State Department – Page 2 – War Watch

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Israel-Lebanon Cease-Fire: What to Know
ByLynsey Chutel April 17, 2026April 20, 2026

The pause in fighting would remove a major hindrance to the U.S.-Iran peace talks, if it holds. New talks are set for Thursday in Washington.

Read More Israel-Lebanon Cease-Fire: What to Know
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Marco Rubio and Lebanese President Discuss Cease-Fire Efforts
ByFrancesca Regalado April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

President Trump had said that Israeli and Lebanese leaders would speak directly, but a Lebanese official said the country’s president had rejected the idea.

Read More Marco Rubio and Lebanese President Discuss Cease-Fire Efforts
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U.S. Moves to Deport Son of Prominent Figure in Iranian Revolution
ByMichael Crowley April 11, 2026April 11, 2026

Federal agents arrested a man whose mother served as a spokeswoman for the Islamist embassy captors during the hostage crisis that began in 1979.

Read More U.S. Moves to Deport Son of Prominent Figure in Iranian Revolution
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World Leaders Push to Save Iran Talks Amid Israel’s Attacks in Lebanon
ByMichael Crowley April 11, 2026April 11, 2026

President Trump’s cease-fire with Iran appears at risk as Vice President JD Vance heads to Pakistan for discussions with Iranian officials.

Read More World Leaders Push to Save Iran Talks Amid Israel’s Attacks in Lebanon
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Elon Musk Joins in Phone Call Between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi
ByEdward Wong, Theodore Schleifer, Tyler Pager and Ryan Mac March 27, 2026

Mr. Musk’s participation was notable because it is rare for a private citizen to be on a call between heads of state. It also suggests that Mr. Musk is back on better terms with the president.

Read More Elon Musk Joins in Phone Call Between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi
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Standoff With Iran Raises Fresh Doubts About Trump’s Freestyle Diplomacy
ByMichael Crowley March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

A jumble of emissaries — a friend, a family member, a dove and a hawk — on the Iran crisis reflects President Trump’s improvisational approach.

Read More Standoff With Iran Raises Fresh Doubts About Trump’s Freestyle Diplomacy
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Trump Officials Bypass Congress to Sell Weapons to U.A.E., Kuwait and Jordan
ByMegan Mineiro and Edward Wong March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Some of the proposed sales, valued at more than $23 billion, were under review, while others were never sent to Congress. The administration is pushing them through without congressional approval.

Read More Trump Officials Bypass Congress to Sell Weapons to U.A.E., Kuwait and Jordan
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Trump and Rubio’s Vision of War: The Art of Destroy and Deal
ByEdward Wong and Michael Crowley March 14, 2026

Unleashing his inner hawk, Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans President Trump’s military interventions. So far, they favor regime compliance, not change.

Read More Trump and Rubio’s Vision of War: The Art of Destroy and Deal
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Trump’s War Alliance With Israel Is Reshaping the Middle East. But It Carries Risks.
ByAnton Troianovski March 14, 2026

President Trump is the first American leader to embrace fighting a full-fledged, joint war with Israel. Washington has tried to avoid that level of coordination in the past.

Read More Trump’s War Alliance With Israel Is Reshaping the Middle East. But It Carries Risks.
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Strong or Weak? How Trump Picks His Battles.
ByErica L. Green March 11, 2026

Despite his tough talk, President Trump has consistently made allowances for countries he sees as powerful or dominant.

Read More Strong or Weak? How Trump Picks His Battles.