News and reports from the State Department.

Henry Kissinger, a towering figure in American foreign policy, passed away Thursday, November 29 at age 100. His legacy, marked by a blend of diplomatic brilliance and controversial decisions, leaves an indelible imprint on the world stage.

Negotiations have begun on a joint effort towards space cooperation, announced by the United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia governments. This collaboration aims to enhance the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently issued a press release voicing their support for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This move forms part of their broader commitment to counteract violence against women worldwide through various initiatives and programs.

Israel and Hamas say they will uphold a cease-fire for hostages to be released, however the situation is likely to remain fluid until the cease-fire begins. This tense political climate primarily revolves around Gaza and heavily involves key figures in the U.S. Department of State.

The U.S. Department of State revealed that Nicaragua's withdrawal from the Organization of American States (OAS) Charter has become effective. This abrupt exit is viewed as an attempt to evade international accountability for numerous human rights abuses within the country.

Adam Savit, director of the China Policy Initiative at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), told Federal Newswire that the lack of reciprocity between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) needs to be tackled as it affects almost every aspect of life in America. Savit voiced his concerns following U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland)'s introduction of a bill intended to address imbalances in the relationship between the U.S. and China across various domains such as trade, media, and diplomacy.

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) nations, created by the Biden administration in 2022, have increased their reliance on China for trade even as the U.S. has decreased its dependence over the last decade, according to a study conducted by Abigail Dahlman, a research analyst at the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE), and Mary E. Lovely, a Senior Research staff member. "IPEF members have become more reliant on trade with China", they stated.

In a joint statement, the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have expressed strong condemnation against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for providing military equipment and munitions to Russia. The statement was released on October 25, 2023, by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Park Jin. (Source)

The United States and Australia have signed a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) aimed at expanding their partnership in the commercial space industry. The agreement was signed by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 26, 2023. (Source)

In a press conference at Cairo Airport, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stressed America's unwavering support for Israel amid the ongoing crisis in the region.

According to an official press statement, a 20-truck convoy of humanitarian aid has reached Gaza, marking the first such delivery since the war began. The initiative comes in response to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where residents are facing severe shortages of food, water, medical care, and safe housing.

Israel has officially declared war on Hamas after a series of deadly terror attacks, resulting in mounting fatalities. In response to the attacks, the United States has strongly denounced Hamas and expressed its support for Israel's right to self-defense.

The Hamas attacks on Israel this weekend caught the world’s attention, which seems to have been the point. The Iranian proxy army sent thousands of rockets into Israel as fighters crossed the border from Gaza on boats and motorcycles. The violence was especially extreme, as if to invite a larger-than normal Israeli response.

Laura Delgado Lopez, a visiting fellow with the Americas Program at the CSIS, has raised questions about the recent expansion of the BRICS alliance and its potential impact on space governance. The BRICS alliance, which originally consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded to include six new countries: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia.

Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party have issued a joint statement condemning the reported life sentence of Uyghur academic Rahile Dawut by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The statement, published in a press release by the Select Committee on the CCP, demands the immediate release of Dawut and other unjustly detained Uyghur and Muslim intellectuals.