Guy Taylor
Articles by Guy Taylor
North Korea hacking replaces nuclear weapons as U.S. target
U.S. officials are engaged in an intense behind-the-scenes campaign with foreign allies to cripple North Korea's cyberhacking and fundraising capabilities, as consensus grows in the Trump administration that nuclear talks with Pyongyang will remain stalled for the coming year. Published March 1, 2020
U.S., Taliban sign deal that calls for troops to exit Afghanistan within 14 months
The U.S. on Saturday signed a landmark peace agreement with its foe of nearly two decades, the Taliban, as the Trump administration officially embarked down a path that could see all American troops exit Afghanistan within 14 months and represent the beginning of the end for the longest war in U.S. history. Published February 29, 2020
U.S. targets North Korean hackers, money sources as talks sputter
U.S. officials are engaged in an intense behind-the-scenes campaign with foreign allies to cripple North Korea's cyber-hacking and fundraising capabilities, as consensus grows in the Trump administration that nuclear talks with Pyongyang will remain stalled for the coming year. Published February 29, 2020
Watchdog says State Dept. diversity increasing, but not fast enough
The State Department's workforce has gotten more diverse over the past 15 years, but ethnic minorities are still underrepresented, particularly in the senior ranks, and are less likely than their white coworkers to be chosen for promotions, a top government watchdog says. Published February 25, 2020
Mike Pompeo: Taliban reduction in violence pact ‘working perfectly’ so far
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed cautious optimism Tuesday that a formal truce with the Taliban will be signed this weekend, saying a temporary reduction in violence pact with the militants is "working perfectly," but also warning the path ahead will be "arduous" and "complex." Published February 25, 2020
Mark Esper meeting with South Korea foreign minister overshadowed by dispute on troops
Disagreement over the Trump administration's demand that Seoul pay more for the upkeep of nearly 30,000 U.S. troops in South Korea threatens to undermine otherwise positive discussions that are expected Monday, when Defense Secretary Mark Esper hosts his South Korean counterpart at the Pentagon. Published February 23, 2020
Donald Trump praises Afghanistan peace deal with Taliban
President Trump expressed fresh optimism Sunday about the prospects for a lasting peace deal with the Taliban, as a weeklong reduction in violence pact with the militant group entered its third day without reports of any major incidents in Afghanistan. Published February 23, 2020
Robert O’Brien: Taliban attack this week would ‘likely’ kill peace deal
The Trump administration's top national security adviser warned Sunday that hopes for a major peace deal with the Taliban will likely collapse if the militant group carries out any attacks during a fragile "reduction of violence" pact now underway in Afghanistan. Published February 23, 2020
Ashraf Ghani-Abdullah Abdullah feud threatens Trump Afghanistan peace deal
The tentative peace agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban appears to put the Trump administration's goal of bringing troops home from Afghanistan in reach, but hopes for a permanent deal could dissolve amid political disarray gripping the U.S.-backed government in Kabul. Published February 20, 2020
Donald Trump’s demand for South Korea to pay more on the agenda for Pentagon talks
Biting disagreement over the Trump administration's demand that Seoul pay more for the upkeep of nearly 30,000 U.S. troops in South Korea will hang over the agenda next week when Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper hosts his South Korean counterpart at the Pentagon. Published February 19, 2020
Pursuing support from outside nations a ‘stupid idea,’ North Korea paper says
North Korea indicated Wednesday that it is shifting its strategy to focus on its own independent economic development, with a key state propaganda newspaper in Pyongyang calling the pursuit of support from outside nations a "stupid idea." Published February 19, 2020
Taliban says Afghanistan peace deal signing in February possible
Taliban leaders confirmed for the first time Monday that a major peace deal with the Trump administration could be signed by the end of the month, although doubts swirled around the claim amid reports of ongoing attacks by the militant group in Afghanistan. Published February 17, 2020
U.S. inaction leaves others to fill vacuum, Libyan official says
A top Libyan official is defending his government's decision to accept help from Syrian militants suspected of ties to extremist groups like al Qaeda and the Islamic State, saying Tripoli had no choice after being ignored by the United States. Published February 15, 2020
North Korea scraps ‘Christmas surprise’ amid China woes
North Korea has delayed its much-anticipated "Christmas surprise" of a major intercontinental ballistic missile test out of concern that such a provocation -- after two years of stop-start nuclear diplomacy -- would trigger sharp negative reactions from Washington and the international community. Published February 12, 2020
Seoul peace summit draws comments from North Korea, Dick Cheney
Past, present and future leaders from around the globe gathered at a summit here in the South Korean capital this week to call for world peace and the reunification of the Korean peninsula. Published February 5, 2020
Pompeo stands by his criticism of NPR, says fight began years ago over Iran coverage
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that he's long had a contentious relationship with National Public Radio on issues relating to Iran and that his recent interview that ended in controversy with NPR host Mary Louise Kelly actually begun as an attempt both by himself and the news outlet to mend fences. Published January 29, 2020
Mike Pompeo to press U.K. over Huawei deal on London visit
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed dissatisfaction Wednesday at Britain's decision to allow China-based telecom giant Huawei into its 5G network development market, asserting there's still "a chance for the United Kingdom to relook" the decision. Published January 29, 2020
Donald Trump says Israel accepts peace plan that will boost Palestinian territory, economy
President Trump announced a highly anticipated Middle East peace plan Tuesday that would recognize Israel's control over vast portions of the West Bank, including areas bordering Jordan, but allow Palestinians to eventually obtain their own state if they reject terrorism and meet other conditions. Published January 28, 2020
Michele Kelemen, NPR reporter, barred from flying with Mike Pompeo
The association of journalists from news organizations that report on the State Department says it believes the department is "retaliating" against National Public Radio -- days after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sharply criticized an NPR host following a contentious exchange with the outlet. Published January 27, 2020
Trump peace deal will be tough sell in Middle East
President Trump claims Arab powers privately support his long-awaited Middle East peace plan and that Palestinians will ultimately embrace it, but Arab leaders have been staying silent and Palestinians leaders say they're outraged by what's been leaked so far. Published January 27, 2020