Opinion: Iran Is Escalating Its Nuclear Program. Biden Should Not Rush To Respond Iran has announced new nuclear steps aimed at the incoming Biden administration, but the U.S. has leverage to push back, argues analyst Henry Rome. Henry Rome
Pompeo's Legacy Of Partisanship And Wading Into Political Waters Mike Pompeo's critics see his trip to Georgia, less than a month before key Senate runoff races, as another example of the secretary of state breaking norms by getting involved in domestic politics. Michele Kelemen
Under Trump, More Big Donors Are Named Ambassadors — And Controversies Have Followed The U.S. "not only has a higher percentage of political ambassadors, but has a higher percentage ... who don't seem to be temperamentally or intellectually suited for the work," says an ex-diplomat. Michele Kelemen
'I Was Asked If I Stole My Car': Black Diplomats Describe Harassment At U.S. Borders Former diplomat Tianna Spears says she was pulled aside 20-plus times crossing from Mexico into the U.S. "One time, I was told not to look at the officer in the eyes when I spoke to him," she says. Jackie Northam
Trump Requested Help From U.S. Ambassador In Holding British Open At A Trump Resort A former diplomat at the U.S. embassy says Ambassador Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson IV told him about the request. "I advised him that doing so would violate federal ethics rules," he tells NPR. Frank Langfitt
Trudeau Won't Visit Trump. Most Canadians Don't Want To Cross The Border Either When Canada's prime minister opted not to meet President Trump this week, it sent a message about his country's mood: Most of his fellow citizens want to keep the border closed over coronavirus fears. Emma Jacobs
'No Longer A Friend': Ukrainians Are Losing Faith In The U.S. "America used to be a beacon of freedom, liberty and anti-corruption efforts. Now a lot of Ukrainians feel like ... we are by ourselves," says a Ukrainian political commentator. Lucian Kim
Opinion: Trump's Fundamentally Flawed 'Vision' For Mideast Peace Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel B. Shapiro warns of "severe ramifications" from the plan. The major problems, he writes, "result from having talked to only one side in the conflict — Israel." Daniel B. Shapiro
Saudi Arabia Sought Dialogue With Iran. Then The U.S.-Iranian Conflict Escalated The U.S. killing of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani has boosted Saudi fears about becoming embroiled in escalating U.S.-Iran tensions. Jackie Northam
Opinion: Ukraine Used Diplomacy; Russia Used Disinformation. The Difference Is Key As we head into the 2020 elections, we must do a better job of distinguishing between diplomacy and destructive disinformation, writes former diplomat Brett Bruen. Brett Bruen
