freebeacon--2020-08-10--DNI Report: China, Iran Trying to Sabotage Trump Campaign

A report released last Friday by the Director of National Intelligence indicates that Russia , China , and Iran are engaged in sabotage efforts to influence the 2020 presidential election .
China and Iran are attempting to hurt President Donald Trump 's reelection efforts , while Russia hopes to spread allegations that Joe Biden is corrupt , the report said .
The report underscores that while none of the three countries can meaningfully interfere with ballots or results , they are taking aim at information American voters receive .
All three may attempt to throw into question the results of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to use covert and overt influence measures in their attempts to sway U.S. voters ’ preferences and perspectives , shift U.S. policies , increase discord in the United States , and undermine the American people ’ s confidence in our democratic process , '' the report reads .
`` They may also seek to compromise our election infrastructure for a range of possible purposes , such as interfering with the voting process , stealing sensitive data , or calling into question the validity of the election results . ''
Each country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electoral interference , the report said .
Russia 's operations target former vice president Joe Biden , whom the Kremlin sees as part of an `` anti-Russia ‘ establishment ' '' in the United States , while `` some Kremlin-linked actors are also seeking to boost President Trump ’ s candidacy on social media and Russian television . ''
This strategy includes pro-Moscow Ukrainians sporting claims about Biden ’ s corruption .
The Democratic candidate ’ s son Hunter served as a board member for Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is working to support Biden , according to the DNI report .
`` We assess that China prefers that President Trump—whom Beijing sees as unpredictable—does not win reelection , '' it reads .
China hopes to shape the policy environment through counter-sanctions and information campaigns before the 2020 election .
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) told reporters China did not pose a threat to the election , especially in comparison to Russia .
`` They 're not equivalent , '' she said .
`` Russia is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They did so in 2016 , and they are doing so now , '' Pelosi said .
China may prefer Biden , she added , `` but they ’ re not really getting involved in the presidential election . ''
Tehran also appears to be working against the Trump campaign .
`` Driven by a perception that President Trump ’ s reelection would result in a continuation of U.S. pressure on Iran in an effort to foment regime change , '' Iran will continue spreading anti-U.S. information online , the report says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Russia , Washington has retooled its Iran staff—appointing Elliott Abrams special envoy to Tehran—and prepares to tighten sanctions if a U.N. arms embargo fails to pass in October .

A report released last Friday by the Director of National Intelligence indicates that Russia, China, and Iran are engaged in sabotage efforts to influence the 2020 presidential election.
China and Iran are attempting to hurt President Donald Trump's reelection efforts, while Russia hopes to spread allegations that Joe Biden is corrupt, the report said. The report underscores that while none of the three countries can meaningfully interfere with ballots or results, they are taking aim at information American voters receive. All three may attempt to throw into question the results of the upcoming election.
"Foreign states will continue to use covert and overt influence measures in their attempts to sway U.S. voters’ preferences and perspectives, shift U.S. policies, increase discord in the United States, and undermine the American people’s confidence in our democratic process," the report reads. "They may also seek to compromise our election infrastructure for a range of possible purposes, such as interfering with the voting process, stealing sensitive data, or calling into question the validity of the election results."
Each country has its own aims and means in electoral interference, the report said.
Russia's operations target former vice president Joe Biden, whom the Kremlin sees as part of an "anti-Russia 'establishment'" in the United States, while "some Kremlin-linked actors are also seeking to boost President Trump’s candidacy on social media and Russian television." This strategy includes pro-Moscow Ukrainians sporting claims about Biden’s corruption. The Democratic candidate’s son Hunter served as a board member for Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father served as vice president.
China, meanwhile, is working to support Biden, according to the DNI report. "We assess that China prefers that President Trump—whom Beijing sees as unpredictable—does not win reelection," it reads. China hopes to shape the policy environment through counter-sanctions and information campaigns before the 2020 election.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) told reporters China did not pose a threat to the election, especially in comparison to Russia. "They're not equivalent," she said. "Russia is actively, 24/7 interfering in our election. They did so in 2016, and they are doing so now," Pelosi said. China may prefer Biden, she added, "but they’re not really getting involved in the presidential election."
Tehran also appears to be working against the Trump campaign. "Driven by a perception that President Trump’s reelection would result in a continuation of U.S. pressure on Iran in an effort to foment regime change," Iran will continue spreading anti-U.S. information online, the report says. While Iran inches closer to China and Russia, Washington has retooled its Iran staff—appointing Elliott Abrams special envoy to Tehran—and prepares to tighten sanctions if a U.N. arms embargo fails to pass in October.


freebeacon--2020-08-10--China Hits U.S. Lawmakers And Pro-Democracy Leaders With Sanctions

Beijing on Monday announced a new round of unspecified sanctions on 11 Americans , including senators and leaders of pro-democracy nonprofit organizations , the Associated Press reported .
The sanctions will target Sens .
Marco Rubio ( R. , Fla. ) , Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
, Ted Cruz ( R. , Tex . )
, Pat Toomey ( R. , Pa. ) , and Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo . )
, all outspoken advocates for action against the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) .
They also take aim at Rep. Chris Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pro-democracy groups such as the Foundation for Defense of Democracies , International Republican Institute , and Freedom House , among others .
According to CCP spokesman Zhao Lijian , the 11 officials have `` performed badly '' on issues pertaining to Hong Kong sovereignty .
China committed a hostile takeover of Hong Kong earlier this summer , where elections are now suspended and the draconian `` Beijing model '' of governance is now in place .
Washington sanctioned Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam last week to signal its concern about these moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. blatantly intervened in Hong Kong affairs , grossly interfered in China ’ s internal affairs , and seriously violated international law and the basic norms of international relations , '' Zhao said Monday .
`` China urges the U.S. to have a clear understanding of the situation , correct mistakes , and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and interfering in China ’ s internal affairs . ''
Such sanctions are not China ’ s first act of relation against American critics in recent months .
Beijing sanctioned Cruz and Rubio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the grounds of their opposition to the oppression of Uighur Muslims in western China .
Monday ’ s sanctions did little to silence China 's critics .
`` The Chinese Communist Party imposed these impotent sanctions against me because I defend the real victims of Chinese Communism , '' Sen. Cotton said in a statement .
`` If China thinks my opposition to its communist tyranny to date warrants these sanctions , I have two words for them : Just wait . ''
One defense expert said that if the CCP ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , it would be the opposite of the regime 's intended aims .
`` By targeting Republican political leaders , Beijing is likely aiming to divide them from Democrats on China policy .
But this effort will fail , '' American Enterprise Institute scholar Zack Cooper told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` The American debate on China policy has changed in large part because of the Communist Party 's own repression in Hong Kong and Xinjiang , as well as its disinformation and coercion abroad , '' Cooper added .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans will only unify leaders in Washington . ''

Beijing on Monday announced a new round of unspecified sanctions on 11 Americans, including senators and leaders of pro-democracy nonprofit organizations, the Associated Press reported.
The sanctions will target Sens. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), Ted Cruz (R., Tex.), Pat Toomey (R., Pa.), and Josh Hawley (R., Mo.), all outspoken advocates for action against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They also take aim at Rep. Chris Smith (R., N.J.) and leaders of pro-democracy groups such as the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, International Republican Institute, and Freedom House, among others.
According to CCP spokesman Zhao Lijian, the 11 officials have "performed badly" on issues pertaining to Hong Kong sovereignty. China committed a hostile takeover of Hong Kong earlier this summer, where elections are now suspended and the draconian "Beijing model" of governance is now in place. Washington sanctioned Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam last week to signal its concern about these moves.
"The relevant actions of the U.S. blatantly intervened in Hong Kong affairs, grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs, and seriously violated international law and the basic norms of international relations," Zhao said Monday.
"China urges the U.S. to have a clear understanding of the situation, correct mistakes, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and interfering in China’s internal affairs."
Such sanctions are not China’s first act of relation against American critics in recent months. Beijing sanctioned Cruz and Rubio earlier this summer from traveling to China on the grounds of their opposition to the oppression of Uighur Muslims in western China.
Monday’s sanctions did little to silence China's critics. "The Chinese Communist Party imposed these impotent sanctions against me because I defend the real victims of Chinese Communism," Sen. Cotton said in a statement. "If China thinks my opposition to its communist tyranny to date warrants these sanctions, I have two words for them: Just wait."
One defense expert said that if the CCP’s measures would have any effect in Washington, it would be the opposite of the regime's intended aims."By targeting Republican political leaders, Beijing is likely aiming to divide them from Democrats on China policy. But this effort will fail," American Enterprise Institute scholar Zack Cooper told the Washington Free Beacon.
"The American debate on China policy has changed in large part because of the Communist Party's own repression in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, as well as its disinformation and coercion abroad," Cooper added. "Until Beijing changes this behavior, sanctioning Americans will only unify leaders in Washington."


freebeacon--2020-08-10--GOP Aides: Trump Nom for German Ambassador ‘Dead on Arrival’

The Trump administration 's nominee to assume a critical ambassadorship in Germany is `` dead on arrival , '' according to three senior Republican congressional aides who pointed to Douglas Macgregor 's insinuation that a cadre of American Jews are manipulating U.S. foreign policy .
President Trump tapped the retired Army colonel to fill the vacant ambassador position in July .
Macgregor has since come under fire for his suggestion in 2012 during an interview with the Daily Bell that `` neocons '' are `` making decisions in Washington that in their minds are beneficial to a foreign power and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people or the United States . ''
Senior congressional officials and Trump administration insiders said that several Republicans would vote against the Macgregor nomination , a fact that would likely scuttle his chances .
`` Although Colonel Macgregor was only nominated a few weeks ago , even a cursory view of his comments makes it clear this nomination will not move forward , '' a senior staffer to a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said .
The nomination , said a second GOP aide , is `` dead on arrival .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` He ca n't get confirmed , because Democrats say he 's a racist and Republicans say he 's to the left of Joe Biden , '' said the source , who also spoke only on background .
`` If he was confirmed that 'd be worse , because he 'd undo all the good work from the last few years of splitting Germany away from Russia , China , and Iran . ''
Macgregor is a familiar face to many Americans due to his frequent appearances on Fox News 's Tucker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups—including the Anti-Defamation League , American Jewish Committee ( AJC ) , and Center for Combating Anti-Semitism—have also raised concerns about the nomination .
AJC CEO David Harris petitioned Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to withdraw Macgregor ’ s nomination as a result of his rhetoric .
The organization , Harris wrote , is `` disturbed by Col. Macgregor ’ s remarks on ‘ neocons ’ and their supposed ‘ unconditional support for whatever the Israeli government wants to do . '
'' At issue is Macgregor ’ s claim that a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States to support Israel unconditionally and in a manner that is detrimental to the United States .
`` They operate in a variety of settings in the government and in the media , and they support or advocate , for all intents and purposes , unconditional support for whatever the Israeli government wants to do .
They are no means the majority and they are by no means representative of what I would call Americans who happen to be Jewish , '' Macgregor told the Daily Bell website in 2012 .
American Jewish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 2018 statement suggesting that Germany 's atonement for the Holocaust is overkill .
`` There 's sort of a sick mentality that says that generations after generations must atone sins of what happened in 13 years of German history and ignore the other 1,500 years of Germany , '' Macgregor said in a 2018 interview .
`` And Germany played a critical role in central Europe in terms of defending and preserving Western civilization .
So I think that 's , that 's the problem . ''
Macgregor has also downplayed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In May 2019 , just days after Iran attacked commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz , Macgregor said `` there 's no evidence that Iran wants to attack us . ''
He downplayed the threat posed by China as the coronavirus began to spread across the globe and the communist government spread lies about its origin and potential harm .
`` China 's economic power—its ability to influence and shape markets—is a threat to some extent , '' Macgregor told Sky News in February .
`` We do n't feel any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my judgement at all .
If you look at China 's nuclear power , they have roughly 300-350 nuclear weapons , and they have n't added to those.… I do n't see China as an aggressive , expansionist military power , and so I frankly do n't sign on for that particular interpretation . ''
Macgregor would replace Richard Grenell , who used the post to increase economic sanctions on Iran and push Berlin to cut ties with Iranian businesses and support the Trump administration ’ s international efforts to isolate Tehran , @ @ @ @ @ @

The Trump administration's nominee to assume a critical ambassadorship in Germany is "dead on arrival," according to three senior Republican congressional aides who pointed to Douglas Macgregor's insinuation that a cadre of American Jews are manipulating U.S. foreign policy.
President Trump tapped the retired Army colonel to fill the vacant ambassador position in July. Macgregor has since come under fire for his suggestion in 2012 during an interview with the Daily Bell that "neocons" are "making decisions in Washington that in their minds are beneficial to a foreign power and are not necessarily good for the American people or the United States."
Senior congressional officials and Trump administration insiders said that several Republicans would vote against the Macgregor nomination, a fact that would likely scuttle his chances. "Although Colonel Macgregor was only nominated a few weeks ago, even a cursory view of his comments makes it clear this nomination will not move forward," a senior staffer to a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said.
The nomination, said a second GOP aide, is "dead on arrival. Anti-Semites and isolationists are not confirmable."
A third aide called the nomination a "mistake."
"He can't get confirmed, because Democrats say he's a racist and Republicans say he's to the left of Joe Biden," said the source, who also spoke only on background. "If he was confirmed that'd be worse, because he'd undo all the good work from the last few years of splitting Germany away from Russia, China, and Iran."
Macgregor is a familiar face to many Americans due to his frequent appearances on Fox News's Tucker Carlson Tonight. But several American Jewish groups—including the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee (AJC), and Center for Combating Anti-Semitism—have also raised concerns about the nomination.
AJC CEO David Harris petitioned Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to withdraw Macgregor’s nomination as a result of his rhetoric. The organization, Harris wrote, is "disturbed by Col. Macgregor’s remarks on ‘neocons’ and their supposed ‘unconditional support for whatever the Israeli government wants to do.'"
At issue is Macgregor’s claim that a group of powerful Jews are pushing the United States to support Israel unconditionally and in a manner that is detrimental to the United States. "They operate in a variety of settings in the government and in the media, and they support or advocate, for all intents and purposes, unconditional support for whatever the Israeli government wants to do. They are no means the majority and they are by no means representative of what I would call Americans who happen to be Jewish," Macgregor told the Daily Bell website in 2012.
American Jewish groups are also raising questions about Macgregor's 2018 statement suggesting that Germany's atonement for the Holocaust is overkill.
"There's sort of a sick mentality that says that generations after generations must atone sins of what happened in 13 years of German history and ignore the other 1,500 years of Germany," Macgregor said in a 2018 interview. "And Germany played a critical role in central Europe in terms of defending and preserving Western civilization. So I think that's, that's the problem."
Macgregor has also downplayed the threats posed by both China and Iran.
In May 2019, just days after Iran attacked commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, Macgregor said "there's no evidence that Iran wants to attack us." He downplayed the threat posed by China as the coronavirus began to spread across the globe and the communist government spread lies about its origin and potential harm.
"China's economic power—its ability to influence and shape markets—is a threat to some extent," Macgregor told Sky News in February. "We don't feel any threat, any genuine threat, in my judgement at all. If you look at China's nuclear power, they have roughly 300-350 nuclear weapons, and they haven't added to those.… I don't see China as an aggressive, expansionist military power, and so I frankly don't sign on for that particular interpretation."
Macgregor would replace Richard Grenell, who used the post to increase economic sanctions on Iran and push Berlin to cut ties with Iranian businesses and support the Trump administration’s international efforts to isolate Tehran, including at the United Nations.


freebeacon--2020-08-10--BEASTMODE: Bill Barr Sums Up Why the Left Lusts After Power

Attorney General Bill Barr sat down with Mark Levin this weekend to discuss the range of threats to law and @ @ @ @ @ about what drives the radical left was especially profound .

Attorney General Bill Barr sat down with Mark Levin this weekend to discuss the range of threats to law and order, and his conclusion about what drives the radical left was especially profound.


freebeacon--2020-08-10--Howard Dean Backs China Sanctions Against Hawley, Cruz, Rubio

Former Vermont governor and Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean endorsed the Chinese government 's sanctions against Republican senators and called for their expulsion from the United States .
Dean tweeted support for Beijing 's decision to impose economic sanctions on 11 U.S. legislators and human-rights activists , including Republican senators Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo . )
, Marco Rubio ( Fla. ) and Ted Cruz ( Texas ) .
The measures are in response to the Trump administration 's decision to sanction top Hong Kong officials for participating in Beijing 's crackdown on the pro-democracy movement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ too.
, [ sic . ]
Can we send them to Beijing permanently , '' Dean wrote on Monday in a tweet linking to a news article about the sanctions .
Dean did not respond to a request for comment .
The former Democratic leader published the tweet after Chinese authorities arrested Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai on Monday and raided the newsroom of Apple Daily , a pro-democracy newspaper owned by Lai .
Dean , who ran for president in 2004 and was DNC chairman from 2005 to 2009 , serves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy division of Dentons , the largest law firm in the world .
The company , which merged with China 's largest law firm Dacheng in 2015 , has significant business interests in China .
The Intercept reported that the merger allowed Chinese clients to access Dean and other politically connected Americans that are on Dentons 's payroll .
Dean is the latest Democrat to introduce domestic partisan squabbles to debates over America 's foreign relations with China .
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in March , Democrats led by Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rallied against a bipartisan House bill that condemned the Chinese government 's handling of the pandemic , pressuring the bill 's Democratic cosponsor into withdrawing his support for the legislation .
Chu then claimed that the bill imperiled the lives of Asian Americans by linking the outbreak to China .

Former Vermont governor and Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean endorsed the Chinese government's sanctions against Republican senators and called for their expulsion from the United States.
Dean tweeted support for Beijing's decision to impose economic sanctions on 11 U.S. legislators and human-rights activists, including Republican senators Josh Hawley (R., Mo.), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Ted Cruz (Texas). The measures are in response to the Trump administration's decision to sanction top Hong Kong officials for participating in Beijing's crackdown on the pro-democracy movement.
"We'd like to sanction them too., [sic.] Can we send them to Beijing permanently," Dean wrote on Monday in a tweet linking to a news article about the sanctions.
We’d like to sanction them too.,Can we send them to Beijing permanently. https://t.co/TaGBtWoUb1 — Howard Dean (@GovHowardDean) August 10, 2020
Dean did not respond to a request for comment.
The former Democratic leader published the tweet after Chinese authorities arrested Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai on Monday and raided the newsroom of Apple Daily, a pro-democracy newspaper owned by Lai.
Dean, who ran for president in 2004 and was DNC chairman from 2005 to 2009, serves as a senior adviser to the public policy division of Dentons, the largest law firm in the world. The company, which merged with China's largest law firm Dacheng in 2015, has significant business interests in China. The Intercept reported that the merger allowed Chinese clients to access Dean and other politically connected Americans that are on Dentons's payroll.
Dean is the latest Democrat to introduce domestic partisan squabbles to debates over America's foreign relations with China. During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in March, Democrats led by Rep. Judy Chu (D., Calif.) rallied against a bipartisan House bill that condemned the Chinese government's handling of the pandemic, pressuring the bill's Democratic cosponsor into withdrawing his support for the legislation. Chu then claimed that the bill imperiled the lives of Asian Americans by linking the outbreak to China.


freebeacon--2020-08-10--Black NYC Lawmakers Speak Out Against ‘Defund the Police’

Black lawmakers in New York City are speaking out against leftists ' calls to defund the police , arguing that cutting the city ’ s police force would hurt communities where shooting and homicide rates have surged this summer , the New York Times reported .
West Bronx councilwoman Vanessa Gibson told the Times she disagreed with Democratic mayor Bill de Blasio 's $ 1 billion cut to the NYPD 's budget and that her constituents actually want to see police in their communities .
Brooklyn councilwoman Laurie Cumbo likened defunding the police to the `` white progressive '' push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleague Robert Cornegy Jr. called the movement `` political gentrification . ''
Newark , New Jersey , mayor Ras Baraka ( D. ) also spoke to the Times and called defunding the police a `` bourgeois liberal '' movement .
The report follows a Gallup poll released last week , which found that more than 80 percent of black Americans favor maintaining or increasing police presence in their communities .
As activists continue to push defunding the police , shootings in New York City have spiked .
According to the latest NYPD crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent .
With 793 shootings this year , the city has already surpassed the total number of shootings in 2019 and is on track to have more than 800 shootings for the first time in three years .

Black lawmakers in New York City are speaking out against leftists' calls to defund the police, arguing that cutting the city’s police force would hurt communities where shooting and homicide rates have surged this summer, the New York Times reported.
West Bronx councilwoman Vanessa Gibson told the Times she disagreed with Democratic mayor Bill de Blasio's $1 billion cut to the NYPD's budget and that her constituents actually want to see police in their communities. Brooklyn councilwoman Laurie Cumbo likened defunding the police to the "white progressive" push to teach "colonization." Her colleague Robert Cornegy Jr. called the movement "political gentrification."
Newark, New Jersey, mayor Ras Baraka (D.) also spoke to the Times and called defunding the police a "bourgeois liberal" movement.
The report follows a Gallup poll released last week, which found that more than 80 percent of black Americans favor maintaining or increasing police presence in their communities.
As activists continue to push defunding the police, shootings in New York City have spiked. According to the latest NYPD crime statistics, year-to-date shootings are up 76 percent. With 793 shootings this year, the city has already surpassed the total number of shootings in 2019 and is on track to have more than 800 shootings for the first time in three years.


freebeacon--2020-08-10--Gulf States Join Calls for Iran Arms Embargo Extension

In a rare joint statement , the six-country Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) submitted a plea to the U.N. Security Council to extend the contested Iran arms embargo set to expire in October , The Times of Israel reported Sunday .
The letter from the gulf states of Bahrain , Kuwait , Oman , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , and the United Arab Emirates charges that Iran has `` not ceased or desisted from armed interventions in neighboring countries , directly and through organizations and movements armed and trained by Iran . ''
`` As such , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons ’ movement to and from Iran until it abandons its destabilizing activities in the region and ceases to provide weapons to terrorist and sectarian organizations , '' the statement adds .
The GCC letter is an added push to Washington ’ s renewed focus on Iran .
Last week , the White House and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo undertook a final effort at extending the embargo , which restricts Tehran 's ability to buy and sell military arms .
Muscled-up sanctions on Iran also come as U.S. counterintelligence officials have revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 election .
A Friday report from the office of the Director of National Intelligence concluded that Iran plans to spread disinformation to prevent President Donald Trump ’ s reelection .
`` Driven by a perception that President Trump ’ s reelection would result in a continuation of U.S. pressure on Iran in an effort to foment regime change , '' Iran will continue spreading anti-U.S. information online , the report says .

In a rare joint statement, the six-country Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) submitted a plea to the U.N. Security Council to extend the contested Iran arms embargo set to expire in October, The Times of Israel reported Sunday.
The letter from the gulf states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates charges that Iran has "not ceased or desisted from armed interventions in neighboring countries, directly and through organizations and movements armed and trained by Iran."
"As such, it is inappropriate to lift the restrictions on conventional weapons’ movement to and from Iran until it abandons its destabilizing activities in the region and ceases to provide weapons to terrorist and sectarian organizations," the statement adds.
The GCC letter is an added push to Washington’s renewed focus on Iran. Last week, the White House and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo undertook a final effort at extending the embargo, which restricts Tehran's ability to buy and sell military arms.
Muscled-up sanctions on Iran also come as U.S. counterintelligence officials have revealed Tehran’s operations to interfere with the 2020 election. A Friday report from the office of the Director of National Intelligence concluded that Iran plans to spread disinformation to prevent President Donald Trump’s reelection.
"Driven by a perception that President Trump’s reelection would result in a continuation of U.S. pressure on Iran in an effort to foment regime change," Iran will continue spreading anti-U.S. information online, the report says.


freebeacon--2020-08-10--WaPo Knocks McGrath for ‘Grossly Misleading’ Attack on McConnell

A Washington Post fact-check found Amy McGrath , the Democrat challenging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) , used a misleading attack on McConnell 's wealth .
McGrath 's ad attacked McConnell for having allegedly `` made millions from China , '' although the ad did not specify exactly how it was alleging McConnell profited .
The fact-check described the attack as `` grossly misleading '' and awarded it `` Three Pinocchios . ''
`` His trade deals made China richer , their military stronger .
They 're spying on us .
And they did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's narrator said .
`` Oh , and Mitch made millions from China .
Thirty-six years is long enough . ''
The fact-check , however , pointed out McConnell 's wealth comes from marrying into a wealthy family with a successful international business , making the claim that McConnell unethically profits from trade with China `` grossly misleading . ''
McConnell has a net worth of more than $ 34 million , most of that coming from his marriage to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao , who received a significant inheritance after her mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve given these ads Three Pinocchios before and will do so again .
McConnell became rich because he married into a wealthy family with a profitable business .
Specifically , his wife , Elaine Chao , received an inheritance from her mother , '' it stated .
`` To say McConnell ‘ made millions from China ' is grossly misleading .
American companies do not become less American by establishing successful shipping routes in the South China Sea . ''
The Chao family 's shipping company has done business in China for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her time in President Donald Trump 's cabinet .
Chao 's family has also financially supported McConnell 's campaigns .
McGrath 's attacks on McConnell have run afoul of the facts repeatedly .
It was the Post ‘ s own opinion page where McGrath borrowed one of her false attacks , although the Post later corrected the claim that McConnell had delayed the vote on a coronavirus relief package .
McGrath also used images of coal miners to argue McConnell did n't do anything to help their health problems , but the coal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanded their faces not appear in McGrath 's ads .

A Washington Post fact-check found Amy McGrath, the Democrat challenging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), used a misleading attack on McConnell's wealth.
McGrath's ad attacked McConnell for having allegedly "made millions from China," although the ad did not specify exactly how it was alleging McConnell profited. The fact-check described the attack as "grossly misleading" and awarded it "Three Pinocchios."
"His trade deals made China richer, their military stronger. They're spying on us. And they didn't stop the coronavirus," the ad's narrator said. "Oh, and Mitch made millions from China. Thirty-six years is long enough."
The fact-check, however, pointed out McConnell's wealth comes from marrying into a wealthy family with a successful international business, making the claim that McConnell unethically profits from trade with China "grossly misleading." McConnell has a net worth of more than $34 million, most of that coming from his marriage to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who received a significant inheritance after her mother's death in 2007.
"We’ve given these ads Three Pinocchios before and will do so again. McConnell became rich because he married into a wealthy family with a profitable business. Specifically, his wife, Elaine Chao, received an inheritance from her mother," it stated. "To say McConnell 'made millions from China' is grossly misleading. American companies do not become less American by establishing successful shipping routes in the South China Sea."
The Chao family's shipping company has done business in China for years, which has raised concerns during her time in President Donald Trump's cabinet. Chao's family has also financially supported McConnell's campaigns.
McGrath's attacks on McConnell have run afoul of the facts repeatedly. It was the Post's own opinion page where McGrath borrowed one of her false attacks, although the Post later corrected the claim that McConnell had delayed the vote on a coronavirus relief package. McGrath also used images of coal miners to argue McConnell didn't do anything to help their health problems, but the coal miners contradicted her claim about McConnell and demanded their faces not appear in McGrath's ads.


freebeacon--2020-08-10--As Potential Veep, Susan Rice and Husband Stepped Up Contributions to Biden Campaign

Susan Rice and her multimillionaire husband have poured thousands of dollars into Joe Biden 's presidential campaign , substantially increasing their contributions as the former national security adviser was floated as a potential running mate .
Rice and her husband , the former ABC News producer Ian Cameron , increased their contributions to Biden as Rice 's name moved to the top of his list of vice presidential options , campaign finance records show , funneling $ 24,000 to Biden in the month of June alone .
The sum marks a vast increase over their previous giving : Prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of $ 5,800 to the campaign over the course of the cycle .
On June 2 , two days before CNN reported that Rice was among eight women who had met with the campaign , Cameron cut a $ 5,600 check to the Biden Victory Fund , his largest contribution of the cycle .
Cameron donated another $ 5,600 to the Biden Victory Fund three weeks later on June 26 , the same day Rice herself gave $ 12,800 , bringing the total to $ 24,000 .
News reports have indicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a senior position in the Biden administration .
But her star has risen in recent months as her name was floated as a finalist for the vice presidential nomination .
Rice has openly lobbied for the position , telling NPR she was `` honored and humbled '' to be considered and that her experience would make her an effective member of the executive branch .
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the contributions .
It is unclear whether the couple has contributed to the campaign since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in filings released later this month .
Cameron and Rice had already made over a dozen contributions this cycle directly to the Biden campaign totaling $ 5,802 .
The larger contributions to the Biden Victory Fund in June were split between the campaign , the Democratic National Committee , and local party organizations working to elect Biden .
Rice first made her political ambitions known in 2018 when she put her name forward to run for U.S. Senate in Maine against longtime Republican Susan Collins .
Though she did n't end up running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was viewed as an `` emphatic declaration of new political aspirations '' to decision makers in the Democratic Party .
Rice now finds herself on the short list for Biden , who declared early in his search that he would pick a woman to join him on the ticket .
Other reported finalists are Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer , Rep. Karen Bass ( D. , Calif. ) , and Rep. Val Demmings ( D. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekend that he had made a decision and is expected to announce his pick this week .

Susan Rice and her multimillionaire husband have poured thousands of dollars into Joe Biden's presidential campaign, substantially increasing their contributions as the former national security adviser was floated as a potential running mate.
Rice and her husband, the former ABC News producer Ian Cameron, increased their contributions to Biden as Rice's name moved to the top of his list of vice presidential options, campaign finance records show, funneling $24,000 to Biden in the month of June alone. The sum marks a vast increase over their previous giving: Prior to that time, the couple had contributed a total of $5,800 to the campaign over the course of the cycle.
On June 2, two days before CNN reported that Rice was among eight women who had met with the campaign, Cameron cut a $5,600 check to the Biden Victory Fund, his largest contribution of the cycle. Cameron donated another $5,600 to the Biden Victory Fund three weeks later on June 26, the same day Rice herself gave $12,800, bringing the total to $24,000.
News reports have indicated since March that Rice is under consideration for a senior position in the Biden administration. But her star has risen in recent months as her name was floated as a finalist for the vice presidential nomination. Rice has openly lobbied for the position, telling NPR she was "honored and humbled" to be considered and that her experience would make her an effective member of the executive branch.
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the contributions. It is unclear whether the couple has contributed to the campaign since June, a revelation that will come in filings released later this month.
Cameron and Rice had already made over a dozen contributions this cycle directly to the Biden campaign totaling $5,802. The larger contributions to the Biden Victory Fund in June were split between the campaign, the Democratic National Committee, and local party organizations working to elect Biden.
Rice first made her political ambitions known in 2018 when she put her name forward to run for U.S. Senate in Maine against longtime Republican Susan Collins. Though she didn't end up running for the office, her stated interest was viewed as an "emphatic declaration of new political aspirations" to decision makers in the Democratic Party.
Rice now finds herself on the short list for Biden, who declared early in his search that he would pick a woman to join him on the ticket. Other reported finalists are Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, Rep. Karen Bass (D., Calif.), and Rep. Val Demmings (D., Fla.).
Biden said over the weekend that he had made a decision and is expected to announce his pick this week.


freebeacon--2020-08-10--Lebanon Government Set to Resign Amid Outrage Over Beirut Blast – Minister

BEIRUT ( Reuters ) – Lebanon ’ s prime minister was set on Monday to announce the resignation of his government , the health minister said , after a devastating explosion in Beirut that has stirred public outrage and spurred a string of ministers to step down .
The Aug. 4 port warehouse detonation of more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate killed at least 163 people , injured over 6,000 and destroyed swathes of the bustling Mediterranean capital , compounding months of political and economic meltdown .
Demonstrations broke out again in central Beirut , with some protesters hurling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading to the parliament building , who responded with tear gas .
The cabinet , formed in January with the backing of the powerful Iranian-backed Hezbollah group and its allies , met on Monday , with many ministers wanting to resign , according to ministerial and political sources .
Health Minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters that Prime Minister Hassan Diab would soon announce the resignation of the entire cabinet .
Diab , who said on Saturday he would request early parliamentary elections , was set to deliver an address to the nation at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , his office said .
`` The entire regime needs to change .
It will make no difference if there is a new government , '' Joe Haddad , a Beirut engineer , told Reuters .
`` We need quick elections . ''
For many ordinary Lebanese , the explosion was the last straw in a protracted crisis over the collapse of the economy , endemic corruption , waste and dysfunctional governance , and they have taken to the streets demanding root-and-branch change .
The information and environment ministers quit on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the justice minister followed them out the door on Monday .
Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni , a key negotiator with the IMF over a rescue plan to help Lebanon exit a financial crisis , was set to resign , a source close to him said .
Lebanon ’ s president had previously said explosive material was stored unsafely for years at the port .
He later said the investigation would consider whether the cause was external interference as well as negligence or an accident .
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a virtual briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was important that a `` credible and transparent investigation determine the cause of the explosion and bring about the accountability demanded by the Lebanese people '' .
`` It is also important that reforms be implemented so as to address the needs of the Lebanese people for the longer term , '' he told the briefing on the humanitarian situation in Lebanon .
The Lebanese army said on Monday that another five bodies were pulled from the rubble , raising the death toll to 163 .
Search and rescue operations continued .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the blast to the judicial council , the highest legal authority whose rulings can not be appealed , a ministerial source and state news agency NNA said .
The council usually handles top security cases .
Anti-government protests in the past two days have been the biggest since October , when angry demonstrations spread over an economic crisis rooted in pervasive graft , mismanagement and high-level unaccountability .
Lebanese , meanwhile , are struggling to come to terms with the scale of losses after the blast wrecked entire areas .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have no way of making money again , '' said Eli Abi Hanna , whose house and car repair shop were destroyed .
`` It was easier to make money during the civil war .
The politicians and the economic disaster have ruined everything . ''
Officials have estimated losses of around $ 15 billion from the explosion .
Lebanon can not afford that after having defaulted on debt exceeding 150 % of economic output , and with talks stalled on a lifeline from the International Monetary Fund .
An international donor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 253 million euros ( $ 298 million ) for immediate humanitarian relief , but foreign countries are demanding transparency over how the aid is used .
Some Lebanese doubt change is possible in a country where sectarian politicians have dominated since the 1975-90 conflict .
`` It won ’ t work , it ’ s just the same people .
It ’ s a mafia , '' said Antoinette Baaklini , an employee of an electricity company that was demolished in the blast .
Additional reporting by Laila Bassam and Samia Nakhoul in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous ; Editing by Mark Heinrich , William Maclean

By Michael Gorgy
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon’s prime minister was set on Monday to announce the resignation of his government, the health minister said, after a devastating explosion in Beirut that has stirred public outrage and spurred a string of ministers to step down.
The Aug. 4 port warehouse detonation of more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate killed at least 163 people, injured over 6,000 and destroyed swathes of the bustling Mediterranean capital, compounding months of political and economic meltdown.
Demonstrations broke out again in central Beirut, with some protesters hurling rocks at security forces guarding an entrance leading to the parliament building, who responded with tear gas.
The cabinet, formed in January with the backing of the powerful Iranian-backed Hezbollah group and its allies, met on Monday, with many ministers wanting to resign, according to ministerial and political sources.
Health Minister Hamad Hasan told Reuters that Prime Minister Hassan Diab would soon announce the resignation of the entire cabinet. Diab, who said on Saturday he would request early parliamentary elections, was set to deliver an address to the nation at 7:30 p.m. local time (1630 GMT), his office said.
"The entire regime needs to change. It will make no difference if there is a new government," Joe Haddad, a Beirut engineer, told Reuters. "We need quick elections."
For many ordinary Lebanese, the explosion was the last straw in a protracted crisis over the collapse of the economy, endemic corruption, waste and dysfunctional governance, and they have taken to the streets demanding root-and-branch change.
The information and environment ministers quit on Sunday as well as several lawmakers, and the justice minister followed them out the door on Monday. Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni, a key negotiator with the IMF over a rescue plan to help Lebanon exit a financial crisis, was set to resign, a source close to him said.
Lebanon’s president had previously said explosive material was stored unsafely for years at the port. He later said the investigation would consider whether the cause was external interference as well as negligence or an accident.
ACCOUNTABILITY
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a virtual briefing of U.N. member states on Monday that it was important that a "credible and transparent investigation determine the cause of the explosion and bring about the accountability demanded by the Lebanese people".
"It is also important that reforms be implemented so as to address the needs of the Lebanese people for the longer term," he told the briefing on the humanitarian situation in Lebanon.
The Lebanese army said on Monday that another five bodies were pulled from the rubble, raising the death toll to 163. Search and rescue operations continued.
The cabinet decided to refer the investigation of the blast to the judicial council, the highest legal authority whose rulings cannot be appealed, a ministerial source and state news agency NNA said. The council usually handles top security cases.
Anti-government protests in the past two days have been the biggest since October, when angry demonstrations spread over an economic crisis rooted in pervasive graft, mismanagement and high-level unaccountability.
Lebanese, meanwhile, are struggling to come to terms with the scale of losses after the blast wrecked entire areas.
"The economy was already a disaster and now I have no way of making money again," said Eli Abi Hanna, whose house and car repair shop were destroyed. "It was easier to make money during the civil war. The politicians and the economic disaster have ruined everything."
Officials have estimated losses of around $15 billion from the explosion. Lebanon cannot afford that after having defaulted on debt exceeding 150% of economic output, and with talks stalled on a lifeline from the International Monetary Fund.
An international donor conference on Sunday raised pledges worth nearly 253 million euros ($298 million) for immediate humanitarian relief, but foreign countries are demanding transparency over how the aid is used.
Some Lebanese doubt change is possible in a country where sectarian politicians have dominated since the 1975-90 conflict.
"It won’t work, it’s just the same people. It’s a mafia," said Antoinette Baaklini, an employee of an electricity company that was demolished in the blast.
Additional reporting by Laila Bassam and Samia Nakhoul in Beirut, Michelle Nichols in New York; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Mark Heinrich, William Maclean


freebeacon--2020-08-10--Putin Pushes for More Integration With Belarus After Election Unrest

MOSCOW ( Reuters ) – President Vladimir Putin said on Monday he wanted neighbouring Belarus to reactivate stalled plans for more integration with Russia after a contested election win left Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko , an on-off Russian ally , on the defensive .
Putin made his suggestion as the opposition in Belarus rejected official election results handing Lukashenko a landslide re-election victory , saying that talks needed to begin on a peaceful transfer of power .
Thousands of people unhappy with the results clashed with police across Belarus on Sunday night .
The Russian leader has long pushed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a unified state , something Lukashenko has so far rejected , accusing Russia of wanting to swallow up his country of 9.5 million people .
Belarus is a key transit country for Russian oil flowing to the West , and Moscow has long viewed it as a useful buffer zone between itself and NATO .
`` I hope your state activity will facilitate mutually beneficial Russian-Belarusian relations in all areas , deepen cooperation within the Union State , and build up integration processes , '' Putin said in a congratulatory telegram to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would opt , too , for closer military-political ties with Russia inside a defence bloc that they both belong to .
There was no immediate response from Lukashenko , a 65-year-old former collective farm manager who has spent years trying to play Russia off against the West and China , blowing hot and cold on closer ties to Moscow .
He has previously baulked at closer ties after Russia scaled back subsidies to the Belarusian energy sector , and in a pre-election speech excoriated Russia , saying Moscow had downgraded formerly brotherly relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said last week that oil disputes with Russia had deprived his country of $ 700 million after the two countries failed to agree an oil supply contract earlier this year .
He has also rejected Russian overtures to open an air base on Belarusian soil and accused a group of detained Russian private security contractors of flying into Belarus before the election to help bring about a revolution , something Moscow has flatly denied .
Putin is not the only one watching events in Russia ’ s tiny neighbour .
The anti-Kremlin opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how effective the Belarusian opposition play-book is , saying they believe Russia will face a similar scenario to Belarus when Putin is next up for re-election in 2024 .

By Andrew Osborn and Tom Balmforth
MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Monday he wanted neighbouring Belarus to reactivate stalled plans for more integration with Russia after a contested election win left Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, an on-off Russian ally, on the defensive.
Putin made his suggestion as the opposition in Belarus rejected official election results handing Lukashenko a landslide re-election victory, saying that talks needed to begin on a peaceful transfer of power.
Thousands of people unhappy with the results clashed with police across Belarus on Sunday night.
The Russian leader has long pushed for closer ties with Minsk under the auspices of a unified state, something Lukashenko has so far rejected, accusing Russia of wanting to swallow up his country of 9.5 million people.
Belarus is a key transit country for Russian oil flowing to the West, and Moscow has long viewed it as a useful buffer zone between itself and NATO.
"I hope your state activity will facilitate mutually beneficial Russian-Belarusian relations in all areas, deepen cooperation within the Union State, and build up integration processes," Putin said in a congratulatory telegram to Lukashenko.
Putin said he hoped Belarus would opt, too, for closer military-political ties with Russia inside a defence bloc that they both belong to.
There was no immediate response from Lukashenko, a 65-year-old former collective farm manager who has spent years trying to play Russia off against the West and China, blowing hot and cold on closer ties to Moscow.
He has previously baulked at closer ties after Russia scaled back subsidies to the Belarusian energy sector, and in a pre-election speech excoriated Russia, saying Moscow had downgraded formerly brotherly relations to those of a partnership.
Lukashenko said last week that oil disputes with Russia had deprived his country of $700 million after the two countries failed to agree an oil supply contract earlier this year.
He has also rejected Russian overtures to open an air base on Belarusian soil and accused a group of detained Russian private security contractors of flying into Belarus before the election to help bring about a revolution, something Moscow has flatly denied.
Putin is not the only one watching events in Russia’s tiny neighbour.
The anti-Kremlin opposition say they are following closely to see how effective the Belarusian opposition play-book is, saying they believe Russia will face a similar scenario to Belarus when Putin is next up for re-election in 2024.
Additional reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Catherine Evans


freebeacon--2020-08-10--Willie Brown Advises Ex-Girlfriend Harris to Reject VP Slot

Former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown says ex-girlfriend Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) should decline Joe Biden 's offer to be his running mate if it is offered , calling the position a political `` dead end . ''
`` Being picked for the vice presidency is obviously a huge honor , and if Biden wins , Harris would make history by being the first woman to hold the job .
But the glory would be short-lived , and historically , the vice presidency has often ended up being a dead end , '' Brown wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is 31 years Brown 's junior , dated him in the mid-1990s when he was speaker of the California State Assembly .
While they were dating , he appointed Harris to the high-paying California Medical Assistance Commission and Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board .
Harris split up with Brown shortly before he became San Francisco mayor in 1996 .
Brown suggested Harris seek the position of attorney general if Biden wins instead , repeatedly citing its `` power . ''
`` The attorney general has legitimate power , '' Brown wrote .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boss can make a real mark on everything from police reform to racial justice to prosecuting corporate misdeeds .
And the attorney general gets to name every U.S. attorney in the country .
That ’ s power . ''
Harris was California 's attorney general before winning a U.S. Senate seat in 2016 , and her prosecutorial record came under fire during her unsuccessful bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination .
Biden has pledged his vice-presidential pick will be a woman , and Harris , former national security adviser Susan Rice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer ( D. ) are those reportedly under serious consideration .
Harris briefly surged in the 2020 presidential race after she attacked Biden 's racial record and position on `` busing '' last year , but her campaign never gained serious traction , and she dropped out in December .

Former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown says ex-girlfriend Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) should decline Joe Biden's offer to be his running mate if it is offered, calling the position a political "dead end."
"Being picked for the vice presidency is obviously a huge honor, and if Biden wins, Harris would make history by being the first woman to hold the job. But the glory would be short-lived, and historically, the vice presidency has often ended up being a dead end," Brown wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Harris, who is 31 years Brown's junior, dated him in the mid-1990s when he was speaker of the California State Assembly. While they were dating, he appointed Harris to the high-paying California Medical Assistance Commission and Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. Harris split up with Brown shortly before he became San Francisco mayor in 1996.
Brown suggested Harris seek the position of attorney general if Biden wins instead, repeatedly citing its "power."
"The attorney general has legitimate power," Brown wrote. "From atop the Justice Department, the boss can make a real mark on everything from police reform to racial justice to prosecuting corporate misdeeds. And the attorney general gets to name every U.S. attorney in the country. That’s power."
Harris was California's attorney general before winning a U.S. Senate seat in 2016, and her prosecutorial record came under fire during her unsuccessful bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
Biden has pledged his vice-presidential pick will be a woman, and Harris, former national security adviser Susan Rice, Rep. Karen Bass (D., Calif.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer (D.) are those reportedly under serious consideration.
Harris briefly surged in the 2020 presidential race after she attacked Biden's racial record and position on "busing" last year, but her campaign never gained serious traction, and she dropped out in December.


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Amy McGrath Habitually Failed to Pay Property Taxes

Kentucky Democratic Senate nominee Amy McGrath was penalized for delinquent property tax payments on her Virginia home six times in five years , local real estate records show .
McGrath and her husband purchased a $ 739,000 home in Alexandria , Va. , in November 2010 .
According to the city 's real estate assessment office , the couple was up to five months late on six semi-annual property tax payments between November 2011 and October 2016 , garnering fines of about $ 500 for the delinquent payments .
McGrath sold the home for $ 835,000—a $ 96,000 profit—in October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP congressman Andy Barr .
She lost to the Kentucky Republican by nearly 10,000 votes in 2018 despite outspending Barr by more than $ 2.5 million in a Democratic wave election .
The McGrath campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the delinquent payments .
While many homeowners pay property taxes out of an escrow account managed by their mortgage lender , escrow is not required if the owner holds at least 20 percent equity in their home .
McGrath received a loan for $ 591,200—80 percent of the Alexandria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was eligible to waive the escrow account and make property tax payments on her own .
McGrath narrowly emerged from the state 's Democratic Senate primary in June , defeating progressive state legislator Charles Booker by fewer than 3 points .
She spent nearly $ 30 million on the primary while Booker spent just $ 4.2 million .
Booker endorsed McGrath on Friday , more than a month after the primary result was finalized on June 30 .
While McGrath has acknowledged the need to win over Booker 's progressive base to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R. ) , the state legislator 's support did not come without criticism .
In his statement endorsing McGrath , Booker `` urged her to authentically listen to and lift up the people of Kentucky , '' assuring progressives that he would not give McGrath `` a pass to maintain the status quo . ''
He did not explicitly urge his supporters to vote for McGrath , instead asking them to give her a `` chance to earn your vote . ''
`` I hope everyone who supported my campaign joins me in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her the chance to earn your vote , '' Booker said in a statement .
McGrath 's bid to unseat McConnell has further cemented her status as a strong national fundraiser with limited local appeal .
An August 6 Quinnipiac University poll found that just 32 percent of Kentucky voters view the Democrat favorably .
In addition , just 17 percent of McGrath voters said they support her `` mainly because [ they ] like Amy McGrath . ''
Just 3.5 percent of McGrath 's campaign cash comes from within Kentucky , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Kentucky Democratic Senate nominee Amy McGrath was penalized for delinquent property tax payments on her Virginia home six times in five years, local real estate records show.
McGrath and her husband purchased a $739,000 home in Alexandria, Va., in November 2010. According to the city's real estate assessment office, the couple was up to five months late on six semi-annual property tax payments between November 2011 and October 2016, garnering fines of about $500 for the delinquent payments.
McGrath sold the home for $835,000—a $96,000 profit—in October 2016 to move to Kentucky and challenge GOP congressman Andy Barr. She lost to the Kentucky Republican by nearly 10,000 votes in 2018 despite outspending Barr by more than $2.5 million in a Democratic wave election.
The McGrath campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the delinquent payments.
While many homeowners pay property taxes out of an escrow account managed by their mortgage lender, escrow is not required if the owner holds at least 20 percent equity in their home. McGrath received a loan for $591,200—80 percent of the Alexandria home's sale price—in 2010, meaning she was eligible to waive the escrow account and make property tax payments on her own.
McGrath narrowly emerged from the state's Democratic Senate primary in June, defeating progressive state legislator Charles Booker by fewer than 3 points. She spent nearly $30 million on the primary while Booker spent just $4.2 million.
Booker endorsed McGrath on Friday, more than a month after the primary result was finalized on June 30. While McGrath has acknowledged the need to win over Booker's progressive base to defeat Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R.), the state legislator's support did not come without criticism. In his statement endorsing McGrath, Booker "urged her to authentically listen to and lift up the people of Kentucky," assuring progressives that he would not give McGrath "a pass to maintain the status quo." He did not explicitly urge his supporters to vote for McGrath, instead asking them to give her a "chance to earn your vote."
"I hope everyone who supported my campaign joins me in earnestly engaging Amy's campaign and giving her the chance to earn your vote," Booker said in a statement.
McGrath's bid to unseat McConnell has further cemented her status as a strong national fundraiser with limited local appeal. An August 6 Quinnipiac University poll found that just 32 percent of Kentucky voters view the Democrat favorably. In addition, just 17 percent of McGrath voters said they support her "mainly because [they] like Amy McGrath." Just 3.5 percent of McGrath's campaign cash comes from within Kentucky, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Pro-Lifers Rip Biden for Picking ‘Abortion Extremist’ Harris

Pro-life activists criticized presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden on Tuesday for choosing Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) as his running mate because of Harris 's ardent support of abortion .
Marjorie Dannenfelser , president of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List , pointed to Harris 's ongoing legal conflict with undercover journalist David Daleiden as evidence of her abortion `` extremism . ''
When Daleiden publicly exposed that abortionists sold harvested body parts from babies , then-state attorney general Harris launched an investigation into the journalists .
Dannenfelser said the move was motivated by Harris 's war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from abortion lobbyists .
`` Kamala Harris is an extremist who supports abortion on demand through birth , paid for by taxpayers , and even infanticide , '' Dannenfelser said in a statement .
`` It is no surprise Joe Biden chose such an extremist as his running mate . ''
Jeanne Mancini , president of the March for Life , said in a statement that the Biden-Harris ticket is `` perhaps the most pro-abortion in history . ''
Biden 's selection of Harris comes after a contentious primary race between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 primary debate for changing his long-standing support for the Hyde Amendment , which bars federal taxpayer dollars from paying for abortions .
`` On the Hyde Amendment , vice president , where you made a decision for years to withhold resources to poor women to have access to reproductive health care , including women who were the victims of rape and incest , do you now say that you have evolved and you regret that ? ''
Harris asked Biden .
She criticized him for only changing his position when he started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September primary debate , Harris drew attention to abortion rights by tweeting that the debate did not involve any questions regarding abortion .
At the next debate , Harris criticized states that have passed abortion reform , saying `` women will die '' because of the limitations .
She also proposed a reproductive rights bill modeled on the Voting Rights Act that would require states that passed legislation restricting access to abortion to get approval from the Justice Department .
Biden has promised to codify abortion rights into law if elected president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ desk of the United States Congress when I 'm elected , if I 'm elected president , a codification of Roe v. Wade amended by Casey , '' he said .

Pro-life activists criticized presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden on Tuesday for choosing Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) as his running mate because of Harris's ardent support of abortion.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List, pointed to Harris's ongoing legal conflict with undercover journalist David Daleiden as evidence of her abortion "extremism." When Daleiden publicly exposed that abortionists sold harvested body parts from babies, then-state attorney general Harris launched an investigation into the journalists. Dannenfelser said the move was motivated by Harris's war chest and the thousands she had collected from abortion lobbyists.
"Kamala Harris is an extremist who supports abortion on demand through birth, paid for by taxpayers, and even infanticide," Dannenfelser said in a statement. "It is no surprise Joe Biden chose such an extremist as his running mate."
Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life, said in a statement that the Biden-Harris ticket is "perhaps the most pro-abortion in history."
Biden's selection of Harris comes after a contentious primary race between the two candidates. Harris criticized Biden during a 2019 primary debate for changing his long-standing support for the Hyde Amendment, which bars federal taxpayer dollars from paying for abortions.
"On the Hyde Amendment, vice president, where you made a decision for years to withhold resources to poor women to have access to reproductive health care, including women who were the victims of rape and incest, do you now say that you have evolved and you regret that?" Harris asked Biden. She criticized him for only changing his position when he started his current presidential run.
After the September primary debate, Harris drew attention to abortion rights by tweeting that the debate did not involve any questions regarding abortion. At the next debate, Harris criticized states that have passed abortion reform, saying "women will die" because of the limitations.
She also proposed a reproductive rights bill modeled on the Voting Rights Act that would require states that passed legislation restricting access to abortion to get approval from the Justice Department.
Biden has promised to codify abortion rights into law if elected president. "I would send immediately to the desk of the United States Congress when I'm elected, if I'm elected president, a codification of Roe v. Wade amended by Casey," he said.


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Atlantic Council Publishes ‘Analysis’ From Former Turkish Government Official

The Atlantic Council on Tuesday published an analysis from a former Turkish economic official plugging Turkey as an attractive place for American companies to relocate—but did not disclose that the author was a foreign government official until December 2019 .
The piece , by Necmettin Kaymaz , a Washington , D.C.-based official who was until late last year a senior official at Turkey 's Investment Office , argues that Turkey 's low-cost labor , among other things , makes it an attractive location for American companies .
`` Turkey ’ s positive attributes make it an attractive alternative for multinational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Kaymaz writes .
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan established the Investment Office in 2018 to promote foreign investment in Turkey , and the office characterizes itself as the `` official organization for promoting Turkey 's investment opportunities to the global business community . ''
The Atlantic Council identified Kaymaz as an `` international investment adviser with over twelve years of experience '' rather than as a former Turkish government official who was until seven months ago paid to promote Turkey as a desirable location to do business .
A spokesman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make `` an immediate correction to the byline '' to note that Kaymaz is a former Turkish government official .
The incident is indicative of the foothold that an array of foreign governments have established in American think tanks .
Those governments bankroll think tanks across Washington , D.C. , and use them to burnish their reputations by underwriting programming and , in some cases , passing off Turkish propaganda as independent scholarship .
At the Atlantic Council , which is bankrolled by two Turkish conglomerates with close relationships to the Erdogan government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from events panelists they perceive as hostile to the Erdogan government , the Washington Free Beacon reported .
The organization hosted an event in April featuring Erdogan ’ s spokesman , Ibrahim Kalin , whom Atlantic Council president Fred Kempe lauded as `` an intellectual force . ''

D.C.-based think tank did not disclose that Necmettin Kaymaz is a former Turkish official
The Atlantic Council on Tuesday published an analysis from a former Turkish economic official plugging Turkey as an attractive place for American companies to relocate—but did not disclose that the author was a foreign government official until December 2019.
The piece, by Necmettin Kaymaz, a Washington, D.C.-based official who was until late last year a senior official at Turkey's Investment Office, argues that Turkey's low-cost labor, among other things, makes it an attractive location for American companies. "Turkey’s positive attributes make it an attractive alternative for multinational companies looking to diversify their supply chains," Kaymaz writes.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan established the Investment Office in 2018 to promote foreign investment in Turkey, and the office characterizes itself as the "official organization for promoting Turkey's investment opportunities to the global business community."
The Atlantic Council identified Kaymaz as an "international investment adviser with over twelve years of experience" rather than as a former Turkish government official who was until seven months ago paid to promote Turkey as a desirable location to do business.
A spokesman for the Atlantic Council said that it would make "an immediate correction to the byline" to note that Kaymaz is a former Turkish government official.
The incident is indicative of the foothold that an array of foreign governments have established in American think tanks. Those governments bankroll think tanks across Washington, D.C., and use them to burnish their reputations by underwriting programming and, in some cases, passing off Turkish propaganda as independent scholarship.
At the Atlantic Council, which is bankrolled by two Turkish conglomerates with close relationships to the Erdogan government, Turkish officials have succeeded in removing from events panelists they perceive as hostile to the Erdogan government, the Washington Free Beacon reported. The organization hosted an event in April featuring Erdogan’s spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, whom Atlantic Council president Fred Kempe lauded as "an intellectual force."


freebeacon--2020-08-11--YOU’VE BEEN WARNED: Kamala Harris Shall Not Be Criticized

Vice presidential candidates typically have to face scrutiny , and Joe Biden 's choice , especially given the presidential candidate 's advanced age and cognitive decline , will be no exception .
He could have done the right thing by choosing his old friend Chris Dodd .
Instead , Biden has selected an old rival , Kamala Harris .
Democratic Party operatives , liberal activists , and media pundits—to the extent there 's a difference—have been preparing for this moment for some time .
An active campaign is underway to shape the media 's coverage of Biden 's female running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism to be off limits .
Last week , for example , a group of liberal activists , including former White House adviser Valerie Jarrett , circulated a memo to `` the most powerful people in media '' offering guidance on how to cover Biden 's running mate .
`` We wanted to respectfully share some thoughts with you about the media 's role in the scrutiny and coverage of women and women of color candidates in general , and the vice-presidential candidate in particular , '' the memo read .
Among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bounds : • Describing a female politician such as Kamala Harris , who launched her career by taking advantage of a noble , powerful man ( Willie Brown ) , as `` ambitious . ''
• Criticizing a female politician such as Amy Klobuchar for abusing members of her staff because it does n't align with stereotypes of women in `` subservient or supportive '' roles .
• Describing a historically unlikable candidate such as Hillary Clinton as being unliked , which is a `` subjective metric at best , '' even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a female public figure 's physical appearance and fashion choices , unless her name is Michelle Obama and her lewk is [ fire emoji ] .
• Reporting on a female candidate 's `` electability , '' as though whether a candidate is likable enough to be elected should be an important consideration .
• Describing female politicians as unqualified or `` reporting on doubts '' about their ability to lead the country without providing additional context regarding the sexist nature of said doubts .
Obviously , this does n't apply to Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are too dumb to be leaders .
• Reporting on the `` heritage '' of non-white candidates , even if they like talking about it themselves , because it `` perpetuates a misunderstanding about who is legitimately American . ''
• Publishing unflattering images , especially ones that portray female candidates as expressing `` anger , '' because it `` perpetuates racist tropes '' and suggests that women are `` too emotional '' and might even `` hate America . ''
The authors further suggest that no coverage of the VP candidate—in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absent an `` internal consideration about systemic inequality '' in America on the part of media institutions .
The liberal activists , of course , `` would be happy to help [ the media ] with this challenge '' but will also be standing by to enforce the guidelines they have set .
`` We intend to collectively and individually monitor coverage and we will call out those we believe take our country backwards with sexist and/or racist coverage , '' the libs wrote in the memo .
`` As we enter another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
We expect change . ''

Vice presidential candidates typically have to face scrutiny, and Joe Biden's choice, especially given the presidential candidate's advanced age and cognitive decline, will be no exception. He could have done the right thing by choosing his old friend Chris Dodd. Instead, Biden has selected an old rival, Kamala Harris.
Democratic Party operatives, liberal activists, and media pundits—to the extent there's a difference—have been preparing for this moment for some time. An active campaign is underway to shape the media's coverage of Biden's female running mate, declaring almost every form of criticism to be off limits.
Last week, for example, a group of liberal activists, including former White House adviser Valerie Jarrett, circulated a memo to "the most powerful people in media" offering guidance on how to cover Biden's running mate.
"We wanted to respectfully share some thoughts with you about the media's role in the scrutiny and coverage of women and women of color candidates in general, and the vice-presidential candidate in particular," the memo read. Among the examples listed of things deemed out of bounds:
Describing a female politician such as Kamala Harris, who launched her career by taking advantage of a noble, powerful man (Willie Brown), as "ambitious."
Criticizing a female politician such as Amy Klobuchar for abusing members of her staff because it doesn't align with stereotypes of women in "subservient or supportive" roles.
Describing a historically unlikable candidate such as Hillary Clinton as being unliked, which is a "subjective metric at best," even though it's not.
Writing about a female public figure's physical appearance and fashion choices, unless her name is Michelle Obama and her lewk is [fire emoji].
Reporting on a female candidate's "electability," as though whether a candidate is likable enough to be elected should be an important consideration.
Describing female politicians as unqualified or "reporting on doubts" about their ability to lead the country without providing additional context regarding the sexist nature of said doubts. Obviously, this doesn't apply to Republican women such as Sarah Palin; they are too dumb to be leaders.
Reporting on the "heritage" of non-white candidates, even if they like talking about it themselves, because it "perpetuates a misunderstanding about who is legitimately American."
Publishing unflattering images, especially ones that portray female candidates as expressing "anger," because it "perpetuates racist tropes" and suggests that women are "too emotional" and might even "hate America."
The authors further suggest that no coverage of the VP candidate—in this case, Harris—will be complete or fair absent an "internal consideration about systemic inequality" in America on the part of media institutions. The liberal activists, of course, "would be happy to help [the media] with this challenge" but will also be standing by to enforce the guidelines they have set.
"We intend to collectively and individually monitor coverage and we will call out those we believe take our country backwards with sexist and/or racist coverage," the libs wrote in the memo. "As we enter another historic moment, we will be watching you. We expect change."


freebeacon--2020-08-11--Pennsylvania Dem Illegally Used Funds to Boost Congressional Bid, Complaint Says

Pennsylvania Democrat Eugene DePasquale illegally used more than $ 130,000 to jump-start his congressional bid , according to a complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission .
DePasquale , the state 's auditor general , used donations to his state campaign coffers to launch his bid against Rep. Scott Perry ( R. , Pa. ) .
In March , the Democrat began running Facebook ads that touted his tenure in state government and asked voters for email addresses and other personal information .
Many of the ads specifically targeted the city of Harrisburg , which is located in Perry 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition to the ads , DePasquale used his state campaign account to disburse more than $ 110,000 to Democratic campaign firms from March to May 2019 .
The Democrat paid Rising Tide Interactive more than $ 12,000 as a `` retainer , '' despite being term-limited out of his state office .
DePasquale also sent $ 8,000 to Think Big Campaigns for `` website '' purposes .
His state campaign website was shut down in early March 2019 .
DePasquale went on to formally announce his campaign against Perry in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he unveiled a campaign ad made by Jackson Group Media , a consulting firm that received $ 11,000 from DePasquale 's state campaign account in May 2019 .
The Democrat had not previously used Rising Tide Interactive , Think Big Campaigns , or Jackson Group Media as vendors on his state campaign .
His congressional campaign , however , has paid the firms more than $ 77,000 since the 2019 launch .
DePasquale 's alleged campaign finance violations were first raised by Democratic primary opponent Tom Brier , who accused DePasquale of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After Brier failed to notarize an FEC complaint detailing the potential wrongdoings , the allegations were picked up by the conservative watchdog group Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust ( FACT ) .
`` Federal law clearly prohibits candidates from using state campaign funds for a federal campaign , '' FACT executive director Kendra Arnold said in a statement .
`` Not only does this merit immediate investigation , this is a serious offense . ''
DePasquale did not respond to a request for comment about his alleged violations .
The campaign dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Dispatch that DePasquale 's state campaign payments came `` before he announced his candidacy '' and that they `` had nothing to do with his congressional campaign . ''
Federal candidates are allowed to spend money in order to `` test the waters '' before officially launching a campaign , but they must use funds that are subject to federal regulations .
While individuals can not give more than $ 2,800 per election to federal candidates , Pennsylvania has no political contribution limits for individuals , meaning DePasquale could not use state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
A DePasquale campaign spokesman attacked the watchdog group as a `` partisan organization '' in a statement to the York Dispatch on Monday , but declined to answer questions about the substance of the allegations .
Arnold said the campaign is dodging in the hopes that media and voters will ignore the issue .
`` The thing that alerts me is that there 's no defense to the spending , '' she told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` We 'd like a response as to why [ DePasquale ] was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did not have an active state campaign website .
It 's important that they respond to the facts of the complaint . ''
DePasquale won his primary against Brier in June , receiving 57.5 percent of the vote to Brier 's 42.5 percent .
He will now face Perry in November .
The Republican has a slight fundraising advantage , having raised nearly $ 1.9 million as of June 30 .
DePasquale , meanwhile , has raised $ 1.6 million .
Perry 's seat is seen as a prime pickup opportunity for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race a `` toss up . ''

Pennsylvania Democrat Eugene DePasquale illegally used more than $130,000 to jump-start his congressional bid, according to a complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission.
DePasquale, the state's auditor general, used donations to his state campaign coffers to launch his bid against Rep. Scott Perry (R., Pa.). In March, the Democrat began running Facebook ads that touted his tenure in state government and asked voters for email addresses and other personal information. Many of the ads specifically targeted the city of Harrisburg, which is located in Perry's district and routinely votes to elect Democrats.
In addition to the ads, DePasquale used his state campaign account to disburse more than $110,000 to Democratic campaign firms from March to May 2019. The Democrat paid Rising Tide Interactive more than $12,000 as a "retainer," despite being term-limited out of his state office. DePasquale also sent $8,000 to Think Big Campaigns for "website" purposes. His state campaign website was shut down in early March 2019.
DePasquale went on to formally announce his campaign against Perry in June 2019. Nearly one week later, he unveiled a campaign ad made by Jackson Group Media, a consulting firm that received $11,000 from DePasquale's state campaign account in May 2019. The Democrat had not previously used Rising Tide Interactive, Think Big Campaigns, or Jackson Group Media as vendors on his state campaign. His congressional campaign, however, has paid the firms more than $77,000 since the 2019 launch.
DePasquale's alleged campaign finance violations were first raised by Democratic primary opponent Tom Brier, who accused DePasquale of "flouting the rules" in April. After Brier failed to notarize an FEC complaint detailing the potential wrongdoings, the allegations were picked up by the conservative watchdog group Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT).
"Federal law clearly prohibits candidates from using state campaign funds for a federal campaign," FACT executive director Kendra Arnold said in a statement. "Not only does this merit immediate investigation, this is a serious offense."
DePasquale did not respond to a request for comment about his alleged violations. The campaign dismissed the allegations in April, telling the York Dispatch that DePasquale's state campaign payments came "before he announced his candidacy" and that they "had nothing to do with his congressional campaign." Federal candidates are allowed to spend money in order to "test the waters" before officially launching a campaign, but they must use funds that are subject to federal regulations. While individuals cannot give more than $2,800 per election to federal candidates, Pennsylvania has no political contribution limits for individuals, meaning DePasquale could not use state campaign funds to "test the waters."
A DePasquale campaign spokesman attacked the watchdog group as a "partisan organization" in a statement to the York Dispatch on Monday, but declined to answer questions about the substance of the allegations. Arnold said the campaign is dodging in the hopes that media and voters will ignore the issue.
"The thing that alerts me is that there's no defense to the spending," she told the Washington Free Beacon. "We'd like a response as to why [DePasquale] was paying for a state campaign website when he did not have an active state campaign website. It's important that they respond to the facts of the complaint."
DePasquale won his primary against Brier in June, receiving 57.5 percent of the vote to Brier's 42.5 percent. He will now face Perry in November. The Republican has a slight fundraising advantage, having raised nearly $1.9 million as of June 30. DePasquale, meanwhile, has raised $1.6 million. Perry's seat is seen as a prime pickup opportunity for national Democrats—the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race a "toss up."


freebeacon--2020-08-11--U.S. Pushes New Resolution to Extend Iran Arms Embargo

The United States on Tuesday introduced a new draft resolution to indefinitely extend a U.N. arms embargo on Iran that is tailored to entice European allies to back the effort , according to senior Trump administration officials .
The new resolution is aimed at streamlining the language of the embargo and removing additions that had drawn opposition from European nations , as well as Russia and China—which have the power to unilaterally veto the draft at the United Nations Security Council .
The new resolution is just four paragraphs long and no longer mandates spot inspections of Iranian imports or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump administration has been working for months to ensure the arms embargo is extended beyond its mid-October expiration date .
If the United States fails to pass the extension language at the U.N. it could invoke what is known as snapback , or a full reimposition of all economic sanctions on Iran that were lifted as part of the nuclear deal signed during the Obama administration .
The Trump administration maintains that if the embargo is permitted to expire , adversarial regimes such as Russia and China will be free to sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advanced military equipment .
`` The draft we have put forward today takes [ Security ] Council views into account and simply does what everyone knows should be done—extend the arms embargo to prevent Iran from freely buying and selling conventional weapons , '' U.N. ambassador Kelly Craft said in a statement provided to the Washington Free Beacon .
`` It is only common sense that the world ’ s number one state sponsor of terror not be given the means of unleashing even greater harm on the world . ''
U.S. officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was shortened to get U.N. member nations to focus on extending the embargo .
The U.S. draft now includes language that is only meant to indefinitely extend the arms ban .
This approach will force European nations to make a clear choice about arming Iran , these officials said .
The language is similar to past U.N. versions of the embargo that easily won support from France , Germany , and the United Kingdom .
Still , many nations have fought against the extension due to lingering anger over President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear agreement .
There is not yet a date set for the Security Council to vote on the resolution .

The United States on Tuesday introduced a new draft resolution to indefinitely extend a U.N. arms embargo on Iran that is tailored to entice European allies to back the effort, according to senior Trump administration officials.
The new resolution is aimed at streamlining the language of the embargo and removing additions that had drawn opposition from European nations, as well as Russia and China—which have the power to unilaterally veto the draft at the United Nations Security Council. The new resolution is just four paragraphs long and no longer mandates spot inspections of Iranian imports or implements new sanctions on the country.
The Trump administration has been working for months to ensure the arms embargo is extended beyond its mid-October expiration date. If the United States fails to pass the extension language at the U.N. it could invoke what is known as snapback, or a full reimposition of all economic sanctions on Iran that were lifted as part of the nuclear deal signed during the Obama administration.
The Trump administration maintains that if the embargo is permitted to expire, adversarial regimes such as Russia and China will be free to sell Iran arms, munitions, and other advanced military equipment.
"The draft we have put forward today takes [Security] Council views into account and simply does what everyone knows should be done—extend the arms embargo to prevent Iran from freely buying and selling conventional weapons," U.N. ambassador Kelly Craft said in a statement provided to the Washington Free Beacon. "It is only common sense that the world’s number one state sponsor of terror not be given the means of unleashing even greater harm on the world."
U.S. officials familiar with the new draft language said it was shortened to get U.N. member nations to focus on extending the embargo. The U.S. draft now includes language that is only meant to indefinitely extend the arms ban. This approach will force European nations to make a clear choice about arming Iran, these officials said.
The language is similar to past U.N. versions of the embargo that easily won support from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Still, many nations have fought against the extension due to lingering anger over President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon the landmark nuclear agreement.
There is not yet a date set for the Security Council to vote on the resolution.