Jessica Corbett

International Calls for Iran’s Leaders to Refuse Resignation of Foreign Minister Javad Zarif

The U.S.-educated Zarif, a longtime critic of hard-liners in both the United States and his own country, was instrumental in securing the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Jessica Corbett
By Jessica Corbett
Hassan Rouhani | Mohammad Javad Zarif

The pending resignation of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif—which the diplomat announced on Instagram Monday but has not yet been accepted by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani—has sparked international alarm over the future of the Iran nuclear deal, which Zarif and European leaders have been trying to save since U.S. President Donald

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In Historic Move, Florida Reverses Ban on Voting Rights for People With Past Felony Convictions

“Florida voters made a resoundingly clear statement that the state’s shameful lifetime ban on voting is not consistent with the values of democracy.”

Jessica Corbett
By Jessica Corbett
Florida Voter Rights

In a "huge and hard fought victory" that writer and activist Shaun King called "one of the most important of our lifetime," Florida on Tuesday overwhelming approved Amendment 4, which restores voting rights for 1.4 million state residents with past felony convictions who were barred from participating in elections even after completing their

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Israel’s New ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy Towards Gaza Protesters Denounced as ‘Deeply Alarming’

“Given Israeli forces’ horrific track record of using deadly force against Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza, as well as journalists, medics, and others, the announcement of a ‘zero tolerance’ policy is deeply alarming.”

Jessica Corbett
By Jessica Corbett
Israel Gaza protests

Ahead of Great March of Return protests slated to continue at the fenced border of the Gaza Strip on Friday, Amnesty International condemned Israel's reported "zero tolerance" policy toward such demonstrations, warning it likely will lead to more bloodshed after more than six months of confrontations during which Israeli forces have killed more

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John Bolton Just Confirmed the U.S. Is Becoming a Rogue State

After ditching a treaty with Iran to rebuff an ICJ sanctions ruling, Bolton announces review of international agreements to prevent future court decisions.

Jessica Corbett
By Jessica Corbett
bolton warns assad

Amid mounting concerns about possible war with Iran after the Trump administration ditched a decades-old bilateral treaty in response to an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on Wednesday that U.S. sanctions violate it, National Security Adviser John Bolton announced a review of all international agreements that could lead to more binding

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The UN Just Ordered Trump to Ease Sanctions on Iran

“The U.S. of course will disregard the ruling,” says Trita Parsi, “but Iran’s aim likely was to establish that it is the U.S., and not Iran, that is the rogue nation now.”

Jessica Corbett
By Jessica Corbett
sanctions on iran

The United Nations' highest court on Wednesday ordered the Trump administration to ease sanctions on Iran that are impacting humanitarian aid and aviation safety, ruling that U.S. assurances the economic limitations would not endanger both "were not adequate." "Iran's strategy of taking the U.S. to the international court has paid

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Warnings Mount That Trump’s NAFTA 2.0 is Just Another ‘Corporate Giveaway’

Critics warn the new agreement would make it harder “to hold Big Oil and Gas accountable” while also threatening “efforts to protect consumers, workers, and the environment.”

Jessica Corbett
By Jessica Corbett
Mexican activists carry signs that read in Spanish "Racism is not commerce," at a protest against the seventh round of the North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, renegotiations, in front of the foreign relations office in Mexico City, Feb. 27, 2018. Marco Ugarte | AP

Environmentalists on Monday slammed President Donald Trump's replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), with Food & Water Watch executive director Wenonah Hauter warning that it "would enshrine and globalize Trump's deregulatory zealotry into a trade pact that would outlast the administration and imperil future efforts to

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War Powers Act Invoked to End US Support for Saudi-Led Slaughter of Civilians in Yemen

“This resolution should be a no-brainer for Congress. What more do they need to finally end this tragedy?”

Jessica Corbett
By Jessica Corbett

Amid reports that civilian deaths have "surged dramatically" in Yemen since June, when the Saudi-led coalition launched an offensive to take control of the port city Hodeidah, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on Wednesday officially introduced a highly anticipated resolution invoking the War Powers Act of 1973, in hopes of ending American support for the

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