Michele Kelemen

U.S. To Test The Waters With Iran's New President Rohani

Michele Kelemen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:12:00 +0000

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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

When Barack Obama became president and offered his hand to Iran, that country's elites reacted skeptically. Many said he was a new face, but still represented Iran's great enemy. Now, Iran will have a new face, winner of last week's presidential election, Hassan Rohani. He says he wants better relations with the outside world, so it's America's turn to wonder just how much Rohani could really change in Iran's confrontation with the U.S.

U.S. To Provide Military Support To Opposition In Syria

Michele Kelemen — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:52:00 +0000

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RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.

LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

And I'm Linda Wertheimer. The Obama administration has shifted policy on Syria with an announcement, last night, that it will step up support for rebels who've been losing ground in recent weeks. The White House says it will start providing direct military support to rebel commanders.

The decision was made after administration officials concluded that President Bashar al-Assad's government has been using chemical weapons in the conflict.

Sen. McCain Urges U.S. To Do More For Syrian Rebels

Michele Kelemen — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:32:00 +0000

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LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

Senator John McCain is pushing the Obama administration to do more for rebels fighting the Syrian government. This follows his trip last week to opposition-held territory in Syria. McCain warns that a failure to act could send the Middle East deep into sectarian conflict. His comments come as both the rebels and likelihood of planned peace talks appears to be losing ground.

NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

MICHELE KELEMEN, BYLINE: Arizona Republican John McCain says U.S.

Samantha Power Picked To Take Over For Rice At U.N.

Michele Kelemen — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:53:00 +0000

President Obama has named a former journalist and activist to represent him at the United Nations. If confirmed, Samantha Power will replace Ambassador Susan Rice, who is returning to the White House to become national security adviser. Power's supporters see her as a voice of conscience in the Obama administration, an advocate for humanitarian interventions.

Egyptian Court Verdict Complicates Relations With Washington

Michele Kelemen — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 10:11:00 +0000

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RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The Obama administration is expressing deep concern about guilty verdicts in Egypt against 43 people who were working on democracy programs in the country. Sixteen of them are Americans, though most left Egypt when the charges were brought against them.

Kerry's Visit To Russia A Chance To Talk Syria, Mend Fences

Michele Kelemen — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:44:00 +0000

Secretary of State John Kerry sets off for what he calls "a long overdue" trip to Russia on Monday, and Syria is likely to top the agenda.

But U.S.-Russian relations are frosty these days. The U.S. is imposing targeted sanctions on Russian human rights violators, while Moscow is preventing American families from adopting Russian children.

Kerry would be wise, though, not to dwell on these and other disputes, says Angela Stent, director of the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies at Georgetown University.

U.S. Wary As Qatar Ramps Up Support Of Syrian Rebels

Michele Kelemen — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:47:00 +0000

President Obama has been hosting a series of visitors from the Middle East, and all of them have been urging the U.S. to get more involved in Syria.

They have included the emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, whose country has been arming rebel forces in Syria. Obama wants to see such aid go to moderates — but that requires more cooperation with partners like Qatar. Problem is, they don't always see eye to eye.

Qatar was already an important U.S.

Syria Conflict Brings Middle East Leaders To White House

Michele Kelemen — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:12:00 +0000

In the coming weeks, the Obama administration plays host to the leaders of several Middle Eastern nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Qatar and Jordan.

They are coming, in part, to register their concerns about the ongoing violence in Syria and to nudge the Obama administration to do more to tip the balance in favor of the rebels trying to oust President Bashar Assad.

Already, there's been no shortage of meetings on Syria. Secretary of State John Kerry is heading to yet another one in Istanbul later this month.

John Kerry, A 'Recovering Politician,' Settles Into Diplomatic Role

Michele Kelemen — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 08:45:00 +0000

Secretary of State John Kerry describes himself as a recovering politician. He's just getting used to the fact that he can't speak quite as freely as he did when he was a senator.

"Each word means more, each relationship is played differently," he said in an interview with NPR, at the end of a nine-nation swing through Europe and the Middle East.

Kerry: We're Trying To Offer Syrian President A Rational Choice

Michele Kelemen — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:29:00 +0000

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AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

As Secretary of State John Kerry wraps up his first official trip overseas, he's walking a fine line on Syria. Kerry says the Obama administration has been stepping up assistance to rebels who are trying to topple the Syrian regime. But the U.S. is also worried about how all of this will play out. NPR's Michele Kelemen spoke with the secretary of State today in Doha, Qatar, and he said he's taking this one step at a time.

MICHELE KELEMEN, BYLINE: The new secretary of State brought few new initiatives on this trip. He announced that the U.S.