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Blinken Delivers Strongest Public Rebuke of Israel Yet: ‘Get Out of Gaza’

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered one of the Biden administration’s strongest public rebukes of Israel, amid its war with Hamas in Gaza.

During a pair of TV interviews, Blinken said the United States wants Israeli forces to “get out of Gaza” amid what he described as “a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians.”

He also said Israel’s tactics in the war have failed to neutralize Hamas and could create a power “vacuum” in the Palestinian territory.

When asked about the US withholding high payload bombs to Israel, America’s ally, Blinken said: “We believe two things. One, you have to have a clear, credible plan to protect civilians, which we haven’t seen. Second, we also need to see a plan for what happens after this conflict in Gaza is over. And we still haven’t seen that because what are we seeing right now? We’re seeing parts of Gaza that Israel has cleared of Hamas, where Hamas is coming back, including in the north, including in Khan Younis.”

He added: “As we look at Rafah, they may go in and have some initial success, but potentially at an incredibly high cost to civilians, but one that is not durable, one that’s not sustainable. And they will be left holding the bag on an enduring insurgency because a lot of armed Hamas will be left, no matter what they do in Rafah, or if they leave and get out of Gaza, as we believe they need to do. Then you’re going to have a vacuum and a vacuum that’s likely to be filled by chaos, by anarchy, and ultimately by Hamas again.” (Read more from “Blinken Delivers Strongest Public Rebuke of Israel Yet: ‘Get Out of Gaza’” HERE)

Biden Admin Leaves Nigeria, World’s Most Dangerous Place to Be a Christian, off Religious Freedom List

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) immediately criticized Secretary of State Antony Blinken for once again leaving Nigeria off the State Department’s annual list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious oppression.

In the 2023 edition of its World Watch List, religious freedom group Open Doors estimated that nearly 90 percent of the Christians killed for their faith last year were killed in Nigeria. The Christian aid group International Christian Concern (ICC) identified Nigeria as “the world’s most dangerous place to be a Christian in the world” in 2023.

USCIRF said there was “no justification” for leaving Nigeria and India off the list, especially since the State Department’s own “reporting and statements” suggest both countries should be on it.

The bipartisan USCIRF thought this omission was so egregious that its leaders, Chairman Abraham Cooper and Vice Chair Frederick A. Davie, called for a Congressional inquiry:

Days before Christmas, hundreds of Christians were killed in Nigeria, along with their Pastor. This is just the latest example of deadly violence against religious communities in Nigeria that even the State Department has condemned. The majority of Commissioners have traveled to Nigeria and noted the threats to freedom of religion or belief and the deadly implications to religious communities.

In India, in addition to perpetrating egregious religious freedom violations within its borders, the government has increased its transnational repression activities targeting religious minorities abroad and those advocating on their behalf.

USCIRF rejects the State Department’s decision to omit Nigeria and India as CPCs. We met with the State Department on many occasions to sound the alarm about these countries, but not all of our recommendations have been followed. We will not be deterred and will continue our role as a congressionally mandated watchdog to ensure the U.S. government prioritizes religious freedom as a key component of U.S. foreign policy.

(Read more from “Biden Admin Leaves Nigeria, World’s Most Dangerous Place to Be a Christian, off Religious Freedom List” HERE)

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Surrender: Blinken Tells Israel It Lacks ‘Credit’ to Defeat Hamas

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Israel that it lacks “credit” to conduct the kind of military campaign necessary to defeat Hamas, saying that the Biden administration would not tolerate large-scale bombing over months in southern Gaza.

Blinken’s remarks were leaked to the Israeli press. The Times of Israel quoted a transcript of his meeting with Israel’s war cabinet:

Blinken: You can’t operate in southern Gaza in the way you did in the north. There are two million Palestinians there. You need to evacuate fewer people from their homes, be more accurate in the attacks, not hit UN facilities, and ensure that there are enough protected areas [for civilians]. And if not? Then not to attack where there is a civilian population. What is your system of operation?

IDF Chief Herzi Halevi: We follow a number of principles — proportionality, distinction, and the laws of war. There were instances where we attacked on the basis of those principles, and instances where we decided not to attack, because we waited for a better opportunity.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: The entire Israeli society is united behind the goal of dismantling Hamas, even if it takes months.

Blinken: I don’t think you have the credit for that.

(Read more from “Surrender: Blinken Tells Israel It Lacks ‘Credit’ to Defeat Hamas” HERE)

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken: Americans Must Accept Migrants

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President Joe Biden’s foreign policy chief, Antony Blinken, says Americans must give foreigners the opportunity to migrate into their U.S. homeland.

“You have to give them an opportunity to do that,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at an event at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy in Texas.

Blinken did not urge his government peers to enforce the immigration laws that protect Americans from employers who hire illegal immigrants that undercut Americans’ bargaining power in the labor market. He also did not mention the many polls showing the growing public opposition to Biden’s mass illegal migration.

Instead, he described migration as a natural and inevitable process — an opportunity for government officials and experts to better manage, exploit, channel, and redirect. “We are going to make migration safe, humane, and orderly, which we have to do,” said the veteran Democrat appointee. (Read more from “Secretary of State Antony Blinken: Americans Must Accept Migrants” HERE)

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Biden Admin Warns Lawmakers Another Country Might Be About to Get Invaded

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By Daily Wire. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly warned some U.S. lawmakers last week that Azerbaijan could soon invade Armenia.

POLITICO reported that the Biden administration is concerned that conflict in the Middle East could soon spread after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made recent remarks that he will retake the region “by force” after he invaded the Nagorno-Karabakh region last month.

Blinken claimed that the Biden administration was looking for ways to hold Azerbaijan accountable, including cutting off military assistance to the country. U.S. officials reportedly believe that the invasion could happen in the next several weeks.

The report, based on the way it was written, suggested that the administration only briefed Democrat lawmakers, saying that he expressed confidence about ongoing talks between the nations “to the Democratic lawmakers.” (Read more from “Biden Admin Warns Lawmakers Another Country Might Be About to Get Invaded” HERE)

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Fears linger in Armenia of Azerbaijani invasion

By Fin DePencier. Armenia’s ambassador to the European Union, Tigran Balayan, said in an interview published on October 6 that Azerbaijan was actively preparing an invasion within weeks.

But on October 10 Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told Armenian Public TV that that risk was “extremely low,” and that there was no military buildup on either side of the border.

The mixed messaging from Yerevan is puzzling, Balayan could be trying to create a sense of urgency, while Pashinyan tries to reduce tensions.

The concern surrounds Azerbaijan’s aim of realizing its “Zangezur Corridor” project to get land access to its exclave Nakhchivan through Armenian territory.

Famed Caucasus researcher Thomas de Waal recently described the corridor as the “next big issue,” saying that Russia, Azerbaijan and Turkey all have their own interests in its creation – and that it may be taken by force. (Read more from “Fears linger in Armenia of Azerbaijani invasion” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

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Secretary Blinken’s Latest Ukraine Visit Just Gave the Whole Game Away

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken dropped by Ukraine this week, assuring top Ukrainian officials that America’s commitment to their struggle is ironclad. Another aid package was promised despite Maui residents needing more funds to rebuild their communities after the worst wildfire in American history in over a century tore through the island, killing over 100 people.

Yet, the latest package isn’t arms and ammunition. We’re subsidizing the rebuilding of their energy infrastructure, which Blinken outlined during his trip. As Katie noted, this is nation-building (via WSJ):

Secretary of State Antony Blinken signaled Washington’s long-term support for Ukraine’s fight to expel Russian invaders, traveling to Kyiv in an effort to reassure the country’s leaders as they pursue a slow-going and difficult counteroffensive against entrenched enemy forces.

Blinken’s visit, the most high-profile trip by a U.S. official since President Biden went in February, appeared designed to buoy Kyiv and Western allies and to send a message to the Kremlin that Washington doesn’t intend to back down.

Blinken used the unannounced visit to pledge more than $1 billion in additional aid for Ukraine. The financial package includes funds for equipment to clear mines laid by Russia, obstacles that have impeded Ukraine’s progress, as well as $203 million to root out graft in Ukrainian institutions. Kyiv replaced its defense minister last week after allegations of corruption against officials in his department.

Continued support from Washington, by far Ukraine’s biggest backer, is seen as vital to any Ukrainian victory against Russia. The U.S. has provided Ukraine more than $40 billion in military aid since the start of the war.

(Read more from “Secretary Blinken’s Latest Ukraine Visit Just Gave the Whole Game Away” HERE)

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Blinken Bends the Knee to Xi in Beijing Visit, Fails to Secure Key Military Communication Deal

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a long-anticipated trip to China in mid-June, making several key concessions to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and failing to secure a key military communication agreement.

Blinken left for China on Friday and will make his return Wednesday, but has already met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Director of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Office Wang Yi and Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Blinken made the trip with the goal of “stabilizing” U.S.-China relations and repeatedly emphasized the Biden administration was not seeking conflict with Beijing.

Blinken said one of his foremost goals was to open up a line of military-to-military direct communication for times of crisis. Despite the priority team Biden placed on this request, the CCP once again turned down the offer, Blinken said Monday.

China has rebuffed Biden’s offers for more direct military communications multiple times in recent months, including turning down a recent offer for high-level meetings with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. (Read more from “Blinken Bends the Knee to Xi in Beijing Visit, Fails to Secure Key Military Communication Deal” HERE)

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Hunter Biden Notified Burisma Colleague of Planned Blinken Meet: Emails

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First son Hunter Biden kept his business partners apprised of at least two scheduled one-on-one meetings with Antony Blinken, emails reviewed by The Post show.

The decade-plus-long relationship between Blinken and Hunter made headlines last week after the House Judiciary Committee revealed that former CIA acting director Michael Morell testified in private that Blinken — then a Biden 2020 campaign adviser — “triggered” a letter from 51 ex-intelligence officials that sought to discredit The Post’s reporting on bombshell emails from the first son’s abandoned laptop. . .

On May 22, 2015, 13 months after joining the Burisma board, Hunter Biden emailed Blinken, then President Barack Obama’s deputy secretary of state, with a request.

“Have a few minutes next week to grab a cup of coffee? I know you are impossibly busy, but would like to get your advice on a couple of things. Best, Hunter.”

“Absolutely,” Blinken emailed back. “I’m just about to land in Tokyo en route back DC from Burma. I’ll be in office from Tuesday on. Copying Linda in my office to find a good time. Look forward to seeing you. Tony.” (Read more from “Hunter Biden Notified Burisma Colleague of Planned Blinken Meet: Emails” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

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The U.S. And NATO Have No Strategy to Aid Ukraine and Defeat Russia

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A remarkable exchange took place earlier this week between the United States and Poland, which shares a long border with Ukraine and likely would be first to get hit by Russian forces if the war expands beyond Ukrainian territory. The exchange was not only embarrassing, highlighting the U.S. State Department’s incompetence, but it underscores what can only be described as a complete absence of strategy among the NATO allies, which appear to have no end-game and no off-ramps in mind for Ukraine and Russia.

Here’s what happened. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Sunday that Poland has a “green light” to provide fighter jets to the Ukrainian air force, adding that the U.S. was working with Poland to find a way to replace MiG-29 jets (which Ukrainian pilots are trained to fly and fight) that might be sent to Ukraine with American F-16s. . .

But it wasn’t true — not quite. Poland, acutely aware of what Moscow’s likely response would be if dozens of Polish warplanes flown by Ukrainian pilots crossed from Poland into Ukraine and started hitting Russian targets, issued a curious statement on Tuesday. The Polish Foreign Ministry said it was ready to deploy, free of charge, all their MiG-29 jets to the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, “and place them at the disposal of the Government of the United States of America.” . . .

What can we conclude from this bizarre back-and-forth? First, that Blinken’s “green light” comment Sunday was made without consulting Poland or our other NATO allies. Second, that Poland’s statement Tuesday was a not-too-subtle attempt to shift the responsibility for the entire scheme to the United States. Essentially, Poland was saying that if the U.S. government wants to aide Ukraine by giving it warplanes, Poland would not be the one to transfer or even facilitate the transfer of those aircraft onto the battlefield. They would have to come from a U.S. air base, not Poland.

Lastly, the U.S. response reveals that despite Blinken’s reckless comment, the U.S. has not thought seriously about how any of this would work, and what might or might not give Moscow a casus belli to attack Polish or NATO targets in Eastern Europe. (Read more from “The U.S. And NATO Have No Strategy to Aid Ukraine and Defeat Russia” HERE)

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As Putin Invades, State Department Evacuates Ukraine

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After recently moving staff and diplomats from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv to the Ukrainian city of Lviv, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced late Monday night personnel is evacuating to Poland. The statement comes just hours after Russia President Vladimir Putin invaded the country from the east.

“Today the Department of State is again taking action for the safety and security of U.S. citizens, including our personnel. For security reasons, Department of State personnel currently in Lviv will spend the night in Poland. Our personnel will regularly return to continue their diplomatic work in Ukraine and provide emergency consular services. They will continue to support the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian government, coordinating on diplomatic efforts,” Blinken released in a statement. “The United States’ commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s aggression is unwavering. The fact that we are taking prudent precautions for the sake of the safety of U.S. government personnel and U.S. citizens, as we do regularly worldwide, in no way undermines our support for, or our commitment to, Ukraine. Our commitment to Ukraine transcends any one location.”

(Read more from “As Putin Invades, State Department Evacuates Ukraine” HERE)

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