Politics

A Proclamation on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2023
25 Dec

A Proclamation on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2023

Politics
     On this day 82 years ago, 2,403 service members and civilians were killed in a painful and unprovoked attack on our Armed Forces.  On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we remember these women and men, who gave their last full measure of devotion to our Nation.  We honor the brave service members who — with the horrors of Pearl Harbor weighing on their hearts and the hopes of humanity resting on their shoulders — answered the call to defend freedom against the forces of fascism during World War II.      The stories of the Greatest Generation’s ultimate courage…
Read More
Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute Release of Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume X, Eastern Europe
25 Dec

Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute Release of Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume X, Eastern Europe

Politics
The Department of State released today Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume X, Eastern Europe. This volume is part of a subseries of volumes of the Foreign Relations series that documents the foreign policy decision-making of the administration of President Ronald Reagan. It highlights U.S. policy toward each of the countries in Eastern Europe – with the exception of Poland, which is covered in two separate volumes. The documentation focuses on the Reagan administration’s efforts to manage its policy of differentiation, laid out in the September 1982 National Security Decision Directive 54, which declared that “the primary long-term U.S. goal in…
Read More
A Proclamation on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2023
23 Dec

Statement from President Joe Biden on Another Nearly $5 Billion in Debt Relief for Over 80,000 Student Loan Borrowers

Politics
This brings total approved debt cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration to $132 billion for over 3.6 million Americans Today my Administration is approving another $4.8 billion in student debt cancellation for 80,300 people. This relief is thanks to my Administration’s efforts to fix Public Service Loan Forgiveness, so teachers, members of the military, nurses, and other public service workers get the relief they have earned. And it’s because of actions my Administration took to make sure that borrowers who have been in repayment for at least 20 years – but didn’t accurately get credit for student loan payments – get the…
Read More
Inaugural United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Diplomatic Working Group Meeting on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Cyber Activities
23 Dec

Inaugural United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Diplomatic Working Group Meeting on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Cyber Activities

Politics
On December 7, Japan hosted the first meeting of the U.S.-Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Trilateral Diplomatic Working Group to counter cyber threats posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), following the establishment of trilateral partnership announced at the Camp David Trilateral Summit in August.  Led by U.S. Deputy Special Representative for the DPRK Dr. Jung Pak, Japanese Ambassador for Cyber Policy Ishizuki Hideo, and ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General for North Korean Nuclear Affairs Lee Jun-il, the meeting underscored the need for close trilateral and global collaboration to disrupt the DPRK’s ability to generate revenue through malicious cyber activity, crypto thefts, and…
Read More
A Proclamation on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2023
21 Dec

Remarks by President Biden Urging Congress to Pass His National Security Supplemental Request, Including Funding to Support Ukraine

Politics
Roosevelt Room 12:43 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everyone.  I’d like to speak to you today about an urgent responsibility that Congress has to uphold the national security needs of the United States and, quite frankly, of our partners as well. This cannot wait.  Congress needs to pass supplemental funding for Ukraine before they break for the holiday recess.  It’s as simple as that.  Frankly, I think it’s stunning that we’ve gotten to this point in the first place.  While Congress — the Republicans in Congress is — are willing to give Putin the greatest gift he could hope…
Read More
U.S. Commitments at the 2023 Accra Peacekeeping Ministerial
21 Dec

U.S. Commitments at the 2023 Accra Peacekeeping Ministerial

Politics
The United States thanks the Republic of Ghana for hosting the 2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Accra on December 5-6, 2023.  We and other participating Member States are united behind a common cause to strengthen UN and regional peace operations by pledging willing and able uniformed forces, enhanced capabilities that promote the highest standards of performance and accountability, and new capacity building resources to enable peacekeepers to safely and effectively implement their mandates.  Our collective efforts seek to uphold and expand our commitments under the UN’s Action for Peacekeeping agenda, operationalize the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peace operations,…
Read More
A Proclamation on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2023
19 Dec

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at a Toys for Tots Event with Military Families

Politics
The White House *** Thank you, Brigadier General Jackson. I’m grateful for your and Lieutenant General Laster’s leadership. And welcome, everyone, to the White House! Did you have fun ice skating? I know we usually hold this event at a military base, but this year, I wanted to host you here, because our holiday theme celebrates children and the way all of you experience this season. We even have ornaments made with the handprints and family portraits of military children in the Red Room – because we wanted you to see yourselves here. You may not hear this a lot,…
Read More
Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute Release of Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume X, Eastern Europe
19 Dec

Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Hammer Travels to Djibouti, Qatar, and Ethiopia

Politics
U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer will travel to Djibouti, Qatar, and Ethiopia from December 7-17.  In Djibouti, Ambassador Hammer will attend the 41st Extraordinary Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Assembly Heads of State and Government on Sudan and meet with Djiboutian officials.  SEHOA Hammer will support regional and international efforts on Sudan to end the conflict, promote a democratic transition, press for unhindered humanitarian access, and support justice and accountability for victims of the violence. In Qatar, Ambassador Hammer will participate in the Doha Forum.  He will discuss with Qatari officials regional…
Read More
A Proclamation on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2023
17 Dec

Readout of President Biden’s Virtual Meeting with G7 Leaders

Politics
Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met virtually with G7 Leaders to discuss the G7’s unwavering support for Ukraine and ongoing efforts to respond to the situation in the Middle East.  Leaders also discussed the importance of continued and concrete progress to address a range of global challenges, including sustainable development, climate change, and AI. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the beginning of the virtual meeting, and President Biden and other G7 Leaders reiterated their commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. They also outlined additional steps that they are taking together to support Ukrainians in their fight…
Read More
Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the Anti-Corruption Champions Award Ceremony
17 Dec

Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the Anti-Corruption Champions Award Ceremony

Politics
ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Good morning, everybody.  Before we get started this morning, I’d like to acknowledge the tragedy in the Seychelles.  Commissioner De Silva, our thoughts are with you and your country, your people, at this time. It’s an honor to welcome this year’s Anti-Corruption Champions Award honorees.  Thank you for joining us here today and from across the globe.  My name is Todd Robinson, the assistant secretary of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, or INL as it’s better known.  And let me give you just a little bit of an overview of what we’re going…
Read More