On June 14, the new US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome said that enhancing ties with Pakistan was his "top priority". "Enhancing ties is our top priority. We welcome US investment in the stock exchange, and we want more and more companies to come to Pakistan," he said. Blome expressed these views during a visit to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) where he rang the bourse's gong to mark the beginning of the trading session.
On June 12, the war in Ukraine and China's increasingly troubled relationship with the United States featured in nearly every session of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe said that it was up to the United States to improve the bilateral relationship with his country, as ties were at a critical juncture. "We request the U.S. side to stop smearing and containing China. Stop interfering in China's internal affairs," Wei told delegates.
Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan's prime minister, has pledged to make the country self-sufficient and politically stable, while also promising to seek to increase bilateral trade with Turkey. Shehbaz told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview ahead of his three-day official visit to Ankara that while Islamabad wants to strengthen and broaden its relationship with the US, it is also focused on infrastructure development under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He noted that the two countries' bilateral connections are solidly rooted in common religious, cultural, and linguistic ties and that they transcend political changes on both sides.
Washington: President Joe Biden said on Monday that the United States would not send Ukraine rocket systems that can reach into Russia. Ukraine has been pushing allies for a longer-range weapons system to help in its fight. The longer-range rockets including the Multiple Launch Rocket System, or MLRS, that can fire a barrage of rockets hundreds of miles away.
Washington: The United States denounced the terrorist attack at the University of Karachi that killed four people, including three Chinese subjects. At least four people were killed while four others sustained injuries in a suicide explosion at the premises of the University of Karachi on April 26 outside Confucius Institute. Addressing a press briefing, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price deplored the terrorist attack in Karachi dubbing it "a true affront to mankind."
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the country "cannot afford enmity" with the US, adding that Islamabad must develop positive relations with the superpower. The premier's remarks regarding the need to develop relations with Washington came during a press conference on Tuesday evening, following the PTI's claims that the Imran Khan government was deposed by a foreign-funded plot. PM Shehbaz Sharif further stated that, despite the National Security Committee's unequivocal statement that there is no foreign conspiracy, he will consider appointing a judicial commission to investigate the cable controversy.
To help Pakistan's balance of payments and foreign exchange reserves, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to expand its $6 billion loan programme by $2 billion and extend it for another year. Pakistan's Finance Minister, Miftah Ismail, announced on Sunday that the IMF had agreed to increase Pakistan's bailout package from $3 billion to $5 billion.
Washington: The United States and its allies on Thursday imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, targeting dozens of Russian defense companies, members of its parliament, and the chief executive of the country's largest bank. The U.S. Treasury Department also issued guidance on its website warning that gold-related transactions involving Russia may be sanctionable by U.S. authorities. "Our purpose here is to methodically remove the benefits and privileges Russia once enjoyed as a participant in the international economic order," a senior administration official said.
Mexico City: On March 22, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador denounced the United States for its swift action to ratify aid to Ukraine even as investment in Central America was postponed over "bureaucracy." "(The United States) has just authorized resources, and that is fine because it is its policy to protect Ukraine ... but that was approved by the U.S. Congress I think in two days, and the support for the Central American brothers is already for four years and it's not approved," he told a news conference.
Washington: On Monday, the United States formally determined that Myanmar's army committed genocide and crimes against humanity in its violence against the Rohingya minority. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also warned that as long as the junta was in power nobody in the country would be safe. "Since the coup, we have seen the Burmese military use many of the same tactics. Only now the military is targeting anyone in Burma it sees as opposing or undermining its repressive rule," Blinken said.
On March 21, Russia's foreign ministry said that it had summoned U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan to tell him that remarks by President Joe Biden about Russian President Vladimir Putin had pushed bilateral ties to the brink of collapse. President Biden, last week, said that Putin was a "war criminal" for sending tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. "Such statements from the American president, unworthy of a statesman of such high rank, put Russian-American relations on the verge of rupture," the ministry said in a statement.
On March 16, it emerged that Poland wanted to buy several MQ-9 Reaper drones from the U.S. under a special and accelerated procedure. It is eyeing further procurements at a later date amid surging security concerns due to the Russian invasion of its neighbour Ukraine. "We are planning to urgently procure the first MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial systems... We are talking about delivery of several sets," Lieutenant Colonel Krzysztof Platek, a spokesperson for the Polish Defence Ministry's Armament Agency, stated. "This order is an answer to ... security situation, particularly in central and eastern Europe," Platek said added.
Washington: On March 15, a senior U.S. State Department official said that the United States would continue to engage with Russia on reviving the Iran nuclear deal. He also added that Moscow might now grasp that Ukraine-related sanctions should not affect the accord's implementation. On the other hand, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said U.S. suggestions that Moscow was blocking efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal were 'untrue'.
On Feb 23, World leaders sought to back up their tough stance over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They announced financial sanctions, trade and travel bans, and other measures to pressure Moscow to retreat from the brink of war. “We can’t have some suggestion that Russia has some just case here that they’re prosecuting. They’re behaving like thugs and bullies, and they should be called out as thugs and bullies,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said while announcing targeted financial embargoes and travel bans as the first step in response to Russian aggression towards Ukraine.
Washington/Kyiv: On Feb 13, the United States asserted on Sunday that Russia could invade Ukraine "any day now" and might create a surprise pretext for an attack. Washington alleged that the door for diplomacy remained open but Russia's military, which has more than 100,000 troops massed near Ukraine, was poised to act. Moscow has denied any such plans and has called comments "hysteria".
President of the United States, Joe Biden, has chosen to divide frozen Afghan assets evenly among Afghans and 9/11 victims. The value of the frozen Afghan assets is estimated to be over $7 billion, according to US media, and the Biden administration has been hesitant to return them. President Joe Biden has decided to disperse the monies evenly among the Afghan people and the 9/11 victims, according to a presidential decree issued by the United States. This will cost both sides an estimated 3.5 billion dollars.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has stated that his country maintains strong relations with both China and the United States, and that he wants to play the same "instrumental role" that drew Washington and Beijing closer together in the 1970s. The prime minister stated in an exclusive interview with CGTN's The Point's Liu Xin that his focus in Pakistan was the elevation of 220 million people, which was also tied to peace and stability.
Brussels/Geneva: It emerged on Tuesday, US financial contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) had fallen by 25% during the coronavirus pandemic. The large drop in funding versus the previous two-year period occurred from cuts decided by former US President Donald Trump. The UN agency did with over $200 million less from the United States in 2020 and 2021, according to provisional WHO data.
Geneva: On Jan 21, it emerged that the top U.S. and Russian diplomats made no major development at talks on Ukraine. Both sides conceded to keep talking and trying to resolve a crisis that has ignited fears of a military confrontation. "Based on the conversations we've had -- the extensive conversations -- over the past week and today here in Geneva I think there are grounds for and a means to address some of the mutual concerns that we have about security," Blinken said.
Moscow: On Jan 9, Russia declared that it would not make any compromises under U.S. pressure at talks this week on the Ukraine crisis. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also said that it was entirely possible that diplomacy could end suddenly after a single meeting. "I can't rule out anything, this is an entirely possible scenario, and the Americans... should have no illusions about this," he was referred to as saying.
It emerged on Sunday that American troops were attacked by roadside bombs in Almasawa of Almusna province and Alyusufia of Baghdad province. The two bombs blasted within two hours on Sunday morning. None of the groups has claimed responsibility for the bombings, and no one causalities were reported yet.
According to reports in the British press, a court has ordered the arrest of former female police officer Kim Potter in connection with the police killing of Dante Wright, a 20-year-old black man, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He's been charged with murder in the first and second degrees. A first-degree murder charge is punishable by up to 15 years in jail and a $30,000 fine, while a second-degree murder charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 punishment.
Moscow: On Monday, Russia urgently demanded a response from the United States on its comprehensive security commands. It also warned of a possible Russian military response unless it saw political action to sate its interests. A Russian diplomat in Vienna, Konstantin Gavrilov, said that ties between Moscow and NATO had attained a "moment of truth".
Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden agreed to keep up with the talks amid the tensions over a Russian troop line-up near Ukraine. The Kremlin reported on Sunday that Putin would like to meet in person at some stage too. Both leaders focused on East-West ties, which were plunged to their lowest level since the end of the Cold War.
On Dec 12, a prime Iranian military official warned of a "heavy price" for assailants. The announcement came in the wake of a report of U.S. and Israeli military drills to prepare for attacks against Iran's nuclear sites in case the diplomacy fails. "Providing conditions for military commanders to test Iranian missiles with real targets will cost the aggressors a heavy price," an unnamed military official said.
London: On 10 Dec, it emerged that the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange had moved a step closer to facing criminal charges in the United States. He was booked for one of the biggest ever leaks of classified information after Washington gained a victory in an appeal over his extradition in an English court.
Washington: It emerged that the U.S. and Israeli defense chiefs are anticipated to discuss possible military exercises. Both countries said that they should prepare for a worst-case scenario to annihilate Iran's nuclear facilities. On the other hand, Iran refutes seeking nuclear weapons, explaining that it wants to proficient nuclear technology for peaceful intentions.
Washington: It emerged on Wednesday that the U.S. lawmakers proposed to allocate $300 million for Ukraine's military and a declaration of support for the defense of Taiwan. The decision was taken in the wake of pushing back Russia and China from aforesaid states. The fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) approves $770 billion in military spending which was $25 billion more than requested by President Joe Biden.
Sydney: On Dec 8, It emerged that Australia and Britain would also join the United States in a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. The PMs of both countries as other supporters mulled over similar moves to protest at China's human rights record. "There will be effectively a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, no ministers are expected to attend and no officials," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
On Wednesday, the Foreign Office (FO) disclosed that Pakistan was in contact with the United States on many issues and Islamabad believed it could engage on the subject of democracy but "at a suitable time in the future". US President is going to hold a virtual summit on democracy on Dec 9-10 in which he has invited almost 110 countries, entailing major Western supporters but also Iraq, India, and Pakistan
