The good and bad foreign policy news during the 1st Trump administration
(Most recent first)
the
Good
theBad
US Military Pulls Last Troops Out of Somaliasource
Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller Announces Troop Levels Down to 2,500 in Iraq
and Afghanistansource
President Trump Vetoes National Defense Authorization Actsource
Trump Orders All American Troops Out of Somaliasource
The US Has Closed At Least 10 Bases in Afghanistan
Since Signing Peace Deal source
US announces further drawdown of troops in Afghanistan
and Iraq
before Biden takes source
Pentagon plan calls for pulling all troops from Somaliasource
Pentagon: US Has Withdrawn From Five Afghan
Bases as Part of Pullout source
Trump Approves Cutting 9,500 US Troops From Germanysource
Trump tells West Points grads, "We are ending the era of endless wars...we are not the policemen of the world"source
Trump, Wall Street Journal Spar Over Afghan
Pullout source
Pandemic Brings US and Russia
Closer Together and Washington Hawks Panic source
Trump speaks with senior Taliban leader by phone, in a first between a U.S. president and insurgent force since Afghan war
began source
Trump says Mike Pompeo will witness signing of peace deal with Taliban - President seeks to end 18-year involvement in war in Afghanistan
and begin bringing troops home source
The Trump administration no longer considers Yemen’s Houthis
an Iranian proxy source
The Trump administration negotiates a temporary ceasefire between Turkey and the Kurds in Syriasource
"Very smart not to be involved in the intense fighting along the Turkish
Border, for a change. Those that mistakenly got us into the Middle East Wars are still pushing to fight. They have no idea what a bad decision they have made. Why are they not asking for a Declaration of War?" source
"This morning, Turkey, a NATO member, invaded Syria...The United States does not endorse this attack and has made it clear to Turkey that this operation is a bad idea. There are no American soldiers in the area. From the first day I entered the political arena, I made it clear that I did not want to fight these endless, senseless wars — especially those that don't benefit the United States. Turkey has committed to protecting civilians, protecting religious minorities, including Christians, and ensuring no humanitarian crisis takes place — and we will hold them to this commitment ..." source
Regarding Iraq, Trump tweeted, “We went to war under a false & now disproven premise, weapons of mass destruction. There were none!” source
‘No longer in the area’: US troops will neither help nor hamper Turkey’s cross-border operation in Syriasource
Trump fires National Security Adviser John Boltonsource
Trump Mulls $15 Billion Iran
Bailout, May Lift Sanctions source
Trump plans to make arrangements for withdrawal from Afghanistansource
Trump makes history crossing into North Koreasource
Trump Rejected Attacking Iran: ‘We Don’t Need Any More Wars’ source
Trump is frustrated with some of his top advisers, who he thinks could rush the United States into a military confrontation with Iran
and shatter his long-standing pledge to withdraw from costly foreign wars source
Trump contradicts Pompeo on Venezuela
after his call with Putin source
Three-way deal: Trump says China wants to join nuclear pact
with US, Russia source
U.S. Agrees With Russia, China on Framework for Afghanistan
Pullout source
U.S. and South Korea end military exercises that riled North Korea
in favor of something smaller source
Trump orders withdrawal of fresh North Korea-related sanctions announced earlier by US Treasury source
Trump administration continuing talks with Taliban in Afghanistansource
Trump meets with North Korea's
Kim Jong-un for a second time source
Trump Insists On Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistansource
US Envoy Says Trump Ready to End North Korea
War source
White House announces second Trump-Kim
summit source
U.S. Military announces start of Syria
withdrawal. source
Trump: "I campaigned against the NEVER ENDING WARS, remember!” source
US military ordered by Trump to begin planning to withdraw about half the troops in Afghanistan. source
US Military Building Presence in Saudi Arabia
for First Time in 17 Years - Some 2,500 US troops have arrived at their new home for the foreseeable future, the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia SOURCE
Trump warnsVenezuela'sMaduro, praises Juan Guaido in State of the Union source
Trump told Guaido he will take new action onVenezuelain the next month source
Pompeo and Mnuchin said new sanctions on Iran
would target individuals involved in Iran’s construction, manufacturing, textile and mining sectors, including its largest steel and iron manufacturers source
Trump defends ‘war crime’ threat to target cultural sites in Iransource
"We have ... targeted 52 Iranian
sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran" and "if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets... Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD," Trump wrote in a series of tweets. source
Trump threatens Iraq
with ‘very big sanctions’ unless it pays back BILLIONS for an airbase if US troops are forced to withdraw source
Pentagon to deploy roughly 3,500 more troops to Middle East
with others placed on alert status, amid tensions with Iran source
US to send 750+ troops to Middle East following Iraq
embassy attack source
US Attacks Baghdad Airport, Killing Top Iranian
General source
US airstrikes in Iraq
are a violation of sovereignty, will have ‘grave consequences’ – Iraqi prime minister source
Trump says that NATO
is no longer "obsolete" source
Trump applauds the resignation/coup of Evo Morales in Bolivia, calling it “a significant moment for democracy in the Western Hemisphere”source
Trump’s Oil Claims Complicate and Prolong US War in Syriasource
Pentagon planning to send tanks, armored vehicles to Syrian
oil fields source
US to send 1,800 troops, dozens of fighter jets to Saudi Arabiasource
US kills 11 in Libya as UN warns of escalation source
U.S. to deploy military forces to Saudi Arabia, UAE
after drone attacks on oil sites source
Trump sanctions Iranian
National Bank after blaming Iran for attack on Saudi oil source
Trump Makes Another Bad Choice for National Security Advisorsource
Trump's State Department tried to bribe the captain of an Iranian
tanker with several million dollars source
Trump Uses 9/11 to Vow to Hit Taliban
‘Harder Than Ever’ source
Trump scraps secret meetings with Afghan, Taliban
leaders after deadly bombing source
Trump announces total economic embargo against Venezuela. source
Trump uses veto to unblock $8bn weapons sale to Saudi Arabia. source
"Any attack by Iran
on anything American will be met with great and overwhelming force. In some areas, overwhelming will mean obliteration," Trump tweeted. Source
US to Send Additional 1,000 Troops to Middle East
As Warmongering Continues source
Trump: US to send 1,000 troops to Poland
in new deal source
Trump Deal Allows US Bomb Parts to Be Made in Saudi Arabiasource
1,500 US troops head to Middle East
as Trump seals $7bn Saudi arms sale source
Trump Warns Iran
It Faces Ruin If It ‘Wants to Fight’ With U.S. source
The Trump administration is sending an aircraft carrier and a bomber task force to the Middle East in a show of force aimed at Iransource
Trump sides with ex-CIA asset Khalifa Hifter in his attempt to seize Libyasource
Trump Vetoes Resolution to End U.S. Support for Saudi War (Crimes) in Yemensource
Trump Endorses Israeli
Annexation of Golan Heights source
White House Proposes Huge Increase in War Fundingsource
Trump Will Leave 400 US Troops in Syria
After Pullout source
Trump issued a dire warning to Venezuela's
military that if they continue to stand with Maduro, "you will find no safe harbor, no easy exit and no way out. You will lose everything." source
Trump says use of military force in Venezuela
is still on the table; also refuses to meet with Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro source
Trump bashes Iran and Venezuela
in his 2019 State of the Union address source
US Begins Process of Withdrawing From Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treatysource
Secretary of Defense James "Mad Dog" Mattis
resigns after Trump announces Syria withdrawal. source
Trump announces full military withdrawal from Syria- against the advice of his top advisers. source
Trump administration accepts Assad is staying in Syria. source
U.S. says the time to end the Saudi-backed war in Yemenis now. source
Trump doubts Saudi
account of journalist’s death: ‘There’s been deception, and there’s been lies’. source
“Putin
and I discussed many important subjects at our earlier meeting. We got along well which truly bothered many haters who wanted to see a boxing match. Big results will come!”. Source
Trump meets with Putin at summit in Helsinki in US-Russia detente. source
Trump meets with North Korean
leader Kim Jung-un at historic summit. source
Trump calls for Russia
to be reinstated to G-7 (note: we're not fans of the G-7, but are encouraged that Trump is trying to make nice with Russia). Source
Trump’s call for a troop withdrawal in Syria -bucks the advice of his top national security team. source
“If we got along with Russia, that would be a good thing not a bad thing,” Trump insisted. He added that the only people who disagree with the merits of better ties are “very stupid people.” source
Trump's national security advisors warned him not to congratulate Putin(on being re-elected). He did it anyway. source
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders Blasts Press for ‘Russia
Scandal Fake News’, Points to Clintons’ Real Russia Relationships. source
White House Sacks Top Iran
Hawk Amid Ongoing Disagreements. source
Trump ends covert aid to Syrian rebels trying to topple Assad. Recognition that the administration has given up hope of helping to topple the Syrian government. Source
US & Russia agree ceasefire in southwest Syria. source
Trump Says ‘Very, Very Good Talks’ in First Putin
Meeting. source
Tillerson Ready to Let Russia Decide Assad's
Fate. source
Trump administration moves to return Russian
compounds in Maryland and New York. source
Trump to back Palestinian
self-determination. source
No Cash for Fascists: US Congress Won't Fund Ukraine's
Neo-Nazi Azov Battalion. source
Trump calls White House-Russia
controversy 'fake news,' 'total scam'. source
In shift, Tillerson says Assad's status up to Syrian
people. source
Trump invites Palestinian
Authority president to the White House. Source
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that Israel
and the Trump administration are at odds over settlement construction. Source
Trump said: "Russia... this is fake news put out by the media ... I'm here today is to tell you the whole Russian thing, that's a ruse." Source
"It's going to be impossible for [me] to ever get along with Russia
because of all the pressure [I've] got with this fake story". Source
"If we could get along with Russia
... China
and Japan
and everyone ... it would be a positive thing, not a negative thing". Source
"I say it’s better to get along with Russia
than not." Source
Secretary Tillerson fires much of the seventh-floor staff at the State Department. The seventh-floor was referred to as "the shadow government"
in an FBI release. Source
“The Israelis are going to have to show some flexibility [onPalestine], which is hard, it's hard to do,” Trump said. Regarding a one-state or two-state solution, he said, “I want the one that both parties [Israel and Palestine] want.”Source
NY Times Op-Ed: "Why Trump Is Right on Russia". Source
Trump Nixes Elliott Abrams
for State Dept. Job. Source
Trump Pledges to Restore Peace Along Russia-Ukraine
Border. Source
Trump: "I say it’s better to get along with Russia
than not." And when asked about Putin, who was called a "killer" by the interviewer, Trump responded, "There are a lot of killers. We’ve got a lot of killers. What, do you think our country is so innocent?... take a look at what we’ve done too. We made a lot of mistakes. I’ve been against the war in Iraq from the beginning ... A lot of mistakes, but a lot of people were killed. A lot of killers around, believe me." Source
White House: New or expanded Israeli
settlements 'may not be helpful in achieving' peace. Source
‘Hard to expect a better start’: Russian
lawmakers & economists optimistic after Putin-Trump call.Source
White House sources: No plan to revive CIA 'black site'
prisons.Source
Belgrade
Breathes Easier As Trump's Win Marks End to Clinton-Era Interventionism.Source
US anti-Russia sanctions failed, united Russians
around President Putin – Trump’s advisor.Source
Trump:
“They have sanctions on Russia
-- let’s see if we can make some good deals with Russia, ... For one thing, I think nuclear weapons should be way down and reduced very substantially, that’s part of it.’’ Source
First sign of enhanced U.S.-Russia
relations under Trump: An invite to Syria talks. SOURCE
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
Trump says NATO
is "obsolete". SOURCE
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
Trump on ‘Moderate’Syrian Rebels:‘We Have No Idea Who These People Are’.SOURCE
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)Trump tweeted, "AGAIN, TO OUR VERY FOOLISH LEADER, DO NOT ATTACKSYRIA- IF YOU DO MANY VERY BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN & FROM THAT FIGHT THE U.S. GETS NOTHING!"source
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)Trump tweeted, "What will we get for bombingSyriabesides more debt and a possible long term conflict? Obama needs Congressional approval."source
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
Trump:
"If Putin
likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability."Source
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
Trump:Only ‘stupid’ people and ‘fools’ think good relations with Kremlin bad. “Having a good relationship withRussiais a good thing, not a bad thing,”Source
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
Trump plans to shrink top intelligence agencies, including CIA. Source
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
Trump sides with Assange on Russia
hacking. Source
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
Donald Trump blasts defense contracting
titans for overpriced weapons. Source
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
“These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction,” said a statement from the Trump team in response to a secret CIA claim that Russia
hacked the elections. Source
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
Trump:
"You know, we've been fighting this war for 15 years ... We've spent $6 trillion in the Middle East, $6 trillion, we could have rebuilt our country twice. And you look at our roads and our bridges and our tunnels and all of the-- and our airports are, like, obsolete." Source
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
Trump:
"... we will pursue a new foreign policy
that finally learns from the mistakes of the past. We will stop looking to topple regimes and overthrow governments, folks ... Our goal is stability, not chaos because we wanna rebuild our country. It's time."" Source
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
"The world must know that we do not go abroad in search of enemies, that we are always happy when old enemies become friends, and when old friends become allies," Trump said at his inauguration. Source
(PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE)
Trump Expects to End US Aid to Syrian Rebels.Source
theBad
US Troops Are on the Ground in Yemen for al-Qaeda Offensive.source
US Airstrikes Kill 29 Civilians in Syria’s Raqqa.source
Pence (wrongly) accuses Russia: "Russia continues to seek to redraw international borders by force, undermine democracy in sovereign nations, and divide the free nations of Europe, one against another."source
Tillerson said the US policy (towardsIran) is to rely on “elements inside of Iran” who can be supported toward the end goal of regime change, with the hope it would be a “peaceful transition of that government.”source
US-led coalition admits use of white phosphorus in Mosul amid mounting criticism.source
About 4,000 more US troops to go to Afghanistan.source
US drops its largest non-nuclear bomb - the "Mother Of All Bombs" in Afghanistan. source
Former CIA-asset and Libyan
warlord Khalifa Hiftar embraced by foreign leaders. source
Trump keeps US troops fighting in the longest war in US history
because the “experts” tell him there is no alternative. He said, “virtually every expert that I have and speak to say if we don’t go there, they’re going to be fighting over here. And I’ve heard it over and over again.” source
Trump wrongly states: "The country of Iran...is responsible for a bloody proxy war against Saudi Arabia in Yemen...propping up dictator Bashar Assad in Syria
who has killed millions of his own citizens." source
Afghanistan
war: US strike in Helmand killed 23 civilians, UN says. source
Trump says he won’t listen to recording of Saudi
journalist’s murder. source
Trump signals US won't punish Saudi
crown prince over Khashoggi killing. source
Pentagon launched new classified operation to support Saudi coalition in Yemen. source
Death toll by U.S.-led strikes in eastern Syria
rises to 41.source
US-led coalition air strikes kill 14 civilians in eastern Syria. source
Pompeo Approves Continued Military Aid to Saudi
Coalition for Yemen War. source
US forces conduct live-fire exercise in Syria
in warning to Russia. source
Trump Commits US to ‘Indefinite’ Military Presence in Syria. source
US Sending 1,500 More Troops to Germany
- Reversal of Trump's hints to pull troops out of Germany. source
Russia says U.S. dropped phosphorus bombs over Syria, which Pentagon denies. source
Bomb in Yemen
school bus strike was supplied by the US. source
US-backed Saudi air strikes kill 40 children in Yemen. source
In Yemen, al-Qaida militants are effectively on the same side as the Saudi-led coalition — and, by extension, the US. source
Trump slams Russia for backing 'evil' Assad.source
Trump says US sending ‘armada’ towards North Korea. source
Tillerson Warns Russia on Syria, Saying Assad Era Is ‘Coming to an End’. SOURCE
Trump approves Montenegro's NATO membership.SOURCE
Without a thorough investigation, Trump blames the Assad government for sarin attacks that reportedly killed dozens of women and children inSyria, and launches 59 cruise missiles against a Syrian air base.source
Without evidence, Trump administration blames chemical attack inSyria on Bashar al-Assad. source
US Launched More Airstrikes inYemen Last Month Than in All of 2016. source
Trump gives military more authority to launchSomalia strikes. source
Suspected U.S. drone strike kills two inPakistannear Afghan border. source
Mattis: US Troops Need to Stay inIraq for ‘Years’. Source
The Pentagon wants to keep ground troops inLibya and go on offense inSomalia.Source
US airstrikes inIraq 'leave 230 civilians dead', reports local media. Source
Pentagon Deploying More Special Forces AroundYemen and North Africa. source
US airstrikes killed 23 civilians, including eight children inSyria. source
The US is sending 2,500 combat troops toKuwait from which they could be called upon to fight in Iraq and Syria. source
Pence (wrongly) accuses Russia: "Russia continues to seek to redraw international borders by force, undermine democracy in sovereign nations, and divide the free nations of Europe, one against another."source
Tillerson said the US policy (towardsIran) is to rely on “elements inside of Iran” who can be supported toward the end goal of regime change, with the hope it would be a “peaceful transition of that government.”source
US-led coalition admits use of white phosphorus in Mosul amid mounting criticism.source
About 4,000 more US troops to go to Afghanistan.source
Trump slams Russia for backing 'evil' Assad.source
Trump says US sending ‘armada’ towards North Korea. source
Tillerson Warns Russia on Syria, Saying Assad Era Is ‘Coming to an End’. SOURCE
Trump approves Montenegro's NATO membership.SOURCE
Without a thorough investigation, Trump blames the Assad government for sarin attacks that reportedly killed dozens of women and children inSyria, and launches 59 cruise missiles against a Syrian air base.source
Without evidence, Trump administration blames chemical attack inSyria on Bashar al-Assad. source
US Launched More Airstrikes inYemen Last Month Than in All of 2016. source
Trump gives military more authority to launchSomalia strikes. source
Suspected U.S. drone strike kills two inPakistannear Afghan border. source
Mattis: US Troops Need to Stay inIraq for ‘Years’. Source
The Pentagon wants to keep ground troops inLibya and go on offense inSomalia.Source
US airstrikes inIraq 'leave 230 civilians dead', reports local media. Source
Pentagon Deploying More Special Forces AroundYemen and North Africa. source
US airstrikes killed 23 civilians, including eight children inSyria. source
The US is sending 2,500 combat troops toKuwait from which they could be called upon to fight in Iraq and Syria. source
Nikki Haley just delivered the Trump administration's most hawkish words yet toward Russia.Source
Many Civilians Among the Dead After US Raid in YemenSource
President Trump said he believes that"torture works"Source
The first arms sales
of the Trump administration: $1.85 billion to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Britain and Kenya (pending congressional approval).Source
U.S., Coalition Continue Strikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq.Source
Trump’s First Big Mistake - proposed Syria
"safe zones" a disaster waiting to happen. Source
NATO
has our 'unshakeable commitment', Pentagon chief vows. Source
US declines to send formal delegation to Syria
peace talks, citing timing issues; will instead send an ambassador. Source
Yemen
Reports First US Drone Strikes Under Trump - 10 Killed in Two Strikes. Source
Donald Trump's top team don't all agree with him on Russia.Source
Ron Paul:Tillerson
Laid Out a Neocon Foreign Policy in Senate Hearing. Source
Tillerson
Wants to Provide Saudi Arabia
With More Help to Bomb Yemen. Source
Mattis:
US Needs to Be Ready to ‘Confront’ Russia.Source
US Admits Killing Civilians in Iraq, Syria; Far Understates Toll.source
Trump's foreign policy statements in his first speech to Congress
Feb. 28, 2017
the
Good
"America has spent approximately six trillion dollars in the Middle East, all this while our infrastructure at home is crumbling. With this six trillion dollars we could have rebuilt our country --- twice."
"... we will also respect the sovereign rights of nations."
"Free nations are the best vehicle for expressing the will of the people --- and America respects the right of all nations to chart their own path. My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of America. But we know that America is better off, when there is less conflict -- not more."
"We must learn from the mistakes of the past --- we have seen the war and destruction that have raged across our world."
"America is willing to find new friends, and to forge new partnerships, where shared interests align. We want harmony and stability, not war and conflict."
"We want peace, wherever peace can be found. America is friends today with former enemies. Some of our closest allies, decades ago, fought on the opposite side of these World Wars. This history should give us all faith in the possibilities for a better world."
theBad
"I have also imposed new sanctions on entities and individuals who support Iran's ballistic missile program, and reaffirmed our unbreakable alliance with the State of Israel."
"I am sending the Congress a budget that rebuilds the military, eliminates the Defense sequester, and calls for one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history."
"We strongly support NATO, an alliance forged through the bonds of two World Wars that dethroned fascism, and a Cold War that defeated communism."
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