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Leader of the free world has never been a role Trump has embraced. The world has gotten the message
Read full article: Leader of the free world has never been a role Trump has embraced. The world has gotten the messageBased on Donald Trump’s first term and his campaign statements, the United States will become less predictable, more chaotic, colder to allies and warmer to some strongmen, and much more transactional in picking friends globally than before.
Trump's attacks on US justice system after his conviction could be used by autocrats, say experts
Read full article: Trump's attacks on US justice system after his conviction could be used by autocrats, say expertsDonald Trump attacked the U.S. criminal justice system after his historic guilty verdict.
The West has sanctioned Russia's rich. But is that really punishing Putin and helping Ukraine?
Read full article: The West has sanctioned Russia's rich. But is that really punishing Putin and helping Ukraine?Western officials say sanctions against Russia’s billionaires are meant to isolate President Vladimir Putin, choke off support for his war and turn powerful business allies against him.
In Russia-Ukraine war, more disastrous path could lie ahead
Read full article: In Russia-Ukraine war, more disastrous path could lie aheadOne year after President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine both countries are preparing for offensives that could set the stage for a potentially even more disastrous phase of the war.
In unlikely wartime role, Zelenskyy gives Ukrainians hope
Read full article: In unlikely wartime role, Zelenskyy gives Ukrainians hopeWestern leaders feared for the life of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a year ago and the U.S. offered him an escape route as Russian forces bore down on Ukraine’s capital.
Jan. 6 hearings traced an arc of 'carnage' wrought by Trump
Read full article: Jan. 6 hearings traced an arc of 'carnage' wrought by TrumpThe Jan. 6 congressional hearings have paused, at least for now, and Washington is taking stock of what was learned about the actions of Donald Trump and associates surrounding the Capitol attack.
Kazakhstan adds uncertainty to talks with Russia on Ukraine
Read full article: Kazakhstan adds uncertainty to talks with Russia on UkraineRussia’s decision to send paratroopers into Kazakhstan, where a crackdown on violent anti-government protests has left dozens dead, injects additional uncertainty into upcoming talks over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Fiona Hill, a nobody to Trump and Putin, saw into them both
Read full article: Fiona Hill, a nobody to Trump and Putin, saw into them bothIn her new book, Fiona Hill lays out her experiences as the Russia adviser in Donald Trump’s White House and the circumstances behind her riveting congressional testimony in Trump's first impeachment.
Trump's presidency not just a blip in US foreign policy
Read full article: Trump's presidency not just a blip in US foreign policyBut Trump’s imprint on America’s place in the world — viewed as good or bad — will not be easily erased. U.S. allies aren’t blind to the large constituency of American voters who continue to support Trump’s nationalist tendencies and his belief that the United States should stay out of world conflicts. The national security and foreign policy staff that he has named so far are champions of multilateralism. The United States has pledged to pull all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by May 1, just months after Biden takes office, but it's unclear if he will. IRANIn 2018, Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal, in which world powers agreed to lift sanctions on Tehran if it curbed its nuclear program.
Riot? Insurrection? Words matter in describing Capitol siege
Read full article: Riot? Insurrection? Words matter in describing Capitol siegeThen it became an assault, a riot, an insurrection, domestic terrorism or even a coup attempt. The language used by the American media to describe last week's Capitol siege proves one thing whatever your perspective: Words matter. Phrases like “mob,” “riot” and “insurrection” were appropriate, noted John Daniszewski, vice president and editor at large for standards. There was no riot, insurrection or storming” at the Capitol. The New York Times, Washington Post, CBS, NBC, ABC and CNN have all used riot to describe the day.
Hacked networks will need to be burned 'down to the ground'
Read full article: Hacked networks will need to be burned 'down to the ground'Experts say its going to take months to kick elite hackers widely believed to be Russian out of U.S. government networks. The hackers have been quietly rifling through those networks for months in Washingtons worst cyberespionage failure on record. Experts say there simply are not enough skilled threat-hunting teams to duly identify all the government and private-sector systems that may have been hacked. Many federal workers — and others in the private sector — must presume that unclassified networks are teeming with spies. The Pentagon has said it has so far not detected any intrusions from the SolarWinds campaign in any of its networks — classified or unclassified.
Ex-Trump adviser plans book on future of polarized America
Read full article: Ex-Trump adviser plans book on future of polarized AmericaWASHINGTON Fiona Hill, a key witness in President Donald Trump's impeachment inquiry, is going to be sharing her views about the future of a polarized America. The New York-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media announced on Wednesday that it has acquired a book by Hill, former deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council at the White House. Senior editor Alex Littlefield acquired North American rights to the book from Andrew Nurnberg Associates, based in London. Hill's book, titled There Is Nothing for You Here: Opportunity in an Age of Decline," is to be released in the fall of 2021. She said she joined the Trump White House because she shared the Republican presidents belief that relations with Russia needed to improve.
Impeachment investigators release more transcripts
Read full article: Impeachment investigators release more transcriptsHouse impeachment investigators released on Friday the deposition transcripts of Vindman and former White House aide Fiona Hill. Vindman was the first official interviewed by lawmakers in the impeachment inquiry who listened into the July call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Vindman said he was concerned about the call and reported it to National Security Council attorneys. The House Intelligence Committee has now released eight transcripts of the 15 witnesses who have testified behind closed doors in the impeachment inquiry. Democrats are shifting the impeachment proceedings to a new phase next week when three witnesses will testify publicly.
Mulvaney admits quid pro quo over Ukraine aid
Read full article: Mulvaney admits quid pro quo over Ukraine aid"That's why we held up the money," Mulvaney said after listing the 2016-related investigation and Trump's broader concerns about corruption in Ukraine. After weeks during which Trump denied the existence of any political quid pro quo in his withholding of security aid to Ukraine, Mulvaney confirmed the existence of a quid pro quo and offered this retort: "Get over it." Taylor raised concerns that a quid pro quo was afoot: withholding a White House visit for the Ukrainian president and security aid until Ukraine committed to carrying out investigations. That includes Hill, the top Russia adviser at the White House, acting at the direction of her boss, Bolton. The request was dated July 10, according to a senior White House official, the same day of that White House meeting that sparked concerns.
Trump's former top Russia adviser giving Ukraine testimony
Read full article: Trump's former top Russia adviser giving Ukraine testimony(CNN) - Fiona Hill, President Donald Trump's former top Russia adviser, is testifying Monday before House committees investigating Trump's communications with Ukraine, where she will be asked to provide information related to her former boss' conduct. A career in foreign policyDuring Hill's testimony on Monday, Democrats may focus on her skepticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The former adviser officially departed her role in August -- though she had handed over most of her responsibilities in July -- but was involved as Giuliani was making public pronouncements about Ukraine. According to the think tank, before she joined the organization, Hill served as a national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia with the National Intelligence Council. A critical biographer of Putin, Hill has authored or co-authored a number of books on Russia, including two editions of a book titled "Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin."
What's next in Trump impeachment inquiry
Read full article: What's next in Trump impeachment inquiryCNN Video(CNN) - Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill this week with House Democrats set to accelerate their impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and acting director of Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought face a deadline on subpoenas requesting documents as part of the impeachment inquiry. Wednesday, October 16Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, associates of Giuliani face a subpoena deadline for documents. Friday, October 18Energy Secretary Rick Perry faces a subpoena deadline for documents related to the administration's dealings with Ukraine. House Democrats have also subpoenaed acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney for documents with a deadline of October 18.
Trump's losses mount in stunning day of setbacks
Read full article: Trump's losses mount in stunning day of setbacksDemocrats said the White House tried to prevent Yovanovitch's testimony on Thursday evening, so they were forced to issue a subpoena. 'No authority'There was another signal Friday that the White House strategy of refusing to cooperate could face an uphill battle. That ruling preceded a day of setbacks on Trump's immigration agenda, designed around efforts to limit migrants from entering the country. Trump appeared nonplussed by the immigration setbacks as he departed the White House on Friday afternoon for a rally in Louisiana. "It impedes democracy," Stephen Miller, who leads Trump's efforts on immigration, told reporters in the White House driveway.
Trump's former top Russia adviser to testify
Read full article: Trump's former top Russia adviser to testifyFiona Hill, President Donald Trump's former top Russia adviser, has been subpoenaed and will testify next week. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Fiona Hill, President Donald Trump's former top Russia adviser, will explain to Congress when she testifies next week that she was unaware of some aspects of the escalating Ukraine scandal, according to a source close with Hill who spoke to her Thursday. Hill departed the National Security Council in July about a week before Trump's call with Zelensky that triggered a whistleblower report and has set off an impeachment inquiry in the House. Hill, a former Brookings scholar and skeptic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, oversaw rocky Washington-Moscow ties while she held her role. Hill's decision to serve on Trump's NSC was viewed as an intriguing move at the start of the administration.