Crisis Chronology | United States of America

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

01/08/2024

On a trip to the Mideast, US Secretary of State says that several Arab nations have expressed interest in helping plan for Gaza in the post war including: Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

12/26/2023

US launches air strikes in Iraq on pro-Iran forces who have targeted US forces. The Iraqi government protests.

12/23/2023

US and EU considering using frozen Russian assets to fund the war in Ukraine.

12/22/2023

UN Security Council passes a resolution calling for an indefinite pause to allow humanitarian to be delivered. The United States abstained because the resolution did not support Israel’s right to self-defense.

12/20/2023

US announces ten-nation coalition to counter Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. The Houthi attacks have been highly popular in Yemen, helping it to recruit new adherents.

12/19/2023

The Supreme Court of the state of Colorado says that Donald Trump must be removed from the state’s ballot because he was involved with an insurrection on 1/6/21 and is therefore prohibited from holding office according to a provision of the US constitution added after the 1861 civil war.

12/12/2023

Zelenskyy visits US as legislation for Ukraine war aid seems unlikely to pass US House of Representatives.

12/08/2023

US embassy in Baghdad targeted by rockets, causing minor damage and no casualties.

12/05/2023

US continued funding of Ukraine war effort is in doubt. Ukrainians fear that reduced funding would force them into a defensive posture.

11/26/2023

US seizes Houthis who captured Israeli ship in the Red Sea.

11/16/2023

US President Biden and China President Xi meet. It is said to be amicable and restores military communication between the two countries.

11/16/2023

US and Indonesia expand defense cooperation, starting with cyber and space vulnerabilities.

11/13/2023

US again attacks Iran-backed military sites in Syria in retaliation for attacks on US personnel.

11/09/2023

US forces in Iraq attacked in three places by drones and an explosive device.

11/08/2023

US bombs military facility in Syria linked to the Iran Revolutionary Guards in retaliation for multiple attacks on American forces in the region.

09/25/2023

US and Kenya sign security agreement that will provide Kenya with resources and support for deployment in Haiti as part of a multi-national force to control gang violence there.

09/12/2023

US waives some sanction restrictions on Iran to allow $6 billion to be transferred from its deposits in foreign banks to Qatar for humanitarian uses and releases five Iranian prisoners in exchange for the release of five Americans held by Iran.

07/15/2023

Former president Donald Trump is indicted by a special prosecutor appointed by the Department of Justice. The alleged federal crimes include conspiracy to defraud the government, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding (the certification of electoral college votes on 1/6/21 that was interrupted by rioters), and conspiracy against rights (attempted to deny the counting of votes in the 2020 election). He has previously been indicted for withholding documents from the government and obstruction of justice in attempting to hide documents in his possession, including classified documents. He has previously been judged guilty in a defamation suit brought by a woman who accused him of rape and his company was declared guilty of tax fraud. Two other cases against him, one in Georgia involving an attempt to interfere with an election and one in New York alleging his company has committed fraud.

07/09/2023

US President Biden says that NATO cannot allow Ukraine to join NATO until the war is resolved.

06/22/2023

President Modi of India makes state visit to US, meeting President Biden and signing major agreements.US wants India as an ally in containing China. Biden deflects criticism of Modi’s policies on Muslims in India.

05/21/2023

US and Papua New Guinea sign new security pact as buffer against China.

05/01/2023

Philippines President Marcos meets US President Biden in Washington, DC, in what is probably meant by the US to be a signal to China. However, the Philippines is deeply involved with China in economic matters.

04/26/2023

US and South Korea sign agreement that will allow US nuclear submarines to dock in South Korea. South Korea agrees not to develop its own nuclear weapons.

04/17/2023

Brazil foreign minister meets officially with visiting Russian foreign minister. Da Silva makes suggests that both the US and Russia decided to go to war in Ukraine and the US should stop “stimulating” the fighting. US protests such comments strongly.

03/30/2023

Former President Donald Trump indicted by New York City Attorney General on financial fraud crimes.

03/24/2023

Reports of another strike against US facilities in eastern Syria.

03/24/2023

China says that a US destroyer was driven out of waters that it considers its own in the South China Sea. The US Navy disputed China’s version of events, saying the destroyer left the area on conclusion of a “routine operation.”

03/24/2023

Chinese authorities raid US firm’s office in Beijing, detaining five employees, all Chinese, and closing the office. The company, Mintz Group, carries out investigations for companies dealing with allegations of fraud, corruption and workplace misconduct as well as background checks of new hires and clients.

03/24/2023

US and Canada discuss military response to crisis in Haiti, as gangs continue to rule in much of the country. Moïse has asked for foreign intervention, but many Haitian leaders reject the idea.

03/23/2023

Drone strike kills US contractor in Syria. US suspects that the drone came from Iran. US authorizes an air strike against “facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).”

03/16/2023

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visits Ethiopia, part of a wider trip to Africa and amid concern about Islamist militants in the Sahel.

03/13/2023

US and Australia complete agreement for Australia to buy 3 nuclear submarines from the US. A previous agreement with France is superseded, causing anger there.

02/21/2023

Russia withdraws from New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

02/20/2023

US President Biden travels secretly to Kyiv to meet Zelenskyy.

02/05/2023

US shoots down Chinese high-altitude spy balloon that had traversed the country. China protests, saying the balloon was conducting weather research.

02/02/2023

Philippines allows US military access to four additional bases, speeding up the imposition of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement in response to Chinese expansionism.

01/30/2023

US Marines to reactivate a base on Guam as part of the strategic realignment in the face of Chinese aggressiveness.

01/25/2023

Both US and Germany reported to agree to send Leopard and Abrams tanks to Ukraine. There is widespread opinion that the decision shows a broader desire to support the Ukraine war effort for the long term.

01/22/2023

German FM Baerbock says that Germany will not block Poland sending Leopard-1 tanks to Ukraine. The Germans still insist they will not send their tanks until the US agrees to send M-1 Abrams tanks, which the US says are not feasible for Ukraine because they use jet fuel. This turned out not to be correct.

01/18/2023

Continuing resistance from Germany about sending its own Leopard-1 tanks to Ukraine. It says that it will only send Leopards if the US sends its Abrams battle tanks. Denmark says it will send Patriot missiles to Ukraine.

01/10/2023

In the US, California is hit a deadly series of rainstorms that cause widespread damage.

01/09/2023

Meeting of heads of US, Mexico, and Canada. The US will be concerned with the crisis on the US-Mexico border. Even in introductory remarks, Mexican President López Obrador criticizes lack of US support for development in Latin America. US President Biden rebuts the remarks.

12/19/2022

House of Representatives committee investigating the attack on the Capitol building of 1/6/21 refers former president Donald Trump to the Department of Justice for four federal crimes including insurrection. The referral has no compulsory result, the Department will make its own judgement as to whether crimes were committed and can be prosecuted. It is the first time a former president would be investigated for federal crimes.

11/26/2022

Government and opposition sign a “social accord” to create a UN-administered fund to provide humanitarian aid to the Venezuelan people. US Treasury Department praises the agreement and issues a license to Chevron to resume limited oil extraction development in the country. The license will last six months and the US will monitor compliance with the social agreement.

11/17/2022

US State Department says in response to a court request, that Mohammed bin Salman because he is a sitting head of state, international law makes him immune from prosecution.

11/17/2022

North Korea fires an ICBM capable of reaching the entire US.

11/14/2022

US President Biden and China President Xi meet at the G20 meeting and attempt to ally fears of tensions between the two countries. They say the two countries will resume climate discussions and Xi supports negotiations to stop the fighting in Ukraine. However, there seems to be no progress on economic disputes or Taiwan.

11/12/2022

US intelligence issues report on extensive efforts by the UAE, both legal and illegal, to influence US policy toward itself. The UAE does not deny the effort, nor confirm it. It is an unusual report in that it details subversive activity by an ostensible ally, not an enemy nation.

11/02/2022

US Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the sixth time this year.

10/27/2022

Canada announces application to become part of the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

10/24/2022

US sanctions Nicaragua gold industry in response to its continuing anti-democratic directives.

10/16/2022

US and Canada send “security equipment” to Haiti to aid in the current security crisis.

10/11/2022

Tension between US and Saudi Arabia over oil production cuts.

10/03/2022

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and President Petro meet. Petro has recently said that the war on drugs has “failed” and that cocaine and some other drugs should be decriminalized, in part because the US drug problem is more about synthetic drugs such as fentanyl. He has also restored some ties with Venezuela and believes Cuba should be less isolated in the international community. While acknowledging differences, Blinken addressed the issues moderately.

09/30/2022

US announces new round of sanctions on Russian and Belarussian officials and other individuals.

09/29/2022

US and South Pacific countries announce aid and investment package agreement, after Solomon islands balks during the first round of talks on the agreement.

09/08/2022

US west coast experiencing record heatwave that may force widespread power outages.

08/23/2022

US strikes positions in Syria of groups supported by Iran.

08/08/2022

Russia suspends New START talks because of travel restrictions on Russians by the US and other countries.

08/05/2022

As its aggressive military exercises continue around Taiwan, China cuts off discussions with the US on military cooperation and climate.

08/04/2022

China holds live-fire military exercises on all sides of Taiwan, including firing missiles. Chinese media describes it as a rehearsal for “reunification operations.”

08/02/2022

Pelosi lands in Taiwan. Taiwan government offices have been hit by a massive cyberattack that shut them down for a time. US has deployed warships east of Taiwan, in the Philippine Sea.

08/01/2022

US announces that it has killed Ayman al-Zwahiri, currently leader of Al Qaeda and one of the plotters of the 9/11/2001 attack on the World Trade Center, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

07/31/2022

After Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives announces a trip to Southeast Asia that would include a visit to Taiwan, China warns of serious consequences if she does visit Taiwan. China suggests that they will take action, possibly including military action, because the tript suggests that the U.S. supports Taiwanese independence.

07/18/2022

Over recent weeks, the war in Ukraine has seen a slow advance by the Russian army to take over the entire eastern Ukraine and constant bombardment of Ukrainian-held regions. Putin is also threatening to starve the West of fuel and also wheat by restraining shipments from Ukraine.

07/14/2022

US and Israel announce that they will use every means of their disposal to prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon, including military force.

07/12/2022

US says that is has killed the current leader of the Islamic State, Maher al-Agal.

07/04/2022

After the victory in Luhansk--taking control of Lysychansk and the Luhansk Oblast border--Putin seems to have ordered a pause in the fighting to let his troops rest and recover. Heavy shelling of Ukrainian-held cities in the east continues.

07/02/2022

Russia claims control of last Ukrainian-held city in Luhansk. Ukraine disputes this.

06/28/2022

US negotiating with Taliban to release some bank funds with giving the Taliban any control over the use of those funds.

06/26/2022

As leaders gather at G-7 summit, Russian missiles strike Kyiv.

06/26/2022

At G-7 summit, leaders agree to block import of Russian gold.

06/25/2022

Russia says it will send nuclear-capable missiles to Belarus.

06/24/2022

EU and the US discussing how to respond to Russia’s “weaponization” of fuel delivery. Germany especially concerned that Russia will completely cut supplies.

06/24/2022

Ukraine orders its troops out of Severodonetsk, giving Russia dominance in the Donbas.

06/23/2022

EU grants Ukraine and Moldova official candidate status for admission.

06/16/2022

UK approves extradition of Julian Assange to the US. He may still appeal.

06/14/2022

Russia economy regaining ground, as several countries continue to buy its oil.

06/14/2022

Russia steadily gaining control of Severodonetsk. Ukraine, running out of ammunition, appeals to the world for a substantial increase in military aid.

06/08/2022

UN warns of global food shortages unless Ukrainian wheat and oil is allowed to be exported. Turkey and Russia announce a plan to allow Russia continues to insist that sanctions be lifted because while food exports are exempt from sanctions, restrictions on its ships and banks make it impossible to deliver grain. Also that Ukraine remove the mines from shipping lanes in the Black Sea. Russia also says it will not attack shipments of food and grain, but Ukraine dismisses its promise, since so many other promises have been broken.

06/06/2022

Putin warns of attacks on new targets if Ukraine receives advanced weaponry from the West. Foreign Minister Lavrov’s visit to Serbia is thwarted as surrounding nations refuse Russia passage through their airspace.

06/06/2022

Fierce fighting in eastern city Severodonetsk continues. It is the last Ukrainian-held city in Luhansk. Ukraine has begun to counterattack, but with limited success.

06/02/2022

OPEC-plus countries agree to lift oil production, perhaps in response to appeals from the US, which is experiencing high consumer gasoline prices that are hurting President Biden’s favorability polling. Only Saudi Arabia has the capacity to increase production, and it may not offset the decrease in Russian oil production caused by sanctions. Biden will visit Saudi Arabia, a sign of renewed rapprochement, later this month.

05/30/2022

Russia continues to make slow advances in the east, while Ukraine forces counterattack.

05/30/2022

EU bans two-thirds of the Russian oil that is being imported. However, Hungary is allowed to continue importing Russian oil indefinitely. It also acts to take Russia’s Sberbank out of the international banking communication network SWIFT and impose other sanctions.

05/29/2022

EU discussions about Russian oil embargo stall over countries that depend heavily on Russian energy, especially Hungary but also Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Inflation and projections of sluggish growth complicate the economic future.

05/23/2022

US President Biden launches new economic agreement to counter China’s influence in Asia. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity focuses on trade; supply chains; clean energy and infrastructure; and tax and anti-corruption and would boost ties through common standards in different economic sectors. It initially includes South Korea, Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. In total, the countries account for about 40 percent of global economic output.

05/23/2022

On a visit to Asia, US President Biden asserts that the US would defend Taiwan if it were attacked. He and US government say this is not a change in policy after China protests.

05/20/2022

Russia cuts gas supply to Finland, which says it will not markedly affect supply there.

05/20/2022

Russia says it is near full control of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

05/20/2022

US charges former Haitian senator and member of Moïse’s Tet Kale party, in connection with the murder of Haitian president Moïse, saying he helped obtain vehicles and firearms for the assassins.

05/17/2022

The US lifts some sanctions on Venezuela, allowing Chevron to renegotiate its license with Venezuela’s state oil company and removing some officials from its sanction list.

05/16/2022

US lifts some restrictions on travel and financial transfers to Cuba.

05/16/2022

US to send troops again to Somalia to target al-Shabab leaders.

05/16/2022

Putin says that Sweden and Finland joining NATO are not a concern as long as NATO troops are not stationed in these countries.

05/15/2022

Swedish ruling Social Democratic party drops its opposition to joining NATO. The government is expected to apply in the coming week.

05/13/2022

EU and US agree to address food and fertilizer security problems in the wake of disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

05/11/2022

US indicts Joly Germine, known as Yonyon, the leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, for conspiring to kidnap missionaries (see 12/16/17).

05/11/2022

Finnish government announces that it will seek membership in NATO. Russia vows a “corresponding symmetrical responses.”

05/09/2022

Putin defends the invasion of Ukraine by referring to Ukraine’s defenders as “Nazis,” though he does not say the word “Ukraine” (he does say “Kyiv”). He does not order a national call-up of troops in the annual May 9 celebration of the defeat of the Nazis in WWII.

05/09/2022

Ukraine second offensive advancing in the north. Russian troops making slow progress, if any, in the south. Russia continues its assault on the Azovstal steel works.

05/05/2022

Ukraine regains some territory in the center of the country while Russia gains some villages in the east. Luhansk is bombed heavily. The last Ukrainian forces in Mariupol, in the steel works, are forcefully attacked. There is great speculation as to what Putin will say on May 9, Victory Day in Russia to commemorate the defeat of Germany in World War II.

05/04/2022

EU commission proposes banning importation of Russian oil by the end of 2022 and removing Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, from the SWIFT interbanking system. Hungary says it will vote against any sanctions that would restrict oil imports from Russia.

05/03/2022

Russia attacks Azovstal steel plant and shells Odesa.

05/02/2022

Russia’s advance in the east seems to have slowed down.

05/01/2022

US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visits Kyiv. She is the highest-ranking American official to do so.

05/01/2022

Some civilians are evacuated from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol.

05/01/2022

There are continuing explosions at facilities around Russia that increasingly seem to be caused by internal resistance to the invasion of Ukraine. Russia is also facing unprecedented cyberattacks.

04/26/2022

China protests patrol by US warship through the Taiwan Strait.

04/26/2022

Russia cuts off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria after they refuse to pay for the supplies in rubles, though contracts specify that payments are to be made in dollars.

04/26/2022

Chinese company DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, suspends business with Russia and Ukraine.

04/26/2022

Russia continues to gain ground in eastern Ukraine. Heavy bombardment.

04/26/2022

Poland declares that it will have enough energy from other sources to become independent from Russia.

04/26/2022

Russia warns other countries from becoming involved in its invasion of Ukraine. With Scandinavian countries likely to apply to join NATO, Putin also warns of consequences. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov recently warned of possibility of the use of nuclear arms. There are concerns about Russia cutting off gas and oil from Europe, which shakes financial markets around the world. However, most of these warnings either lack specificity or any gain in advantage for Russia.

04/25/2022

Airstrikes on Ukraine military targets and transportation increase.

04/24/2022

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visit Kyiv. US subsequently announces it will resume diplomatic operations in Ukraine. Austin says that US aims to impair Russian military to the point where it would be unable to invade other countries.

04/24/2022

Fires and explosions in fuel and military, and police facilities in western Russia, far from Ukraine. Russia accuses Ukraine of air attacks; Ukraine denies this. Six Russian oligarchs have been found dead since 1/22.

04/23/2022

Russia strikes at Odessa with cruise missiles. The strategy appears to be to capture the length of the southern coast of Ukraine.

04/22/2022

Russian troops make advances in the east, capturing several small cities.

04/21/2022

Putin tells military to abandon attacks on the extensive Azovstal steel plant but continue to besiege it. He declares that Mariupol is captured, although there are still military and civilian holdouts in the Azovstal plant. The city is otherwise destroyed.

04/18/2022

Russia begins assault on Ukrainian positions in the Donbas areas that it does not already control.

04/14/2022

As both Sweden and Finland debate applying to NATO in their legislatures, Russian prime minister Medvedev says that if they join the alliance, Russia would move nuclear weapons to the Baltic region.

04/13/2022

Presidents Duda of Poland, Giatanas Nauseda of Lithuania, Egils Levits of Latvia, and Alex Karis of Estonia meet President Zelensky in Kyiv. A request to visit bv German President Steinhauer was rejected, due to what Ukraine considers a hesitant and tepid response to Ukraine’s request for arms and supplies by Germany, and its continued acceptance of Russian oil and gas.

04/13/2022

Russians claim that they have conquered Mariupol, but the mayor of the city disputes that.

04/13/2022

Russian flagship destroyer Moskva, patrolling in the Black Sea, is severely damaged, likely precluding any attack on Odessa. Russia says a munitions fire broke out and forced its evacuation, but Ukraine claims they sunk it with underwater missiles.

04/11/2022

There are reports of a chemical weapon attack by the Russians in Mariupol.

04/11/2022

Russia is expected to mount a new offensive in the east to solidify their hold on the Donbas and perhaps extend that territory to the center of Ukraine, giving it a hold over the entire southern coast. However, Russia has been unable to take and hold most other cities they have attacked. Mariupol is now a ruin, but still technically in Ukrainian hands. Some evacuations have been allowed to take place from there.

04/11/2022

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer meets Russian President Putin, the first European leader to meet him since the start of the invasion of Ukraine. It is not clear what he can accomplish. Putin says that negotiations are at a dead end, and Russia will accomplish what it set out to do.

04/09/2022

Russians name an overall commander for the war in Ukraine, Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, known for his brutality against cilivilians as well as rebels in leading Russian forces in Syria. Previously, the forces in different regions in Ukraine had different commanders, resulting in poor coordination.

04/07/2022

Russia is removed from the UN Human Rights Council.

04/07/2022

Belarus President Lukashenko demands that Belarus be included in the negotiations over the war in Ukraine.

04/06/2022

Russian troops withdraw to eastern Ukraine, possibly to prepare for a new offensive to take the Donbas. Ukraine urges citizens to leave Donbas.

04/06/2022

US and EU widen sanctions on Russian banks and impose sanctions on Putin’s two acknowledged daughters.

04/05/2022

In a strongly worded speech to the UN Security Council, Zelenskyy criticizes the UN for not stepping in to halt the war in Ukraine or to prosecute Russian actions that are likely war crimes.

04/04/2022

German government seizes German unit of Russian oil company Gazprom and puts it in state trusteeship. The government says that Gazprom Germania was acquired by JSC Palmary and Gazprom export businesses, but that if the new owners are not from the EU and “critical infrastructures” are involved, the transfer of ownership is illegal.

04/04/2022

Widespread world condemnation of atrocities perpetrated by departing Russian soldiers in Bucha in Ukraine. EU and US consider new sanctions. US President Biden calls for Putin to face a war crimes trial.

04/03/2022

As Ukrainian troops liberate suburbs around Kyiv, they discover mass graves and indiscriminate murder of civilians, provoking accusations of atrocities and further war crimes. Russian media dismisses images and reports as fake news. Some Russian media outlining ideology that calls for the complete elimination of the Ukrainian population because they are all Nazis, in a chilling echo of German Nazi propaganda about Jews.

03/30/2022

Poland says it will end import of Russian oil by the end of 2022, having already banned the import of Russian coal. Germany issues a warning about fuel shortages and encourages users to conserve.

03/30/2022

There are signs of relocation of Russian troops from Kyiv area, but most are skeptical that Russia is acting in the interests of encouraging the peace negotiations. Rather, a pause gives them a chance to regroup and resupply their troops.

03/29/2022

Russia says that it will reduce shelling in and around Kyiv and Chernihiv to “boost trust” in the peace negotiations.

03/28/2022

Russia and Ukraine resume negotiations.

03/28/2022

Ukraine military continues advances in the north around Kyiv, retaking a suburb, Irpin. Russia consolidates forces in the east.

03/28/2022

Ukraine says that it would accept “neutrality” as long as there are security guarantees by the West and proposes resolving the Crimea situation through bilateral negotiations over fifteen years.

03/27/2022

Israel hosts meeting with representatives of Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, the UAE, and the US.

03/27/2022

During a visit to Ukrainian refugees in Poland, US Pres Biden says that Putin cannot remain in power. The remark is unscripted and is quickly “corrected” by the US State Department to mean only that Putin cannot attack other countries.

03/27/2022

Ukrainian military continues to force the Russians back. In the east, Russian forces continue to move toward encircling Ukrainian military there, while elsewhere they seem to be digging in for an extended defensive posture.

03/25/2022

Russia says it has destroyed Ukraine’s largest military fuel depot.

03/25/2022

Russian military announces that its aims in Ukraine are nearly completed, and that its overall goal is to liberate the Donbas and the other military advances were solely an attempt to keep its military occupied while Russia liberated the Donbas. It is hard to reconcile this position with the shelling of Mariupol and the deportation of that city’s citizens, among many other recent Russian actions.

03/24/2022

At emergency meeting, NATO says it will step up troop deployments in countries adjacent to Russia. The US announces new sanctions.

03/24/2022

UN General Assembly calls for Russia to halt the war in Ukraine to allow for aid to be delivered.

03/24/2022

Emergency summit meetings of NATO and EU. US and EU reach an agreement in which the US supplies the EU with liquid natural gas to reduce its reliance on Russian gas. The US calls for Russia to be expelled from the G-20 economic forum. The EU and the G-7 group impose new sanctions, on 400 Russians including members of the legislature.

03/24/2022

Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners.

03/23/2022

Ukraine and Russia agree on evacuation routes out of Luhansk and a ceasefire there, but not from devastated Mariupol, which has largely been without food, water, or power for at least a week. Street fighting in Mariupol.

03/23/2022

Russia demands that “unfriendly” countries pay for oil and gas deliveries in rubles.

03/22/2022

Ukraine mounts offensives to retake some towns near Kyiv and push Russian forces further from the city, which continues to be bombed.

03/21/2022

Ukraine rejects Russian offer to surrender and allow some to leave the city, which has been largely destroyed. Kyiv is again hit by shelling. Many observers feel that the war has reached a stalemate although Russia will continue to shell cities and attempt to force Ukraine to surrender. Many citizens in captured cities such as Kherson are forced to relocate to Russia. There are reports that Russia has compiled a list of Ukrainians to be killed or forced into camps.

03/21/2022

Zelenskyy says he is open to compromise about NATO membership in exchange for security guarantees. He says he would submit any agreement to a national referendum.

03/21/2022

US declares that Myanmar government’s treatment of Rohingya has committed genocide.

03/20/2022

Bulgaria says it will not renew its contract with Russian Gasprom when the contract expires at the end of 2022.

03/18/2022

Russian forces seem to be preparing for an attack on Odesa.

03/17/2022

Kyiv is bombed again, but Russian ground forces remain “largely stalled,” according to British military intelligence.

03/17/2022

Uzbekistan affirms Ukraine territorial integrity including the Donbas and will provide aid.

03/16/2022

Zelenskyy rejects Russia’s negotiating position of a Swiss-style neutrality for Ukraine. He calls for Ukraine security to be guaranteed by international forces. However, both sides see progress.

03/16/2022

Zelenskyy addresses US congress virtually. US provides $800 million in aid to Ukraine, and President Biden agrees with question as to whether President Putin is a war criminal, which Russia calls “unforgiveable.” Putin addresses Russia on television, attacking Russians who admire Western lifestyles.

03/15/2022

Russia and Iran both issue statements that the United States has removed all obstacles from the continuing negotiations on the nuclear agreement.

03/14/2022

Further talks between Ukraine and Russia yield no progress.

03/14/2022

US and Chinese foreign ministers hold discussions. There is a report that China has already decided to send some aid to Russia, but it is not clear what.

03/14/2022

Kyiv now being shelled. Government issues a 36-hour curfew.

03/13/2022

Russia reportedly has asked China for aid for the war in Ukraine.

03/13/2022

Russia strikes a training camp for international volunteers fighting in Ukraine, saying that “mercenaries” can be legitimate targets. There are foreign fighters in the camp, but they are volunteers. Russia has asked Syrians to volunteer to fight in Ukraine and says that 16,000 have responded.

03/13/2022

Iran claims responsibility for missile attack near US consulate inn Erbil, in the Kurdish region of Iraq.

03/12/2022

German Chancellor Scholz and French President Macron hold joint telephone call with Russian President Putin.

03/12/2022

Russian troops make small advances, continuing to move toward encircling Kyiv.

03/11/2022

In UN meeting, Russia accuses US of having biochemical weapons labs in Ukraine and possibly planning a biochemical attack. The UN find no evidence of this. There are labs in Ukraine supported by the US that have been there many years and work to neutralize viruses that could be made into biochemical weapons.

03/11/2022

US bans imports of Russian goods in important sectors of their economy.

03/11/2022

EU commits to additional military aid to Ukraine.

03/11/2022

Russia expands shelling and bombing to western Ukraine.

03/11/2022

Nuclear talks suspended after Russia demands guarantees against sanctions imposed by its invasion of Ukraine.

03/11/2022

Russian military in the north regrouping, possibly for an assault on Kyiv in the coming days.

03/10/2022

Russian parliament passes several laws in retaliation for western sanctions, including seizing the property of businesses that have stopped operation in Russia, abolishing patent rights for people from countries deemed “unfriendly` of several hundred products.

03/10/2022

Meeting between Foreign Minister Lavrov and President Zelenskyy ends with little progress.

03/10/2022

UK imposes sanctions on fifteen Russian oligarchs, freezing nearly £15 billion.

03/10/2022

Russian parliament passes several laws in retaliation for western sanctions, including seizing the property of businesses that have stopped operation in Russia, abolishing patent rights for people from countries deemed “unfriendly` of several hundred products.

03/09/2022

Ukraine says captured, closed nuclear power plant at Chernobyl has been disconnected from the power grid, which may lead a malfunction of the cooling of nuclear fuel, “an extremely dangerous situation.”

03/08/2022

Venezuela releases two Americans held prisoner. Officially, it is not in response to visit by US State Department representatives on 3/5-6.

03/08/2022

Russia announces new ceasefire and allows evacuation of civilians to anywhere they choose. Ukraine announces that evacuation routes are open.

03/08/2022

US announces that it will stop importing Russian oil and gas, which make up less than ten percent of its imports. EU announces a plan to reduce its Russian oil and gas imports by two-thirds over the course of 2022, which has yet to ratified by all countries.

03/08/2022

Confusing sequence of events in which Poland unilaterally announces it will send its MiG fighters to a US base in Germany. US military says there is no airport with a long enough landing strip to accommodate them. Poland had been urged to send its fighters to Ukraine but was reluctant to have its pilots entering airspace over Ukraine.

03/08/2022

Russian government announces a series of moves to help citizens during the current economic crisis caused by the sanctions. It also forbids banks to exchange dollars for foreign currency or to give out more than $10,000 in US dollars.

03/08/2022

Major consumer businesses close shops in Russia: McDonald’s, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola among others. Major oil companies say they will end using of Russian oil but adhere to current contracts.

03/07/2022

Russia says it will temporarily adhere to a ceasefire so that Ukrainians may be evacuated, but the evacuation routes lead to Belarus and Russia and two cities in Ukraine. Ukraine denounces this as immoral.

03/06/2022

More international companies end operations in Russia. The Moscow stock market remains closed and it is not clear when it will reopen.

03/06/2022

Protests in Russia continue. There are estimates that more than 4000 people have been arrested.

03/06/2022

Evacuation from Mariupol is halted for a second time due to Russian shelling. Russia indicates that it intends to advance on Odessa. Continued bombing of major cities in Ukraine suggest that Russia has given up on direct attack on these cities and instead will bomb them until they surrender.

03/05/2022

Evacuation from Mariupol is halted due to shelling by Russia.

03/05/2022

US representatives visit Venezuela to discuss easing of sanction to allow for importing Venezuelan oil. It is an attempt to make up losses resulting from a ban on importation of Russian oil, which the US is considering.

03/03/2022

Russia continues its advance in the south of Ukraine.

03/03/2022

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators meet again. Reportedly a ceasefire is being discussed.

03/03/2022

Ukraine says that it has reached an agreement with Russia to establish safe corridors for evacuation and delivery of humanitarian aid, backed by ceasefires.

03/02/2022

Russia admits that the economy under great stress. The country’s largest lender, Sberbank, is told to leave Europe by the European Central Bank due to the likelihood of it failing.

03/02/2022

Reportedly, a ceasefire is placed on the agenda for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

03/02/2022

Russia intensifies shelling of Kharkiv and says that it has taken the Black Sea port of Kherson.

03/01/2022

Turkey invokes a 1936 Montreux Convention, which allows it to limit the passage of warships through the Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits and warns other countries’ warships against requesting permission to enter.

03/01/2022

Lukashenko says Belarus has no plans to join the invasion of Ukraine.

03/01/2022

Moscow Stock Exchange to remain closed until 3/7/22.

03/01/2022

Russia intensifies shelling and bombing of Kharkiv, often hitting civilian buildings. Russia warns those living near two military intelligence operations in Kyiv to evacuate the neighborhood. Convoy heading toward Kyiv is now forty miles long, but slowed by logistical problems, UK intelligence reports.

03/01/2022

NATO says that no fighter planes will be transported to Ukraine.

03/01/2022

The European parliament gives Ukraine candidate status in the EU.

03/01/2022

Russia threatens dangerous consequences for any nation that provides “lethal” weapons to Ukraine.

03/01/2022

US joins Canada and several European nations in closing its airspace to Russian planes. Russia has already closed its airspace to the West, blocking routes to Asia. Most Western airlines prohibit shipments of parts and software updates to all aircraft. The Russian airlines can likely continue to fly only for two to three more weeks, and there are few places they can fly.

02/28/2022

Many international sports and arts organizations bar Russians from competing as long as the invasion continues. Major oil companies withdraw from activity in Russia.

02/28/2022

China issues a statement asserting that it is on the side of peace in regard to Ukraine, in contrast to its early support of Russia. The government has also insisted that Taiwan involves a completely different situation.

02/28/2022

Switzerland freezes Russian bank accounts, its first break with its traditional neutrality.

02/28/2022

Ukraine applies for “immediate” EU membership.

02/28/2022

In negotiations, Ukraine demands an immediate ceasefire. Although there is no reported progress, the negotiators agree to meet again without specifying when. Russia continues its attacks on major cities in Ukraine. Half a million people are said to have left for other countries, mainly Poland and Romania. Russian military seems to move to a siege posture around large cities, including Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. A 17-mile-long Russian convey is moving very slowly toward Kyiv.

02/28/2022

Ruble plunges as markets open but recovers somewhat , eventually closing at a hundred to a dollar. The Bank of Russia doubles its interest rate, to 20% to discourage borrowing and many other defensive measures are imposed to protect the economy. The Russian stock market closes for the day. Businesses around the world halt business with Russia.

02/27/2022

EU announces that it will send materiél to Ukraine, including fighter jets.

02/27/2022

With the invasion of Ukraine going badly, Putin puts his defensive nuclear weapons on alert, accusing NATO of threatening moves, which he seems to have invented. There is increasing support to Ukraine by countries in Europe. Germany doubles its military defense budget, breaking decades of traditional reluctance to arm, and authorizes military weapons and other aid to Ukraine. Sweden moves beyond its usual non-aligned position to provide military aid to Ukraine. European nations and many others deny Russia access to their airspace for any flights. Several commercial flights are forced to return to Russia by circuitous routes. China advocates negotiations to end the war. Russia is increasingly isolated in the world, but that also increases fears that Putin, who is not acting in Russia’s best interests, will respond even more aggressively.

02/27/2022

Russia offers and Ukraine accepts the offer to negotiate, at a location on the border with Belarus. Many believe it is a ploy to buy time to allow the invasion to be more successful. Russian heavy weapons and troops have not yet reached proximate offensive positions in Ukraine, although there are multiple anecdotes of transports running out of fuel and of Russian soldiers surprised to find they are in an offensive invasion rather that just the protection of the Donbas residents. Some have surrendered. Ukraine president Volodomyr Zelenskyy has remained in Kyiv throughout and has become an international symbol of resistance and heroism.

02/27/2022

In a snap referendum, Belarus authorizes nuclear weapons to be sited within its borders. The referendum also prohibits prosecution of Lukashenko and makes him a permanent member of the upper house of parliament. Belarussian troops believed to be poised to invade Ukraine.

02/27/2022

Ukraine files a case against Putin with the International Court of Justice.

02/26/2022

European nations and then the US agree to deny Russia access to the SWIFT banking communication system. The denial will make it very difficult for Russian banks to access deposits in non-Russian banks around the world. It is a serious sanction that will have powerful effects on the Russian economy as well as likely the world economy.

02/25/2022

Zelenskyy announces that Russia will try to take Kyiv imminently, but that he and his government are remaining there. Russian forces are reportedly moving more slowly than they planned, and Ukraine reports that 2800 Russian soldiers have died, along with numerous armed transports, jets, and armaments.

02/25/2022

NATO calls up its Rapid Response Force of 40,000, sending them to the eastern NATO countries in the event of any spillover of the war in Ukraine.

02/25/2022

US, UK, and European countries impose sanctions and Valdimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and others. It is one of the very rare occasions that a head of state is sanctioned.

02/25/2022

A vote to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the UN Security Council fails, but Russian is the only negative vote. Surprisingly, China abstains from the vote.

02/25/2022

Chinese President Xi counsels Russian President Putin to halt the fighting and negotiate. Putin says that he is willing to talk with Ukraine as long as it involves Ukraine “demilitarizing and denazifying.”

02/25/2022

Kazakhstan refuses to recognize the eastern Ukraine breakaway regions in the Donbas and also refuses to send troops to support the invasion of Ukraine.

02/25/2022

Advance Russian forces move on Kyiv. Zelenskyy remains in Kyiv.

02/25/2022

Western nations impose additional sanctions on Russia and Russians, including secondary sanctions against companies that deal with others that deal with Russia. The aim is to cut Russia off from materials it needs for its weapons.

02/24/2022

Russia invades Ukraine

Russia invades Ukraine beginning with bombing attacks on then ground force advances from several points around the country. Russia says it has destroyed Ukraine airbases, although there are reports of Russian jets brought down. Ukraine institutes martial law, promises to arm all citizens and breaks diplomatic ties with Russia. Ukraine asks Turkey to close the Bosphorus and Dardenelles straits. World leaders condemn the invasion, but there is nothing that can stop it. The post-World War II international order is ended.

02/23/2022

Ukraine declares state of emergency and calls up reservists. This day becomes memorialized as the beginning of the war, although Russia doesn't invade until the early hours of the next day.

02/22/2022

Germany freezes the Nordstream 2 gas pipeline, Chancellor Scholz says that the government will ensure that the pipeline, which is completed, is never certified.

02/22/2022

UK imposes sanctions on Russian banks and individuals.

02/21/2022

Putin officially recognizes Luhansk and Donetsk as independent republics, violating the Minsk II agreement and possibly providing a pretext for invading them or invading Ukraine proper. In a rambling speech to the Russian nation, he declares that Ukraine has always been a part of Russia and suggests that other Eastern European countries should never have been allowed to break away from the Soviet Union.

02/21/2022

Shelling in on border with Donbas region intensifies. Putin says he has made no plans for a summit meeting with Biden and tells a group of ministers assembled that there is no way ahead in discussions about Ukraine.

02/20/2022

As relayed by French Pres Macron, US Pres Biden agrees in principle” to a summit with Russia Pres Putin as long as there is no further invasion of Ukraine. US intelligence believes that orders have been transmitted to Russian commanders in the field.

02/20/2022

Russia and Belarus extend military drills. NATO says that Russia is preparing a “full-scale attack” on Ukraine.

02/19/2022

Donetsk and Luhansk mobilize entire military and call on citizens to take up arms. Russia holds nuclear missile drills. Zelenskyy, at Munich Security Conference, calls on the West to support Ukraine for its own interests as well as international order. He receives a standing ovation, but little concrete response.

02/18/2022

Intense shelling on border of eastern territories with the rest of Ukraine. Russian media reporting that Ukraine is going to invade Donetsk. Russia doing everything short of war to provoke military response from Ukrainian military, without success so far.

02/18/2022

Head of Donetsk People’s Republic says that Russia is ready to accept evacuees from the region, a possible signal that invasion is imminent.

02/17/2022

US President Biden says that he is convinced that Putin has decided to invade Ukraine.

02/17/2022

At UN Security Council meeting, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken details false flag attacks and deceptive provocations Russia could use as a pretext to invade Ukraine. There is heavy shelling on the border between western Ukraine and the Russian-backed provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk. A kindergarden in Luhansk is attacked with a rocket, but that clearly came from pro-Russian forces. Russia expels the US deputy ambassador.

02/16/2022

Cyberattacks on Ukrainian military, defense ministry, and major banks.

02/16/2022

Russia warns that Ukraine will invade Donetsk, a very unlikely possibility, but possibly an attempt to set up an excuse for invading Ukraine or Donetsk, given the resolution passed by the Russian Duma on 2/15. Russian EU ambassador says there will be no invasion of Ukraine in February or March.

02/16/2022

US President Biden warns public that war in Ukraine would be stressful for US citizens.

02/16/2022

US and NATO both say that Russia continues its buildup of troops on the Ukraine border rather than any drawdown.

02/15/2022

US asks Honduras to extradite former President Juan Orlando Hernandez to answer in a drug trafficking case.

02/15/2022

German Chancellor Scholz discusses Ukraine with Putin.

02/15/2022

Russia says that some troops are pulling back from the Ukraine to their permanent bases, but drills are continuing. They also say that troops will leave Belarus when those drills are finished. Other reports say that troops are training weapons on Ukraine.

02/15/2022

Russian parliament passes motion for Putin to declare provinces of eastern Ukraine Luhansk and Donetsk independent countries.

02/14/2022

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov urges Putin to let diplomacy about Ukraine crisis continue and Putin agrees.

02/12/2022

US orders Kyiv embassy personnel to evacuate. UK withdraws all troops from Ukraine.

02/11/2022

US orders frozen Afghan funds to be divided half to families of 9/11 victims and half to humanitarian agencies in Afghanistan.

02/11/2022

While diplomatic missions continue with little progress, Russia is said to be increasing its troop strength on Ukraine borders. US recommends that Americans in Ukraine leave the country (but not diplomatic personnel).

02/08/2022

UK, Poland, and Ukraine join in a mutual defense pact.

02/08/2022

Russian war games in Belarus begin. They will last ten days, and Putin says the troops will be withdrawn when the games are finished.

02/07/2022

French President Macron discusses Ukraine situation with Russian President Putin. Little change is expected from these talks, but Putin says there is a basis in them for future negotiations. Macron has been vocal about the need for the EU to have its own foreign policy and defensive posture.

02/06/2022

US military says that Russia has 70% of the support it needs for a full invasion of Ukraine.

02/04/2022

US restores a waiver on some sanctions on Iran. That allows Russian, Chinese, and European companies to resume non-proliferation work on Iran’s nuclear sites, which in turn allows some discussions on the JPCOA to move forward.

02/03/2022

Turkish President Erdogan visits Kyiv and offers to mediate situation with Russia.

02/03/2022

China announces full support for Russia about NATO expansion.

02/03/2022

Russia shells border checkpoint in Donbass region of Ukraine.

02/03/2022

Belarus says that a Ukrainian drone entered its airspace and was shot down.

02/03/2022

US says that Russia may use any strategy to create a false-flag operation that necessitates its invasion of Ukraine.

02/03/2022

US reports that the leader of the Islamic State, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, has been killed in a strike in Idlib, Syria. Local first responders say that at least a dozen civilians were killed in the raid.

02/02/2022

US deploys 3000 troops to Germany, Poland, and Romania.

02/01/2022

Russian President Putin, speaking for the first time about the Ukraine crisis, says the West has ignored Russia’s security concerns.

01/31/2022

UN Security Council to meet to discuss Ukraine situation. There are vituperative exchanges between Russia and western countries, especially the United States. Both sides accuse the other of fomenting war. US Secretary of State Anthony Blink and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meet again.

01/28/2022

French President Macron and Russian President Putin discuss the situation in Ukraine by phone. US and Russia also continue discussions. Many believe that Putin will not take any military action until after the Olympics in China are over, mid-February. US President Biden to meet with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to discuss increasing natural gas shipments to Europe to compensate for possible cutoff of shipments by Russia, a key worry of Europeans about any military response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. US subsequently name Qatar a major non-NATO ally, giving it special military and economic privileges.

01/27/2022

Russia denies that it wants war with Ukraine and asserts that it will not invade nor start a war. Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says that that are some aspects of the NATO response that could provide further discussion, although not on the main issue, the expansion of NATO.

01/26/2022

NATO responds to Russian demands by saying that there will be no restrictions on NATO’s acceptance of new members, but that NATO has no aggressive designs on Eastern Europe or Russia. It offers points for negotiation on weapons, military exercises, and deployment of troops.

01/25/2022

French President Macron and German PM Scholz discuss unified EU reaction to the Ukraine situation.

01/25/2022

Ukrainian leaders attempt to calm the public, portraying Russian threat as endemic to Ukrainian life. Macron and Scholz announce that they believe the situation can be resolved through diplomacy.

01/23/2022

US and UK have drawn down residents in the Ukraine embassy, as Biden suggests that Russia will invade Ukraine in some way in the coming days. US and others sending matériel to Ukraine. NATO putting troops standby alert.

01/22/2022

UK says that intelligence suggests that Russia will attempt to install a puppet ruler in Ukraine.

01/21/2022

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meet to discuss Ukraine. Russia repeats that it has no desire to invade Ukraine.

01/20/2022

US charges Haitian-Chilean citizen, Rodolphe Jaar, in the murder of Haitian president Moïse.

01/18/2022

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrives in Ukraine for talks. The US has alienated the EU foreign policy arm by excluding them from talks, such that the EU is playing no real role in the crisis. Germany is resisting sanctions involving the SWIFT banking communications system, restrictions on Nord Stream 2, and further arms transfers to Ukraine.

01/17/2022

German ruling coalition split on Nord Stream 2 future. The Greens want to hold off allowing it until Russia backs down on its threat to Ukraine. The SPD, however, wants to leave the pipeline out of the discussion because Germany needs a steady supply of natural gas.

01/17/2022

Russia reduces its diplomatic personnel in Ukraine, a possible signal of impending invasion.

01/14/2022

Russia demands a response from US and NATO about its demands, causing increased concern that it will invade Ukraine.

01/13/2022

Leader of white nationalist militia group the Oathkeepers, Stewart Rhodes charged with seditious conspiracy because of 1/6/22 assault on Congress.

01/10/2022

US and Russian officials hold talks, including about Ukraine. Since Russia’s demands involve NATO, the Ukranian government has been left out of these discussions and is pursuing its own negotiations with Russia. Talks have little overall effect, and even the goals of Russia are not clear, although reining in any expansion of NATO or any military support to Eastern European countries seems fundamental. Putin is keeping everyone unsure whether he will invade Ukraine or not, which gives him maximum leverage in negotiations.

01/04/2022

US charges former member of Colombian military, Mario Antonio Palacios, in the murder of Haitian president Moïse.

01/03/2022

China, France, Russia, UK, and US issue statement pledging not to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and to ensure no nuclear war is ever fought.

12/30/2021

In further discussions between Presidents Putin and Biden, Russia continues to insist on guarantees that NATO refrain from any military activity or alliances in Eastern Europe and Ukraine, and that Russia with “eliminate unacceptable threats” if NATO does not respond to these demands. Russia says it will not allow negotiations to last a long time.

12/21/2021

Western nations continuing to bolster support for Ukraine with defensive weaponry and threats of economic sanctions against Russia if it invades Ukraine.

12/17/2021

Russia issues a list of demands to the West about former Soviet Union countries. They are unlikely to be accepted, and it is unclear what Putin hopes to gain from this.

12/16/2021

The remaining twelve missionaries kidnapped in Haiti are freed. It is later reported that they escaped from their captors at night and walked to safety.

12/10/2021

Continuing tensions over Ukraine as Russia maintains large military force on the border. US President Biden warned Russian President Putin that any military action would engender severe economic sanctions. Putin demands veto on Ukraine joining NATO as well as other demands.

12/10/2021

US imposes wide-scale sanctions on individuals and entities related to Bangladesh, China, North Korea, and Myanmar for human rights violations.

12/10/2021

UK court rules that Julian Assange may be extradited for trial in the US.

12/06/2021

Two more missionaries released in Haiti.

12/06/2021

Nehemmer elected chancellor

Karl Nehemmer, formerly interior minister, is elected chancellor, having been elected head of the Austrian People’s Party. The government recently imposed a stay-at-home order amid the surge in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant.

11/21/2021

Two of the kidnapped missionaries in Haiti are released safely, with no word as to why or whether more will be released.

11/12/2021

Qatar named to represent US interests in Afghanistan.

11/11/2021

China and the US agree to work on concrete plans to reduce carbon emissions.

11/11/2021

Houthis breach US embassy in Sanaa and take several hostages.

10/09/2021

China reasserts its desire for a peaceful unification of Taiwan and criticizes a speech by Taiwan President Tsai about Taiwan bolstering its defenses.

10/07/2021

Ireland drops its objection to tax reform, agreeing to increase tax rate on large multinational companies based in Ireland. Estonia also approves the global tax rate agreement, so all 38 members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development have agreed to the new tax rate.

10/07/2021

US confirms that about twenty US special forces troops have been in Taiwan to train the military there, which both countries had previously denied. China protests.

10/06/2021

US Pres Biden and China Pres Xi discuss Taiwan. Biden says they agreed to adhere to the One China policy, which asserts that Taiwan is part of China but has the right to govern and defend itself.

10/05/2021

Russian oil company Gazprom cuts oil supplies to EU via Belarus and Poland by 70% and via Ukraine by 20% to counter US-German plan to reduce EU dependence on Russia for energy.

09/28/2021

Ethiopian foreign minister accuses the US and its allies of supporting the Tigrayan rebel forces. The US has sanctioned both Eritrean officials and Ethiopia in effort to force them to negotiate a peace.

09/27/2021

Widespread power outages in the northeast.

09/24/2021

Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou is released in Vancouver after a negotiated deal with the US in which she admits some wrongdoing. China releases two Canadians who had been detained for spying. Critics say that China Wangzhou’s release by holding the Canadians hostage.

09/18/2021

France recalls its ambassadors to the US and Australia.

09/17/2021

After massive surge in Haitians massing on the Mexican border with the US, the government begins airlifting them back to Haiti.

09/15/2021

Australia, the UK, and the US announce a new strategic defense pact that will give Australia nuclear submarines. China denounces the pact. New Zealand says it will not allow the submarines in its territorial waters. France feels betrayed, having been negotiating a submarine deal with Australia, which Australia has now cancelled.

09/15/2021

Chaotic scene at Kabul airport as thousands try to leave the country. Many who worked for the US in fear of their lives if they stay.

09/02/2021

Extraordinary flooding in the northeast due to the storm that was hurricane Ida.

08/31/2021

US Pres Biden suggests that US forces may stay in Afghanistan after the 8/31 deadline if there are still Americans and allies to be extracted. Taliban warns against any forces remaining.

08/31/2021

Last US evacuation airplane leaves Kabul, marking the end of the longest US war. Taliban takes control of the airport.

08/27/2021

Taliban says it wants an inclusive government with representatives from all ethnicities and tribes. It appoints Khalil Haqqani as head of security in Kabul. Haqqani, of the Haqqani network, has been designated a terrorist by the US and his capture has an $85 million bounty associated with it.

08/26/2021

Suicide bombing outside a gate at the Kabul airport. Thirteen US soldiers and dozens of Afghans are killed, many more military (including Taliban) and civilians are wounded. The US military had warned of attack by ISIS-K (Islamic State – Khorasan), the Afghan affiliate of ISIS, which takes responsibility for the attack. The Taliban and ISIS are opposed to each other.

08/18/2021

US freezes assets of Afghanistan in US banks.

08/17/2021

US military and Taliban seem to have worked out an agreement to allow those at the airport to leave without interference. Taliban announces a general amnesty for those who worked for the former government and insists it wants peace and stability.

08/10/2021

China and North Korea complain about US-South Korea military exercises.

08/01/2021

US and UK blame Iran for drone attack on Israeli ship.

07/30/2021

Philippines restores defense pact with US.

07/26/2021

US says it will end combat mission in Iraq, after a meeting with Iraqi prime minister Al-Khadhimi. The move will likely bolster Al-Khadhimi’s position in Iraq, where the legislature has been calling for the removal of troops. The US has not actually been participating directly in combat for some time.

07/21/2021

US and Germany agree that Nord Stream 2 pipeline can continue, and that Germany will invest in Ukraine green technology and that US and Germany will work together on other initiatives to reduce Russian energy dominance in Europe.

07/21/2021

US imposes sanctions on Cuban leaders involved with human rights abuses during the crackdown on protests.

07/20/2021

Erdogan calls for US support in protecting Kabul airport.

07/19/2021

US, EU, and many nations in addition accuse China of backing multiple attacks of malicious ransomware.

07/02/2021

US troops leave Bagram air base, the main center of US operations in Afghanistan.

06/28/2021

Historically severe heat wave hits west coast of the USA and Canada, with temperatures reaching 115° F.

06/04/2021

G-7 nations -- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the US -- agree to institute a global 15% tax on businesses and steps to restrict tax havens. It will take long negotiations. Nations such as Ireland benefit from the current tax laws, which allow them to be tax havens. The new rules will have to be approved by the legislatures of the participating countries. In principle, if a German company reports its profits through an Irish subsidiary, where taxes are 5%, Germany would receive 10% of those profits.

05/30/2021

Media reports that Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Service (FE) helped US National Security Agency spy on EU leaders from 2012 to 2014. After the government discovered the cooperation, perhaps in 2015, it forced the leadership of the FE to leave, in 2020.

05/19/2021

US Pres Biden tells Netanyahu to significantly de-escalate the in Gaza today.

05/03/2021

Taliban launch new wave of attacks in Afghanistan now that US has missed a deadline for withdrawal.

04/26/2021

The U.S. Navy fired warning shots in the northern Persian Gulf on Monday night after Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps "armed speed boats rapidly approached" two U.S. ships at what the Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet called "an unnecessarily close range with unknown intent." That range was about 68 yards, or nearly 200 feet.

04/23/2021

Houthis advancing on Marib, a key gateway to Yemen’s oil and gas wealth. They have taken encouragement from the US’s decision to take them off the terrorist list. The UAE supports the Hadi government, but gains trade from instability because it shifts shipping from Aden to Dubai.

04/16/2021

Russia says it will expel 10 diplomats in retaliation for US moves.

04/15/2021

US expels ten Russians officially diplomats, but likely spies, in addition to sanctions on multiple individuals and other organizations.

04/14/2021

US announces that it will remove all troops from Afghanistan by 9/11/21 without conditions. NATO will also withdraw all troops by September.

04/11/2021

Explosion at Natanz nuclear facility in Iran. Israel is widely suspected to have set off the explosion, which may end uranium enrichment for as much as nine months. The action complicates discussions about reviving the JPCOA.

04/02/2021

US and Iran agree to start indirect talks about returning to the JCPOA in a week, in Vienna.

03/25/2021

US says it is unlikely to meet the 5/1 deadline for complete withdrawal of forces, but will probably withdraw all forces by 2022.

03/22/2021

US, the EU, Canada, and the UK sanction some Chinese officials over human rights violations of Uighurs.

03/22/2021

North Korea conducts short-range missile tests in protest over joint US-South Korea military exercises.

03/09/2021

US considering a draft peace plan that calls for the current government to be replaced with an interim administration and a joint commission to monitor a ceasefire until a new constitution is written and elections are held. It would allow for members of the Taliban to run for parliament and forbid terrorist activity of any kind and protect the rights of women. The Taliban would also have to give up their safe havens in other countries.

03/02/2021

US imposes some sanctions on Saudi individuals in response to the publication of a US intelligence report fixing responsibility for Jamal Khashoggi’s murder on Mohammed bin Salmon, but not on MBS himself.

03/02/2021

US imposes some sanctions on Russians in response to the imprisonment of Navalny, but not on Putin.

03/02/2021

Airbase in Iraq that is used by US forces is bombed.

02/28/2021

Iran rejects direct talks with the US and other signatories to the nuclear treaty unless sanctions are promised to be lifted as a result of those talks.

02/26/2021

US bombs Iran-allied militia encampments on the Syria-Iraq border in response to a missile attack on a base used by US forces.

02/18/2021

Devastating and extreme cold and snow in the US Midwest south to Texas causes power grid to break down, leaving thousands without heat and water.

02/18/2021

US returns to Paris climate agreement.

02/18/2021

US rescinds announces UN sanctions on Iran placed by the Trump administration, a step toward restarting talks on returning to the JPCOA nuclear agreement with Iran. Iran insists that sanctions imposed by the Trump administration be lifted before they will return to the agreement and that there is nothing to talk about, since the agreement exists.

02/15/2021

Rocket attack on coalition military base near Erbil in Iraq. A group called Saraya Awliya al-Dam, an Iran-allied group, claims responsibility.

02/14/2021

A Turkish military operation in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq results in the death of scores of PKK fighters and three Turkish military and thirteen Turks kidnapped by the PKK, according to Turkish authorities, who were executed by the PKK. Turkey subsequently accuses the US of supporting the PKK.

02/13/2021

Trump acquitted again

Trump acquitted in second impeachment trial by a vote of 57-43 in favor of conviction, the largest number of senators voting to convict a president in history.

02/10/2021

Turkey offers to restrict or delay its use of Russian missile system, in a deal similar to the one with Greece in 1997.

02/04/2021

US ends support of Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen.

01/29/2021

Putin signs renewal of START treaty as agreed with the United States.

01/25/2021

Second impeachment trial of former president Trump formally begins, although main arguments won’t begin until 2/8.

01/13/2021

Trump is impeached again

Donald Trump is impeached for the second time by the House of Representatives. With control of the Senate changing hands on 1/20, it is unclear when the Senate will begin the trial.

01/11/2021

Democrats introduce impeachment bill in the House of Representatives accusing Trump of inciting sedition. The move asks Vice-president Pence to invoke the 25th amendment to the US constitution for removal of a president who cannot carry out his duties. If he does not do so within 24 hours, impeachment will move forward. Pence is not expected to do anything.

01/11/2021

Multiple corporations and other organizations halt funding to political parties, and some specifically to the congresspeople who voted to question the election results.

01/10/2021

Twitter blocks Trump from using its service. Other web hosts move to stop service to social media service Parler, a forum for many extremists. It is increasingly clear that social media provided a means for militant extremists to plan the attack on the Capitol building.

01/09/2021

Facebook blocks Trump from its pages and moves to eliminate extremist pages.

01/07/2021

Though the Congress is not in session, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says the House will begin writing an article of impeachment against Pres Trump for “inciting insurrection.”

01/06/2021

Presidential certification disrupted by Trump supporters

Protestors break into the US Congress threatening violence. They disrupt Congressional certification of Joseph Biden’s victory in the November election, but it is finished early in the morning of 1/7. Pres Trump appeared at the rally before the attack on Congress and encouraged the group to go to the Capital building. Many representatives and some senators still vote against certifying two state’s electors, claiming a voting fraud that has been disproved in multiple cases.

01/04/2021

UK judge refuses to allow extradition of Julian Assange to US.

01/01/2021

Trump continues to dispute the outcome of the election, now trying openly to have state governments or the congress overturn the election.

12/14/2020

US sanctions trade with Turkey because of its use of a Russian air defense system.

12/14/2020

US removes Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

12/12/2020

News agency Reuters reveals that agencies of the US government were cybernetically broken into, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Departments of Defense, Treasury, Commerce, and the National Institutes of Health. The Russian spy agency, the FSB, is believed to be behind the attacks, so the objective is thought to be informational rather than an attack, as might have been the objective if the military intelligence service, the GRU, were behind it.

12/12/2020

News agency Reuters reveals that agencies of the US government were cybernetically broken into, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Departments of Defense, Treasury, Commerce, and the National Institutes of Health. The Russian spy agency, the FSB, is believed to be behind the attacks, so the objective is thought to be informational rather than an attack, as might have been the objective if the military intelligence service, the GRU, were behind it.

12/11/2020

Israel and Morocco agree to establish diplomatic relations. As part of the agreement, US recognizes western Morocco as part of the larger country.

12/05/2020

US orders withdrawal of its 700-800 troops. No explanation is given.

11/27/2020

Top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is assassinated. No group takes responsibility, but Iran accuses Israel and the United States. He was seen as a vital moving force behind the revival of the nuclear program and difficult to replace. The killing may also complicate any further negotiations on the nuclear arms agreement by the incoming Biden administration.

11/17/2020

Trump orders further withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, against the advice of the military. By the end of the year, there will be 2500 troops in each country.

11/13/2020

Though Trump continues to refuse to concede citing baseless accusations of fraud and mishandling of ballots and bringing multiple lawsuits to halt the certification process in several states, there is increasing public acceptance among political leaders that he has lost. However, because he has widespread support among Republicans, they hesitate to cross him openly. The Biden transition is being held up by an official appointed by Trump. He has also removed several high officials in the military and intelligence agencies, for no apparent reason.

11/07/2020

Biden wins disputed election

Biden accorded sufficient votes that the electoral college will elect him in December, though counting continues. States continue counting remaining votes and three states have not yet been decided. Biden affirms that he has been elected president. Trump refuses to concede the election, saying that there has been widespread fraud.

11/03/2020

Presidential election. Democrat Joe Biden has been leading in polls, but the election is extremely close, and the outcome will depend on the extremely large number of mail-in votes.

10/19/2020

Taliban accuses the US of violating the agreement between. In dispute is a series of airstrikes in Afghanistan, which the US says was in defense of allied troops.

10/18/2020

UN sanctions on Iran arms trade expire.

10/18/2020

UN sanctions on Iran arms trade expire.

10/13/2020

US continues plans to sell weapons to Taiwan, angering China.

10/08/2020

Trump says that US troops could be out of Afghanistan by the end of the year. However, it is not clear that he has ordered the military to withdraw troops.

10/02/2020

Trump is hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19 on 10/1/20.

09/30/2020

Tunisia signs ten-year military cooperation agreement with US.

09/29/2020

Greece contracts with the US to upgrade its jet fighters, in stated response to Turkey’s “aggressiveness.”

09/29/2020

Greece contracts with the US to upgrade its jet fighters, in stated response to Turkey’s “aggressiveness.”

09/21/2020

US reimposes sanctions on Iran and on others who would trade with Iran. Other signatories to the nuclear agreement object to the move. Iran advocates continuing with the agreement. Rial falls to a record low against the dollar.

09/19/2020

While US Undersecretary of State is visiting Taiwan, China flies bombers over the island.

09/19/2020

China warns that any attempt to block supplies of critical technologies from Chinese companies will result in retaliation against at least one US firm.

09/18/2020

US orders social media aps TikTok and WeChat not to operate in US, on national security grounds, and bars downloads of WeChat. Oracle of the US is attempting to buy TikTok.

09/15/2020

US issues sanctions on Union Development Group, a state-owned Chinese company that is building part of the Belt and Road Project. The company seized land in Cambodia for the project.

09/14/2020

US issues travel warning for Hong Kong because of new Chinese national security law.

09/14/2020

US orders sanctions on Chinese companies said to be using Uighurs as slave labor.

09/09/2020

US says it will continue to draw down troops in Iraq, from about 5500 now to about 3200 by the end of September.

09/08/2020

Papua offers to let US build military installations in its archipelago.

09/07/2020

Trump again threatens to cut back US economic ties with China. Chinese exports rise substantially in August and trade surplus with the US increases.

09/04/2020

Serbia and Kosovo normalize economic ties in a ceremony in the US. Israel and Kosovo also mutually recognize each other as part of the agreement and Serbia will move its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem.

08/25/2020

US and China resume trade talks that China calls “constructive.”

08/25/2020

The UAE cancels talk with the US and Israel after Netanyahu criticizes US weapons sale to the UAE.

08/21/2020

Other western nations reject the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran.

08/20/2020

US calls for restoration of UN sanctions against Iran for its progress on nuclear energy. Some countries argue that because the US has withdrawn from the treaty, it has no sanction to make the demand.

08/20/2020

US calls for restoration of UN sanctions against Iran for its progress on nuclear energy. Some countries argue that because the US has withdrawn from the treaty, it has no sanction to make the demand.

08/20/2020

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi meets with US President Trump to discuss the continuing draw-down of US forces in Iraq. They announce a new package of US aid for energy and finance projects This trip may hurt him politically with the pro-Iran factions in Iraq.

08/20/2020

Trump says that US troops will leave Iraq “shortly,” but no one in the government will specify a timetable.

08/18/2020

US increasing “freedom of navigation” patrols in South China Sea.

08/07/2020

US imposes sanctions on Hong Kong officials, including Carrie Lam.

08/06/2020

There are news reports of a secret deal for a US person to develop oil fields in Syria that were guarded by US and Kurdish soldiers. Assad denies the deal, but US Secretary of State Pompeo confirms it.

08/04/2020

UN reports that North Korea may have developed nuclear weapons small enough to install on a ballistic missile.

07/26/2020

China orders closure of US consulate in Chengdu.

07/24/2020

US orders closure of Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas, after people in the consulate were seen burning papers.

07/21/2020

US accuses China of attempting to steal COVID-19 research cybernetically.

07/20/2020

China makes record buy of US corn, attempting to move beyond tensions.

07/16/2020

The UK, US, and Canada accuse Russia of attempting to steal research on a COVID-9 vaccines cybernetically.

07/16/2020

The UK, US, and Canada accuse Russia of attempting to steal research on a COVID-9 vaccines cybernetically.

07/16/2020

US restricts visas for officials of Huawei and other Chinese tech firms.

07/13/2020

The US rejects China’s claims of territory in the South China Sea, supporting a UN ruling of 7/12/16.

07/13/2020

In response to the US sanctions on Chinese officials for their roles in the internment of Uyghurs, China announces it will place sanctions on several American politicians, including Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz for "wrong actions."

06/22/2020

US and Russia hold talks on arms control. China abstains from participation.

06/11/2020

US orders sanctions on the members of the International Criminal Court, which is investigating war crimes during the war in Afghanistan.

06/11/2020

US and Iraq begin negotiations on withdrawal of American troops and combatting Iranian aggression.

06/11/2020

US and Iraq begin negotiations on withdrawal of American troops and combatting Iranian aggression.

06/05/2020

US orders removal of 9500 troops from Germany, likely in response to Merkel’s rejection of G-7 invitation.

06/03/2020

After China refuses to allow US carriers to resume flights to China, US bans Chinese carriers from US.

06/03/2020

Philippines decides not to leave defense pact with the US due to China’s aggressive stance in the South China Sea.

06/01/2020

China tells state-owned firms to stop importing soybeans and pork from the US.

05/31/2020

Protests and rioting across US

Third day of protests, some violent, in the wake of the killing of a black man by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On video, the officer kneeled on the man’s head for nine minutes, two minutes after he became unconscious. Four officers were fired or suspended and the officer who kneeled on the man’s head was charged with murder. There are protests in at least seventy-five cities across the US and the National Guard is called out in 23 states. Police respond in many instances is seen as unnecessarily aggressive and sometimes brutal, and many instances are videotaped. Pres Trump tweets that the protests are fueled by agitators who are terrorists, and says that antifa, a group of loosely united people who dress in black and call themselves anarchists, will be designated a terrorist organization. However, there is no legal designation of domestic terrorist groups in the US, only foreign groups. Trump has no other recommendations about how to respond to this widespread anger. Some of the looters among the protesters seem to be white nationalists attempting to make black American look bad.

05/29/2020

US announces it will cut ties with the World Health Organization.

05/29/2020

US issues criminal indictments against 28 North Koreans and 5 Chinese, alleging they laundered money to evade US sanctions on buying goods for the North Korean nuclear program.

05/29/2020

US announces it will cut ties with the World Health Organization.

05/29/2020

US issues criminal indictments against 28 North Koreans and 5 Chinese, alleging they laundered money to evade US sanctions on buying goods for the North Korean nuclear program.

05/27/2020

US Sec of State Pompeo says that Hong Kong is no longer an autonomous region and should lose the trading concessions it received in a 1990s US law. This would make it less attractive for US companies to reside there, a blow to China.

05/27/2020

US legislature passes a law that would sanction Chinese officials over the reeducation camps for Uighurs.

05/27/2020

US says that all waivers of nuclear trade with Iran are ending.

05/27/2020

Canadian judge refuses to throw out the US request for the extradition of Meng Wanzhou.

05/27/2020

US Sec of State Pompeo says that Hong Kong is no longer an autonomous region and should lose the trading concessions it received in a 1990s US law. This would make it less attractive for US companies to reside there, a blow to China.

05/27/2020

US legislature passes a law that would sanction Chinese officials over the reeducation camps for Uighurs.

05/27/2020

US says that all waivers of nuclear trade with Iran are ending.

05/27/2020

Canadian judge refuses to throw out the US request for the extradition of Meng Wanzhou.

05/24/2020

US bans travel from Brazil. Brazil has about 350,000 cases of COVID-19 and 22,000 deaths.

05/21/2020

US says it will withdraw from the Open Skies treaty, due to Russian violation of the agreement. Other countries remain in the pact, which allows for overflights to inspect for arms control violations. The US says Russia is using the flights to map key infrastructure in the US.

05/20/2020

Palestinian Authority ends all agreements with Israel and the US due to Israeli expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

05/20/2020

Taliban peace negotiation leader Haibatullah Akhunzada, in an Eid message, says the Taliban is still committed to the peace deal with the US, despite its numerous attacks in Afghanistan.

05/20/2020

Taliban peace negotiation leader Haibatullah Akhunzada, in an Eid message, says the Taliban is still committed to the peace deal with the US, despite its numerous attacks in Afghanistan.

05/20/2020

US imposes new sanctions on several Iranian officials for human rights abuses.

05/18/2020

US says it will bar any US company from supplying China’s Huawei with any intellectual property of any kind without special exemption.

05/18/2020

US threatens to cut off funding to World Health Organization unless it makes reforms, specifically to demonstrate independence from China. The US is largely isolated in this demand.

05/06/2020

China considering cutting US debt holdings over the next several months. There have been reports that the US is considering cancelling some of its $1.1 trillion debt to China. Both reports may be a part of the war of words between the two countries, as the US continues to suggest that the Chinese government labs allowed the novel coronavirus to move into the general population, though few scientists believe this. The US needs to borrow $3 trillion to pay for its COVID-19 economic stimulus programs.

05/04/2020

A consortium of world leaders, bankers, and non-governmental organizations pledges $8 billion to develop a COVID-19 virus vaccine. Neither the United States nor Russia takes part.

05/04/2020

Widespread anger at China in the wake of its actions on COVID-19. US, Australia calling for an investigation of how the virus originated. Germany and the UK now rethinking use of Huawei electronics.

05/03/2020

US citizen and Green Beret Jordan Goudreau mounts an invasion of Venezuela to capture Venezuelans wanted by the US government. Venezuela says it has repelled the incursion.

04/29/2020

US economy shrinks by 4.8% in the first quarter of 2020.

04/22/2020

US government orders Chevron to stop pumping oil in Venezuela by 12/1.

04/21/2020

Trump says he will sign an executive order suspending the issuance of green cards for sixty days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

04/20/2020

US, Canada, and Mexico agree to extend travel restrictions for another month due to COVID-19 pandemic.

04/19/2020

Iran disputes US interpretation of an incident on 4/15. The US said Iranian ships harassed US ships. Iran says US blocked one of its ships twice. On 4/14, armed men thought to be Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, boarded and diverted a Hong Kong-registered tanker into Iranian waters, then released it.

04/10/2020

Mexico refuses to cut oil production to the extent agreed on by the OPEC+ group, led by Saudi Arabia and including Russia. Russia had demanded that other nations outside OPEC, including the US and Canada also cut production. The US has become the world’s largest oil producer.

04/08/2020

US orders firms to discontinue gasoline shipments to Venezuela and send only diesel fuel, continuing a stricture that began in late 2019.

03/27/2020

US legislature passes $2 trillion dollar economic aid bill in reponse to COVID-19 pandemic.

03/26/2020

US continues to draw down troops from Iraq.

03/26/2020

US indicts Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and others for drug trafficking.

03/20/2020

US and Mexico agree to close their mutual border.

03/18/2020

US and Canada close their mutual border due to COVID-19.

03/12/2020

After Pres Trump’s announcement on coronavirus response halting travel to and from Europe and some economic measures, stock markets plunge deeper, officially entering bear market.

03/12/2020

US strikes at Kata’ib Hezbollah in Iraq, suspected of launching attacks that killed US soldiers.

03/12/2020

US blames Iran-backed group Kata’ib Hezbollah for the killing of US soldiers in Iraq.

03/11/2020

Taliban rejects Afghan prisoner release, saying that the agreement specfies five thousand to be released without any conditions.

03/11/2020

Three US military are killed in a rocket attack in Iraq, bringing the total this week to five.

03/10/2020

Government announces it will release 1500 Taliban prisoners over the next fifteen days on condition that the Taliban release government soldiers and stop new incidents of violence.

03/03/2020

US resumes bombing Taliban positions after Taliban resumes attacks.

03/02/2020

US says it will continue to withdraw military despite any violence by the Taliban.

03/02/2020

Taliban refuses to agree to a cease-fire or to negotiate with the Afghan government until Afghanistan releases 5000 prisoners.

03/01/2020

Ghani says that Afghanistan will not release any Taliban prisoners until the Taliban negotiates that and other points of contention directly with the Afghan government

02/28/2020

Afghan peace agreement

US and Taliban sign peace agreement that provides for withdrawal of all allied troops from Afghanistan, release of prisoners, and talks with the Afghan government. The US is to withdraw all of its roughly 12,000 remaining troops by April 2021 and will work with the UN to lift sanctions on the Taliban. About two-thirds of those troops are to leave within six months. In return, the Taliban have promised to cut ties with global terrorist groups and begin substantive power-sharing talks with the Afghan government. Crucially, the deal envisions the release of some 5,000 Taliban fighters currently imprisoned in Afghan jails in exchange for about 1,000 Afghan prisoners held by the rebel group.

02/27/2020

US has first case of COVID-19 not contracted from a known carrier.

02/27/2020

Stock markets in US and elsewhere fall deeply as a result of the COVID-19 threat.

02/21/2020

Reduction in violence for seven days begins. Five thousand prisoners are to be released as part of it, and the Taliban says it means complete withdrawal of all international forces in Afghanistan. US Secretary of State Pompeo says the Taliban will sign the larger agreement on 2/29 if the reduction holds.

02/13/2020

US announces an agreement for a seven-day reduction in Afghanistan with the Taliban. No date for its imposition is announced.

02/11/2020

Saudi prince condemns US-Israel peace plan.

02/10/2020

Philippine Pres Duterte terminates military agreement with US.

02/05/2020

China cuts tariffs on US products.

02/05/2020

Trump acquitted

US Senate acquits Pres Trump on impeachment charges of abuse of power and obstruction of congress.

02/04/2020

EU criticizes US-Israel peace plan.

02/01/2020

Palestinian government cuts diplomatic relations with the US and Israel, including security agreement.

01/31/2020

Arab League rejects US-Israeli peace plan.

01/31/2020

Arab League rejects US-Israeli peace plan.

01/30/2020

Quiet response to US-Israeli plan leaves Palestinians with little leverage for future discussions. They say they will go to the UN to block the plan and may withdraw from the Oslo agreement, including its requirement for security coordination.

01/29/2020

EU says it will allow Huawei to supply its network, following the UK against US policy.

01/28/2020

US presents peace plan for Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Written without consultation of the Palestinians, it largely favors Israel and recognizes some aspects that are considered violation of international law. Netanyahu, meeting with Pres Trump, says he will accept and institute the plan if it is accepted. Benny Gantz, speaking separately, says the same. The Palestinians quickly condemn it.

01/27/2020

UK says it will allow Chinese electronics company Huawei to supply parts of its new 5g network despite US opposition to any use of Huawei.

01/26/2020

Amid clashes between government forces and remaining protestors, in which the government was firing live rounds and tear gas, five rockets land in the Green Zone, including one or more on the American Embassy. Iraq Pres Mahdi condemns the action. The protestors are now demanding snap elections.

01/23/2020

Afghan Pres Ghani says that Afghanistan is ready for a significant withdrawal of US troops, as much as one-third.

01/20/2020

Extradition trial to US for Hauwei executive Wang Menzhou begins.

01/20/2020

US officials confirm a case of coronavirus, resembling Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus in the US. The virus first occurred in China, where more cases are being confirmed. There are concerns of a larger epidemic.

01/16/2020

Trump impeached

House of Representatives delivers two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, to the Senate, which will vote on whether they justify removing Pres Trump from office, an unlikely outcome.

01/15/2020

US resumes fighting the Islamic State.

01/15/2020

US resumes fighting the Islamic State.

01/14/2020

France, Britain, and Germany begin process that would allow them to impose sanction on Iran for not following JPCOA. Iran argues that since the US has already broken the agreement, they are not liable. It is later revealed that Pres Trump threatened to impose new auto tariffs if they did not.

01/13/2020

US removes China from list of currency manipulators.

01/09/2020

US imposes new sanctions on metals companies aimed at handicapping construction.

01/09/2020

Abdel Mahdi instructs US to prepare to withdraw troops from Iraq. The US declines to do so, saying that the Amadhi government is to be replaced.

01/08/2020

Trump says US will impose new sanctions on Iran.

01/07/2020

Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly names US Department of Defense a terrorist organization.

01/07/2020

Iran fires ballistic missiles at two US bases in Iraq. There are no casualties, which seems to have been Iran’s intent. Ayatollah Khamenei calls the attack just a “slap in the face,” and suggests there may be other reprisals.

01/06/2020

Al-Shabab overruns a US military base in Kenya, killing three before being repulsed.

01/06/2020

Al-Shabab overruns a US military base in Kenya, killing three before being repulsed.

01/05/2020

Iran withdraws entirely from the nuclear agreement. Hundreds of thousands mourn Suleimani, uniting the country.

01/05/2020

Iraq parliament votes to expel US troops over the killing of Suleimani.

01/05/2020

Iraq parliament votes to expel US troops over the killing of Suleimani in a non-binding resolution.

01/05/2020

Iraq parliament votes to expel US troops over the killing of Suleimani in a non-binding resolution.

01/03/2020

In the wake of rising tensions in the Middle East, US coalition suspends operations in Syria and Iran against the Islamic State.

01/02/2020

US kills high-ranking Iranian

US kills top Iranian military commander, Qassam Soleimani, head of Quds force, probably the second-most powerful leader in the country at the Baghdad airport. Iran vows revenge.

01/01/2020

North Korean leader Kim says that the North will develop a new strategic weapon and its previous promises are no longer in effect.

01/01/2020

US forces fire rubber bullets and tear gas at protestors outside embassy. US sends 750 special forces soldiers to Baghdad. Protestors end attacks.

12/31/2019

Protestors besiege the US embassy in Baghdad denouncing the airstrikes.

12/29/2019

US strikes bases of the Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia, on the Iraq-Syria border to deter attacks on US personnel. The bases were in both Syria and Iraq.

12/29/2019

Taliban confirms that it will resume negotiations with the US about Afghanistan.

12/19/2019

US House approves USMCA trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, which have already signed the treaty.

12/19/2019

Democrats suggest that they may hold back articles of impeachment from the Senate unless the rules in the Senate will assure a full and fair trial. Their authority to do so is unclear.

12/19/2019

US House approves USMCA trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, which have already signed the treaty.

12/19/2019

Democrats suggest that they may hold back articles of impeachment from the Senate unless the rules in the Senate will assure a full and fair trial. Their authority to do so is unclear.

12/18/2019

House of Representatives impeaches Pres Trump on two articles of impeachment, one of abuse of power and the other of obstruction of Congress. The first is related to his treatment of military aid and a White House visit with Ukraine Pres. Zelenskiy, and the second is his decision to forbid any administrative official from testifying to Congress, even when subpoenaed.

12/18/2019

House of Representatives impeaches Pres Trump on two articles of impeachment, one of abuse of power and the other of obstruction of Congress. The first is related to his treatment of military aid and a White House visit with Ukraine Pres. Zelenskiy, and the second is his decision to forbid any administrative official from testifying to Congress, even when subpoenaed.

12/16/2019

Russia and China propose lifting some UN sanctions on North Korea, but US demurs. The proposal may still go before the Security Council, but a US veto would stop it.

12/15/2019

Turkey threatens to close Incirlik military base, where the US stores nuclear missiles, if the US imposes new sanctions on Turkey.

12/08/2019

Pres Trump of US warns Kim that North Korea may lose its “special relationship with the US if he acts in a “hostile manner.”

12/07/2019

Government says it has tested a “significant” new missile.

12/07/2019

US says that Russians shot down an unarmed drone over Libya.

12/02/2019

China bans US ships from Hong Kong and sanctions five US NGOs after Pres Trump signs a law in support of Hong Kong democracy.

12/02/2019

US military aid is released to Lebanon after months of unexplained delay.

12/02/2019

US threatens tariffs on French wine and cheese in retaliation for French tax on large digital companies.

12/02/2019

US imposes tariffs on meat on Brazil and Argentina.

12/02/2019

US House passes bill in support of Uighurs, calling for sanctions on Chinese politburo. Chinese protests.

11/29/2019

Taliban confirms that it has resumed negotiations with the US about Afghanistan.

11/22/2019

After pressure from the US, South Korea agrees to continue an intelligence-sharing agreement with Japan. The US feared ending the pact would hamper the ability to respond to North Korea threat.

11/21/2019

China says it wants a trade agreement but is not afraid to continue the fight with the US.

11/21/2019

US legislature passes a law requiring measures supporting Hong Kong independence. China protests.

11/21/2019

US officials meeting with representatives of Hiftar and there are fears that the US will end its support of the internationally recognized government. Earlier this month, the US called for Hiftar’s forces to end their attack on Tripoli, but in the past, Pres Trump has praised Hiftar, who has dual US-Libyan citizenship and has worked with the CIA in the past.

11/18/2019

US reverses its stance Israeli settlements in the West Bank, saying that they do not violate international law. Sec of State Mike Pompeo explains that the previous policy did not advance the cause of peace.

11/17/2019

US and South Korea agree to delay military exercises in support of the peace process.

11/14/2019

US demands that South Korea dramatically increase its share of the cost of us troops there.

11/13/2019

House of Representatives begins public hearings in the impeachment of Pres Trump.

11/08/2019

US troops will hold oil fields in Syria.

11/05/2019

US begins formal withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, which will be complete in one year.

10/31/2019

Syrian, Turkish, US, and Russian troops now all patrolling parts of northern Syria. Fighting between Syrian and Turkish troops.

10/26/2019

US reports that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, located with Russian help, detonated his suicide vest when pursued by US forces. Former Ba'athist officer Abdullah Qardash is named the new leader of the Islamic State.

10/26/2019

North Korea expresses dissatisfaction with nuclear negotiations with US.

10/24/2019

US says it will leave some troops and add heavy armored equipment to forces in Syria to protect the oil fields.

10/23/2019

US removes sanctions on Turkey, saying the cease-fire is permanent.

10/21/2019

US will move some Syrian troops to western Iraq border to continue fight against Islamic State. Iraq army says that the troops do not have permission to stay.

10/21/2019

US drawing down troops in Afghanistan. Negotiations with the Taliban remain stalled.

10/18/2019

US imposes tariffs on a range of EU products as recompense for EU subsidies for Airbus. The US won a complaint in the World Trade Organization against the EU Airbus subsidies in 2004. However the EU won a countercomplaint against US subsidies for Boeing, but the WTO has not announced the penalty.

10/18/2019

There is sporadic fighting in the zone that Turkey has invaded, but the halt in fighting appears to take hold.

10/17/2019

Erdogan and Pence announce a temporary halt to the incursion in Syria. Turkish forces will stand down for five days to allow the Kurds to leave the buffer zone. When they do, the incursion will end. In return, the US relieves sanctions on Turkey. Both countries agree to continue to fight the Islamic State. The Kurds were not involved in the discussions, but agree to it.

10/17/2019

Russian news services announces that US and Russia are resuming sharing information about cybercrime, a proposal that shocked national security officials when first suggested in 2018.

10/16/2019

Erdogan rejects calls for a cease-fire and demands that Syrian Kurds lay down their weapons. US Vice-president Pence in Ankara for talks. The lira rises, probably because US sanctions are lighter than feared.

10/16/2019

A series of members of the State Department, under subpoena, testify in closed sessions at impeachment hearings, defying administration orders. The administration and Republicans say the hearings are invalid because the full House of Representatives did not vote to approve the impeachment inquiry, a step not mandated by law, though it has always been followed in previous presidential impeachments.

10/15/2019

Russian forces enter Syria to create a buffer between Turkish and Syrian military where possible. With Syrian support, Kurds slow Turkish advance elsewhere.

10/14/2019

US imposes sanctions on two Turkish ministries and three government officials.

10/13/2019

Syrian Kurds agree with Syrian government to allow it to enter the north and protect the borders. Details of the agreement are not clear.

10/11/2019

US and China reach agreement on some aspects of trade. US removes threat of increasing tariffs more in the coming week.

10/11/2019

US to send more troops to Saudi Arabia.

10/10/2019

Trade talks resume between the US and China. China is said to be willing to agree to some aspects of US demands.

10/06/2019

US removes troops from northern Syria ahead of Turkish invasion aimed at Kurds who are holding territory there.

10/05/2019

Talks between US and North Korea break down within hours of beginning.

10/02/2019

World Trade Organization allows US to impose tariffs on goods from the EU in a judgement about competitive advantage provided by the EU to Airbus, and the US does so.

10/01/2019

North Korea agrees to new negotiations with US, then launches two missiles.

09/26/2019

Release of government official’s (known as “the whistleblower”) complaint, alledges that the president on several occasions solicited help for his re-election, and further that such conversations were secreted on a computer server usually reserved for the most dangerous US secrets. The complaint references several people who provided this information. The incident is being considered as part of impeachment.

09/25/2019

Rouhani says that Iran is willing to resume adhering to the JPCOA if US sanctions are lifted. It would also agree to further negotiations on details of the treaty then. Imran Khan says Trump asked him to mediate with Iran, as did Saudi Arabia. French Pres Macron says conditions are in place for Rouhani and Trump to talk.

09/25/2019

US and Honduras agree that asylum seekers to the US can be sent to Honduras if they traveled through Honduras but did not seek asylum there. The agreement complements one with El Salvador signed recently.

09/25/2019

China resumes purchases of pork and soybeans from the US ahead of new trade talks.

09/25/2019

China threatens to “hit back forcefully” if a law in the US congress that would require sanctions on officials who limit Hong Kong’s “basic freedoms,” among other things.

09/24/2019

Impeachment inquiry instituted

Democratic Party in the US House of Representatives announces an official impeachment investigation into President Trump. The initiating event was Trump urging Ukraine Pres Volodomyr Zelensky to investigate the conduct of political consultant Hunter Biden in Ukraine, as detailed in a report conducted by the government, but withheld from the House as required by law. Hunter Biden is the son of former vice president and current presidential candidate Joe Biden. Trump is said to have used the withholding military aid appropriated by the US Congress as a stick to force Zelensky to investigate. Trump has admitted that he has done so. However, this event and the seeming effort to suppress is only the latest in a long series of actions by the president that are said by opponents to violate constitutional directives and longstanding political norms, including profiting from the patronage of Trump hotels by foreign governments, obstruction of justice in interfering in the Mueller investigation and a refusal to recognize Russian interference in the 2016 election confirmed by all US intelligence services. There is some question whether Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi can initiate impeachment proceedings without calling a vote to approve by the entire House of Representatives.

09/20/2019

US imposes new sanctions on the Iran national bank and announces plans to send some more troops to Saudi Arabia.

09/20/2019

US imposes new sanctions on the Iran national bank and announces plans to send some more troops to Saudi Arabia.

09/18/2019

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calls the bombing of Saudi oil facilities “an act of war.” Iran threatens “all-out war” if there is a military strike on the country.

09/16/2019

US Pres Trump plays down prospect of a military response. Oil prices spike. Saudis do not directly blame Iran for the attack, although they say they will respond “forcefully.”

09/16/2019

US Pres Trump plays down prospect of a military response. Oil prices spike. Saudis do not directly blame Iran for the attack, although they say they will respond “forcefully.”

09/15/2019

US Pres Trump suggests that US is ready for an armed response to drone strikes, but waiting for Saudi Arabia to direct it.

09/14/2019

Drone attacks by Houthis destroy major oil refineries in Saudi Arabia, cutting its oil production in half. US and SAudi Arabia blame Iran for the attacks. Iran denies this. Houthis claim responsibility but there is conflicting evidence.

09/12/2019

House Juiciary Committee passes guidelines for an investigation into whether Pres Trump should be impeached.

09/11/2019

US Pres Trump indicates that he may be open to negotiations with Iran that would institute the French proposal of a hard currency credit line for Iran or some other sanctions relief. His suggestion comes the day after firing National Security Agency chief John Bolton, a hardliner against any relief to Iran.

09/11/2019

China lifts tariffs on some goods to US.

09/11/2019

US delays the imposition of some new tariffs on Chinese goods from 10/1 to 10/15.

09/08/2019

Turkish forces begin patrols in Northern Syrian Buffer Zone Agreement. Syria condemns the patrols as a violation of international law. Erdogan accuses the US of being more interested in a buffer zone for “a terrorist organization” than for Turkey.

09/05/2019

US and China resume negotiations on the trade war.

09/03/2019

UN report says US, UK, and France may be complicit in possible war crimes by Saudi Arabia in Yemen.

09/03/2019

UN report says US, UK, and France may be complicit in possible war crimes by Saudi Arabia in Yemen.

09/03/2019

US sanctions three Iranian space agencies, alleging they are hiding missile development.

09/02/2019

After consulting with Ghani, the US says that it has reached an agreement with the Taliban to withdraw 5400 of its 14000 troops. The Taliban agrees not to allow al-Qaeda to establish bases in Afghanistan, to start talks with the Afghan government with the aim of instituting a ceasefire. Ghani is still considering the deal and US Pres Trump has not yet affirmed it.

09/01/2019

New round of US tariffs on China formally takes effect.

09/01/2019

US and Taliban reported to be close to an agreement about a peace process. Taliban continues to attack parts of Afghanistan.

08/31/2019

During the month, US major US chip makers ended ties with Chinese entities and the US Department of Commerce substantially reduced the number of licenses that allow US companies to assign Chinese nationals to sensitive projects.

08/26/2019

Some Iraq parliamentarians call for US troops to withdrawal after Israeli air raids of Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces camps in Iraq.

08/26/2019

Iran demands an end to sanctions before talks with US can begin.

08/20/2019

US and Venezuela confirm that they are having bilateral discussions, excluding opposition leaders.

08/15/2019

US, Israel, and UAE in secret talks on confronting Iran.

08/14/2019

UK releases Iranian tanker despite US request to detain it.

08/13/2019

Fearful of price increases during Christmas sales season, US delays tariffs on some Chinese products.

08/07/2019

Taliban attack in Kabul, just days after the beginning of Eid. Peace talks with Taliban are nonetheless progressing and may have affected India’s decision about Kasmir. One observer suggests that India fears that after a settlement in Afghanistan, Pakistan would direct more of the Pakistani-allied jihadist groups, who operate in Afghanistan and Kashmir, against India.

08/06/2019

US places full economic embargo on Venezuela and blocks all their assets in the US.

08/06/2019

China halts all agricultural imports from US and will buy from Russia.

08/05/2019

Chinese yuan falls below a previously benchmark point, 7 yuan to the dollar. US accuses China of manipulating currency, a violation of international agreements. US stock market plunges 3%.

08/03/2019

US names President Juan Orlando Hernández as a co-conspirator with his brother in their efforts “to use drug trafficking to assert power and control in Honduras,” using money from it to fund political campaigns and high-level corruption.

08/01/2019

US increases tariffs and imposes them on all goods imported from China. US stock markets drop precipitously.

08/01/2019

US officially withdraws from nuclear arms control treaty with Russia, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).

07/21/2019

Iran arrests seventeen people, claiming they were working for the US CIA.

07/18/2019

US says it shot down Iranian drone that approached within 1000 yards of a US warship and refused to respond to warnings. Iran later says that it was not an Iranian drone.

07/12/2019

Turkey receives Russian air defense system, contrary to US demands.

07/11/2019

UK ambassador to US Kim Darroch resigns after memos criticizing Trump are leaked and Trump refuses to deal with him. Boris Johnson, nearing leadership of Conservatives, supports Trump.

07/08/2019

China demands that US cancel proposed $2.2 billion arms deal with Taiwan.

07/08/2019

Iran announces its intention to enrich uranium beyond the limit specified in the JPCOA, and says it will move further every sixty days. Its likely intention is to push EU to find a solution to the stand-off with the US or the divorce its policies from the US.

06/30/2019

US and China agree to a halt in tariff escalation and further negotiations. All tariffs remain in place.

06/30/2019

Trump becomes first US president to set foot in North Korea, though no negotiations or reciprocal measures are offered by the North.

06/21/2019

US initiates strikes against military positions in Iran and then called them off.

06/20/2019

Iran says it has shot down unmanned drone flying over its territory, though US says it was in international waters.

06/17/2019

US announces it will send an additional 1000 troops to the Mideast.

06/16/2019

Iran moving toward exceeding JPCOA limits on enriched uranium by the end of the month.

06/16/2019

Iran moving toward exceeding JPCOA limits on enriched uranium by the end of the month.

06/13/2019

US accuses Iran of attacks on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to fears that US will attack Iran. Iran denies involvement in the attacks

06/13/2019

US announces it will send additional 1000 troops to Poland, at Poland’s request.

06/07/2019

US announces agreement with Mexico on immigration. The agreement is largely a continuation and increase in agreements Mexico had already made to increase National Guard presence on its border with Guatemal and to interview some asylum seekers in Mexico. Other aspects made public by US Pres Trump are inaccurate.

06/07/2019

US announces agreement with Mexico on immigration. The agreement is largely a continuation and increase in agreements Mexico had already made to increase National Guard presence on its border with Guatemal and to interview some asylum seekers in Mexico. Other aspects made public by US Pres Trump are inaccurate.

06/07/2019

US announces agreement with Mexico on immigration. The agreement is largely a continuation and increase in agreements Mexico had already made to increase National Guard presence on its border with Guatemal and to interview some asylum seekers in Mexico. Other aspects made public by US Pres Trump are inaccurate.

06/06/2019

Guatemala sends national guard to border with Guatemala to restrict immigration. Guatemala has also reportedly inquired about a US military presence on its northern border.

05/31/2019

Trump imposes 5% tariff on all goods from Mexico, beginning June 10 and increasing monthly until October until illegal immigration ends, although the specific standards for that are unclear.

05/31/2019

US ends special preferential trade agreement with India.

05/31/2019

Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a 57-member group, issues a statement supporting Palestine and condemning US embassy move to Jerusalem, and condemns Iran for aggression in the region.

05/31/2019

Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a 57-member group, issues a statement supporting Palestine and condemning US embassy move to Jerusalem, and condemns Iran for aggression in the region.

05/31/2019

Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a 57-member group, issues a statement supporting Palestine and condemning US embassy move to Jerusalem, and condemns Iran for aggression in the region.

05/30/2019

Taliban says that progress has been made in talks in Moscow with Afghan officials.

05/28/2019

Government sends Dept. of Homeland Security agents to Guatemala to increase security and reduce migration. Agents will provide "law enforcement training and training to improve criminal investigations," which are intended to reduce factors that drive people to migrate.

05/28/2019

Government sends Dept. of Homeland Security agents to Guatemala to increase security and reduce migration. Agents will provide "law enforcement training and training to improve criminal investigations," which are intended to reduce factors that drive people to migrate.

05/13/2019

North Korea demands the return of its vessel.

05/13/2019

Guaidó formally asks the US military for help in “strategic and operational planning” against the Maduro government.

05/13/2019

UAE reports that four of its commercial vessels suffered damage in th Gulf of Oman en route to Saudi Arabia to pick up oil to be shipped to the US. Some suspect that Iran is responsible, which it denies.

05/10/2019

US increases tariffs on Chinese products after US deadline for a trade agreement passes. China subsequently retaliates.

05/09/2019

North Korea conducts another weapons test.

05/09/2019

US seizes a North Korean ship suspected of violating trade embargo. It is the first such seizure by the US. The ship had been held in Indonesia since 4/18.

05/08/2019

Iran announces it is ending some of its commitments under the JPCOA: selling its enriched uranium and will revive some nuclear activity it had halted. It also warns the European signatories that it will resume high-level uranium enrichment after sixty days if they fail to protect Iran’s oil and banking sectors from sanctions. It blames the US withdrawal from the agreement and increased sanctions for these moves.

05/05/2019

US sends carrier strike force to the Persian Gulf as a warning to Iran, saying it has received credible information that Iran is planning an attack on US forces in the region.

05/01/2019

Assange convicted of evading bail and sentenced to fifty months in prison. He will still be considered for extradition to the US.

04/23/2019

US requires sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil, intending to reduce the country’s exports to zero and ending waivers extended to eight countries. Buyers of Iranian oil include major factors in the geopolitics and US allies, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Oil prices are likely to rise, especially given the instability in Venezuela and Libya.

04/19/2019

Trump vetoes bill that would end US funding for Yemen war.

04/11/2019

Assange is arrested in London. He is wanted in the UK for failing to post bail in regard to an extradition request from Sweden that he face sexual assault charges. That case lapsed in 2017, but Scotland Yard now says that he has been arrested in connection with an extradition request from the US. Ecuador’s Pres Lenin Moreno has requested that he not be extradited to any country with the death penalty. Scotland Yard, which was invited into Ecuador’s London embassy by the ambassador, has said he would not be extradited to the US if he faced the death penalty, and the US has said that he faces jail time for computer intrusion.

04/08/2019

US designates the Iranian Revolutionary Corps a terrorist organization, the first time a nation’s military has been so named and imposes sanctions on its leading members. The IRC and its militant arm the Quds force, are deeply involved in Iranian economy. Iran names the US military a supporter of terrorism.

04/02/2019

US blocks sale of fighter planes to Turkey to protest its purchase of Russian missile defense system.

03/29/2019

US orders aid cutoff to El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala for not doing enough to stop migration.

03/28/2019

Summit meeting between US Pres Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is curtailed when Kim demands a complete and immediate lifting of sanctions in return for dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear facility.

03/24/2019

Attorney General William Barr reports that Special Counsel investigation found no provable conspiracy between Trump campaign and Russia, and offers no conclusion about obstruction of justice. Barr takes responsibility for the obstruction, deciding that there was none.

03/22/2019

North Korea withdraws its staff from a liaison office with South Korea in Kaesung.

03/22/2019

Pres Trump reverses new sanctions established by his Treasury Department on Chinese companies suspected of dealing with North Korea.

03/21/2019

Pres Trump reverses longstanding US policy and condones the recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Much of the world condemns the policy change.

03/21/2019

US Treasury Department adds new sanctions on two Chinese companies thought to be dealing with North Korea.

03/20/2019

US says that the Islamic State’s physical territory in Syria has been subdued.

03/18/2019

Venezuelan opposition takes control of Venezuelan diplomatic offices in Washington, D.C. and New York.

03/15/2019

North Korea threatens to suspend negotiations with US and possibly resume nuclear and missile testing.

03/14/2019

Afghan government officials warns against an agreement between the US and the Taliban that doesn’t “end in peace.” Afghans are concerned that an agreement might allow the Taliban to carry out further attacks. A Taliban representative says that the talks are aimed at a “solution in the future.”

03/13/2019

US Senate votes to end US support for the war in Yemen. The House of Representatives must now vote on the bill. Trump has vowed to veto it.

03/12/2019

Negotiators in US-Taliban talks report progress, but no substantive accomplishment.

03/11/2019

US bombing in Somalia has increased substantially in Trump administration.

03/04/2019

US combines Palestinian mission in Israel with it embassy.

03/04/2019

US restores status of EU mission in Washington.

03/04/2019

Huawei sues Canadian government for violating Meng Wanzhou’s constitutional rights.

03/04/2019

US Pres Trump says that US will keep 200 troops in Syria.

03/03/2019

Despite failure of summit talks between North Korea and the US, US calls off annual spring military exercises with South Korea. This has long been a goal of North Korea and Russia.

03/01/2019

US imposes new sanctions on some Venezuelan governors whose states have blocked humanitarian aid.

03/01/2019

Allies in Syria dispute pronouncement by US Pres Trump that all of ISIS’s territory has been captured, saying fighting is continuing.

02/25/2019

Senior Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and US begin fifth round of peace talks in Doha.

02/24/2019

US says it will delay increasing tariffs against China beyond 3/1 date formerly proposed.

02/06/2019

US withdraws military support due to Anglophone crisis.

02/05/2019

Trump announces that he will meet with Kim Jong Un on 2/27-28 in Vietnam.

02/04/2019

UK, Germany, Portugal, and Spain recognize Gaidó as leader of Venezuela.

02/02/2019

Russia announces that it will also withdraw from the INF treaty and begin production of new weapons.

02/01/2019

US announces that it will withdraw from the INF treaty because Russia is developing missiles that violate it. Europe is most concerned, since it the closest target, but others around the world criticize the move.

01/30/2019

The US reveals that since 1/26/19, it has given self-proclaimed interim Venezuela president Guaidó control of Venezuelan assets and bank accounts in the United States. Maduro says he is willing to have talks with the opposition with international mediators.

01/29/2019

US charges Huawei with criminal attempt to steal trade secrets and to bribe US employees of high-tech companies. It also brings formal charges against Meng Wenzhou.

01/28/2019

US sanctions Venezuela state oil company.

01/28/2019

US and Taliban agree to a general framework for negotiations for a peace agreement. Taliban requires a complete US troop withdrawal before a ceasefire; US wants to see that the ceasefire is holding before a complete withdrawal.

01/28/2019

US and Taliban agree to a general framework for negotiations for a peace agreement. Taliban requires a complete US troop withdrawal before a ceasefire; US wants to see that the ceasefire is holding before a complete withdrawal.

01/25/2019

Agreement is reached to reopen government. The main point of debate was Pres Trump’s insistence on funding for a wall on the southern border, ostensibly to prevent illegal aliens from entering, though most believe it would be ineffective in doing this. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi would not allow any provision for this, and the continuing and increasing damage to the economy and individuals affected forced Republicans to give in. There is no money for a wall in the agreement, which will fund the government until 2/15, but the president seems to have little leverage to force funding for a wall. He has discussed declaring a national emergency to allow him to move funds from other departments to build a wall, but this seems an extreme and perhaps dangerous precedent to set, since there is no emergency.

01/25/2019

Progress in US-Taliban talks. Taliban reportedly agrees not to allow militant Islamist training camps in areas it controls.

01/25/2019

Agreement is reached to reopen government. The main point of debate was Pres Trump’s insistence on funding for a wall on the southern border, ostensibly to prevent illegal aliens from entering, though most believe it would be ineffective in doing this. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi would not allow any provision for this, and the continuing and increasing damage to the economy and individuals affected forced Republicans to give in. There is no money for a wall in the agreement, which will fund the government until 2/15, but the president seems to have little leverage to force funding for a wall. He has discussed declaring a national emergency to allow him to move funds from other departments to build a wall, but this seems an extreme and perhaps dangerous precedent to set, since there is no emergency.

01/23/2019

US and other countries recognize Guaidó as the legitimate executive of Venezuela. Maduro cuts diplomatic relations with US. There are large protests in Caracas and elsewhere. Russia, China, and Turkey denounce US interference in Venezuela affairs and support Maduro.

01/22/2019

US preparing to request that Canada extradite Meng Wanzhou, CFO of Huawei. Canada protests the effort and China demands that US drop its efforts.

01/22/2019

US and Taliban meet in Qatar while Taliban attacks continue in Afghanistan.

01/14/2019

China allows foreign institutional investors to buy more on the stock market, a concession to US in the trade war. Both imports to and exports from China dropped in 12/18.

01/14/2019

Trump and Erdogan discuss creating a “security zone cleared of terrorism,” Turkish officials say, in northern Syria.

01/13/2019

US threatens economic reprisals if Turkey attacks Syrian Kurds.

01/08/2019

Erdogan, rejecting a meeting with John Bolton, says that Bolton made a “serious mistake” to call for new conditions on US troop withdrawal from Syria.

01/06/2019

National Security Chief John Bolton says that withdrawal of US troops from Syria was dependent on Turkey pledging not to attack Kurds and ISIS is completely defeated, effectively nullifying Pres Trump’s announcement.

01/04/2019

US extends its timetable for removing troops from Syria.

01/03/2019

US intensifies bombing campaign of ISIS territories in Syria.

01/03/2019

Russia charges American Paul Whelan with espionage.

01/03/2019

Slower growth in Chinese economy continues stock market slide in the US and elsewhere. With the uncertainty about the tariff war and US government partial shutdown over the building of a physical barrier on the southern border of the US, stock markets hit twenty percent drop in US, although domestic economy remains solid.

12/31/2018

Kim Jong Un affirms commitment to denuclearization in a letter to Moon. While talks with the US remain stalled and there are reports of North Korean progress on nuclear development, there are ongoing discussions among regional neighbors.

12/31/2018

Russia arrests American Paul Whelan on suspicion of espionage. A Russian citizen, Maria Butini, was indicted in the US on suspicion of infiltrating the NRA to affect the 2016 election, in part of the Special Counsel probe into Russian manipulation of that election.

12/21/2018

Partial government shutdown

Government partially shuts down as legislature is unable to agree on a budget. Trump refuses to sign a budget bill unless there is funding for a physical wall on the southern border. Democrats in Congress refuse to agree to this demand. The stock markets have plunged recent weeks, losing nearly 20% of their value as the uncertainty about the budget and about the investigation of the presidential campaign increases.

12/20/2018

North Korea says it will not eliminate its nuclear weapons until after US removes the “nuclear threat” to North Korea.

12/18/2018

US announces that it will withdraw about half of its 14,000 troops in Afghanistan.

12/18/2018

US pledges nearly $6 billion to aid economic aid to Mexico about $5 billion to Honduras, Guatemela, and El Salvador.

12/18/2018

US announces withdrawal of troops from Syria

Trump tweets that ISIS is defeated in Syria and therefore the US will withdraw all its troops from Syria. US security advisors and allies are dismayed. Russia and Turkey welcome the move, and some conjecture that Trump made the move after discussion with Erdogan. Others conjecture that the US may not withdraw all its troops. Syrian Kurds are left with few options for independence and will probably have to negotiate with Assad.

12/17/2018

Taliban meeting with US in UAE.

12/16/2018

Saudi Arabia denounces US Senate votes as interference.

12/16/2018

North Korea cautions US against increasing sanctions based on human rights issues, saying the moves could halt denuclearization.

12/16/2018

Turkey says that US is working on a way of extraditing Gethullah Gullen, whom they accuse of fomenting the coup attempt in 2016.

12/13/2018

US Senate passes a law denying funds to Saudi Arabia for the war in Yemen and a separate resolution holding Mohammed bin Salaam responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

12/12/2018

Turkey says it is preparing a new offensive against Kurds in northern Syria. US warns Turkey that such action might impair the fight against the Islamic State in Syria.

12/06/2018

Russia denies US claims that it has violated the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces agreement with its new developments in missile technology.

12/04/2018

US stock markets plunge as uncertainty grows about US-China agreement and Pres Trump tweets that he will impose tariffs as he sees necessary.

12/01/2018

US and China draw back from further moves in trade war. US agrees to delay further tariff increases and China agrees to increase purchases of American products. Chinese and US accounts of the agreement, which was not written, differ and it is not clear what the results will be.

12/01/2018

CEO Meng Wanzhou of Chinese telecom manufacturer is arrested on a trip to Canada on a US warrant. The US has requested she be extradited to the US. China protests and there is concern that it will disrupt trade negotiations.

11/30/2018

Migrants at the US-Mexican border in Tijuana wait to be processed for asylum. They must find shelter themselves. Mexican authorities have created what is called “La Lista,” a list that assigns priority order for making application for asylum. La Lista was created informally by the Mexicans themselves, when they discovered that the US, using a process called “metering,” only accepts a limited number of applications each day. La Lista is maintained by the migrants, and the persons in charge change as migrants come and go.

11/26/2018

Mexico says it will deport migrants who rushed the border.

11/25/2018

March of asylum seekers, largely from Central America, spins out of control when Mexican police block border crossing. US shuts down the border and fires tear gas at migrants.

11/22/2018

Turkey objects to US decision not to hold Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the murder of Khashoggi.

11/20/2018

US decides not to assert that Mohamed bin Salman was personally responsible for the killing of Khashoggi, despite a contrary assessment by the intelligence community. Pres Trump says that the arms agreements and Saudi assistance against Iran is too important to risk a break with Saui Arabia.

11/19/2018

Saudi Arabia protests that the US has betrayed it by issuing many waivers on oil exports to Iran that the price of oil dropped sharply, and that it will cut oil exports in December.

11/19/2018

APEC conference ends without a joint statement due to lack of agreement. US calls for a strong statement about unfair trading practices and China wanted a statement about protectionism and unilateral actions.

11/18/2018

US and Australia agree to build a military base in Papua New Guinea.

11/18/2018

US and Australia agree to build a military base in Papua New Guinea.

11/15/2018

North Korea announces that it has tested a new “tactical weapon,” without further description, that would protect North Korea like a “steel wall.”

11/15/2018

US sanctions 17 Saudis for their role in the killing of Khashoggi.

11/14/2018

Report to US legislature says China has relaxed sanctions on North Korea.

11/14/2018

China reports progress with Southeast Asian countries (including Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam) on an agreement about the “code of conduct” in the South China Sea. The United States is not involved.

11/12/2018

North Korea says that recent military drills of South Korea and United States violate the 9/19 agreement between the North and the South.

11/11/2018

Erdogan says that recordings of the killing of Khashoggi was issued to Saudi Arabia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. Canadian PM Trudeau says that Canada has also heard the tapes. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says that France has not heard the tapes and US Secretary of State Pompeo has not said he has heard the tapes.

11/07/2018

Trump fires Attorney General Jeff Sessions, replacing him with loyalist Matthew Whittaker and transferring oversight of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation to him.

11/01/2018

US sanctions related to the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement go into effect on Iranian energy and banking sectors.

11/01/2018

US imposes sanctions on Venezuela gold trade.

10/31/2018

Following US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on 10/30 and US Secretary of Defense on 10/27, UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jeremy Hunt calls for a ceasefire in the Yemen war.

10/22/2018

As a very large group of migrants, mostly from Honduras, continue to progress toward the US southern border, Pres Trump says he will beging cutting off aid to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.

10/21/2018

US says it will pull out of 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty with Russia that intended to destroy all such missiles. US Pres Obama and Trump have accused Russia of violating the treaty. US has called for a new negotiation that would include China.

10/17/2018

US imposes new sanctions on Iranian paramilitary group, the Basij, for recruiting children, and on three Iranian banks.

10/16/2018

Multiple inconclusive reports on the killing of Kashoggi. Turkey reports that the reporter was murdered in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul, but Erdogan suggests that he is willing to talk. US sends Secretary of State Pompeo to Saudi Arabia, and in their meeting Mohammed bin Salman denies any knowledge of a kidnapping/murder plot. There are rumors that Saudi Arabia will admit that Kashoggi died during a failed interrogation, but no official announcement.

10/13/2018

Former US ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilizad meets with Taliban without participation or knowledge of Afghan government, as the Taliban had requested. To the displeasure of the Afghans, Khalilizad subsequently meets with them, but will say nothing about the discussion in detail.

10/12/2018

Moon calls for US to declare the end of the Korean War.

10/10/2018

Accused Chinese spy arrested in Belgium and brought to the United States to face trial, a rare instance when a foreign national is brought to trial.

10/04/2018

US accuses Russian military intelligence agency, generally still known as the GRU, of a cyberattack on the world Anti-doping agency, which was investigating biological manipulation of athletes, and releasing information about athletes in the West to gain favor for Russia.

10/03/2018

International Court of Justice orders US to end Iran sanctions on humanitarian goods.

10/01/2018

US and Canada agree to a new free trade agreement, to be called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The agreement helps US automakers by raising percentage of cars that must be made in the US and by regulating that workers must receive a minimum wage. The US also gets increased access to the Canadian dairy market. Canada keeps the grievance procedure that the US had fought.

10/01/2018

US and Canada agree to a new free trade agreement, to be called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The agreement helps US automakers by raising percentage of cars that must be made in the US and by regulating that workers must receive a minimum wage. The US also gets increased access to the Canadian dairy market. Canada keeps the grievance procedure that the US had fought.

10/01/2018

Iran fires missiles at what it calls “terrorists” in Syria, but connects the attack to the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

10/01/2018

Iran fires missiles at what it calls “terrorists” in Syria, but connects the attack to the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

09/30/2018

China cancels meeting with US defense secretary James Mattis.

09/30/2018

China cancels meeting with US defense secretary James Mattis.

09/25/2018

China bars a US warship from docking in its territory near Hong Kong in October and cancels planned military talks with US.

09/25/2018

Russia deploying advanced air defense system to Syria, perhaps to reassure Syria in regard to Israel, which has affirmed that it will continue to fight Iranian proxies in Syria. The US objects.

09/21/2018

South Korea urges the US to declare the Korean War over.

09/19/2018

North and South Korea agree to end hostilities with each other among many other steps toward reconciliation. North Korea suggests it will close nuclear facilities if the United States reciprocates. The United States is concerned that Moon is moving too quickly.

09/17/2018

US imposes new sanctions on Chinese goods. About half of Chinese exports to the US are covered by sanctions. China retaliates, though it has fewer options now in terms of trade.

08/29/2018

US says that it may restart military exercises with South Korea if North Korea does not progress on denuclearization. This leaves Moon Jae-in a quandary about the UN General Assembly meeting on 9/23, if there is not good news to report.

08/28/2018

At UN court, US argues that UN has no jurisdiction over US sanctions on Iran.

08/28/2018

At UN court, US argues that UN has no jurisdiction over US sanctions on Iran.

08/27/2018

US and Mexico announce agreement on revisions to the North American Free Trade Treaty, without providing significant detail. The US says that Canada must conclude negotiations by 8/31 or the US will proceed with Mexico and sign it within ninety days. If it is not signed in that period, the new Mexico president, Lopez Obrador, would be able to change the terms of the agreement.

08/25/2018

US cuts aid to Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Gaza.

08/24/2018

US Pres Trump puts Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s talks with and in North Korea on hold, citing lack of progress in denuclearization.

08/21/2018

Shots are fired at the American embassy in Istanbul. US rejects Turkish offer to release American pastor if fines on Turkish banks are erased.

08/19/2018

Lira continues to fall after a Turkish court refuses to allow the release of the American pastor, Andrew Brunson, imprisoned for espionage. US to consider further sanctions.

08/17/2018

US sanctions Myanmar security officers as complicit in “ethnic cleansing” of the Rohingya.

08/13/2018

Ayatollah Khamenei, in a tweet, rejects talks with the US about the nuclear deal, but also says there will be no war. Iran successfully tests new ballistic missile.

08/10/2018

US imposes new sanctions (“novichok sanctions”) on Russia for poisoning of Skripal, while Congress considers additional sanctions on Russian banks in the US. Moscow calls the latter sanctions illegal and ponders retaliation, while the ruble falls in international trading.

08/10/2018

After US imposes sanctions on Turkey because an American pastor has been imprisoned there, the lira suffers a sharp decline.

08/08/2018

China, Russia, and EU say that they will continue to trade with Iran despite US Pres Trump’s tweeted threat to end business with any entity that trades with Iran.

08/08/2018

After US imposes new tariffs on Chinese goods, China adds new tariffs on US goods equal to new US tariffs.

08/06/2018

US begins to reimpose sanctions on Iran oil exports, which it will do in stages.

08/02/2018

Iran performing naval exercises that would allow it to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to proposed US sanctions.

07/28/2018

King Salman reported to have reassured Abbas and other Arab allies that Saudi Arabia will not endorse any peace plan that does not address Jerusalem or the right of return, such as the plan being developed by Trump advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner with Israel.

07/26/2018

US and EU agree to talk further about tariffs and trade and not to impose new tariffs on each other while these talks are continuing.

07/22/2018

Trump warns Iran against threatening the US.

07/21/2018

Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz if US imposes new sanctions.

07/17/2018

Iran sues US in International Court of Justice over reimposition of sanctions, citing a 1955 treaty.

07/16/2018

US files trade disputes with the World Trade Organization against China, the EU, Canada, Mexico, and Turkey in response to tariffs imposed on US goods.

07/16/2018

Russia-US summit

At conclusion of Russia-United States summit in Helsinki, Trump accepts Putin's denial of election meddling and criticizes United States, especially the special counsel investigation of meddling, for low point in US-Russia relations.

07/10/2018

US threatens China with an additional $200 million in tariffs.

07/06/2018

US imposes massive tariffs on Chinese goods and China responds similarly, the beginning of an international trade war.

07/06/2018

Mexico’s second round tariffs on US goods takes effect.

07/02/2018

In letters sent in June, Trump demands that Germany, Canada, Belgium, and Norway and perhaps other NATO members increase their contributions to NATO, saying that the US will reconsider its troop deployment if there is no change.

06/25/2018

Protests in Iran about economy as US sanctions once again being imposed.

06/22/2018

India imposes tariffs on US goods in response to new US tariffs.

06/22/2018

EU tariffs on US goods, in response to US tariffs, take effect.

06/22/2018

India imposes tariffs on US goods in response to new US tariffs.

06/22/2018

EU tariffs on US goods, in response to US tariffs, take effect.

06/17/2018

China responds with new tariffs on US products.

06/14/2018

US formally institutes tariff increases on Chinese products, especially aerospace, technology, manufacturing and auto industries. Chinese vows to retaliate.

06/14/2018

US now officially freezing all joint military exercises with South Korea, as a follow-up to the Trump-Kim summit. Reports on whether sanctions will continue or at level have been the subject of differing reports in US and North Korean media. North and South Korea hold first joint military talks in more than a decade, though there is little progress.

06/12/2018

Norway asks US to double the number of troops in the country to counteract Russian buildup. The 330 Marines are scheduled to leave Norway at the end of year.

06/12/2018

6/11/18. Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump hold first meeting between heads of North Korea and the US. North Korea pledges the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and the US to security guarantees for the DPRK. The statement is very short, but Trump adds that he agreed to halt US exercises with South Korea. It is not known if denuclearization of the Korean peninsula would include elimination of US weapons. Trump says denuclearization will be verified, without specifics and that sanctions will remain on North Korea for now.

06/11/2018

US opens office in Taiwan which most take as a kind of embassy, to the dissatisfaction of China.

06/09/2018

Trump criticizes Canadian PM Trudeau and refuses to sign closing announcement of G-7 meeting that he had agreed to previously.

06/07/2018

Ahead of G-7 summit, Trump suggests that Russia should be readmitted to the economic group. Russia was ousted in 3/14 because of its invasion and annexation of Crimea.

06/06/2018

EU imposes tariffs on US goods in response to US tariffs.

06/04/2018

US and Turkey agree on a plan to withdraw Kurdish troops from Manbij and for US and Turkish forces to maintain stability there.

06/03/2018

Trade talks with China end without progress

06/01/2018

EU challenges the legality of new US tariffs in the World Trade Organization.

06/01/2018

Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs on US.

06/01/2018

Mexico imposes retaliatory tariffs on US.

06/01/2018

US announces that the June 12 summit with Kim Jong-un will take place, and that the negotiation may take longer than initially envisioned and involve more than one meeting.

05/31/2018

EU Court of Human Rights rules that Lithuania and Romania violated European Convention on Human Rights by hosting black sites for the US CIA in 2004 and 2005.

05/31/2018

Government imposes tariffs on EU, Canada, and Mexico aluminum and steel imports.

05/30/2018

US announces agreements-in-principle on proposed tariffs with Argentina, Australia and Brazil.

05/29/2018

After criticism that he was being too lenient with China, especially after a large investment by a Chinese bank in a Malaysia property that the Trump Organization is developing and new trademarks for Ivanka Trump’s business, Trump reinstates tariffs against China that had been put on hold.

05/28/2018

Russia protests Polish request for new US military base, saying it would have to reciprocate.

05/28/2018

US delegation in North Korea to discuss plans for summit, which now may happen. North Korean official travels to US for discussions.

05/27/2018

Moon flies to North Korea to revive dialogue concerning summit.

05/27/2018

Polish government reportedly asking US for a new permanent military base and is willing to pay up to $2 billion for it.

05/27/2018

Meeting in Panmunjom, Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un pledge to pursue a peace treaty between North and South Korea and denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

05/27/2018

Meeting in Panmunjom, Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un pledge to pursue a peace treaty between North and South Korea and denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

05/25/2018

North Korea responds that a summit is urgently needed to moderate “hostile” situation, and that North Korea is still willing to negotiate with the US. Trump welcomes what he considered a conciliatory response.

05/25/2018

Chinese seismologists say that North Korea’s nuclear test site has collapsed and become unstable, which may have played into the country’s decision not to continue nuclear testing. North Korea has used another site in the past.

05/24/2018

Trump cancels summit with North Korea, objecting to North Korea’s “tremendous anger and open hostility” expressed recently in objecting to Bolton’s reference to the Libya model and to Vice-president Mike Pence’s response that North Korea would end up like Libya “only if Kim Jong-un doesn’t make a deal” with the US. South Korea and is perplexed and concerned. There are reports that China sought to temper North Korea’s eagerness for the summit. China is assumed to be opposed to a unification of the peninsula.

05/23/2018

US reports that a US government employee in China has had health problems for several months similar to those that occurred in employees in Cuba that some have said were caused by “sonic attacks.”

05/23/2018

Iran requires that negotiations about JPCOA exclude any discussion of Iran’s ballistic missiles, “safeguard trade” with Iran, continued buying of Iranian oil, resist US sanctions, and condemn US for breaking a UN resolution that supports the JPCOA.

05/23/2018

US “disinvites” China from participating in annual Pacific Rim naval exercise, due to China’s development in the Spratley Island.

05/22/2018

US Secretary of State Pompeo says US will impose extremely harsh sanctions on Iran and insists that US will enforce sanctions on companies that trade with Iran. He says the US demands that Iran end all its foreign military ventures (such as with Hezbollah and in Yemen, end its nuclear and ballistic missile program and pull out of Syria.

05/19/2018

China says it will significantly increase imports from the US. US agrees to suspend new tariffs while the talks to continue.

05/17/2018

EU says it will revive a 1996 statute that prevents EU countries from complying the US sanctions against Iran, and also that the European Investment Bank to facilitate European companies’ investment in Iran.

05/15/2018

US imposes sanctions on the head of Iran’s central bank.

05/15/2018

Because of current military exercises between South Korea and the US, North Korea cancels high-level meeting with South Korea. North Korea also objects to US National Security Advisor John Bolton’s comments that the US is looking to the 2003 agreement about weapons with Libya with Muammar Ghaddafi, saying that it will not discuss a complete elimination of nuclear weapons as a condition for talks and threatens to pull out of summit with US.

05/14/2018

US embassy in Jerusalem opens amid some protests. At least fifty-two Palestinians protesting in Land Day demonstrations at the border are killed and many more injured by firing from Israeli military. There is much condemnation around the world.

05/13/2018

US, France, and the UK bomb chemical weapons and research facilities in Hama, Homs, and outside Damascus, a response to Syria’s recent chemical weapons attack on rebels and civilians in Douma

05/12/2018

North Korea says it will dismantle its nuclear test site within two weeks.

05/11/2018

Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin agree to meet on 5/18 to discuss the JPCOA and the withdrawal of the US from it. They also agreed to work to have other signatories remain in the agreement, especially France, the UK, and China.

05/10/2018

US announces that summit meeting with Kim Jong-un will be held in Singapore on 6/12.

05/08/2018

US withdraws from the JPCOA and will re-impose sanctions that were ended by the agreement. Trump says he will also impose further sanctions. He objects to the expiration date on aspects of Iran’s nuclear program and Iranian actions not within the scope of the agreement, such as Iran’s continued missile development and its involvement in Syria and what he calls terrorist actions. European nations decry the move and say they will continue to abide by the agreement. Iran says it will negotiate with the partners to the treaty, but not indefinitely and will prepare to restart its nuclear program. Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab countries applaud the move.

05/04/2018

US-China trade talks end inconclusively, but with plan to pursue more talks.

05/03/2018

Substantive trade talks begin between China and the US that may affect the global economy.

04/30/2018

US delays steel and aluminum tariffs on the European Union, Mexico and Canada for another month while talks continue.

04/30/2018

US delays steel and aluminum tariffs on the European Union, Mexico and Canada for another month while talks continue.

04/30/2018

US announces agreements-in-principle on proposed tariffs with Argentina, Australia and Brazil.

04/21/2018

Kim Jong-un announces that North Korea no longer needs to test nuclear weapons or long-range missiles and will halt tests indefinitely.

04/19/2018

Moon Jae-In reports that North Korea is not demanding the removal of US troops as a precondition to begin talks on denuclearization, a significant change in position. This has not yet been confirmed by North Korea.

04/18/2018

US CIA Director Mike Pompeo revealed to have met with Kim Jong Un over the weekend of 3/31 to discuss meeting with Trump.

04/17/2018

Though announced, new sanctions on allies of Syria that supported the use of chemical weapons, primarily Russia, are delayed on Trump’s order.

04/17/2018

China adds anti-dumping measure that will affect US sorghum producers.

04/16/2018

Government bans producers from selling to Chinese phone maker ZTE.

04/13/2018

US, France, and the UK bomb chemical weapons and research facilities in Hama, Homs, and outside Damascus, a response to Syria’s recent chemical weapons attack on rebels and civilians in Douma 4/7. Syria says that the facilities were evacuated before the bombing on advice from Russia. France and Russia are said to be in communication.

04/10/2018

Xi says China will reduce tariffs on automobiles and increase protection for intellectual property, without proposing any new measures specifically. Economists are skeptical, but stock markets respond positively.

04/08/2018

In secret talks, North Korea assures the US it will discuss denuclearization.

04/02/2018

US and Russia agree to a meeting between Putin and Trump, time and place to be arranged.

04/01/2018

US and South Korea begin annual military exercises, but they will be shorter and displaying more moderate weapons.

04/01/2018

China imposes tariffs on more than 150 US products, but implores the US not to engage in a prolonged trade war.

03/31/2018

Pres Trump remarks to general surprise that US will be leaving Syria “very soon.”

03/26/2018

South Korea and US agree to a trade deal that will reduce South Korean exports of steel to US and increase the number of automobiles US can export to South Korea.

03/26/2018

Eighteen countries join UK in unusual diplomatic rebuke to Russia for the murder of Sergei Skripal. US expels sixty Russian diplomats, the largest number ever. Other countries expelling diplomats are: Albania, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine.

03/23/2018

Government indicts ten Iranians and a tech firm, accusing them of hacking 144 universities in the US and another 176 around the world.

03/22/2018

Government imposes tariffs on Chinese goods, especially electronics, machinery, and clothes, and restrictions on Chinese investment in US, in retaliation for Chinese theft of intellectual property and technology secrets. China says that it does not want a trade war, but will retaliate with similar tariffs on US products. US stock market falls in largest one-day drop owed to a single policy change.

03/20/2018

Talks in Finland between representatives of North Korea and of the US.

03/19/2018

China warns that travel agreement between US and Taiwan could provoke it to bring “military pressure.”

03/19/2018

US bans transactions with Venezuela’s digital currency.

03/16/2018

US signs pact with Taiwan encouraging officials visits between the two countries. China objects.

03/15/2018

US sanctions Russian government hackers and spy agencies for interfering in US 2016 election. Most have already been indicted by the special counsel investigating Russian interference in the election. US also says that Russia has penetrated nuclear power operations and other critical installations and could disrupt them. The announcement did not say if the hacking was ongoing.

03/08/2018

South Korean envoys bring a letter to US Pres Trump offering to meet and Trump accepts. Place and time to be determined.

03/05/2018

US aircraft carrier visits Vietnam, the first such visit since the Vietnam War. China has planned to erect an oil rig in waters contested by Vietnam in addition to its planned deployment of six new aircraft carriers and establishing military bases from Africa to Southeast Asia. Vietnam, increasingly wary of China and watching the Philippines closer relationship with China, is increasing its military ties to the US.

03/04/2018

North Korea rejects talks with US if there are preconditions.

03/01/2018

Trump announces tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, causing sharp drop in stock prices. The tariffs, if instituted, would primary exporters Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, and others. China, a target of Trump’s rhetoric is the tenth largest exporter of steel to the US.

03/01/2018

South Korea says it will send a special envoy to North Korea to discuss talks that would include the US.

02/25/2018

North Korea says it is open to talks with the US, though the US has so far insisted that denuclearization be the overt goal of any discussions. Back channel exchanges have occurred previously.

02/22/2018

US announces new sanctions on companies that ship to North Korea. They are registered in China, North Korea, and Hong Kong.

02/16/2018

US indicts 13 Russians and one American for meddling in 2016 election. Russian denies the charges.

02/15/2018

Notpetya cyberattack

US and UK accuse Russia of causing devastating worldwide cyberattack NotPetya and threaten “international consequences.”

02/15/2018

Turkey demands that the US end its support of Kurdish YPG forces in northern Syria, or face a military confrontation between Turkey and the US. Turkey’s Operation Olive Branch attack on the Kurds continues.

02/13/2018

US says that it is open to talks with North Korea, aligning its position with South Korea.

02/07/2018

US strikes Syrian government forces after they cross a deconfliction line. Subsequently, there are reports that Russians, perhaps mercenaries or volunteers, were killed.

02/02/2018

Second round of peace talks mediated by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development between South Sudan and rebels stall when government objects to a clause in the Declaration of Principles calling for punishment of saboteurs of the peace process. The government sees the clause as imposed by sponsors of the talks: the US, the UK, and Norway to ensure that any agreement is not quickly violated, as has happened in the past.

01/31/2018

Proposed US ambassador to South Korea, Victor Cha, already approved by South Korea, is abruptly withdrawn, reportedly because he opposed a preemptive, nonnuclear military strike on North Korea. The administration is also reportedly considering the development of “low-yield” nuclear weapons that be more tactical than strategic.

01/30/2018

US government reportedly refusing to implement sanctions mandated by Congress against Russia, saying that the threat of the sanctions was producing the desired results.

01/26/2018

US announces new sanctions against Russia for the takeover of Crimea.

01/24/2018

US reports that Pres Trump told Pres Erdogan of concerns about the Turkish offensive in Syria and about rhetoric, but Turkey disputes those characterizations by the US, saying they did not happen.

01/24/2018

US issues new sanctions on North Korean and Chinese shipping companies and trade representatives.

01/15/2018

US announces plans for a border security force led by Kurds in Syria. Turkey denounces plan and says it will “drown” the force.

01/13/2018

Iran rejects any change to the nuclear deal.

01/12/2018

US does not decertify JPCOA, but imposes new sanctions on Iranians. Pres Trump also demands that the European signatories agree on addendums to the deal within 120 days, including extending the ban on nuclear development in definitely and a new agreement on ballistic missiles.

01/02/2018

US threatens to withhold aid from Pakistan because of its “double game” in regard to terrorists in the country.

01/02/2018

US threatens to withdraw foreign aid for Palestinian territories until the country attempts to make progress in peace talks.

01/02/2018

US threatens to withdraw foreign aid for Palestinian territories until the country attempts to make progress in peace talks.

01/01/2018

US, UK, and Norway warn South Sudan against further violations of the cease fire.

12/28/2017

US Pres Trump in a tweet says China selling oil to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions. South Korea later offers some support to the accusation, but China denies doing anything wrong.

12/06/2017

US recognizes Jerusalem as capital of Israel

US recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will move its embassy there. There is almost universal condemnation of the announcement outside of Israel. Though symbolic to some extent, there is a general feeling that it will be a severe hindrance to peace negotiations.

12/04/2017

US and South Korea hold extensive military drills in the air over the peninsula.

11/30/2017

US formally objects to China’s designation as a “market economy” in global trading. This follows US Pres Trump’s stated policy, but also may be related to US dissatisfaction with China’s stance toward North Korea.

11/29/2017

Turkish gold trader testifies in New York about bribing Turkey economy minister in order to provide Iran with oil, in violation of US sanctions. The economy minister, Zafer Caglayan, is at large.

11/28/2017

North Korea launches a missile believed to be an ICBM Kim Jong-un says it makes North Korea a fully nuclear state.

11/21/2017

China criticizes US listing of North Korea as a terrorist nation, suggesting that all parties try to negotiate. Air Chins suspends flights to North Korea for lack of demand.

11/21/2017

China criticizes US listing of North Korea as a terrorist nation, suggesting that all parties try to negotiate. Air Chins suspends flights to North Korea for lack of demand.

11/20/2017

US returns North Korea to its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

11/17/2017

US threatens to close Palestinian office in Washington if it doesn’t move forward on peace. There is a law that the Palestinian mission close if the Palestinians act against Israel in the International Criminal Court.

11/16/2017

US and South Korea begin 10-day naval drill.

11/14/2017

US calls for an independent investigation into the Rohingya situation in Myanmar.

11/08/2017

US imposes new restrictions on travel to Cuba.

11/07/2017

Trump, traveling in Asia, urges North Korea to negotiate.

11/02/2017

USA bombers fly drills over South Korea, angering North Korea.