Michele Kelemen

Myanmar Leader's Visit To Washington A Historic Occasion

Michele Kelemen — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:28:00 +0000

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ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

For the first time in nearly five decades, the president of Myanmar paid a visit to the White House. Thein Sein has overseen some dramatic changes in his country, long a pariah on the world stage. And the Obama administration has been trying to encourage those reforms by easing sanctions. President Obama himself went to Myanmar, also known as Burma, last year.

Obama, Erdogan To Discuss Syria's Conflict Spilling Into Turkey

Michele Kelemen — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:24:00 +0000

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets President Obama at the White House on Thursday. Their talks will focus on the Syrian conflict. Erdogan has been pushing the U.S. to do more to resolve a conflict.

Plans Proceed For Another International Meeting On Syria

Michele Kelemen — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:49:00 +0000

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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep.

President Obama got a warning this week about Syria. It's a warning that the country's civil war seems unlikely to end very soon on its own.

GREENE: The Obama administration has called for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to go, but they've been reluctant to use force. Divisions in the international community have made it difficult to use diplomacy. Ideally, the U.S.

Kerry's Agenda: Priorities Emerge With Travel

Michele Kelemen — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:29:00 +0000

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The U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, has been in the Middle East, Rome and Russia this week trying to find some kind of diplomatic end to Syria's civil war. He's also been trying to revive Israeli/Palestinian peace talks. Mr. Kerry has been the U.S.

Kerry Appeals To Russia To Help End Syrian Civil War

Michele Kelemen — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:55:00 +0000

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ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Robert Siegel.

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In Moscow today, the U.S. and Russian governments agreed to make a new push for peace in Syria. They plan to convene a meeting by the end of this month of Syrian officials and opposition leaders to decide on a transitional government. The initiative, first broached last June, was announced after Secretary of State John Kerry met with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, and the Russian foreign minister.

Kerry's Visit To Russia A Chance To Talk Syria, Mend Fences

Michele Kelemen — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:44:00 +0000

Secretary of State John Kerry sets off for what he calls "a long overdue" trip to Russia on Monday, and Syria is likely to top the agenda.

But U.S.-Russian relations are frosty these days. The U.S. is imposing targeted sanctions on Russian human rights violators, while Moscow is preventing American families from adopting Russian children.

Kerry would be wise, though, not to dwell on these and other disputes, says Angela Stent, director of the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies at Georgetown University.

U.N. Aid Workers Not Prepared For Chemical Weapons In Syria

Michele Kelemen — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:00:00 +0000

The head of the U.N. refugee agency says aid workers are not at all prepared for the possibility of chemical warfare in Syria. That's just one of the concerns aid workers have in what they call the worst humanitarian disaster in recent decades. Eight thousand Syrians are fleeing every day and the world has focused much more on planning for the day after Bashar al-Assad is toppled rather than on dealing with the humanitarian catastrophes of today.

U.S. Wary As Qatar Ramps Up Support Of Syrian Rebels

Michele Kelemen — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:52:00 +0000

President Obama has been hosting a series of visitors from the Middle East, and all of them have been urging the U.S. to get more involved in Syria.

They have included the emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, whose country has been arming rebel forces in Syria. Obama wants to see such aid go to moderates — but that requires more cooperation with partners like Qatar. Problem is, they don't always see eye to eye.

Qatar was already an important U.S.

Syria Accused Of Repeatedly Using Chemical Weapons

Michele Kelemen — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:19:00 +0000

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DAVID GREENE, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm David Greene.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep. On one level, this story is about nothing more than a bit of diplomatic jargon.

GREENE: On a deeper level, though, the stakes could not be higher. President Obama's administration told Syria that using chemical weapons against Syrian rebels is a red line.

INSKEEP: Diplomats use that term as a dire warning. The U.S.

Syria Conflict Brings Middle East Leaders To White House

Michele Kelemen — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:12:00 +0000

In the coming weeks, the Obama administration plays host to the leaders of several Middle Eastern nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Qatar and Jordan.

They are coming, in part, to register their concerns about the ongoing violence in Syria and to nudge the Obama administration to do more to tip the balance in favor of the rebels trying to oust President Bashar Assad.

Already, there's been no shortage of meetings on Syria. Secretary of State John Kerry is heading to yet another one in Istanbul later this month.

Kerry In Afghanistan To Smooth Over Latest Disputes

Michele Kelemen — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:43:00 +0000

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AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

Secretary of State John Kerry is in Afghanistan today. He's there smoothing over the latest dispute with President Hamid Karzai. The trip was unannounced, and Kerry arrived at a big moment, just as the U.S. was formally handing over Bagram prison to Afghan authorities.

Kerry Makes Stop In Iraq

Michele Kelemen — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:47:00 +0000

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DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Secretary of State John Kerry is putting his diplomatic skills to the test this week. He is dealing with some difficult partners and trying to revive Israeli/Palestinian peace talks. Kerry spent the day yesterday in Baghdad. He's nudging the Iraqi government to stop letting Iran use Iraqi air space to send weapons into Syria. The United States does not have much leverage, however, as NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

MICHELE KELEMEN, BYLINE: With U.S. troops gone, Kerry said Baghdad looked different to him.

U.S. Stands Firm On Decision Not To Arm Syrian Rebels

Michele Kelemen — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:56:00 +0000

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France and Britain want the European Union to lift an arms embargo on Syria. The reason? They want to help Syria's rebels topple Bashar al-Assad's regime. The U.S. says it won't stand in the way. But so far, the Obama administration has decided not to arm Syrian rebels and focus instead on diplomacy.

U.N. Security Council Hits North Korea With More Sanctions After Nuclear Test

Michele Kelemen — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 22:20:00 +0000

The U.N. Security Council agreed to tighten sanctions against North Korea on Thursday as punishment for its recent nuclear test. The Council's unanimous agreement came after three weeks of negotiation between the U.S. and China, which has opposed such measures in the past. North Korea was furious at the U.N. action, issuing a threat to attack the U.S. with nuclear weapons as the sanctions came up for a vote.

John Kerry, A 'Recovering Politician,' Settles Into Diplomatic Role

Michele Kelemen — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 08:45:00 +0000

Secretary of State John Kerry describes himself as a recovering politician. He's just getting used to the fact that he can't speak quite as freely as he did when he was a senator.

"Each word means more, each relationship is played differently," he said in an interview with NPR, at the end of a nine-nation swing through Europe and the Middle East.

Kerry: We're Trying To Offer Syrian President A Rational Choice

Michele Kelemen — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:59:00 +0000

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AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

As Secretary of State John Kerry wraps up his first official trip overseas, he's walking a fine line on Syria. Kerry says the Obama administration has been stepping up assistance to rebels who are trying to topple the Syrian regime. But the U.S. is also worried about how all of this will play out. NPR's Michele Kelemen spoke with the secretary of State today in Doha, Qatar, and he said he's taking this one step at a time.

MICHELE KELEMEN, BYLINE: The new secretary of State brought few new initiatives on this trip. He announced that the U.S.

Amid Egypt's Divisive Climate, Kerry Urges Economic Action

Michele Kelemen — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 10:49:00 +0000

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry walked into a chaotic situation in Egypt, the first Arab country he's visited in his new role. The country is in economic and political turmoil, and he is trying Sunday to encourage Islamist President Mohamed Morsi to open up the political process and carry out much-needed reforms. After their meeting, he announced the U.S.

U.S. Offers Additional $60 Million In Humanitarian Aid To Syria

Michele Kelemen — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:32:00 +0000

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AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

Today, Secretary of State John Kerry announced a new aid package for Syrian rebels. For the first time, the administration is vowing to send aid directly to the people who are fighting to topple the regime in Syria. At a meeting in Rome, Kerry had the chance to hear from some of them and from countries backing the rebels.

U.S. Plans To Offer More Direct Aid To Syrian Rebels

Michele Kelemen — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:19:00 +0000

Secretary of State Kerry is in Rome for a meeting on Thursday with the leaders of Syria's opposition coalition. Ahead of the session, there are indications the U.S. is prepared to provide some direct aid to the coalition, including military hardware such as body armor and armored vehicles. The European Union is discussing similar aid.

Kerry Stops In Berlin On European Tour

Michele Kelemen — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:21:00 +0000

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LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

Syrian opposition leaders say they plan to attend a conference this week in Rome. They want to see what the new U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has to offer to help them bring an end of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The opposition leaders had been threatening to boycott the meeting, but Kerry is promising he won't leave them dangling in the wind. NPR's Michele Kelemen is traveling with Kerry this week on his first trip overseas as secretary of state.

Overseas Trip A Road Test For Newly-Minted Sec. Of State Kerry

Michele Kelemen — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 10:05:00 +0000

John Kerry sets off Sunday on his first foreign trip as secretary of state, visiting Europe and the Middle East.

One dominant theme of the trip will be how to resolve the crisis in Syria, where an estimated 70,000 people have been killed over the past two years. Kerry is portraying his trip as a listening tour, and he expects to hear a lot about Syria.

He told reporters recently that he wants to talk with U.S.

Kerry: Budget Cuts Threaten Foreign Policy Agenda

Michele Kelemen — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:12:00 +0000

Secretary of State John Kerry gave his first major foreign policy speech Wednesday at the University of Virginia. His comments come days before he leaves on his first trip as America's top diplomat. He's traveling to Europe and the Middle East.

U.S.-Russia Relations Continue To Falter With Prosecution Of Dead Man

Michele Kelemen — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:24:00 +0000

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MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

You are listening to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News.

Next week, Secretary of State John Kerry sets off on his first official trip. He'll head to both Europe and the Middle East. He will not be visiting Russia but aides say he might meet his Russian counterparts somewhere on the trip.

They have a lot to talk about, from the crisis in Syria to a dispute over adoptions, as NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

MICHELE KELEMEN, BYLINE: There are many signs that U.S./Russian relations are in the tank.

Bulgaria Links Hezbollah To Deadly Attack On Israelis

Michele Kelemen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 23:15:00 +0000

Bulgarian authorities say they have evidence the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah financed and carried out a bomb attack at a Black Sea resort town last year, killing five Israeli tourists and one Bulgarian citizen.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov said it was an extremely intensive investigation.

"The results of that investigation leads to a number of persons who are connected to the military wing of Hezbollah," he said.

The suspects incl

As Clinton Bows Out, Analysts Debate Her Influence On Foreign Policy

Michele Kelemen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:10:00 +0000

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AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

That attack in Turkey came on Hillary Clinton's last day as secretary of state. She says it's another reminder that we live in complex and dangerous times.

SECRETARY HILLARY CLINTON: But I leave this department confident, confident about the direction we have set.

CORNISH: Employees crammed the State Department's lobby to see her off, and Clinton appeared wistful.

CLINTON: I am very proud to have been secretary of state. I will miss you.

Clinton Takes Final World Trek With Virtual Townhall

Michele Kelemen — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:25:00 +0000

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MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

It's official - Democratic Senator John Kerry will be the next secretary of State. The Senate voted 94-3 in favor of his confirmation today. Kerry will replace Hillary Clinton, who had been hoping to spend her final days at the State Department on the road, but recent health scares have grounded her. So on this, her last week, Secretary Clinton decided to go around the world virtually.

Kerry Hopeful For Renewed Peace Talks Between Israel, Palestinians

Michele Kelemen — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 22:21:00 +0000

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MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

The Obama administration is closely watching political developments in Israel. This week's elections there surprised many analysts in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to build a new center-right coalition. His party lost some seats in parliament to a new centrist challenger. The White House has had a rough relationship with Netanyahu, and so Washington is looking for a new opportunity now to promote peace.

John Kerry Lauded At Senate Confirmation Hearing

Michele Kelemen — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:11:00 +0000

Sen. John Kerry appeared before fellow members of his Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing as the next secretary of state on Thursday.

Clinton Cautions That North Africa Is A Region To Watch

Michele Kelemen — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:05:00 +0000

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And I'm Renée Montagne. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is back on Capitol Hill this morning, to introduce the man nominated to succeed her - Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. Kerry's confirmation hearing comes just a day after Clinton gave emotional and sometimes angry testimony about the attack on an American consulate in Libya that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans.

Clinton: U.S. Can't Retreat From Regions In Turmoil

Michele Kelemen — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:12:00 +0000

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ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

On Capitol Hill today, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was both emotional and angry. Testifying before a Senate committee, she spoke passionately about the attack last September that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans. She said she's taking seriously the recommendations of her review panel to better protect U.S. diplomats around the world.

But as NPR's Michele Kelemen reports, Clinton insisted the U.S.