Foreign Affairs and Defense Correspondent @Newshour. Moderator, Compass Points. Husband, dad. Former Kabul, Islamabad, Jerusalem, London. Signal nickschifrin.35
Washington, D.C.
Joined July 2009
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.@StateDept issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia, says a State Department spokesperson:
"Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. As the Department has repeatedly emphasized, the hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly, including beyond that immediate area."
Thank you for joining us on @NewsHour
Great conversation with @GeoffRBennett on @PBS NewsHour about how to end Russia’s war against Ukraine and achieve a just and lasting peace - one that requires sustained support for Ukraine, coordinated action by the United States and its allies, and clear consequences for Moscow.
Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Any negotiations concerning Ukraine’s future, security, or territorial integrity must include Ukraine as a full participant.
We must also not forget the people suffering under Russian occupation in Oleshky, in Ukraine’s Kherson region, where residents face a dire humanitarian crisis. The use of hunger as a weapon against Ukrainians evokes one of the darkest chapters in our history: the Holodomor, the genocide of the Ukrainian people perpetrated by the Soviet regime in 1932–1933. We must not allow such suffering to be repeated, and the plight of Oleshky’s residents must not be ignored.
Thank you to @nickschifrin for his meaningful contribution to the discussion and for his reporting on Ukraine.
pbs.org/newshour/show/u-s-mu…
Asked about @SEPeaceMissions' description of Putin as a "humanitarian," @POTUS says, "I wouldn't say, one way or the other," and then pivots to saying, "We are pretty happy with Russia when it comes to Iran," then pivots back: "The last thing I want to do is upset an apple cart when it comes to solving a war."
Nick Schifrin retweeted
Today, Stephen Hubbard is free and headed back home to his family.
Stephen is a proud American citizen, retired teacher, and U.S. Air Force veteran who loves our country.
Now, he is on his way back to a family who loves him, a President who never gave up on him, and a nation that proudly welcomes him home.
It was my honor to be with Stephen in St. Petersburg today before he departed for the United States. President Trump called Stephen to check on him and reaffirm his unwavering commitment to bringing all Americans wrongfully detained home.
Stephen joins more than 110 Americans who @POTUS has freed since returning to office, including Robert Gilman, Ksenia Karelina, and Marc Fogel.
This release was not part of an exchange - and we extend our thanks to President Putin for releasing him on President Trump’s request.
Thank you to @SecRubio, @JaredKushner, @CIADirector, Senior Director for Counterterrorism @SebGorka and the rest of the team for working tirelessly to achieve President Trump’s mission.
President Trump does not leave Americans behind and will continue fighting to bring them all home 🇺🇸.
.@ZelenskyyUa and @SecRubio spoke overnight, and @ZelenskyyUa calls it "substantive" and "constructive"
I spoke with Marco Rubio @SecRubio, and it was a substantive conversation – focused on the issues that matter. I am grateful for his readiness to help and his clear position. First, ballistic missile interceptors, which are needed to protect lives. Second, early warning of Russian ballistic missile attacks, which is vital. Third, the situation with Starlink/Starshield, which needs to be restored. Of course, all of this comes against the backdrop of our diplomatic efforts to end this horrific war and the constant killing of people. We agreed to get in touch again soon for an update. Thank you, Marco, for the constructive discussion! Thank you to everyone in America who supports fair approaches!
Our Monday @NewsHour story on one of the lowest moments for the IS-Ukraine relationship in 18 months
The war of words between President Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy escalated again, with Trump sharply criticizing the Ukrainian leader and directing more pressure at him than at Russia's Vladimir Putin.
The latest tensions come as the U.S. has restricted Ukraine's access to critical technology it relies on.
@nickschifrin has more.
Ukrainian official confirms to me that @ZelenskyyUa is expected to meet this week in Norway with @SEPeaceMissions and @jaredkushner.
Withering @ZelenskyyUa statement following @POTUS announcement that Russia will export diesel, referencing meeting between @SEPeaceMissions @jaredkushner and Ukrainian and European officials:
"I believe our team is simply being used as a smokescreen."
"That means more money for this war, more money to inflict suffering on us, without a doubt. It only feeds Putin and gives him the ability to fight even more. And at this very moment, while we are talking about peace, America is allowing Russia to export diesel fuel. This means – I don’t know for certain – millions, billions. In any case, all that money goes toward the war against people, against Ukraine, against all of us. I believe our team is simply being used as a smokescreen. And that is certainly not fair. It is certainly not how partners should treat each other. "
.@SteveWitkoff and @jaredkushner will meet with @rustem_umerov, @arakhamia_david, as well as counterparts from the UK, France, Germany, and the EU, according to a European official. A US official confirms the meeting is "to discuss a unified new proposal to try and end the war."
Our @newshour conversation with @ColumbiaSIPA's Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of former hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, and @MiddleEastInst's Jaser AbuMousa, who lost his wife, 2 of his children, and his mother during the war in Gaza, about their public dialogue "Across the Divide":
Dekel-Chen: "We are two men who whose lives were irrevocably changed by October 7 and the months thereafter, and if we can find a way to have reasonable conversations about how we can make life better for our communities by defusing hatred that has plagued us all for so long, then we hope that that message can be spread."
AbuMousa: "My pain and my grief are very real. But I learned how to point them at the right direction, not at people, but at policies, at structures, at leaders who actually take people as collateral damage or as expendable assets. The other thing that motivated me to make this decision is my children. I do not want leave to them the anger and the pain."
youtube.com/watch?v=6PODi-8K…
Our story on the third anniversary of October 7, featuring @kumu_il's @omrishif: "For the people of Israel and bereaved families to rise up from the dust, from the ashes, and to build a new leadership and new Israel society from the memory of October 7."
Israel is marking the third anniversary of one of its darkest days in history. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists stormed Israeli communities, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 more.
@nickschifrin reports on one survivor and his determination to create a new generation of Israeli leadership. Warning: This story includes disturbing images.
The US has delivered a demarche to Russia demanding more information about the possible case of pneumonic plague. A State Department spokesperson confirmed “We have officially requested additional information from the Russian government.”
Our @newshour report on the latest arrest in Britain connected to a possible plot against RAF Fairford, including what a US official told me: that even before the initial arrests, the US received information of a possible "imminent" attack, the base was put on lockdown, and families were being moved.
British police arrested a 22-year-old on suspicion of terrorism offenses connected to a possible plot against the RAF Fairford airbase. Over the weekend, the U.S. Air Force evacuated bombers from that base, for fear of an attack.
@nickschifrin has more.
From @Kasparov63: "Neither I nor @Ivan_Tyutrin have been told explicitly that we were the targets whose names are redacted in the indictment of the assassins. We were, however, warned by security services in Lithuania and the US that our lives were in danger and that we should take precautions, which I did and will continue to do." thenextmove.org/p/new-detail…
Our @NewsHour report on the extraordinary story of how an injured captain, and courageous passengers, subdued an attacker and saved a #FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv
About 170 people aboard a terrifying flight to Tel Aviv are safe after one pilot allegedly stabbed the other in what Israeli officials say was an effort to crash the plane.
Israeli officials say passengers and crew sprang into action, subduing the pilot and preventing the plane from going down.
@nickschifrin reports.
Nick Schifrin retweeted
Together with 🇮🇱&🇮🇳&🇦🇪 nations I pray for the life of Captain Smit Machchhar, the experienced and gifted hero Indian pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073.
His courage & the courage of other Israeli & Emirati passengers & crew members saved the lives of 180 souls.
🇮🇱🇮🇳🇦🇪 United against terrorism !
Nick Schifrin retweeted
My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.
Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster.
He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.
I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery.
He is a true hero.
Israeli, Indian, and regional officials now correct the record on what happened on the #FlyDubai flight: they say the co-pilot stabbed the captain, Indian national Mr Smit Machchhar, who despite being injured, opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the co-pilot.
Nick Schifrin retweeted
Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today. He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary medical attention. A full update on his health is awaited but he is reported to be in stable condition. We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest. We are in touch with his family and assure them that we will continue to follow up on his health with Saudi authorities and extend all possible assistance for his wellbeing.
@MEAIndia