In The News

US Bills South Korea $5 Billion: Korea Times

Do Je-hae November 20, 2019
South Korea hosts US bases and more than 25,000 troops, contributing to the costs. The Trump administration wants the country to pay $5 billion for maintaining that presence. South Korea suggests that the request lacks specifics, showing a lack of respect for allies. “Such concerns were greatly magnified by a recent meeting between U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris and a high-profile Korean lawmaker,...

Quid Pro Quo on Ukraine Aid: Washington Post

Aaron C. Davis November 20, 2019
President Trump is described as “the boss,” who issued orders and demands, at times vague and other times specific, with little interest in details or how his cowed staff carried out the orders. That was according to congressional testimony by US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland for the presidential impeachment inquiry. Official US policy supports Ukraine in its war with Russia....

US Allies, Trump and Syria: Atlantic

Uri Friedman November 15, 2019
The United States withdrew about 50 US Special Forces from Syria in October and “generated a wave of angst across the world about the United States unceremoniously dumping its allies and terminating the international system it has led for more than 70 years,” writes Uri Friedman for the Atlantic. The abrupt, chaotic withdrawal compounded a humanitarian crisis. Hundreds of Kurds have died, more...

Vindman Deposition

November 11, 2019
Nations must carefully assess the motivations behind any request from foreign leaders as well as the benefits for their country and the common good. Supporting or targeting a citizen of another country for questionable purposes, can jeopardize bipartisan support. In congressional testimony, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander S. Vindman detailed how he consistently issued warnings – advising the...

Hill Deposition

November 9, 2019
Fiona Hill oversaw interactions pertaining to Europe and NATO as well as Russia, Turkey and Ukrainewas with the National Security Council as. a senior director with the National Security Counci since early 2017. During that time, she observed sloppy security practices, manipulations, internal score setting and targeted leaks to undermine colleagues along with lack of transparency in...

Taylor Deposition

November 8, 2019
William Taylor reported to work at the US embassy in Ukraine on June 17, appointed chargé d'affaires by the Secretary of State and the president. He soon realized that the president’s private attorney Rudy Giuliani was promoting shadow US policies and priorities counter to US security interests. Taylor raised alarm, sending a cable to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after learning that the...

Yovanovitch Deposition

November 5, 2019
Ambassadors who represent their nations must have support from leadership or they cannot be effective at their jobs. Maria Yovanovitch left her post as US ambassador to Ukriane in May and describes her concern in congressional testimony. She described concerns about a shadow campaign to influence policies in Ukraine, undertaken by the US president’s personal attorney without going through normal...