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President Trump’s Decision to Cancel Korea Summit Is a Mistake

President Donald Trump’s decision to cancel the planned June 12 meeting with Kim Jong Un in Singapore is a huge mistake that increases the risk of war. We are particularly alarmed by the open allusions to the use of nuclear weapons by both the North Koreans and the United States. This loose talk of nuclear war undermines diplomacy and reflects a careless disregard for the real cost of any military conflict on the Korean peninsula.

Voting to Rein in Starvation, Torture and U.S. War in Yemen

This marks a momentous week for Congress on re-examining the U.S. role in Yemen, and its facilitation of the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in the country. Just this week, members of Congress in both the House and the Senate have voted in favor of reining in U.S. support for starvation, torture and war led by the U.S.’ Gulf allies in Yemen.

The Farm Bill: What Happens Now?

On Friday, May 18, the U.S. House of Representatives voted down H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, or the House Farm Bill by a vote of 198-238. This bill would have caused more than 2 million Americans to see their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) benefits cut or eliminated entirely. Furthermore, it would have created a massive new bureaucracy that would have overwhelmed states, prevented individuals from accessing benefits, and implemented even stricter work requirements, locking people out of the program if they couldn’t comply.

Keeping Faith in Diplomacy with North Korea

Truth be told, the past few days have worried me too. I had been encouraged this spring to see South Korea’s diplomacy open new possibilities. As someone who has focused a career on nuclear proliferation, I was happy to express my thanks and praise when President Trump embraced direct engagement to deal with North Korea’s nuclear weapons.

Support the Message that Torture is Wrong. Always.

Today, the Senate Intelligence Committee voted to move forward with the nomination of Gina Haspel for director of the CIA. As you may know, Gina Haspel has a record of overseeing torture by the CIA and destroying evidence related to the program.

Initial House Defense Policy Bill Raises Concerns

On May 9, the House Armed Services Committee overwhelmingly backed an initial version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act setting policy prescriptions and spending targets for over $700 billion of military activity for the fiscal year starting this October. The full House will likely consider, tweak, and ultimately approve a version of the bill the week of May 21.

70 Years On: Seeking a Hopeful Future in a Time of Yearning

On May 14th, 2018, FCNL joined several faith organizations to call on Israel to respect the rights of Palestinians to protest on Nakba, remembering the displacement and dispossession of more than 750,000 Palestinians 70 years ago.