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...
by Diego Ramos Bechara | Jan 20, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON — Opening communication with the leaders of the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Panama, confirming ambassadors to the Dominican Republic and Panama and reimagining the Caribbean Basin Initiative, can strengthen U.S. relations with the hemisphere and...
by Zachary Kessel | Jan 19, 2022 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON – A defense contractor providing the U.S. military with spare parts has overcharged the Department of Defense by at least $20.8 million, Pentagon officials told lawmakers on Wednesday. “Billions and billions of dollars have been ripped off from American...
by Linus Hoeller | Dec 9, 2021 | National Security
WASHINGTON – In the all-white world of the neofascist Patriot Front, a fast-growing far-right organization, a path to power leading military veterans are sought after as a force multiplier for their ability to young recruits to the organization, turning into a lethal...
by Yiming Fu | Dec 3, 2021 | National Security
WASHINGTON — In response to rising concerns of cyberattacks on the nation’s airports, pipelines and water systems, officials from federal transportation agencies discussed potential solutions Thursday to the House Transportation Committee, including mandatory...