Ultimately no matter how much sand China piles on top of a submerged reef or shoal ... it is not enhancing its territorial claim. You can't build sovereignty, he (Kerry) will leave his Chinese interlocutors in absolutely no doubt that the United States remains committed to maintaining freedom of navigation and to exercise our legitimate rights as pertaining to over flight and movement on the high seas.

The State Department official

Categorized in : Politics

This is another example of the destabilizing role of Iranian proxies in undermining peace and security in the region.

The State Department official

The whole goal of Secretary Pompeo's trip is to advance that positive agenda and to work with the Mexican government across all of the issue areas where we can make progress on.

The State Department official

He is going to say we are going to do what we have to do, it's not a happy message and they aren't going to like it, but this is what he has to tell them.

The State Department official

He doesn't want to see the Kurds expand their territory. He doesn't want the US to be a permanent supporter of the Kurds and thinks the Americans are naive to work with them.

The State Department official

The second meeting was more substantive both in exploring more details about claims that need to be resolved but also in reviewing the practices of both countries in solving claims, both sides agreed they would have more regular meetings.

The State Department official

These are important partners of the alliance, partners whose security means a lot to the United States, it's a chance to highlight the fact that we are close partners and their security interests and their aspirations to get closer to the EU and NATO also matter to us.

The State Department official

Russia can take whatever message it would like. by The State Department official

Russia can take whatever message it would like.

The State Department official

Of particular concern to us is the sharp increase in violations of the ceasefire and firing on the contact line that we have seen since the new year but which have accelerated quite a bit in the last few weeks, unless and until we can get true quiet on the line and get full OSCE access it is going to be hard to move onto other aspects of Minsk.

The State Department official

Obviously what we are looking for, and what we have been looking for, is how we are going to transition Syria away from Assad's leadership.

The State Department official

We really do believe we can get it done by (June) 30th and we're not contemplating an extension. We just aren't.

The State Department official

A lot of the decisions (left) are at the political level. You will see more involvement at (Kerry's) level for that reason.

The State Department official

The ISF (Iraqi Security Forces) was not driven out of Ramadi. The... by The State Department official

The ISF (Iraqi Security Forces) was not driven out of Ramadi. They drove out of Ramadi.

The State Department official

This is a very serious situation. No one is kidding themselves ab... by The State Department official

This is a very serious situation. No one is kidding themselves about that.

The State Department official

I would much rather that Ramadi not fall, but it won't be the end... by The State Department official

I would much rather that Ramadi not fall, but it won't be the end of a campaign.

The State Department official

We've never seen something like this. by The State Department official

We've never seen something like this.

The State Department official

It is hard to know exactly what will come out of this first conversation, i am not oblivious to the weight of history.

The State Department official

We are looking forward to the Cubans lifting travel restrictions. by The State Department official

We are looking forward to the Cubans lifting travel restrictions.

The State Department official