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Michele Kelemen A former NPR Moscow bureau chief, Michele Kelemen now covers the State Department. Her reports can be heard on all NPR News programs — from Morning Edition to All Things Considered.
Michele Kelemen 2010
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Michele Kelemen

Africa

Blinken tells African countries they needn't pick a side as U.S. competes with China

Secretary of State Antony Blinken says African states shouldn't have to pick a side in great power rivalries, though the U.S. is competing with Russia and China for influence.

Blinken tells African countries they needn't pick a side as U.S. competes with China

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Africa

Blinken is in South Africa for talks on a new strategy for the region

Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers a major speech on U.S. policy in Africa, following his visit to Cambodia, and a trip by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan that drew China's ire.

Blinken is in South Africa for talks on a new strategy for the region

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Asia

Pelosi's Taiwan trip fuel tensions with China and raised security concerns regionally

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Cambodia for a regional meeting of foreign ministers amid the fallout from U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

Pelosi's Taiwan trip fuel tensions with China and raised security concerns regionally

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World

U.N. kicks off nuclear nonproliferation conference as global fears fester

The United Nations kicked off a conference on the status of a 50-year treaty on nuclear nonproliferation — as crises fester in the Middle East, the Korean peninsula and Ukraine.

U.N. kicks off nuclear nonproliferation conference as global fears fester

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Europe

Blinken reiterates Griner and Whelan have been wrongfully detained in Russia

Secretary of State Blinken says he plans to speak with his Russian counterpart soon. A top priority is the release of Americans held by Russia: Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

Blinken reiterates Griner and Whelan have been wrongfully detained in Russia

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Asia

G-20 foreign ministers, which includes Russia, China and the U.S., gather in Bali

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is leading the U.S. delegation at the G-20 ministerial meeting. It could be the scene of some awkward diplomatic encounters involving Russia's war in Ukraine.

G-20 foreign ministers, which includes Russia, China and the U.S., gather in Bali

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National

DOJ is stepping up enforcement of a law that regulates foreign lobbying in Washington

The Department of Justice is more actively investigating foreign lobbying in Washington and Congress is considering an update to a key law regulating that. Transparency advocates say it is about time.

DOJ is stepping up enforcement of a law that regulates foreign lobbying in Washington

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Politics

Activists say the Biden administration's latest landmine restrictions aren't enough

Around the world, landmines kill and injure thousands of people a year, most of them civilians. The Biden administration is restricting their use and continuing to help countries clear minefields.

Activists say the Biden administration's latest landmine restrictions aren't enough

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World

Russia could veto UN aid going to Syria

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., traveled to the southern border of Turkey to observe the flow of humanitarian aid to victims of the civil war in neighboring Syria.

Russia could veto UN aid going to Syria

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Middle East

Top US envoy takes trip to remind the world that millions inside Syria still need aid

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield travels to the Turkey-Syria border to remind the world of the need for continued aid for Syrians who are fleeing or in opposition-held parts of the country.

Top US envoy takes trip to remind the world that millions inside Syria still need aid

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Politics

Secretary of State Blinken spells out the Biden administration's approach to China

In a long awaited speech, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called China the most serious long term challenge to the international order and a test for U.S. diplomacy.

Secretary of State Blinken spells out the Biden administration's approach to China

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Middle East

It's unclear whether the U.S. and Iran will return to the 2015 nuclear deal

The Biden administration came to office promising to revive a nuclear deal with Iran, but for months officials have said time is running out. The top negotiator is briefing Congress on the stalemate.

It's unclear whether the U.S. and Iran will return to the 2015 nuclear deal

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World

The UN security council discussed how the war in Ukraine may worsen global hunger

The U.S. is using its presidency of the UN Security Council to focus on food security, as much of the world worries about the ripple effects from the war in Ukraine.

The UN security council discussed how the war in Ukraine may worsen global hunger

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Politics

State Secretary Blinken chairs UN meeting about global food security

State Secretary Antony Blinken is focusing on food security in a visit to the UN. He's also seeing Turkey's foreign minister, likely talking about its stance on NATO membership for Finland and Sweden.

State Secretary Blinken chairs UN meeting about global food security

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