Latest news with #USForeignRelations
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Heads of State review – John Cena and Idris Elba sell fun throwback Amazon comedy
Rather than give the world an escape, Heads of State, Amazon's throwback buddy comedy, thrums the tension in US foreign relations. Suicide Squad veterans Idris Elba and John Cena are redeployed in this gun show from Nobody director Ilya Naishuller, respectively, as the UK prime minister and US president at loggerheads. President Derringer, barely six months in office, resents the PM for not doing more to help him get elected. Prime Minister Clarke, a six-year incumbent mired in an approval ratings slump, has already dismissed the president – a swaggering former action hero – as a Schwarzenegger knockoff. After a joint press conference goes sideways and spoils the announcement of a Nato-supported energy initiative, the pair are forced on an Air Force One ride to help repair the PR damage – but it gets worse when the plane is shot down. As it turns out, the Nato energy thingy was cribbed from a nuclear scientist that alliance forces neutralized to head off the threat of another Hiroshima – and his father, a psycho arms dealer named Viktor Gradov (a rueful Paddy Considine), is bent on revenge. In fact, the two-hour film opens with Noel – a skull-cracking MI6 agent played by Priyanka Chopra – leading a covert strike on Gradov in the middle of the world famous Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, that turns upside down when she and her team are felled in the food fight. That botched operation – part of a wider sabotage, as we'll learn later – is top of mind when the president and prime minister bail out of Air Force One (under attack from without and within) into a Belarusian wood. From there, they must find their way back to safe harbor – not knowing whom they can trust when they get there, of course. All the while they're being chased by Gradov's hell-raising henchmen Sasha and Olga 'the Killers', whom Aleksandr Kuznetsov and Katrina Durden play like Boris and Natasha, but eviler. It's the kind of paint-by-numbers summer tentpole that would have drawn a crowd in 2013 – when Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down were doing serious box office numbers. The fact that Amazon MGM went straight to streaming with it, instead of doing an exclusive theatrical release first, speaks volumes about the state of play in the film industry – and, perhaps, the mixed reception for G20, their straight-to-streaming shoot-em-up about the female president who has to fight her way out of a global summit. But where a Bezos studio head could make the case that Viola Davis isn't a solo draw (even as her body of work suggests otherwise), the lack of faith in Heads' theatrical potential is beyond comprehension. John Cena remains one of, if not the biggest draw in professional wrestling, while popping up in everything from the Fast and Furious franchise to the Simpsons. Idris, star of big (Hobbs & Shaw) and small screen (Luther, The Wire), has been touted as a possible James Bond successor for a solid decade. Chopra is a Bollywood superstar who successfully pivoted to network TV and married a Jonas brother. Why did Amazon think this film wouldn't do well at the cineplex? They should've had more confidence in their leads, all three of whom meet the broad performance profile for a popcorn thriller. Elba in particular does a deft job of toggling from his Odd Couple chemistry with Cena (the exceptional actor-wrestler besides Dave Bautista who can really play the margins between tough and tender) to the romantic chemistry with Chopra (who gets to kick ass and take punches just like in her Quantico days). The rest of the cast delivers, too. Richard Coyle plays against his Coupling type as the PM's dour right hand, while Sarah Niles – with her resting 'bitch, please' face – is a study in quiet strength again as the president's top aide and best bud. Stephen Root, a hacker double agent, is always a treat. And Jack Quaid, fresh off playing lead in Novocaine, hams it up so hard in his handful of appearances as a CIA safe house watchman that he earns his very own end-credits scene. Throughout, Naishuller cooks up action sequences that leave plenty of room for pratfalls and one-liners. (The PM, a Royal Army vet, detonating a smoke bomb in his own face; puns are Noel's love language; etc) And the writing – a team effort between Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec (Ghost Protocol) and Harrison Query (who also gets story credit) – has command. When two major characters went missing for chunks of the film (Chopra's was gone for nearly an hour), they would smartly bring them back with a snappy, Edgar Wright-style montage explaining where they had been. Bleeding hearts will keep watching for the sermon on Nato's value as a peace-keeping force, and maybe look away when it ends in a massive shootout. Fun, fiery and totally frivolous, Heads of State is a perfect summer movie with great potential for future sequels. (The end scene certainly sets that up.) But getting it to launch first in theaters next time might take a global coalition. Do we have the votes? Heads of State is now available on Amazon Prime
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Heads of State review – John Cena and Idris Elba sell fun throwback Amazon comedy
Rather than give the world an escape, Heads of State, Amazon's throwback buddy comedy, thrums the tension in US foreign relations. Suicide Squad veterans Idris Elba and John Cena are redeployed in this gun show from Nobody director Ilya Naishuller, respectively, as the UK prime minister and US president at loggerheads. President Derringer, barely six months in office, resents the PM for not doing more to help him get elected. Prime Minister Clarke, a six-year incumbent mired in an approval ratings slump, has already dismissed the president – a swaggering former action hero – as a Schwarzenegger knockoff. After a joint press conference goes sideways and spoils the announcement of a Nato-supported energy initiative, the pair are forced on an Air Force One ride to help repair the PR damage – but it gets worse when the plane is shot down. As it turns out, the Nato energy thingy was cribbed from a nuclear scientist that alliance forces neutralized to head off the threat of another Hiroshima – and his father, a psycho arms dealer named Viktor Gradov (a rueful Paddy Considine), is bent on revenge. In fact, the two-hour film opens with Noel – a skull-cracking MI6 agent played by Priyanka Chopra – leading a covert strike on Gradov in the middle of the world famous Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, that turns upside down when she and her team are felled in the food fight. That botched operation – part of a wider sabotage, as we'll learn later – is top of mind when the president and prime minister bail out of Air Force One (under attack from without and within) into a Belarusian wood. From there, they must find their way back to safe harbor – not knowing whom they can trust when they get there, of course. All the while they're being chased by Gradov's hell-raising henchmen Sasha and Olga 'the Killers', whom Aleksandr Kuznetsov and Katrina Durden play like Boris and Natasha, but eviler. It's the kind of paint-by-numbers summer tentpole that would have drawn a crowd in 2013 – when Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down were doing serious box office numbers. The fact that Amazon MGM went straight to streaming with it, instead of doing an exclusive theatrical release first, speaks volumes about the state of play in the film industry – and, perhaps, the mixed reception for G20, their straight-to-streaming shoot-em-up about the female president who has to fight her way out of a global summit. But where a Bezos studio head could make the case that Viola Davis isn't a solo draw (even as her body of work suggests otherwise), the lack of faith in Heads' theatrical potential is beyond comprehension. John Cena remains one of, if not the biggest draw in professional wrestling, while popping up in everything from the Fast and Furious franchise to the Simpsons. Idris, star of big (Hobbs & Shaw) and small screen (Luther, The Wire), has been touted as a possible James Bond successor for a solid decade. Chopra is a Bollywood superstar who successfully pivoted to network TV and married a Jonas brother. Why did Amazon think this film wouldn't do well at the cineplex? They should've had more confidence in their leads, all three of whom meet the broad performance profile for a popcorn thriller. Elba in particular does a deft job of toggling from his Odd Couple chemistry with Cena (the exceptional actor-wrestler besides Dave Bautista who can really play the margins between tough and tender) to the romantic chemistry with Chopra (who gets to kick ass and take punches just like in her Quantico days). The rest of the cast delivers, too. Richard Coyle plays against his Coupling type as the PM's dour right hand, while Sarah Niles – with her resting 'bitch, please' face – is a study in quiet strength again as the president's top aide and best bud. Stephen Root, a hacker double agent, is always a treat. And Jack Quaid, fresh off playing lead in Novocaine, hams it up so hard in his handful of appearances as a CIA safe house watchman that he earns his very own end-credits scene. Throughout, Naishuller cooks up action sequences that leave plenty of room for pratfalls and one-liners. (The PM, a Royal Army vet, detonating a smoke bomb in his own face; puns are Noel's love language; etc) And the writing – a team effort between Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec (Ghost Protocol) and Harrison Query (who also gets story credit) – has command. When two major characters went missing for chunks of the film (Chopra's was gone for nearly an hour), they would smartly bring them back with a snappy, Edgar Wright-style montage explaining where they had been. Bleeding hearts will keep watching for the sermon on Nato's value as a peace-keeping force, and maybe look away when it ends in a massive shootout. Fun, fiery and totally frivolous, Heads of State is a perfect summer movie with great potential for future sequels. (The end scene certainly sets that up.) But getting it to launch first in theaters next time might take a global coalition. Do we have the votes? Heads of State is now available on Amazon Prime
Asharq Al-Awsat
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Rubio Warns Syria May Be Weeks Away from Full-Scale Civil War, Urges Senate to Repeal Caesar Act
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Tuesday that Syria may be only weeks away from a full-scale civil war and called on the Senate to repeal the Caesar Act, which imposed sweeping sanctions on the country. Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio argued that current US sanctions are hampering efforts to stabilize Syria and attract much-needed foreign investment. He noted that lifting some sanctions would not be enough as long as the Caesar Act remains in effect. Rubio said the rationale behind President Donald Trump's decision to ease sanctions was to pave the way for regional countries to support Syria's transitional government. The situation in the country remains volatile, with the potential for wider regional fallout, particularly in neighboring Lebanon, he warned. The situation in Syria will profoundly impact Lebanon. 'This is a historic opportunity,' he underlined, adding that if in two years from now, Syria and Lebanon are both stable, enormous potential for peace, security, and the resolution of long-standing conflicts, could be unlocked. Following meetings with Syrian transitional leaders last week, Rubio said US intelligence assessments suggest the country could be weeks—not months—away from collapse and a devastating civil war that could fracture Syria irreparably. He also revealed that the Trump administration will authorize the US ambassador in Türkiye to coordinate with local Syrian officials to assess humanitarian needs. The American embassy in Damascus remains closed for security reasons. Rubio visited Ankara last week, where he met with Syria's foreign minister. He indicated that the administration is preparing to begin lifting certain sanctions to allow aid to flow from international partners. Meanwhile, growing bipartisan support in Congress suggests that such a shift may be politically viable. According to US media reports, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are increasingly open to easing sanctions, with some Republicans reportedly discussing the removal of Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa from the terrorism watchlist. That discussion followed Trump's meeting with Sharaa last week in Saudi Arabia, where he announced plans to lift sanctions on Damascus, describing it as a chance to give the new Syrian leadership 'an opportunity to succeed.' Senate Majority Leader John Thune said there is interest in easing sanctions, but cautioned that concerns remain about Syria's commitment to democratic reforms and human rights. Lawmakers from both parties view a potential policy shift as a strategic opportunity to bolster US allies, such as Israel and Türkiye, while diminishing Iran's influence in the region. Senator Mike Rounds said he believes Sharaa understands that friendship with the US could offer political longevity and economic growth. A senior White House official told Semafor that the administration's evolving stance on Syria is part of Trump's broader 'vision for peace' in the region. However, the official emphasized that it is still too early to discuss investment deals similar to recent agreements between the US and Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Marco Rubio clashes with Democratic senator in heated testimony: ‘I regret voting for you'
Democrats unanimously confirmed former Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Donald Trump 's secretary of state earlier this year, but the top diplomat faced several hours of attacks from his former colleagues on Tuesday condemning his first months on the job. 'I have to tell you directly and personally that I regret voting for you for secretary of state,' said Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who has drawn intense criticism from the administration after traveling to visit a wrongly deported Salvadoran father shipped to a hellhole prison in his home country. 'Your regret for voting for me confirms I'm doing a good job,' Rubio fired back. 'That's a flippant statement,' Van Hollen replied. Rubio faced a barrage of criticism from Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including Van Hollen, who worked alongside the Florida Republican for more than a decade. 'I'm not even mad anymore about your complicity in this administration's destruction of U.S. global leadership,' Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) told him. 'I'm simply disappointed. I wonder if you're proud of yourself in this moment when you go home to your family?' Van Hollen lashed into Rubio's dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the end of refugee resettlement, cancellation of international student visas over criticism of Israel, and the summary removals of dozens of immigrants to a notorious prison in El Salvador. The senator faced attacks from administration officials and Trump allies after traveling to El Salvador to visit Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran father living in Maryland who was wrongly deported to his home country more than two months ago, igniting a fierce legal battle with judges and a unanimous Supreme Court demanding the administration 'facilitate' his release. Rubio asserted that he has 'no obligation' to answer questions from a judge about the government's relationship with El Salvador and arrangements to imprison Abrego Garcia and others. 'We deported gang members — including the one you had a margarita with,' said Rubio, referencing debunked claims that Van Hollen drank cocktails with Abrego Garcia during a brief visit. Aides for El Salvador President Nayib Bukele placed glasses on a table dressed up like cocktails to mock their meeting, according to Van Hollen. 'That guy is a human trafficker, that guy is a gang member,' Rubio said. Van Hollen tried to cut him off, telling committee chair James Risch that Rubio was making 'unsubstantiated comments.' Administration officials have repeatedly sought to justify Abrego Garcia's ongoing detention with allegations of criminal activity and gang membership, which were largely raised only after he was deported. The claims are absent in court documents in the legal battle for his return. 'Secretary Rubio should take that testimony to the federal court of the United States because he hasn't done it under oath,' Van Hollen snapped. Rubio claimed 'no judge' can force him to respond to questions about his conversation with foreign leaders. 'I am under no obligation, under our division of powers in this country, to share with the judicial branch how I conducted diplomacy of the United States,' Rubio said. He said he 'won't comply' with court orders for 'what I'm saying, and what I'm talking about with a foreign leader.' In court, Rubio and lawyers at the Department of Justice have raised a 'state secrets' privilege to try to avoid answering questions about what steps, if any, the administration is taking to return Abrego Garcia to the United States. Responding to Van Hollen's criticism of Rubio revoking student visas over pro-Palestine protests, a furious Rubio said: 'I don't deport anybody. I don't snatch anybody. What I do is revoke visas. It's very simple: A visa is not a right, it's a privilege.' Van Hollen repeatedly interrupted, asking whether Tufts University scholar Rumeysa Ozturk — who is accused only of co-writing an op-ed critical of Israel's war in Gaza — should be imprisoned and deported. 'C'mon, Mr. Secretary. You're just blowing smoke,' Van Hollen said. 'That's pathetic, Mr. Secretary. … I feel so much safer with you locking up people like Ms. Ozturk.'
