Aug 27 Watch What does it take to free a captured American? By PBS News Hour A wave of American hostages held by Islamic extremists has raised questions about the U.S. policy not to pay ransoms. Jeffrey Brown talks to David Rohde of Reuters and Brian Jenkins of RAND Corporation for views on the divergence between… Continue watching
Aug 27 Watch Why do foreign fighters join the Islamic State? By PBS News Hour Douglas McAuthur McCain, an American man who was killed while fighting for the Islamic State in Syria, is not the first U.S. citizen to die as an Islamic militant in the war-torn country, and the FBI warns there are dozens… Continue watching
Aug 21 No ice bucket challenge for U.S. diplomats By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The charity stunt has lured athletes, celebrities, politicians and rock stars and gone viral on the Internet, but don't look for U.S. diplomats to get in on the fun. Continue reading
Jul 28 Report: Millions forced from their homes due to religious beliefs By Larisa Epatko Last year saw the largest displacement of religious communities from their homes in recent memory, according to a new U.S. government report assessing countries’ religious freedoms in 2013. Continue reading
Jun 27 After Bergdahl’s release, what about other U.S. citizens held overseas? By Larisa Epatko When Alisa Weinstein and her family heard about the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who had been held by Taliban militants in Pakistan for five years, like many others they were relieved and thrilled for his family. Continue reading
Jun 02 Despite Israel’s concerns, U.S. plans to work with new Palestinian government By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Secretary of State John Kerry called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to relay the U.S. position, which will almost certainly draw criticism from Israel and its supporters in Congress and elsewhere. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki announced the… Continue reading
May 30 Syrian suicide bomber was American, U.S. confirms By Matthew Lee, Zeina Karam, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The State Department confirmed Friday that a U.S. citizen launched a suicide bombing against Syrian government troops earlier this week in what is believed to be the first time an American has been involved in such attacks since… Continue reading
May 30 Clinton defends her response to 2012 Benghazi attacks in new book By Ken Thomas, Associated Press Hillary Rodham Clinton is defending her handling of the deadly 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, writing in her new book that she will "not be part of a political slugfest on the backs of dead Americans." The former secretary… Continue reading
May 28 Watch News Wrap: Inspector general report confirms VA hospital delays By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Wednesday, the VA inspector general concluded that veterans awaiting care in Phoenix waited an average of 115 days for a first appointment, and that 1,700 veterans weren’t on a waiting list at all. President Obama called… Continue watching
May 23 Kerry agrees to testify on Benghazi attack in front of House committee By Sam Lane Secretary of State John Kerry said he is willing to testify before the House Oversight committee on the attacks on a U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Continue reading