Japan Government Bond Rout Deepens as Election Spending Fears Shake Markets 
Trump’s Greenland Ambition Sparks NATO Tensions, Trade War Fears, and Global Market Turmoil 
Trump Says U.S. and NATO Will Reach Agreement on Greenland’s Future 
France Nears 2026 Budget Deal as Government Offers Concessions to Avoid No-Confidence Vote 
Russian Air Attacks Plunge Kyiv Into Darkness, Raise Nuclear Safety Fears 
Trump Says $2,000 Tariff Dividend Possible Without Congress Approval 
Trump Says U.S. Will Soon Target Land Routes for Drug Trafficking 
Trump Signals Potential Role for Maria Corina Machado in Venezuela as U.S. Policy Tone Shifts 
Trump Signals Possible Harvard Deal Amid Ongoing Tensions 
Trump Administration Appeals Judge’s Order Limiting ICE Tactics in Minneapolis 
Minnesota U.S. Citizen Detained by ICE in Armed Raid Sparks Outrage and Civil Rights Concerns 
U.S. Plans NATO Staff Reductions, Raising Fresh Concerns Over Alliance Commitment 
Syrian Government Consolidates Control as Kurdish Forces Withdraw from Key Regions 
Supreme Court Tests Federal Reserve Independence Amid Trump’s Bid to Fire Lisa Cook 
Trump Criticizes NYSE Texas Expansion, Calls Dallas Exchange a Blow to New York 
Trump Says Greenland Is Key to Global Security After Call With NATO Chief 
Ukraine Unveils New Drone-Based Air Defence Strategy Amid Rising Russian Threats 
Shortly after taking office, Joe Biden has already reversed a number of policies and orders put forth by Donald Trump. Biden makes another reversal as his administration brings the US back into the UN Human Rights Council.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the US will be rejoining the UN Human Rights Council, another move by the Biden administration that reverses Trump’s withdrawals of the US from international organizations. Biden directed the State Department to re-engage with the organization as part of the administration’s commitment to pursue a foreign policy that is centered on democracy, human rights, and equality. Other organizations that the Biden administration rejoined are the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization.
Trump withdrew the US from the council back in 2018 which Blinken criticized. This withdrawal was announced by US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, who cited the organization’s bias towards Israel. This announcement followed the council’s criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policy that saw children getting separated from their parents at the border.
Blinken also mentioned the rejoining of the US in two posts on Twitter. “When it works well, the UN Human Rights Council shines a spotlight on countries with the worst human rights records and can serve as a beacon for those fighting against justice and tyranny. That’s why the US is back at the table,” said the first tweet.
“The UN Human Rights Council is flawed and needs reform, but walking away won’t fix it. The best way to improve the Council so it can achieve its potential is through robust and principled US leadership. Under @POTUS Biden, we are reengaging and ready to lead,” said the second tweet.
Biden currently faces a Senate that may be preoccupied with the impending impeachment trial against Trump for incitement of insurrection. However, in another contrast from his predecessor, Biden will be moving forward in pushing his administration’s agenda and commitments and would not be tuning in to watching the impeachment proceedings. As impeachment briefs are being filed on Monday, Biden will be given a virtual tour of a vaccination center and on the day of the trial itself, Biden would be visiting the Pentagon. Later this week, Biden will also be visiting the National Institutes for Health.
