December 20, 2015 North Korea issues new threat against US over hacking claims as Obama weighs action North Korea issued a new threat against the United States late Sunday and accused President Barack Obama of "recklessly" spreading rumors that Pyongyang is behind last month's devastating cyberattack on Sony Pictures
December 20, 2015 Administration stalling release of report on US covert action in Iran, over nuke talk concerns The Obama administration is stalling the release of a key report detailing U.S. covert action in Iran due to concerns that information about America's activities there could harm ongoing negotiations with Tehran over its contested nuclear program, according to sources in the State Department's Office of the Historian.
December 20, 2015 US delays release of study on 1953 Iran coup The State Department is delaying the release of a volume from its U.S. foreign relations history that deals with the CIA-backed overthrow of an Iranian prime minister in the 1950s out of concern that publication could undermine nuclear diplomacy with the Islamic republic.
December 20, 2015 Clinton strongly backs Obama's Cuba deal Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waded into the heated debate over normalizing relations with Cuba on Thursday, issuing a statement of backing the policy shift and hailing prisoner Alan Gross' safe return to the United States.
December 20, 2015 US international aid head to step down The head of the nation's global development agency said Wednesday he will step down from his post in February, following an announcement by the U.S. government that it would start talks toward restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba.
December 20, 2015 Senate OKs Tony Blinken for No. 2 job at State Department The Senate voted on Tuesday to approve President Obama's nominee to be deputy secretary of state, despite criticism from Sen. John McCain and other Republicans.
December 20, 2015 State Department 'stonewalling' requests for Hillary Clinton's files The State Department has failed to turn over government documents covering Hillary Clinton's tenure as secretary of state that The Associated Press and others requested under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act ahead of her presumptive presidential campaign. They include one request AP made four years ago and others pending for more than one year.
December 20, 2015 Kerry cautions Feinstein on timing of CIA report Secretary of State John Kerry asked Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Friday to "consider" the timing of the expected release of a report on the CIA's harsh interrogation techniques.
December 20, 2015 McCain blocks Obama's pick for diplomatic post Sen. John McCain is blocking the confirmation of President Barack Obama's nominee to be America's second-highest ranked diplomat.
December 20, 2015 Obama’s bumbling bundler ambassador nominees face Senate votes Two of President Barack Obama’s top fundraisers will face confirmation votes in the U.S. Senate after being nominated for ambassadorships that they are far from qualified for.