标签： North America

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed strong support for the United States’ initiatives to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, while condemning the widespread atrocities committed by both the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, made this statement on Tuesday, emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to peace in the region. US President Donald Trump, responding to a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has pledged to prioritize resolving the Sudanese crisis. Trump’s advisor for African and Arab Affairs, Massad Boulos, reiterated this commitment during a media briefing in Abu Dhabi, noting that the US has presented a robust peace proposal to both warring factions, though neither has yet accepted it. Earlier on Tuesday, the RSF announced a unilateral three-month humanitarian truce, citing international efforts led by President Trump. However, the RSF’s declaration was followed by renewed attacks on army territory, undermining the ceasefire. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 over disputes regarding the integration of the army and RSF, has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths, widespread famine, and accusations of genocide against the RSF. The US, UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, collectively known as the Quad, have proposed a three-month truce followed by peace talks, but the situation remains volatile.

In a surprising twist to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Trump administration has deployed Dan Driscoll, the youngest-ever U.S. Army Secretary, to spearhead high-stakes diplomatic efforts. Known as President Donald Trump’s ‘drone guy’ for his advocacy of advanced battlefield technologies, Driscoll has recently emerged as a key figure in international negotiations aimed at ending the war. Despite his limited experience in diplomacy, Driscoll’s close ties with Vice President JD Vance have propelled him into the political spotlight. Driscoll’s journey began with a military career, including deployments to Iraq, followed by a law degree from Yale University and a stint in finance. His rapid ascent continued when Vance invited him to join Trump’s 2024 campaign, leading to his swift confirmation as Army Secretary. Driscoll’s recent unannounced visit to Ukraine, alongside other Pentagon officials, marked the highest-level U.S. military delegation to Kyiv since Trump’s return to office. His meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and subsequent discussions in Geneva and Abu Dhabi have been pivotal in refining a peace framework. Driscoll’s vision for the future of warfare, emphasizing drones and artificial intelligence, underscores his transformative approach to military strategy. As speculation grows about his potential to replace Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Driscoll’s influence within the administration continues to expand.

US President Donald Trump has initiated the process of designating certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists. This move, announced on Monday, aims to impose sanctions on one of the Arab world’s oldest and most influential Islamist movements. Trump signed an executive order directing Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to submit a report within 45 days on whether to designate specific Muslim Brotherhood chapters in countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan. The Trump administration has accused these factions of supporting violent attacks against Israel and US allies, as well as providing material support to the Palestinian group Hamas. The White House stated that Trump is confronting the Muslim Brotherhood’s transnational network, which allegedly fuels terrorism and destabilization campaigns against US interests in the Middle East. This effort aligns with long-standing Republican advocacy for such designations. Notably, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, also a Republican, imposed a similar designation at the state level last week. The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in the 1920s as an Islamic political movement, has historically countered secular and nationalist ideas, spreading across Muslim countries and often operating in secret.

WASHINGTON — Diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing Ukraine crisis have advanced significantly as American and Ukrainian negotiators successfully condensed a proposed 28-point peace plan into a more focused 19-point framework during intensive weekend discussions in Geneva. This development follows earlier tensions surrounding the comprehensive proposal initially put forward by the United States.

According to multiple international media reports, the revised document represents a substantial departure from the original version, with many of the most contentious provisions either substantially modified or completely restructured to better align with Ukrainian positions. Oleksandr Bevz, a Ukrainian official who participated in the Geneva negotiations, confirmed to The Washington Post that the revised framework reflects concerted efforts to ‘soften or reshape’ problematic elements that had previously drawn strong criticism from Ukrainian and European leaders.

The diplomatic breakthrough comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s Thursday deadline for agreement on the initial 28-point plan now appears more flexible. Bevz characterized the timeline as ‘not a code red,’ emphasizing that careful finalization of the text remains the priority over strict adherence to the deadline.

Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya provided further insight to the Financial Times, noting that the current draft bears minimal resemblance to the leaked original document. ‘Very few things are left from the original version,’ Kyslytsya stated, indicating the extensive revisions made during the negotiations.

The original 28-point proposal had drawn sharp criticism for requiring Ukraine to concede territory in its eastern regions, substantially reduce military capabilities, and formally renounce NATO membership aspirations—conditions that directly challenged several long-standing Ukrainian diplomatic red lines.

The Geneva meetings included representatives from the United States, Ukraine, and several European nations. The Ukrainian delegation first met with national security advisers from Britain, France, and Germany before engaging in bilateral discussions with American officials. The U.S. team included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office chief Andriy Yermak led the Ukrainian contingent.

A White House statement issued Sunday night confirmed that the talks had produced ‘meaningful progress toward aligning positions,’ though the Kremlin indicated it had not yet received official details from the Geneva discussions and does not anticipate talks with U.S. officials this week, according to Newsweek.

President Trump has suggested that while Thursday remains the target for reaching understanding with Kyiv, negotiations may continue beyond that date if substantial progress continues to be made.

In a significant move targeting the Muslim Brotherhood, US President Donald Trump has directed officials to assess whether certain chapters of the organization should be classified as terrorist groups. This potential designation would trigger economic sanctions and travel restrictions against the group. The executive order, issued on Monday, mandates a comprehensive report to investigate whether branches in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan qualify as foreign terrorist organizations or specially designated global terrorists. The order highlights alleged connections between the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, as well as claims of destabilization efforts that harm regional stability, US citizens, and American interests. Established nearly a century ago, the Muslim Brotherhood is already banned in Egypt and Jordan. The directive tasks US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent with consulting Attorney General Pam Bondi and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to produce the report within 30 days. If warranted, officials will have an additional 45 days to impose sanctions. A terrorist designation would criminalize support for the group, enforce economic penalties, and bar its members from entering the US. The White House stated that Trump is addressing the Muslim Brotherhood’s transnational network, which allegedly fuels terrorism and destabilization in the Middle East. This development follows Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s recent declaration of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and transnational criminal entity, a move that also targeted the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim advocacy group in the US. The Brotherhood, founded in Egypt, has diverse local chapters worldwide, with some advocating for governance under Islamic law (Sharia). Trump had previously considered designating the group as a terrorist organization during his first term, following discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi. The Brotherhood is outlawed in Egypt and several Arab nations, where it is viewed as a threat. In April, Jordan banned the group after arresting members suspected of planning rocket and drone attacks.