Edward Wong

NEW: The board of the Fulbright Program has just resigned after accusing Trump aides of political interference. They say a State Dept. office under Rubio and Darren Beattie has cancelled scholarships to nearly 200 US professors and researchers. Story: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/u...

A State Dept. cable says the Trump administration might add up to 36 countries — most in Africa — to a list of 21 countries on which it imposed a full or partial travel ban this month. Citizens can't get visas to the US. Our @nytimes.com story: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/u...

BREAKING: Rubio announces major cuts to the State Department in a war on "ideology." He is eliminating the office that advances American values of democracy and human rights. He aims to cut 15% of US-based employees. Our @nytimes.com story: www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/u...

Extraordinary for any American president: Trump offered to sell weapons to Xi Jinping of China. That was revealed by David Perdue, US ambassador. Trump is withholding a $14 billion arms package to Taiwan approved by Congress. China aids Iran and Russia. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/27/u...

NEW: Xi Jinping said at a meeting with Trump that China would send two pandas to the Atlanta zoo. Panda diplomacy — literal soft power — is a cornerstone of U.S.-China relations. Zoos pay big money to get the fur balls on loan, which draw millions of fans. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/24/u...

Rubio said today that Trump has asked leaders of 18 nations in Latin America and the Caribbean to designate two dozen crime groups "terrorist" organizations, following the lead of the US. That confirms our @nytimes.com report on Trump's push. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/w...

NEW: Trump and his aides are building a rationale for more military strikes across Latin America and the Caribbean. They're getting 14 countries to designate crime groups "terrorist" organizations. That's expected to happen this week, during UNGA in NY. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/22/w...

From a former State Dept. lawyer who specialized in the law of armed conflict

NEW: Trump could ask Xi Jinping next week to broker a meeting with Kim Jong-un of North Korea, whom Trump has been courting. Xi doesn't want stronger US-North Korea ties, but might do Trump a favor to gain leverage. Kim isn't returning Trump's love yet. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/u...

Trump pushes ahead with a sale to Saudi Arabia of 48 F-35 fighter jets. The State Dept. announcement came one day after we reported that US intel agencies had warned about China possibly acquiring F-35 tech from Saudi Arabia. Gift link to @nytimes.com story: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/u...

NEW: US intelligence reports warn China could acquire US warplane technology if Trump continues with his F-35 jet sales to Saudi Arabia. The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency has raised concerns about China's military partnership with the Saudis. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/u...

NEW: Trump says dismantling transnational gangs is a priority. But politics is crippling cooperation with Brazil. The State Dept. is withholding visas to 2 Brazilian federal police officers moving to Miami & New York. The US has also canceled agent visits. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/12/w...

NEW: Nate Hochman was fired from the DeSantis campaign in 2023 after promoting a video with the Sonnenrad, a Nazi symbol embraced by white supremacists. He now works in Rubio's State Department, as deputy director of policy planning and chief speechwriter. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/u...