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Pressure Points

Elliott Abrams discusses U.S. foreign policy, focusing on the Middle East and democracy and human rights.

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russian President Vladimir Putin at BRICS
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russian President Vladimir Putin at BRICS Alexander Nemenov/Pool via REUTERS

Guterres Shamefully Meets with Putin and Lukashenko

United Nations Secretary General Guterres went out of his way to travel to Kazan, Russia and meet with Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, bringing shame on his office.

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Lebanon
Where is the Lebanese Zelensky, Part II
My recent blog post "Where is the Lebanese Zelensky" elicited an interesting response suggesting that it is international support, not Lebanese voices opposing Hezbollah, that's missing today. 
Lebanon
Where is the Lebanese Zelensky?
Lebanon may have an opportunity to escape from Hezbollah domination now, but only if Lebanese political leaders show courage that has thus far been missing.
U.S. Foreign Policy
Empty Embassies
The United States has dozens of vacant ambassadorial posts, largely because the Senate holds nominees in limbo for years. The system for appointing and confirming ambassadors is broken.
  • Venezuela
    What is the Real U.S. Policy on Venezuela?
    Despite the Biden administration's tough words about democracy in Venezuela, oil exports from that country to the United States are growing and Chevron's license was just renewed again.
  • Argentina
    Truth-Telling at Turtle Bay
    The speech by Argentina's President Javier Milei to the U.N. General Assembly was a rare and memorable case of truth-telling about the United Nations.
  • Human Rights
    A Conservative Human Rights Agenda
    The conservative human rights agenda developed by the Reagan administration offers useful lessons on how the United States can successfully promote democracy and human rights today.
  • Venezuela
    Time to Revoke the Licenses Permitting U.S. Oil Companies to Work in Venezuela
    General License 41 was promulgated by Treasury to help democracy in Venezuela. That has failed, and  the lack of transparency under Venezuelan law obscures facts that should be in the public record.
  • Israel
    The $7 Million Question About Ibrahim Aqil
    Ibrahim Aqil killed more than 300 Americans decades ago. Did the United States actively try to seize or kill him, or sit back and offer a reward?
  • Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
    The United Nations General Assembly Votes to Remove Jews from Jerusalem's Old City
    The most recent UN General Assembly resolution on Israel and the Palestinians is a radical strike at Israel and would push Jews out of the Old City of Jerusalem.
  • United Kingdom
    The UK Foreign Secretary Makes His First Speech
    UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has just given his first set speech, but it wasn't about foreign policy. He is miscast in his current role.