U.S. Department of State :The Week at State: July 17 - July 23, 2026

 

July 17 - July 23 From issuing passports to helping U.S. businesses abroad, the State Department has served the American people for nearly 237 years. Here’s what happened at State this week.   The State Department released a landmark report detailing Cuba’s decades of subversion and influence operations.  Secretary Rubio traveled to Manila for ASEAN foreign ministerial meetings to deepen Indo-Pacific partnerships.  Secretary Rubio met with foreign counterparts and leaders to discuss key agreements and frameworks. State Department Releases Comprehensive Report on Cuba On July 20, the Department of State released a major report, Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism. The report documents decades of Cuban espionage and subversion in our country. As the report says, “Cuba’s assault on the United States was never, at root, a quarrel over economic policy or sovereignty or even ownership of a particular territory. It was a revolution against Western civilization itself.” “For more than six decades, the Cuban regime has been the leading sponsor of radical leftism and Third Worldism in the United States,” said Secretary Rubio on X. Not only is Cuba close to the U.S. shoreline, it has a direct impact on our national security.  Demonstrating this commitment to the Cuban people, Secretary Rubio welcomed Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, a Cuban artist and leader of the San Isidro Movement, who arrived in the United States following his release from unjust imprisonment in Cuba.  On July 21, the United States and Catholic Relief Services sent the first flight of humanitarian relief under Secretary Rubio’s historic commitment of $100 million in humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people, who are suffering from the consequences of the Communist regime’s kleptocracy, brutality, and economic incompetence. “The goal is to have a Cuba where the people of Cuba can experience prosperity, safety, security and a better life moving forward,” Secretary Rubio said. Advancing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific Secretary Rubio participates in an ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the United States in Manila, Philippines, July 22, 2026. (Official State Department photo by Mateo S. Melendy) From July 19-23, Secretary Rubio traveled to Manila to attend the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. While in Manila, Secretary Rubio met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to reaffirm the alliance and the shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Highlights from the meeting included:  A $100 million U.S. commitment to upgrade infrastructure along the Luzon Economic Corridor. The launch of a new Pax Silica Economic Security Zone. A renewed, united stance on maintaining maritime security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. A five-year agreement to strengthen public health cooperation. The Secretary’s visit advanced a clear U.S. priority: a free and open Indo-Pacific that delivers safety, security, and prosperity for the region and for the American people. Secretary Rubio Meets with Foreign Officials On the margins of ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meetings in Manila, Secretary Rubio also participated in a trilateral meeting with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu.   Key outcomes of the meeting included:  Deepening regional security and economic cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.  An agreement to deploy small modular reactors for energy diversification. Joint efforts to combat transnational criminal networks operating scam centers. Reaffirmed commitment to derisking critical supply chains and opposing economic coercion.  Secretary Rubio also met separately with Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to discuss recent developments in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. Secretary Rubio’s meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed U.S. support for the Trilateral Framework while backing Lebanon’s push toward peace, economic recovery, and long-term prosperity for its citizens. News You May Have Missed Americans worldwide should exercise increased caution due to heightened tensions in the Middle East. Secretary Rubio met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and discussed advancing the U.S.-Thailand alliance by enhancing defense cooperation, improving military interoperability, and making progress toward a reciprocal trade agreement. Secretary Rubio delivered remarks to the press and discussed meetings with Chinese counterparts, upcoming meetings with Russia, the effects of the war in Iran on ASEAN countries, and Cuba.  Secretary Rubio and Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric led the first U.S.-Serbia Strategic Dialogue, strengthening the partnership between the United States and Serbia.  Secretary Rubio discussed Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz and pledged ongoing reconstruction aid for Venezuela in remarks to the press. The United States welcomed the Government of the Republic of Iraq and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic’s intent to pursue the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Iraq-Syria crude oil pipeline. The United States congratulated Mauritius on joining the Artemis Accords, making them the 70th country to sign the Accords to date, pledging commitment to peaceful exploration and use of space. Note to Our Readers  We welcome feedback at EmailTeam@state.gov  Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe to The Week at State for weekly updates on important work, activities, and news straight from the State Department. Useful links Travel advisories and updates for U.S. Citizens Did you know that you can invite a State Department official to speak at your school, business, or organization? Learn about what we do through the firsthand experience of one of our representatives.  Read More at State.gov

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