The Week (MArch 4 - March 10) at Department of State

 

View as a webpage  /  Share

The Week at State  |  March 4-March 10

In “The Week at State,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed Sweden as the newest member of NATO and honored the winners of the 2024 International Women of Courage award. President Biden also underscored U.S. foreign policy priorities in his State of the Union Address.

Sweden Officially Joins NATO On March 7, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson deposited Sweden’s instrument of accession —  the official documentation completing Sweden’s entry into NATO — to the United States. “This is a historic moment for Sweden,” Secretary Blinken said at the State Department ceremony welcoming Sweden to NATO. “It’s historic for the transatlantic relationship. Our NATO Alliance, our defensive alliance, is now stronger and larger than it’s ever been.” President Biden Reemphasizes Our Foreign Policy Commitments During his State of the Union address on March 7, President Biden reiterated the United States’ commitment to Ukraine and warned of Putin’s continued aggression.  “If anybody … thinks Putin will stop at Ukraine, I assure you, he will not,” President Biden said, addressing both chambers of the United States Congress. “My message to President Putin, who I’ve known for a long time, is simple: ‘We will not walk away. We will not bow down.’”  President Biden also announced that the United States will establish a port on the Gaza coast to receive ships carrying food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters.  “To Israel, I say humanitarian assistance cannot be secondary,” President Biden said. “Protecting and saving lives must be a priority.” Celebrating “Simply Extraordinary” International Women of Courage On March 4, Secretary Blinken joined First Lady Jill Biden at the White House to honor the 2024 International Women of Courage. “They’re advocating for domestic workers in Bangladesh and people with disabilities in Afghanistan, exposing corruption in Uganda, combating sexual harassment in Japan, standing up for the children of war-time rape in Bosnia and Herzegovina, fighting for democracy in Belarus, and defending human rights in Cuba,” Secretary Blinken said at the awards ceremony.  “Whether on the front lines of war or the front lines of social change, women are often the most powerful engines for progress,” Secretary Blinken said. “The United States stands with every woman of courage working to build greater stability, greater equality, and greater opportunity. And we are committed to knocking down the barriers that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential alongside them.”  Exploring Achievements of African American Women in Foreign Policy In honor of Women’s History Month, Ambassador Ruth A. Davis wrote about the outstanding achievements of 24 African American women in U.S. foreign policy and their many firsts.  Travel Safe This Spring Break Season Every day, U.S. citizen passengers are turned around and denied entry by their destination country because they forgot their passport in the seat-back pocket of the plane or lost it before arrival.  Don’t let your vacation be cut short — keep your passport in a safe place (not the seat pocket or loose in the overhead bin) and make sure you have it before getting off the plane.

This Week March 11: Secretary Blinken travels to Jamaica March 15: International Day to Combat Islamophobia Looking Ahead March 18-20: Summit for Democracy  March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination March 22: World Water Day

Useful links Travel advisories and updates on international travel for U.S. Citizens from the Department of State Did you know that you can invite a representative from the Department of State to speak at your school, business, agency or organization? Learn about what we do through the firsthand experience of one of our representatives.