
State Department Lawyers Concluded Insufficient Evidence to Prove Genocide in China
Despite the Trump administration’s declaration of a genocide in Xinjiang, upheld by the Biden administration, some legal experts suspect China’s behavior may fall short of actual genocide.

‘People Are Scared’: U.S. Officials in Africa Fight a Resurgent COVID-19
As a new variant of the coronavirus spreads across southern Africa, U.S. aid officials are worried about health care—and a lack of guidance from Washington.

‘I Didn’t Vote for President Trump’: Former Lawmaker’s Vote Reveals GOP Divide
Ousted former Rep. Denver Riggleman’s vote is another sign of an emerging battle for the soul of the Republican Party.

Trump Taps Loyalists to Defense Policy Board in Last-Minute Move
The appointments come as part of a broader sweep to reward the president’s supporters with late-game promotions at the Defense Department.

Congress Will Continue Probing Pompeo’s Military Housing Long After He Departs State
Internal emails reveal Pompeo may have benefited from tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds for upkeep at his residence.

Biden to Tap Seasoned Former Diplomat to Oversee Southern Border Policy
Roberta Jacobson, a former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, will join the NSC and help oversee an anticipated U-turn in U.S. policy on migration and asylum.

USAID Chief Plans to Block Last-Minute Push to Add Trump Loyalists
Trump administration appointees at the U.S. Agency for International Development planned to use their final days in power to install allies who would help promote a conservative social agenda.

‘Stop F—ing Lying’: Congress, Trump Officials in Heated Exchange Over Terrorism Designations
Congressional overseers are livid that the administration made major policy changes without prior formal consultations.

Group of State Department Officials Call for Consultations on Trump’s Removal
Second dissent cable directed at Pompeo also rebukes the secretary of state for not forcefully condemning the president.

U.S. Diplomats Draft Dissent Cable Following Storming of Capitol by Pro-Trump Mob
State Department officials expressed anger at the department’s gag order on messaging as violence wracked Washington, saying the incident has caused untold damage to U.S. efforts to promote democratic values abroad.

State Department Office Sees Last-Minute Surge of New Evangelical Appointees
Graduates of a Christian college swell the ranks of State’s global criminal justice office, shifting the focus from war crimes to religious persecution.

At State Department, Some Concerned That Political Appointees Are Jumping the Line to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
Lack of communication over surplus doses has prompted suspicion and anger.

Pompeo Weighs Genocide Designation for China
The outgoing U.S. secretary of state orders a review to determine if China’s repression of Uighurs constitutes genocide.

Personnel Cuts Leave USAID With Skeleton Crew to Monitor Nearly $1 Billion of Aid Programs in Iraq
After a drawdown of staff at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad earlier this year, the Trump administration ordered another cut in response to threats from Iran.

Biden Eyes Humanitarian Experts to Lead U.S. Agency for International Development
The next USAID chief will grapple with a pandemic, galloping food insecurity, and allegations of chronic mismanagement under Trump.

Pentagon Purges Leading Advisors From Defense Policy Board
It’s unclear why the Trump administration waited until its final months to shake up the influential group of outside experts advising top Pentagon leaders.

U.N. Fears Ethiopia Purging Ethnic Tigrayan Officers From Its Peacekeeping Missions
An internal United Nations document shows concern those troops could face torture or execution.

U.N. Pulling Americans From Northern Yemen Ahead of Houthi Terrorist Designation
The Trump administration’s parting gift to Saudi Arabia has made it necessary to evacuate at-risk aid workers from the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Trump Administration Plans to Designate Yemen’s Houthis as Terrorists
The move, opposed by the humanitarian community, is part of the administration’s pressure campaign on Iran—and could hamstring Biden.

Wilbur Ross Remained on Chinese Joint Venture Board While Running U.S.-China Trade War
Chinese documents show that the U.S. commerce secretary did not successfully step down from all his corporate commitments.

The U.N. Protest Gag Order Lives On
One staffer has accused the United Nations Development Program of muzzling efforts to protest racism.

The U.N. Has a Diversity Problem
Westerners are overrepresented in senior positions across the world body.

Trump Officials Seek to Push Social Conservative Values in International Agreements
The U.S. administration exports anti-abortion policies abroad and strips international agreements of references to “sexual orientation” and “gender identities.”

The Huawei Ban Could Crush U.S. Overseas Aid Efforts
A new law meant to keep Chinese telecoms out of American networks threatens to make life impossible for diplomats, aid workers, and the military across much of Africa and Asia.

Trump Administration Orders U.S. Diplomats to Curtail Contact With WHO
While Trump burns bridges with the World Health Organization, U.S. officials strain to preserve American influence in an institution that is critical to global health challenges.

U.S. Envoy Says Former Officials’ Call for Russia Rethink Is ‘Shameful’
James Gilmore, Trump’s ambassador to the OSCE, said he was “embarrassed” by calls from experts—including some of his former colleagues—to normalize ties with Russia.

Trump Appointee Takes ‘Slash and Burn’ Approach to Key USAID Bureau
Peter Marocco, after tumultuous tours at Pentagon and State, is stopping the agency’s newest division in its tracks, critics claim.

Trump Under Pressure From Democrats to Drop Diplomat Nominee Over Racist Remarks
The retired colonel called refugees fleeing Middle East violence “unwanted Muslim invaders.”

U.S. Halts Some Foreign Assistance Funding to Ethiopia Over Dam Dispute with Egypt, Sudan
Some U.S. officials fear the move will harm Washington’s relationship with Addis Ababa.