U.S. Politics
Whether U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken accepted Malley’s request remains unknown.
The U.S. State Department called the hold “a routine administrative action,” as new administrations usually review such matters.
He stressed that the United States should not lift terrorism sanctions on Tehran or unfreeze assets belonging to Iran in order for the Islamic Republic to come to the negotiating table.
Most incoming American presidents face a Middle East that is “on fire,” but thanks to the Trump administration policies, especially the Abraham Accords, President Joe Biden will not, emphasizes outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.
The 74-year-old will be the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve.
Neera Tanden said former President Donald Trump used “the American Jewish community as a pawn and treats anti-Semitism as a political weapon.”
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told Israel’s Meir Ben-Shabbat that “the United States will closely consult with Israel on all matters of regional security.”
The move allows for “maximum and rapid realization of the potential inherent” in relations between the two countries, says Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
Maher Bitar served in the National Security Council under former President Barack Obama, as director for Israeli and Palestinian affairs.
The 67-year-old will be the first African-American to lead the Pentagon. Avril Haines, 51, is the first female director and Jewish person to lead the U.S. intelligence community.
In 1994, he said he almost made it to Haifa on the USS aircraft carrier “Saratoga” and now expects to be part of a trip with other congressional members.
She was previously on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where she focused on the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.
