December 20, 2015 Kerry says he will comply with 'whatever responsibilities' he has in Congress on Benghazi Kerry said the State Department would respond because it has "absolutely nothing to hide."
December 20, 2015 Boehner announces special committee on Benghazi, Kerry subpoenaed House Republicans moved on two fronts Friday to dig for answers on Benghazi, with Speaker John Boehner announcing a special committee to investigate and a key panel subpoenaing Secretary of State John Kerry to testify.
December 20, 2015 Kerry calls for end to violence in South Sudan, warns of possible genocide In a stern warning, Secretary of State John Kerry is urging South Sudan's warring government and rebel leaders to uphold a monthslong promise to embrace a cease-fire or risk the specter of genocide through continued ethnic killings.
December 20, 2015 US report finds Al Qaeda affiliates surge, terrorism spikes worldwide In its annual global terrorism report, the department said that losses in Al Qaeda's core leadership in Pakistan and Afghanistan "accelerated" the network's decentralization in 2013.
December 20, 2015 GOP senators demand explanation for Benghazi talking points A trio of Republican senators is calling on the Obama administration to identify who briefed former UN ambassador Rice in advance of her Sunday show appearances where she blamed a video for the Benghazi attack.
December 20, 2015 Kerry backs off Israel 'apartheid' remarks amid firestorm on Hill A firestorm broke out on Capitol Hill Monday over Secretary of State John Kerry reportedly saying Israel could become an "apartheid state," with the No. 2 House leader saying he should apologize and a Republican senator calling on him to resign.
December 20, 2015 Ecuador reportedly expels Defense Dept. employees in military group Ecuador has ordered all 20 Defense Department employees in the U.S. Embassy's military group to leave the country by month's end, The Associated Press has learned.
December 20, 2015 Lack of communication blamed for missteps in effort to free POW Bowe Bergdahl The captors of an American soldier held for nearly five years in Afghanistan have signaled a willingness to release him but are unclear which U.S. government officials have the authority to make a deal, according to two individuals in the military working for his release. Critics of the release effort blame disorganization and poor communication among the numerous federal agencies involved.
December 20, 2015 State Department clears Egypt to receive some military aid, including helicopters The Obama administration said Tuesday it has certified that Egypt is upholding its 35-year-old peace treaty with Israel and therefore qualifies for some military and counterterrorism assistance.
December 20, 2015 State Department cites photo 'evidence' purportedly showing Russian troops in Ukraine The State Department is vouching for photographic "evidence" that purports to show Russian special forces in eastern Ukraine, despite Vladimir Putin's claims that his operatives are not behind the unrest.