Tag: Foreign Policy
Stevenson’s army, March 4
The US government makes few Big Statements on foreign policy. Most common is the National Security Strategy Report, which previous administrations have issued just once in 4 years, usually in the second year. The language is anodyne; it’s hard to find anything to disagree with. But once issued, the documents become gospel, regularly quoted in interagency meetings as “proof” of what the President wants.
The Biden Administration is off to a fast start. Yesterday the WH issued “Interim National Security Strategic Guidance.” Defense News has a good summary.
SecState Blinken also made a major policy speech. WaPo notes the highlights.
NYT reports secret order on drone strikes, said to be temporary pending review, reversing Trump policy delegating authority to operational levels. [Readers here may know that I have long favored the Hughes-Ryan model of presidential decision and congressional notification of drone strikes and offensive cyber operations.]
In other news, Germany is conducting FONOP in South China Sea.
FP says Biden is giving Turkey a “silent treatment.”
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I plan to republish here. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).
Stevenson’s army, March 3
– The Hill says FBI Director Wray hinted at forthcoming sanctions for the Solar Winds hack, saying they would be joint, public-private, and sequenced.
-The administration and EU announced sanctions on Russia in the Navalny case.
-David Ignatius is unhappy with the Khashoggi sanctions. The administration’s fallback position is planned sanctions against people who punish journalists or dissidents.
– David Von Drehle says Biden should accept defeat in Afghanistan and pull out.
– Dan Drezner says economic statecraft is changing.
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I plan to republish here. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).
Stevenson’s army, March 2
Although the new USTR has not yet been confirmed, the administration released a trade agenda, stressing more challenges to China.
WSJ says allies aren’t all aligned with US on China.
Brazilian prof says Latin American governments are caught between US & Chinese tech war.
Lawfare previews CFR report on preventing war over Taiwan.
Politico discusses Democratic challengers to Biden foreign policy.
Just so you know: AP notes that Democrats dislike GOP use of “Democrat” as an adjective. [In my case, it’s fingernails-on-a-blackboard cringeworthy.]
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I plan to republish here. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).
Stevenson’s army, February 27
– Earmarks are returning. More background from CRS.
– Administration releases ODNI report on Khashoggi killing but stops short of punishing MBS.
– WSJ reports new US rules to fight China technology threat.
– Pentagon releases materials for countering extremism in the ranks.
– VP Harris more active in foreign policy.
– New push on war power rules.
– Lawfare on how new cyber director is supposed to work.
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I plan to republish here. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).
Stevenson’s army, February 26
– Biden administration strikes Iranian-backed militias in Syria.
– Biden talks to Saudi king
– Axios says administration in no rush to change Western Sahara policy..
– Pew reports public opinion on Biden foreign policy challenges.
– David Ignatius comments on Egypt policy.
– Josh Rogin urges action on North Korea policy.
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I plan to republish here. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).
Stevenson’s army, February 16
– CNN has a typical day.
– WSJ’s Seib says he’s blending economic and foreign policy.
– WSJ says DOD is going big on robotics.
-CNAS writer has good to-do list for SecDef Austin.
– Erdogan blasts US for support to Kurds.
My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I plan to republish here. To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).