Mexico aims to crackdown on cartel violence, mulls over merging National Guard with nation’s army to quell violent spats

TOPSHOT - A Mexican National Guard vehicle drives past children playing as families of asylum seekers wait outside the El Chaparral border crossing port as they wait to cross into the United States in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico on February 19, 2021. - The Biden administration plans to slowly allow 25,000 people with active cases seeking asylum into the US previously enrolled in the Migrant Protection Protocols program, known as "Remain in Mexico," with community organizations testing for Covid-19 and providing hotels to quarantine migrants upon arrival during the pandemic. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador recently said he is looking into ways to streamline the country’s National Guard amid an increase in violence in the country. Reports said that Lopez Obrador has flirted with bypassing Mexico’s Congress in order to give control of the National Guard to Mexico’s army. This would give Mexico’s military control over policing practices in the country. 

State Dept. continues to promise return of Iran Nuclear Deal

State Dept. continues to promise return of Iran Nuclear Deal

US State Department spokesman Ned Price holds a press briefing on Afghanistan at the State Department in Washington, DC, August 16, 2021. (Photo by KEVIN LAMARQUE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by KEVIN LAMARQUE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Promises made, promises promised” continues to be the Biden administration’s foreign policy approach to the Middle East and Central Asia. This comes as the White House has promised to get Iran to come back to the 2015 nuclear deal and rescue US allies still trapped in Afghanistan.

US State Dept. condemns Myanmar executions

US State Dept. condemns Myanmar executions

Myanmar nationals living in Thailand hold the pictures of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi as they protest outside Myanmar's embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, July 26, 2022. International outrage over Myanmar’s execution of four political prisoners is intensifying with grassroots protests and strong condemnation from world governments. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)The Biden administration is looking to put pressure on Myanmar’s military junta. At a press briefing Monday, State Department spokesman Ned Price condemned Myanmar’s government, which has been run by it’s military since a coup in 2021, for executing four pro-democracy activists.

Two Americans dead in Donbas region of Ukraine

Two Americans dead in Donbas region of Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers walk next to destroyed Russians armored vehicles in Bucha, Ukraine, Saturday, April 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)Two American volunteers in Ukraine died in the countries Donbas region. According to the US State Department, the two Americans were believed to have assisted Ukraine’s military defenses against Russia when they died. The department has offered to provide the victims families consular assistance and keep further details private.