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The Latest Breaking News from Barbara Leaf

Trump gathers Cabinet as he looks to seal deal to end war that some backers worry will embolden Iran

President Trump is close to a deal to end the war with Iran. This agreement aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce Iran's nuclear capabilities. However, critical issues remain unresolved. Some allies worry Iran's leaders may emerge stronger. Recent U.S. strikes in Iran have complicated ongoing talks.

The Economic Times

US State Department Begins Mass Layoffs

More than 1,300 State Department employees were fired Friday in a downsizing ordered by President Donald Trump and touted as cutting bloated government -- but which critics predict will hamstring US influence around the world.

International Business Times

‘Ready to engage’: Syria’s foreign minister calls for lifting of sanctions

In exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Hassan al-Shaibani details the new administration’s goals and challenges ahead.

Al Jazeera

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‘Stand by our Syrian brothers’, says Jordan FM after meeting al-Sharaa

The Jordanian foreign minister says Jordan is ready to help rebuild Syria as he holds talks with Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Al Jazeera

US lifts $10m bounty on HTS leader after talks in Syrian capital

In face-to-face meeting, Ahmed al-Sharaa gave assurances IS would not be allowed to operate in Syria, US official says

The Guardian - UK

US drops $10M terrorism bounty offered for capture of Syrian rebel leader who ousted Assad

The Biden administration says it has decided not to pursue a $10 million reward it had offered for the capture of a Syrian rebel leader whose forces led the ouster of President Bashar Assad

The Independent UK

Middle East latest: 2 journalists working for Kurdish media killed in clashes in northern Syria

A journalists association says two reporters working for Kurdish media outlets have been killed in clashes between Syrian Kurdish militia and Turkish-backed fighters in northern Syria

The Independent UK

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US drops $10m reward for arrest of Syria’s new leader after Damascus talks

Diplomat Barbara Leaf says US received ‘positive messages’ in talks with HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Syrian capital.

Al Jazeera

‘Pipe dream’: Why is the US pushing the Palestinian Authority to lead Gaza?

Analysts say talk of the Palestinian Authority governing a destroyed post-conflict Gaza is premature and unrealistic.

Al Jazeera

US Secretary Of State Antony Blinken To Visit Israel, Hold Talks With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‌

‌Blinken will also travel to Jordan, Japan, Korea and India during November 2–10.

Zenger

Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss ‘strategic cooperation’

The trip next week will be the top US diplomat’s first to the kingdom since the Iranian-Saudi normalisation deal.

Al Jazeera

Timeline: How US stance shifted on killing of Shireen Abu Akleh

The Biden administration’s position on the killing has shifted over time despite repeated US calls for ‘accountability’.

Al Jazeera

Washington Renews Rejection of ‘Normalization’ with Damascus

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, stressed that no normalization would take place with the Syrian regime “in the absence of permanent political change." The US State Department announced, in a tweet, that Leaf met with a delegation of the opposition Syrian National Coalition…

Asharq Al-Awsat

US Sees Appeasing Impact of Saudi-Iran Agreement on Lebanon, Region

US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf said that the Saudi-Iran agreement showed to have an “appeasing effect” on the situation in Lebanon and the region in general. In telephone remarks made to Asharq al-Awsat on Thursday, Leaf said that Lebanon’s officials lack a sense of…

Asharq Al-Awsat

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Reuters

Lebanon has 'no other way out' than IMF deal, U.S. official says

Lebanon has no alternative for economic recovery but to make progress on a deal with the International Monetary Fund, a senior U.S. official said on Thursday.

Asharq Al-Awsat

US Official: Lebanon Has 'No Other Way Out' of Crisis than IMF Deal

Lebanon has no alternative for economic recovery but to make progress on a deal with the International Monetary Fund, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf said in an online briefing on Thursday. Leaf, who visited Lebanon and other countries in the region in recent weeks,…

Asharq Al-Awsat

US Warns Situation in Lebanon Cannot Persist

US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf warned Lebanese officials on Friday that the situation in their country cannot persist amid the crippling economic, living and political crises it is enduring. Leaf had arrived in Beirut as part of a tour of the region that includes…

Asharq Al-Awsat

US Says Tunisia President Weakened Democratic Controls

Tunisian President Kais Saied has caused "enormous concern" about where Tunisia is headed with moves that have weakened democratic checks and balances, US Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf said on Thursday. Leaf told Reuters that after years of efforts to build democracy, "what we've seen in the last year…

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Reuters

US says Tunisia president weakened checks and balances

Tunisian President Kais Saied has caused "enormous concern" about where Tunisia is headed with moves that have weakened democratic checks and balances, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf said on Thursday.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Blinken Says US ‘Actively’ Working to Re-Establish Diplomatic Presence in Libya

The United States is "actively" working on re-establishing a diplomatic presence in Libya, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, although he declined to provide an exact time on when the US embassy can be reopened. Libya has had little peace since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted…

Reuters

Blinken says U.S. 'actively' working to re-establish diplomatic presence in Libya

The United States is "actively" working on re-establishing a diplomatic presence in Libya, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, although he declined to provide an exact time on when the U.S. embassy can be reopened.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs: US Regional Presence Will Not Diminish, We Have Strong Security Partnerships

US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf defended Washington’s policy in the Middle East and stressed that her country realizes that its partners in the region face real security threats. The diplomat revealed that the US Central Command is working to establish an integrated security structure…

Axios

U.S. to Israel: Giving far-right minister authority in West Bank is step toward annexation

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is a radical right-wing settler who supports annexation.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Paris to Host Int’l Meeting Monday to Address Lebanon’s Presidential Crisis

Paris will host on Monday an international meeting aimed at tackling the Lebanese presidential crisis. Representatives from Saudi Arabia, the United States, France, Egypt and Qatar will attend. Lebanese officials are skeptical that the Paris meeting will yield a breakthrough in the impasse. Rather, they believe it will discuss the…

The Independent UK

Israeli-Palestinian cauldron tests US as Blinken visits

An alarming spike in Israeli-Palestinian violence and sharp responses by both sides are testing the Biden administration as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plunges into a cauldron of deepening mistrust and anger on visits to Israel and the West Bank this week

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