by Diego Ramos Bechara | Mar 17, 2022 | Featured, Immigration, National Security
It was about 5 a.m. on a Thursday when the blaring sound of a ringing phone shook Iryna Verona awake. One glance at the screen and she knew she had to prepare herself for the worst. She lifted herself from the bed, and sat on the edge, her feet touching the cold...
by Diego Ramos Bechara | Mar 15, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON — The State Department is conducting “extensive media outreach” to fight the spread of propaganda and disinformation coming from Russia, officials told lawmakers Tuesday. “That includes two Russian language media, like Medusa, as...
by Maia Pandey | Mar 3, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON — In a series of divided opinions, the Supreme Court ruled Monday that the United States does not have to turn over information about the existence of an alleged Central Intelligence Agency black site under its state secrets privilege. Justice Stephen...
by Vanessa Kjeldsen | Mar 2, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON, March 1 (UPI) — Russia’s invasion of Ukraine amplifies Sino-Russian threats to world order, experts and lawmakers agreed during a hearing Tuesday. “China is watching how the democratic nations of the world respond to Russia,” said...
by Diego Ramos Bechara and Jorja Siemons | Feb 24, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON – Just before Russian president Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, thousands protested in support of the country’s territorial integrity at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday. The event began with a commemoration service to honor the 14,000 who have died since...
by Vanessa Kjeldsen | Feb 24, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON – President Biden on Thursday announced stepped up sanctions against Russian banks and elites as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine intensified. “Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war, and now he and his country will bear the consequences,” the...
by Jorja Siemons | Feb 17, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON — The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the government’s failure to adequately prepare for biological threats, experts told senators Thursday at a hearing on improving U.S. biosecurity preparedness. “Biodefense is too fragmented and...
by Diego Ramos Bechara | Feb 16, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON — Reverting to offensive policies — like direct economic sanctions on Vladimir Putin’s “cronies,” supporting investigative journalism and civil society actors — were some of the ways in which experts suggested lawmakers deter future Russian aggression in...
by Diego Ramos Bechara | Feb 15, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON — As a potential Russian invasion remains imminent, President Biden spoke bluntly about ways his administration plans to mitigate possible economic and political fallout on Americans. “We are taking active steps to alleviate the pressure on our own...
by Diego Ramos Bechara | Feb 11, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON — Some lawmakers expressed concern on Wednesday about releasing billions of dollars in held Afghan assets to combat the country’s humanitarian crisis amid fears the Taliban would seize the funds as they continue to expand control in the region. ...
by Charlotte Varnes | Feb 3, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON –– Ukraine remains under imminent threat of invasion from Russia, but preemptive action by the U.S. and its European allies has deterred greater aggression so far, foreign policy experts told lawmakers on Wednesday. “Although there are still significant...
by Vanessa Kjeldsen | Jan 25, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON – Russia could be ready to invade Ukraine within the next month, several experts agreed during a virtual panel hosted by the Atlantic Council. One scenario could see an invasion begin via a “very large” cyber attack, according to Lt. Col. Tyson K. Wetzel, a...
