Matthew Lee

Jan 4, 2025 | pbs.org | Matthew Lee

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department has informed Congress of a planned $8 billion weapons sale to Israel, U.S. officials say, as the American ally presses forward with its war against Hamas in Gaza. Some of the arms in the package could be sent through current U.S. stocks but the majority would take a year or several years to deliver, according to two U.S. officials Saturday who spoke on condition of anonymity because the notification to Congress hasn’t been formally sent.

Dec 11, 2024 | pbs.org | Matthew Lee

Politics Dec 11, 2024 10:41 AM EST WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East this week on his 12th visit since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad that has sparked new fears of instability in the region now wracked by three conflicts despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Blinken will be speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Watch in the player above.

Nov 27, 2024 | pbs.org | Eric Tucker |Aamer Madhani |Matthew Lee

WASHINGTON (AP) — Three American citizens imprisoned for years by China have been released and are returning to the United States, the White House said Wednesday, announcing a diplomatic agreement with Beijing in the final months of the Biden administration. WATCH: The future of U.S.-China relations after Biden’s final meeting with XiThe three are Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung, all of whom had been designated by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained by China.

Nov 9, 2024 | pbs.org | Wafaa Shurafa |Samy Magdy |Matthew Lee

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Qatar has decided to suspend its key mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, officials said Saturday, after growing frustration with the lack of progress on a cease-fire deal for Gaza. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the remaining Hamas leadership hosted by Qatar must leave. However, Qatar is highly likely to return to the efforts if both sides show “serious political willingness” to reach a deal, according to an official with Egypt, the other key mediator.

Nov 4, 2024 | pbs.org | Matthew Lee

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is stepping up criticism of Israel for not doing enough to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza as a 30-day deadline looms for Israeli officials to meet certain requirements or risk potential restrictions on military assistance. The administration also is condemning recent violence against Palestinians in the West Bank by extremist Jewish settlers and says those responsible must be held to account.