German Marshall Fund
Derek Chollet is a counselor and senior advisor at the German Marshall Fund. A former Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Obama Administration, he is the author The Long Game: How Obama Defied Washington and Redefined America's Role in the World.
Trump demands NATO countries spend more on defense During Wednesday’s NATO summit, President Donald Trump ripped into Germany about a gas deal it has with Russia. The president’s comments came during a larger conversation about how much money other NATO countries spend on their defense. Trump had criticized NATO countries of taking advantage of the U.S. Today, Trump called on them to spend 4 percent of their GDP on defense. That’s even more than the U.S. spends.
The fragile state of our international alliances Trump has complained that America was weak. During the campaign, he said President Obama wasn't winning anymore. But many critics think President Trump is undermining our alliances and making us weaker.
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.
Is a ‘Red State Democrat’ Even a Democrat? Democrats and progressives were scratching their heads last week when West Virginia’s senator broke with the Democratic Party. We get their reaction.
Inside the company helping LA County change its elections Big changes are coming to L.A. County elections starting in the year 2020. You’ll see 11 days of voting, not just one, ballots on high-tech touch screen terminals instead of paper and all new election software. Los Angeles County isn’t making the changes by itself. It has a partner in the effort, a private company that’s headquartered abroad and was once the focus of federal investigators. Is it a company that voters can trust with improving its elections?
As sidewalk gardens grow on Skid Row, homeless residents lose a sidewalk In a city with tens of thousands of people living on its streets, sidewalk space can be a hot commodity. Businesses want to keep the sidewalk clear for customers, but the city’s housing crisis means that for some people, the sidewalk is home. Some property owners have reportedly used sprinklers or private security guards to make sure no one sets up camp outside their doors. And in recent months, people living on the streets have noticed a new tactic – business owners effectively occupying a portion of the sidewalk themselves.
Rebecca Traister and the Power of Women’s Anger One of America’s leading feminist writers says women have changed history since Ancient Greece. And, she says, they’ll do it again. The backlash to President Trump was just the beginning. Record numbers of women are running for congress, state governorships and local offices. She tells Warren about her latest book,“Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger.”