Tag: international relations

Congress looks to Mediterranean allies to counter Turkey, Russia

The Hill logoLawmakers seeking to counter Turkey and Russia are investing in new efforts in the Mediterranean region to bolster U.S. allies like Israel, Greece and Cyprus.

Congress passed legislation last week as part of a $1.4 trillion spending package that makes the U.S. a key player in the market for natural gas in the region through a security and energy partnership with Eastern Mediterranean countries.

The measure strengthens military ties with Greece and lifts a decades-old arms embargo on Cyprus, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to the countries and positioning the allies to keep Turkey’s regional ambitions in check. Continue reading

 

On Foreign Policy, President Trump Reverts to Candidate Trump

The following article by Mark Landler was posted on the New York Times website April 3, 2018:

President Trump’s reversion to his campaign themes comes as he has reshuffled his national security team, ousting aides with more conventional views of American power in favor of more hawkish figures. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times

WASHINGTON — President Trump has been commander in chief for 14 months, but to an uncanny degree, he still sounds like the armchair statesman who ran for the White House in 2016.

“I want to get out,” Mr. Trump said of the United States’ military engagement in Syria, at a news conference on Tuesday with leaders of the Baltic States. “I want to bring our troops back home.”

Mr. Trump’s words were at odds with the strategy his administration is pursuing in Syria. But they were almost verbatim what he said in pre-election tweets, as well as in debates two years ago against Republican challengers and his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Continue reading “On Foreign Policy, President Trump Reverts to Candidate Trump”

The Memo: Trump rolls the dice on Jerusalem

The following article by Niall Stanage was posted on the Hill website December 6, 2017:

President Trump will roll the dice in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians on Wednesday, breaking with historical precedent by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Although the move has long been sought by the most fervent backers of Israel, a storm of protest is already brewing in the Arab world.

King Abdullah II of Jordan has said such an action will “have serious implications for security and stability in the Middle East.” Continue reading “The Memo: Trump rolls the dice on Jerusalem”