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Scott Stearns

Scott Stearns is VOA’s State Department correspondent. He has worked as VOA’s Dakar Bureau Chief, White House correspondent, and Nairobi Bureau Chief since beginning his career as a freelance reporter in the Liberian civil war. He has written for the BBC, UPI, the Associated Press, The Jerusalem Post, and The Economist. Scott has a Bachelors and Masters in Journalism from Northwestern University.

Produced by Scott Stearns

December 08, 2014
Kerry: Israeli, Palestinian Status Quo Unsustainable

Violence that has followed breakdown of US-led peace talks shows there is no way forward without changing course, US secretary of state tells foreign policy leaders in Washington
December 07, 2014
Mexican Official Confirms Bone Fragment Came From Missing Student

Attorney general says fragment found near a garbage dump belongs to one of 43 students who disappeared in September
December 07, 2014
Kerry: Anti-IS Coalition Could Contribute to Broader Mideast Peace

US top diplomat says new regional engagement in security, counter-terrorism and anti-extremism ‘may open new windows for all of us, including Israel, Palestinians’
December 07, 2014
Kerry: Anti-IS Coalition Could Contribute to Broader Mideast Peace

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says international cooperation in the fight against Islamic State militants could contribute to broader Middle East peace. As VOA State Department correspondent Scott Stearns reports, Kerry says the Obama administration is committed to better arming and training Syria’s moderate opposition in that fight.
December 02, 2014
US Senator: Hong Kong Should Wait No Longer for Democracy

As Hong Kong students vow to continue demonstrations after some of protest leaders announce their departure, United States Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown says White House should do more to push Hong Kong authorities to respect their rights. VOA State Department Correspondent Scott Stearns has more.
November 20, 2014
Does US Overstate Importance of Middle East?

Some analysts think so
November 20, 2014
Does US Overstate Importance of Middle East?

Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States must remain “deeply engaged” in the Middle East because it has a direct impact on the U.S. economy and national security. But is the Obama administration overstating those threats? VOA State Department Correspondent Scott Stearns has the story.
November 18, 2014
Can Minsk Cease-fire Agreement Hold?

Growing tensions between government troops and separatists in eastern Ukraine further threaten a cease-fire agreement reached two months ago in the Belarusian capital of Minsk. Critics of U.S. policy in Ukraine say it is time the Obama administration gives up on that much-violated cease-fire and moves toward a new deal with Russia. VOA's Scott Stearns has more.
November 18, 2014
Can Minsk Cease-fire Agreement Hold?

Obama administration disagrees with those who advocate moving toward new deal with Russia
November 17, 2014
Kerry: IS Momentum 'Dissipated' by Coalition Attacks

International campaign against militant group beginning to have 'significant impact,' says US top diplomat, speaking to foreign policy leaders in Washington
November 17, 2014
Obama: No Alliance With Assad in Fight Against Islamic State

US President Barack Obama says there is no alliance with Syrian President Assad in fight against IS militants, though some Syrian rebels say US-led airstrikes are helping government in Damascus.
November 12, 2014
New Congress Could Push Obama Toward Tougher Action on Ukraine

The Obama administration says sanctions against those backing separatists in eastern Ukraine are having an impact on the Russian economy, but the coming change of legislative power in Washington may affect U.S. policy toward the government in Kyiv. VOA's Scott Stearns has more.
November 12, 2014
New Congress Could Push Obama Toward Tougher Action on Ukraine

Installation of new leaders in Ukraine’s breakaway regions could help fuel Republican drive for stronger US action, including sending weapons
November 10, 2014
Can Obama Pursue Asia Pivot With Republican Congress?

President’s trip to Asia is his first trip since Republicans won control of Congress -- a political setback some analsyst say could undermine his influence in Asia
November 10, 2014
Can Obama Pursue Asia Pivot With Republican Congress?

U.S. President Barack Obama is in Asia this week for talks with world leaders in China, Myanmar, and Australia. VOA State Department Correspondent Scott Stearns reports on how a Republican-controlled Congress might affect the president’s so-called "Asia Pivot."
November 07, 2014
Undersecretary of State Stengel Speaks to VOA

The undersecretary discusses Islamic State, Ebola, foreign fighters and more
November 06, 2014
Obama, Rouhani Face Domestic Opposition to Nuclear Deal

U.S. President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani both face domestic conservative opposition to a potential deal limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for easing some economic sanctions. Now that Republicans are set to take over control of the U.S. Senate - putting them in control of both houses of Congress - VOA State Department Correspondent Scott Stearns reports on how the change might affect those talks.
November 05, 2014
Republican Control of Congress Could Change Obama Foreign Policy

A Republican Congress would limit president’s room to maneuver on two of his biggest foreign policy goals: Iran nuclear talks, Israeli-Palestinian peace process
November 03, 2014
Kerry Meets with Anti-IS Coalition Ambassadors

Diplomatic effort includes about 60 Washington-based envoys from coalition countries involved in fight against militants
October 28, 2014
Kerry Working 'Quietly' to Restart Mideast Peace Process

Kerry is facing many of same challenges that contributed to collapse of talks earlier this year

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