Politics

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell met today with Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri in New Delhi, India to discuss their enduring commitment to strengthening the U.S.-India partnership. Deputy Secretary Campbell congratulated Prime Minister Modi and the NDA government on their victory in national elections, and the people of India on making their voices heard in the largest democratic elections in history. They also discussed ways to strengthen regional and multilateral coordination across the Indo-Pacific region, including via the Quad partnership. Both the Deputy Secretary and Foreign Secretary expressed their intention to…

June 21, 2024 MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE               THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY               THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE   THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE               THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE               THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT               THE PRESIDENT OF THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED STATES                THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION SUBJECT:    Establishment of the Economic Diplomacy Action                Group and Delegation of Certain Functions and               Authorities Under the Championing American                Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019 Supporting United States economic and business interests abroad is a foreign policy priority.  United States…

The United States condemns the persistent efforts of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik to erode the regional peace frameworks that have brought stability and security to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).  Today, we are designating two individuals and seven entities that provide major sources of revenue for Dodik ’s patronage network and enable his corruption. U.S.-designated Milorad Dodik has used his official position to accumulate personal wealth through companies linked to himself and to his son, Igor Dodik.  For instance, in 2024, Igor and Milorad exercised their control over senior BiH government officials to manipulate the draft BiH state budget so…

Readout of Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Secretary Canegallo’s Participation in the LA Declaration on Migration and Protection Ministerial Release Date: May 9, 2024 From May 6-7, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary Kristie Canegallo joined Secretary of State Antony Blinken, White House National Security Council’s Marcela Escobari, and USAID Acting Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean Michael Camilleri in Guatemala City, Guatemala to represent the United States Government at the third Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection Ministerial. Over the course of the last two years, the Los Angeles Declaration has…

This week, the Biden-Harris Administration convened state leaders to discuss efforts to expand free community college programs across the country and prepare their workforce for good jobs. State leaders shared how lowering costs for community college students has increased enrollment rates and access to postsecondary education. Several state leaders highlighted how they have used funds from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan as a key source for building and expanding community college promise programs. Officials from the Domestic Policy Council and Office of the First Lady spoke to the Administration’s commitment to expanding access to free community college. Community colleges are…

As part of the U.S. Department of State’s Global Music Diplomacy Initiative to elevate music as a tool to promote peace and democracy, the Department recently awarded 10 small grants to alumni of the OneBeat international music exchange, as part of the OneBeat Accelerator program. OneBeat is a leading multinational music exchange program of the U.S. Department of State that brings together musicians from around the world to unlock the power of creative collaboration and open a gateway to civic discourse and cross-cultural understanding. Musicians collaborate on new music and develop strategies to address shared challenges that have a positive…

Tomb Field, New York Good morning. I must admit that it is daunting to stand in front of a sign that says “Acta Non Verba” – deeds not words – and then come up here and offer you a bunch of words. But I will do my best. Vice Admiral Nunan. Deputy Secretary Trottenberg. General Smith. Rear Admiral Phillips. Congressman Souzzi. Friends, family, and faculty. And most importantly, the midshipmen of the Class of 2024. Congratulations! It is an honor be here with the newest generation of Kings Pointers. I did not time that flyover, but I’ll take it. To…

More Americans can travel abroad today than at any time in our history.  In 1990, only five percent of Americans had a passport.  Today, that number is 48 percent.  In Fiscal Year 2023, the Department of State issued over 24 million passport books and cards – more than ever before.  To better serve the growing number of Americans seeking U.S. passports, the Department is taking steps to establish six new passport agencies.  These offices – which will open in Salt Lake City, UT; Kansas City, MO; Orlando, FL; Charlotte, NC; San Antonio, TX; and Cincinnati, OH – reflect our commitment to provide prompt customer services…

Russia is waging a war not just against the Ukrainian military, but also against the Ukrainian people.  On May 23, 2024, a Russian strike destroyed the Faktur-Druk printing house in Kharkiv, one of the largest printing houses in Europe. This is part of Russia’s ongoing destruction of printing houses in Kharkiv and elsewhere in Ukraine. Kharkiv’s printing houses produce a significant percentage of all books in Ukraine, including textbooks for Ukrainian children. By striking these printing houses, Russia is attacking Ukraine’s education system. We will not let Russia succeed.  Today, we are announcing that the United States government, through USAID, is providing assistance to…

The United Nations reported a 50 percent increase in verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence from 2022 to 2023.  It is clear that everyone in the international community must do more to prevent and respond to all forms of gender-based violence, including by promoting access to immediate and long-term comprehensive services and fully funding and making accessible survivor-centered humanitarian assistance.  We owe it to victims and survivors to support trauma-informed approaches to justice and accountability, including transitional justice measures.  We must hold perpetrators accountable and condemn sexual violence wherever and whenever it occurs, and we must prevent conflict-related sexual violence…