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Geopolitics December 20, 2015

Obama, Putin meet; first time since Ukraine crisis

The White House says President Barack Obama has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of a lunch for world leaders during D-Day commemorations in France.  

Alliances December 20, 2015

Obama to meet with British, French leaders over Ukraine crisis

President Barack Obama is meeting with two of his most important European allies -- Britain and France -- as they navigate shifting conditions in the Ukraine crisis now that a new government is coming to power.

Alliances December 20, 2015

Obama calls for more spending on military presence, training in Europe

On the first day of a four-day European trip that will include a remembrance of D-Day and much discussion about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, President Obama called on Congress to approve up to $1 billion in spending on additional U.S. air and ground forces in Europe. 

Secretary of State December 20, 2015

Hagel, Rice praise Bergdahl recovery mission, soldier's parents speak out

The parents of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl -- the American who was released this weekend after being held for five years by the Taliban -- urged their son Sunday to take his time to recover and thanked everybody, from people in their home state of Idaho to American and Qatari officials, for helping return their son.

Geopolitics December 20, 2015

NSA steps up digital image harvesting to feed its facial recognition program

The National Security Agency is through its global surveillance program increasingly gathering electronic images for its facial-recognition program, according to documents obtained by The New York Times.

Geopolitics December 20, 2015

Obama could pull Russia trip amid Ukraine crisis

The Obama administration is evaluating whether President Barack Obama will go forward with plans to attend an international summit in Russia this summer amid reports of Russian intervention in Ukraine.

Alliances December 20, 2015

Biden pledges US support to new Ukraine prime minister

Biden called Yatsenyuk to tell him the U.S. will give full support as Ukraine seeks to restore order in the wake of a major political crisis.

Alliances December 20, 2015

Obama to meet Palestinian President Abbas in March

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas plans to meet with President Obama next month to discuss Mideast peace talks. The meeting will occur two weeks after Obama is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

Alliances December 20, 2015

Foreign Service group urges administration to raise bar on diplomat nominees

The group representing America's Foreign Service professionals has a novel idea -- diplomatic nominees should have international experience and probably know a thing or two about the host country where they're being assigned.

Environment December 20, 2015

Obama tells governors he expects to act on Keystone in next couple months

President Obama told governors at a White House meeting Monday he expects to decide on the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada in the next couple of months, two Republican governors said. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, who chairs the National Governors Association and supports Keystone, said she asked Obama about the pipeline at a meeting with about 40 governors.

Alliances December 20, 2015

State Department pressing Iraq for answers after report of arms deal with Iran

The State Department raised "serious" concerns Monday following a report that claimed Iraq has struck a $195 million arms and ammunition deal with Iran, in violation of a U.N. embargo.