Laura Kelly

Covering Foreign Policy for The Hill, email me [email protected]. Do you want to share a tip or have a story to tell? I’m very friendly!

[Laura Kelly @HelloLauraKelly]

"I'm sad to the bottom of my soul, I can’t even start to describe how sad I am," Chen Kotler said, before describing how she helped coordinate the rescue of her family and community of Kfar Azza.

A chilling account of death and survival in Israel: https://t.co/JDg6JCYyTt

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Open Letter to the President of the Russian Federation: https://t.co/mEvYqYiqus

[max seddon @maxseddon]

Cook, it turns out, is an ardent Russophile. He has been involved restoring medieval Russian churches for decades. His own house in Georgia is designed in the Russian style. He says he is friends with many senior Russian elite figures. He seems absolutely thrilled to be there.

[Hiba Nasr @HibaNasr]

‼️Hezbollah SG Naim Qassem just rejected the agreement between Lebanon and Israel: We didn’t commit to anyone not to resist the aggression…

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told the press in a gaggle today that the agreement with Israel is the last chance…

[Institute for the Study of War @TheStudyofWar]

NEW: SPECIAL REPORT | Gasoline Shortages in Occupied Ukraine Show the Synergy of Ukraine’s Long-Range and Mid-Range Strike Campaigns

Ongoing gasoline shortages in occupied Ukraine come only weeks after Ukraine began ramping up its mid-range strike campaign against Russian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) in the operational rear.

Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign against energy infrastructure in Russia’s deep rear is also contributing to the gasoline shortages.

The long-range strike campaign is reducing Russia’s production capacity, while the mid-range strike campaign is hurting Russia’s ability to transport the gasoline Russia is still able to produce.

[Hiba Nasr @HibaNasr]

Scoop: The Joint Statement between US, Lebanon and Israel

The United States convened the fourth high-level trilateral meeting between Israeli and Lebanese representatives on June 2 and 3, 2026.
As a result of the U.S. led negotiations, Israel and Lebanon agreed to the implementation of a ceasefire. The ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of Hizbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hizbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector.
The two sides agreed with the guidance of the United States to swiftly advance the creation of pilot zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will take exclusive control of the territory to the exclusion of all non-state actors.
These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement.
All countries reaffirmed that the future of the relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments. They rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon’s future hostage.
Israel and Lebanon reaffirmed that they have no hostile intent toward one another and committed to continuing direct negotiations to build confidence, resolve all outstanding issues, and work toward a comprehensive agreement between the two countries.
The delegations discussed a security framework, building on discussions at the Pentagon on May 29, aimed at sustainably ensuring the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Lebanon and Israel. This includes the dismantlement of non-state armed groups, and the prevention of their re-emergence.
All parties condemned Iran’s attacks on countries in the region, and ongoing activities that undermine stability throughout the Middle East, whether through support for proxies and all other acts of aggression.
The United States reiterated its ongoing support for both governments to exercise their sovereignty. It reaffirmed that any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached directly between the two governments, brokered by the United States, and not through any separate track. The United States underscored its intent to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, with the aim of improving their capacity and enabling the effective exercise of sovereignty throughout Lebanese territory. It emphasized Secretary Rubio’s June 2 statement that Hizbollah is not just an enemy of Israel and an enemy of America, but that it is an enemy of Lebanon.
Israel reaffirmed that its security and respect for its territorial integrity can only be achieved through the disarmament of Hizbollah and the dismantlement of its infrastructure throughout Lebanon. It emphasized the importance of direct negotiations under the leadership of the United States to resolve all outstanding issues and achieve durable peace and security.
Lebanon reaffirmed the necessity for mutual respect of internationally recognized borders, the urgent need for full implementation of the cessation of hostilities, underscoring the principles of territorial integrity and full state sovereignty. Lebanon committed to enhancing the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces, with U.S. support, to assert effective control throughout the country.
The two parties agreed to reconvene the political and security tracks the week of June 22, with a view toward reaching a comprehensive agreement. The United States agreed to continue facilitating communication between the parties in the interim.

@AsharqNews

[Laura Kelly @HelloLauraKelly]

Rubio commits to bringing any deal between the U.S. and Iran to Congress, pursuant to INARA

[Laura Kelly @HelloLauraKelly]

Rep Joe Wilson (R-SC) tells me he’s voting in favor of Ukraine aid (vote first to allow the vote, then vote on aid maybe tomorrow)

“It’s between Ukraine or Putin, I choose Ukraine.”

[Laura Kelly @HelloLauraKelly]

Sec Rubio at HFAC hearing: “Epic Fury is concluded” says any military action being taken against Iran is defensive

[Ella Lee @ByEllaLee]

Todd Blanche just now on the anti-weaponization fund: “We’re not moving forward with the fund. Period.”

[Laura Kelly @HelloLauraKelly]

Rubio defends admin decision to allow in White Afrikaners over Afghan refugees allied with the US, saying it is in national interest to allow people "that can quickly assimilate into society and be successful"

Rep. Meng responds: Why can't they [Afghans] assimilate into society?

[Laura Kelly @HelloLauraKelly]

Rubio 'cautously optimistic' on Pastor Ezra Jin release he tells House Approps Committee. @GraceJDrexel

"I'm cautiously optimistic that we could potentially find a positive resolution to his case, and those talks and that communication is ongoing."

[Laura Kelly @HelloLauraKelly]

Rubio to Sen. Scott on US policy toward Venezuela: "You've seen a level of cooperation on a couple of topics that I actually can't even discuss in a setting like this, but be more than happy to talk to you about about in the appropriate setting. I think that's been a positive"

[Laura Kelly @HelloLauraKelly]

.@SFRCdems opening statement to Rubio highlights Elon Musks "accidental" canceling of Ebola funds

"Today we have to screen for Ebola at Dulles Airport rather than in the DRC and Uganda, more than 7000 miles away."

But...

https://t.co/I6uauym36z

[Laura Kelly @HelloLauraKelly]

Rubio had a hard stop at 12:30 but allows time to run over to take questions from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), his fellow Cuban-American in the Senate

[Hiba Nasr @HibaNasr]

‼️From the Israeli side:

Ambassador Yechiel Leiter

Deputy National Security Advisor Yossi Draznin

Head of the Strategic Division in the IDF Planning Directorate Amichai Levin

Defense Attache Arik Ben Dov