US eyes world power summit for UN anniversary amid crises
July 14 - The department said in a statement that Pompeo and Lavrov also discussed Afghanistan, following reports that U.S. intelligence suspects Russia may be paying bounties to the Taliban to kill American and allied troops. Critics have accused the administration of ignoring the potential threat and demanded action. U.S. officials have countered that the intelligence was not conclusive.
The two men also discussed
election security amid concerns Russia may try to meddle in the 2020
U.S. presidential vote, the statement said, adding that Pompeo had
“raised” the matter.July 14 - The department said in a statement that Pompeo and Lavrov also discussed Afghanistan, following reports that U.S. intelligence suspects Russia may be paying bounties to the Taliban to kill American and allied troops. Critics have accused the administration of ignoring the potential threat and demanded action. U.S. officials have countered that the intelligence was not conclusive.
The statement did not specifically mention the subject of arms control, which has been a particular point of contention between Washington and Moscow with the Trump administration warning it may not extend a key nuclear treaty that expires in 2021 unless China also becomes a party. source
...As the Times notes, the pact will strike a major blow to the U.S. drive to isolate Iran economically. But it goes far beyond that: Beijing is no longer a wheeler and dealer that buys oil, exports merchandise and builds infrastructure without dirtying its hands in the region’s messy politics and security.
China is now emerging as a competitor to the United States in the Middle East. It is not a rusting Sparta like Russia. China is the world’s second-largest economy. It can supply countries with technology, finance deals and provide the labor and engineering skills to build ports and highways, and it can leverage its insatiable demand for Middle East oil gain preference over rivals... more
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