US State Department

A shadow has been cast over the otherwise good Greek-American relationship by the US State Department's report on the state of human rights in Greece in 2023, where, among other things, there is reference to allegations of mistreatment of migrants and asylum seekers, members of the LGBTQI+ community, and to the previous year's complaints about the wiretapping case. 

There were "no significant changes" in the human rights situation in Greece over the past year, the US State Department said in its annual report which includes, however, a list of issues pertaining to the treatment of migrants, police and the use of spyware.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a ground offensive in Rafah is imminent, though no specific timing was provided. He emphasized the necessity of entering Rafah for a decisive victory over Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas indicated dissatisfaction with an Israeli proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar.

Tensions between the United States and Israel have escalated following the UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Israel responded by canceling a delegation visit to Washington after the US abstained from voting yesterday. Meanwhile, fighting between the Israeli army and Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip continued unabated.

WASHINGTON - The US State Department believes the EU-facilitated dialogue is the proper channel for resolving issues related to normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina relations and that discussions about the Serbian dinar should continue with urgency, says principal deputy spokesperson for the US State Department Vedant Patel.

Greek-American relations are experiencing a "golden age" right now, US analyst and senior fellow for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress think tank Alan Makovsky told Kathimerini in Washington DC recently, sitting at a Foggy Bottom restaurant looking out at the University of Georgetown dorm named after Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

The letter of assurances sent by the US State Department to Congress foresees the suspension or cancellation of all or part of the delivery of defense items provided to a NATO ally if those defense articles are used for non-legitimate military purposes.

Turkey, via leaks, continues to deny there are limits on the use of the F-16 fighter jets that the US recently agreed to supply.

The US State Department has specifically noted that these jets cannot be used for overflights above Greek islands and Syria.

Fears that the Biden administration's bearish embrace of embattled Israel could "swallow" Israel alive have dramatically intensified this week, JNS writes.
On Wednesday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the administration is "actively pursuing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with real security guarantees for Israel."

The US State Department has given Congress the necessary assurances regarding Greece's security in the Aegean and the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, Congressman John Sarbanes told Greek TV station Open on Wednesday.