Threats

State Dept. Investigating Claims That Syria Used Chlorine in Attack

State Department officials are looking into reports that concentrated chlorine was dropped from helicopters in Syria. By Global Security Newswire

Threats

After Afghan Election, Debate Over Post-2014 Troops Continues

Military and diplomatic officials worry that the gains in Afghanistan will be lost if U.S. and NATO forces pack up and leave. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Policy

U.S. Relationship with Assad Reaches a New Low

The State Department shuts down the Syrian embassy in Washington, D.C. By Jordain Carney

Policy

House Wants to Delay IMF Reform for Ukraine

The House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman doesn't want International Monetary Fund reforms tied to Ukraine aid. By Stacy Kaper

Policy

Kerry Warns Crimea Not to Hold Vote on Sunday

Secretary of State John Kerry says the March 16 referendum has ‘no justification, no legality.’ By Ben Watson

Threats

Heading Off Russian Invasion, Kerry to Visit Ukraine on Tuesday

Calling Putin a ‘tyrant’ whose actions reflect ‘19th century behavior in the 21st century,’ Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Kiev. By Stephanie Gaskell

Science & Tech

How Social Media Affects Diplomacy

Social media blurs the lines between traditional diplomacy and 'public diplomacy.' By Joseph Marks

Threats

Kerry Calls Climate Change a Threat to National Security

The Secretary of State says climate change can be considered a 'weapon of mass destruction.' By Clare Foran

Policy

Secretary of State John Kerry Is Back on Twitter

Formerly one of Congress's most colorful tweeters, Secretary of State John Kerry has his own Twitter account again. By Sara Sorcher

Ideas

Military Force vs. Diplomacy: Can You Have One Without the Other?

Obama says the U.S. is entering a new era of reliance on diplomacy over military force. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Policy

U.S. Increases Humanitarian Aid for Syria

The latest round of funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Syrian conflict to more than $1.7 billion. By Jordain Carney

Policy

Expect Kerry, Congress to Clash Over Fragile Iran Nuclear Deal

Though the administration secured a small victory in Geneva, many lawmakers are seething at the terms of the deal. By Sara Sorcher and Stacy Kaper

Policy

Iranian Foreign Minister: More Sanctions Would Kill Nuke Deal

Javad Zarif's statement comes right before Secretary of State John Kerry is due to testify before members of Congress who want additional sanctions with the interim agreement. By Jordain Carney

Policy

After Secret Talks, Will the U.S. Get Iran to Open Up?

The administration's cloak-and-dagger diplomacy towards an interim deal was great. Whether it is actually effective in the next stage of negotiations is another question. By Major Garrett

Business

John Kerry Has a Long Way to Go to Reshape the Middle East

The Secretary of State may have scored a victory with an interim deal, but there's plenty of work ahead of him. By David Rohde

Ideas

The Quiet Americans

John Kerry and Chuck Hagel want their legacies in office to be associated with the foreign policy giants of another era. They must first look back and learn from their predecessors. By Kenneth Weisbrode

Threats

USAID Issues Holiday Plea: Donate Cash for Philippines, as Military Withdraws

As the U.S. military mission shrinks and winter sets in, the head of USAID is urging Americans to donate money to typhoon victims in the Philippines. By Kevin Baron

Policy

USAID: Aid Groups Also Stuck Waiting for Afghan Troop Agreement

USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah says the global aid community that’s so tied to the U.S. military also is eyeing the loya jirga. By Kevin Baron

Business

How John Kerry Could End Up Outdoing Hillary Clinton

Critics say he's pompous and reckless—but his relentlessness may end up making him the most consequential secretary of state in years. By David Rohde

Policy

U.S., Afghanistan Negotiators Reach a Deal on Post-2014 Security Agreement

The U.S. and Afghanistan have agreed on a deal to keep coalition troops past 2014. Now comes the hard part -- a group of Afghan elders must approve it. By Defense One Staff