German Marshall Fund
Derek Chollet is counselor and senior advisor at the German Marshall Fund. A former Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Obama Administration, he is author The Long Game: How Obama Defied Washington and Redefined America's Role in the World.
How will Trump and Putin's sit-down meeting play out? Ahead of President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, critics are angry that Trump is not expected to bring up Russian meddling in last year’s presidential election. What will the two discuss in their first bilateral talks? The list of possibilities is long: Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Crimea, ISIS.
America's foreign policy: Now you see it…now you don't… The founder of Communist China, Mao Tse Tung, was famous for unpredictability -- keeping the world off balance with unexpected contradictions. In less than 100 days, President Trump has set a new standard for American leaders, flip-flopping on Syria, NATO, China — and Vladimir Putin's Russia. Inexperience requires reliance on his advisors, so White House office politics may be more important than ever. But what does the inconsistency mean for America's strengths and weaknesses in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world?
The Trump Administration: In search for a policy in Eastern Europe Fighting has flared again in Eastern Ukraine, and NATO allies are playing military chess with Russia there, in the Balkans and in the Baltics as well. President Trump’s support for NATO — only if members "pay their fair share" — has undermined confidence in American leadership. Vladimir Putin appears to be taking advantage of local disputes as well as the uncertainty in Washington. Will the President agree to modify economic sanctions — despite opposition from powerful members of his own Republican Party?
Berlin, Ankara and the international political consequences When a lone gunman assassinated Russia's ambassador to Turkey in a shocking public display at an Ankara photo exhibit yesterday, the international consequences were immediate. Hours later a tractor trailer truck mowed down holiday revelers celebrating at a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 and wounding scores more. Germany has been preparing for terror attacks like the ones that have struck in Paris and Belgium. While authorities are treating these isolated incidents as the work of terrorists, motives and details are still very unclear. One thing is certain: the perception of escalating violence could have far-reaching effects on Europe's policy on immigration, refugees and the war in Syria.
In Eastern Europe, saber rattling — or risky escalation? You'd never know it from this year's campaign, but Russia and NATO are engaged in the biggest military buildup since the Cold War. In addition to Syria and Ukraine, the next US president might be faced with Russian aggression in the Baltic States and puppets of the former Soviet Union. Vladimir Putin has deployed forces and talked about using nuclear weapons. Comparisons are being made to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. NATO has changed the name for its military buildup in the region from "reassurance" to "deterrence" and is responding with tanks and troops -- at a time when the European Union is weakened and American leadership is fraught with uncertainty.
The Obama Legacy Across the Atlantic Even before he was elected, Barack Obama became a hero in Europe with a vow of internationalism to replace the go-it-alone approach of George W. Bush. Eight years later, Obama was back in Europe this week, trying to overcome the perception that he's become disengaged . The European Union is struggling with trade, the massive influx of refugees and the threat that Britain might withdraw. We hear what could be his last message and what's next for some of America's oldest and most powerful allies.
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?