Washington DC

17 May 2023; MEMO: Post-9/11 conflicts and invasions in the Middle East and other surrounding regions have directly and indirectly killed at least 4.5 million people over the past two decades, a new report has revealed.

12 May 2023; AA: A group of activists and journalists held a candlelight vigil Thursday outside the White House in Washington, D.C. to honor Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot dead on May 11 last year while reporting on an Israeli military raid. 

The vigil, organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Museum of the Palestinian People, was attended by many activists and Abu Akleh's friends as well as colleagues from Al Jazeera, who demanded justice and accountability for her.

13 May 2023; MEMO: The US National Security Council (NSC) announced on Friday that Washington will boost its military presence in the Arabian Gulf to face off Iran's seizures of merchant tankers, news agencies reported.

"Today, the Department of Defense will be making a series of moves to bolster our defensive posture in the Arabian Gulf," NSC spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.

12 May 2023; MEMO: The United States stands by Israel's right to defend itself, the American ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, announced yesterday.

"Concerned about the continuing rocket launches today," Nides said on Twitter, referring to recent rockets that were fired from the besieged Gaza Strip.

The US envoy added that his country was working to achieve a "quick de-escalation."

08 May 2023; AA: The US will not move to restore diplomatic relations with Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime, the White House said Monday after the Arab League’s weekend move to reinstate Damascus. 

A growing number of regional nations have moved to resume ties with Syria in recent months, including close US allies, and White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said Washington is in contact with those who are choosing to do so to discuss the processes.

09 May 2023; AA: Over 26,000 migrants were arrested along the US-Mexico border over the past three days, an official said Monday, as the US faces a surge in migration. 

Over the past 72 hours, 26,382 people have been detained while 7,399 others eluded law enforcement, said US Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz Ruiz. Hundreds of pounds of drugs, mostly marijuana, were also seized at the border.

Tehran, IRNA - A senior Russian diplomat has criticized US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan for making what he described as confusing and puzzling comments about Iran.

Addressing the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Sullivan said on Thursday that the US would take all necessary actions, including “recognizing Israel’s freedom of action,” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Contradicting himself, Sullivan, however, said Washington seeks a “diplomatic solution” with Iran.

04 May 2023; MEMO: US President, Joe Biden, on Thursday signed a new executive order to sanction those who threaten the "peace, security or stability" in Sudan, saying that the violence in the country "must end", Anadolu News Agency reports.

"I join the peace-loving people of Sudan and leaders around the world in calling for a durable ceasefire between the belligerent parties," he said in a statement.

03 May 2023; MEMO: The US State Department warned, on Wednesday, that deepening ties between Iran and the Syrian government should be of great concern to the world, after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met counterpart, Bashar Al-Assad, in Damascus in the first visit by an Iranian head of state since Syria's war began in 2011, Reuters reports.

29 Apr 2023; AA: US Army Chief of Staff James McConville ordered the grounding of all aviators Friday that are not involved in critical missions. 

The order came after two recent helicopter crashes that killed 12 soldiers.

“The safety of our aviators is our top priority, and this stand down is an important step to make certain we are doing everything possible to prevent accidents and protect our personnel,” McConville said in a statement.