AFGHANISTAN
Political analysts, reporters, and patriots are outraged at the Biden Administration over statements made by State Department Spokesman Ned Price, during a press briefing on Thursday in which he egregiously blamed American volunteers, who risked their lives to rescue American citizens and others in Afghanistan who helped American forces, for causing the Department more work regarding the vetting of those individuals. Instead of thanking those Americans who put their lives on the line to help, he complained about their actions and the resulting paperwork it caused the Department.
“When it comes to private efforts to facilitate the departure of Americans… That is not to say that these private charters are not without challenge, and we have also spoken of the challenges that these present. We’ve made the point that without personnel on the ground in Mazar-e-Sharif, in this case, it is – we are unable to ensure the fidelity of intended manifests, and there [also] is no ability on the part of the US Government directly to determine whether the passengers aboard the plane would be eligible for relocation or for resettlement in the United States.”
Price said that in some cases the “manifests were not accurate…And when this happens, it does put these individuals in a very difficult spot… It has the potential – we are cognizant of the fact that it has the potential to damage the bilateral relationship when it involves landing in a third country, as it does in these cases. And it makes it more difficult for the US Government to rely on partner countries to assist in future relocations out of Afghanistan.” It appears that Price believes the State Department is incapable of managing relations with other countries over the temporary inconvenience of having those escaping the Taliban land on their air airfields.
NEW LGBTQI+ ENVOY
The US Government, despite security problems in Afghanistan, China-Taiwan issues, and other global challenges, has shifted priorities and named Jessica Stern, as the new “Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons.” This appointment reflects the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to advance and to protect the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons at home and abroad, according to Price.
NORTH KOREA
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Once again, political analysts are left to question whether the Administration’s words are backed up with anything more solid. North Korean President Kim is overseeing harsh conditions in the country that include government policy-induced famine in many regions. Price noted that: “ Even when we disagree with a particular regime, we believe that we must work to the best of our ability to do all we can to alleviate the suffering of the people. And so we continue to support international efforts aimed at the provision of critical humanitarian aid to the DPRK.”
CHINA
The Biden Administration is “very concerned by the PRC’s provocative military actions near Taiwan,” according to Price. He said the activity is destabilizing, it risks miscalculations, it undermines regional peace and also stability in the region. Price called on Beijing “to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan.” So far, it appears that the Administration is expending much of its energy on signing documents and calling for China to change it behavior. Price cited numerous documents, including the joint statement with Prime Minister Suga in April and another, after South Korean President Moon’s visit in May of this year, as well as the G7 communique in June which, according to Price, made a reference to the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait Finally, he noted the most recent AUSMIN statement from September calling for the same changes in policy. Analysts question whether such statements carry any weight with the government in Beijing and question whether the Biden Administration is weakening the actions it taking to hold China accountable for its actions.
DARIA NOVAK served in the United States State Department during the Reagan Administration, and currently is on the Board of the American Analysis of News and Media Inc., which publishes usagovpolicy.com and the New York Analysis of Policy and Government. Each Saturday, she presents key updates on U.S. foreign policy from the State Department.
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