term ties between Taiwan and the mainland, with Xinhua describing Tsai's win as a "fluke". "The fact that the Chinese mainland is getting increasingly stronger and the Taiwan island is getting weaker is an inevitable reality," added the Global Times. "Recognising and complying with the reality is the only feasible option for Taiwan's peaceful development."

China slams United States for congratulating Tsai Ing-wen on Taiwan poll win

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said the United States congratulated Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen for her reelection. In a statement that could anger Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of China, Pompeo said that Taiwan's democratic system, free-market economy and civil society, made it "a model for the Indo-Pacific region and a force for good in the world.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said the United States congratulated Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen for her reelection. In a statement that could anger Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of China, Pompeo said that Taiwan's democratic system, free-market economy and civil society, made it "a model for the Indo-Pacific region and a force for good in the world." "The United States thanks President Tsai for her leadership in developing a strong partnership with the United States and applauds her commitment to maintaining cross-Strait stability in the face of unrelenting pressure," Pompeo said. While Pompeo did not mention Beijing by name, his comment referred to pressure that Tsai has faced from China throughout her first term. Tsai Ing-wen was reelected with a landslide victory on Saturday's election in a sharp rebuke to China as voters signalled support for her tough stance toward China. In total she won almost 8.2 million votes in all, more than any Taiwan president before since the island held its first direct presidential election in 1996. (With inputs from Reuters)

US applauds Taiwan president re-election: Mike Pompeo

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