Secretary Michael R. Pompeo co-chaired the second Western Hemisphere Counterterrorism Ministerial from July 18-19 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The multilateral forum included 18 governments from the region and the Organization of American States’ Inter-American Committee against Terrorism, all committed to bolstering counterterrorism cooperation to deny terrorists and terrorist financiers safe haven in the region. While in Buenos Aires, the Secretary commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Iran-backed Hizballah attack on the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds more.

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The threat of Iran to U.S. and regional allies is from miscalculation, while the threat of China is largely in violating world economic and democratic norms, said Undersecretary of Defense for Policy John C. Rood at the Aspen Security Forum in Aspen, Colorado.

Iran's recent provocative activities are worrying and troubling, like shooting down a U.S. drone and seizure of a British tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, Rood said, and a miscalculation for further mischief on Iran's part.

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Interior to Support Critical Minerals Strategy through Faster Permitting, Better Information, Nationwide Examination of Minerals Potential

WASHINGTON – The Trump Administration has released, “A Federal Strategy to Ensure a Reliable Supply of Critical Minerals,” to make America’s economy and defense more secure. The strategy directs the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to locate domestic supplies of those minerals, ensure access to information necessary for the study and production of minerals, and expedite permitting for minerals projects.

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By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jessica Paulauskas

ARABIAN SEA — A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and part of the U.S. Central Command Bomber Task Force, and the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, attached to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group conducted joint operations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, June 1.

The operations emphasize Joint Force integration and interoperability within the U.S. Department of Defense.

"It's a pretty awesome feeling to look up and see our jets flying alongside the Air Force bomber,” said Capt. William Reed, commander, CVW-7. "The training the air wing conducted with the B-52's today is an incredible demonstration of how our military can to rapidly join capabilities to enhance our lethality and our ability to respond to any threat when called upon."

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Border Patrol agents from El Paso Sector apprehended the largest group of illegal aliens ever encountered early Wednesday morning. Agents took custody of 1,036 people after they illegally crossed the border in El Paso, Texas, shortly after 4 a.m., MDT.

The group crossed the Rio Grande and were immediately taken into custody by Border Patrol agents south of downtown El Paso, between Bridge of the Americas and Stanton Street Bridge.

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WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce will be adding Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and its affiliates to the Bureau’s Entity List. This action stems from information available to the Department that provides a reasonable basis to conclude that Huawei is engaged in activities that are contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy interest. This information includes the activities alleged in the Department of Justice’s public superseding indictment of Huawei, including alleged violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), conspiracy to violate IEEPA by providing prohibited financial services to Iran, and obstruction of justice in connection with the investigation of those alleged violations of U.S. sanctions.

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