Guy Taylor
Articles by Guy Taylor
Trump admin hits Russia, China, Iran, North Korea in annual human rights report
The State Department hit "China, Russia, Iran and North Korea" for violating the rights of their own citizens "on a daily basis" Friday, as U.S. diplomats released their annual worldwide human rights review, chronicling political executions, media oppression and other tyrannical activities in a range of nations. Published April 20, 2018
Qatar joins drills in Saudi Arabia in sign of GCC thaw
Military forces from the tiny but wealthy nation of Qatar participated in "joint" regional defense drills in Saudi Arabia this week, signaling a potential thaw in the biting diplomatic standoff that has pitted the Saudis and other Arab powers against Qatar for the past year -- a standoff that has created headaches for the Trump administration. Published April 20, 2018
Former Obama officials blast Mike Pompeo in social-media ads
A political action group run by former Obama administration officials and insiders from Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign launched a series of digital ads slamming CIA Director Mike Pompeo's nomination to be secretary of state Thursday, adding fuel to an increasingly fiery fight over the nomination on Capitol Hill. Published April 19, 2018
Moon Jae-in’s North Korea diplomacy efforts bring hope
The issue of diplomacy with North Korea, as well as the prospect of a direct meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong-un, remain sensitive and divisive beneath the surface in South Korea. Published April 15, 2018
Kim Jong-un summit threatened by Trump’s bid to end Iran nuclear deal
President Trump's determination to undermine the Iran nuclear deal could undercut his hopes for quick success in the upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, many in South Korea fear. Published April 11, 2018
U.S., India seek to counter China’s aggression on military, economy
How might the United States and India, the world's largest democracies, work more effectively together toward countering communist China's increasingly aggressive economic and military moves across Asia? Published April 8, 2018
China to expand ties with Zimbabwe as part of Africa push
Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to "write a new chapter in China-Zimbabwe relations" and create an intensive strategic partnership between the two, just months after a de facto military coup ended former Zimbabwean strongman Robert Mugabe's 37-year-rule over the southern African nation. Published April 3, 2018
Shinzo Abe, Donald Trump meeting reflects Japan’s North Korea fears
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe could face some tense moments when he meets with President Trump this month at Mar-a-Lago, reflecting rising fears back home that Tokyo has been left on the sidelines as the U.S., South Korea and Chinese pursue direct diplomacy with North Korea. Published April 2, 2018
Ashraf Ghani says Afghanistan elections set for Oct. 20, 2019; could impact Taliban peace talks
After a three-year delay, Afghan authorities say the war-torn nation will hold parliamentary elections next October -- a development that could reshape Kabul's posture toward potential peace talks with the Taliban. Published April 1, 2018
Mike Pompeo to take tough tack with Erdogan as Turkey relations erode
Turkey and the U.S. appear to sharply diverge on a host of fronts, including Turkey's war against U.S.-allied Kurds in the Middle East and Ankara's recent purchase of an advanced Russian missile system. Published March 28, 2018
Hawks see Bolton having Trump’s back for hard line against North Korea
National Security Adviser-designate John Bolton's long record of tough talk could give President Trump some much-needed rhetorical back-up in difficult negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, some security policy watchers say, even as critics warn Mr. Bolton's appointment could undermine the delicate, multilateral diplomacy needed to strike a deal with Pyongyang. Published March 23, 2018
Acting State Department chief tries to rally the troops
Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, charged with holding a troubled State Department together until CIA Director Mike Pompeo can take over, offered a sober plea to diplomats Thursday to stay "inspired" at a moment of transition and uncertainty in the Trump administration. Published March 22, 2018
John Bolton replacing H.R. McMaster as Trump national security adviser
President Trump ousted White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster on Thursday and hired former Ambassador John Bolton, a conservative who takes a harder line against Iran and the Obama administration's oft-criticized nuclear deal. Published March 22, 2018
U.S. designates Joe Asperman, French national, as ISIS chemical-weapons expert
The State Department has identified a French chemical weapons expert as a "specially designated global terrorist" who helped the Islamic State terror group build and deploy chemical weapons on the battlefield in Syria. Published March 22, 2018
Progress slow in Trump’s push to re-write Iran nuclear deal
The Trump administration is pushing Britain, France and Germany to join in a U.S.-led retooling of the 2015 Iranian nuclear accord, but it is not clear if the others will get on board before a May 12 deadline set by President Trump to pull Washington out of the Obama-era deal. Published March 21, 2018
USAID funding ‘shouldn’t be shorted,’ Rep. Ed Royce says
The Republican head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee sharply criticized President Trump's proposal to cut USAID funding by 33 percent Wednesday, saying the reduction will negatively impact American-led efforts to combat terrorists, address future health threats and promote democracy around the world. Published March 21, 2018
North Korea’s silence clouds prospects of Trump-Kim meeting
Trump administration officials insist they're moving ahead with preparations for a "summit" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May, even though no time, date or agenda has been announced and the reclusive Mr. Kim hasn't left his country since ascending to power more than six years ago. Published March 20, 2018
White House growing N. Korea team in anticipation of talks
The Trump administration is scrambling behind the scenes to beef up its National Security Council Team on North Korea in anticipation for intense and potentially bare-knuckle diplomacy with Pyongyang, according to sources close to the White House. Published March 16, 2018
Donald Trump ready to host Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Arabia's hard-charging young crown prince, in the midst of a bare-knuckle overhaul of his country's social, religious and economic profile while pushing an increasingly hard line against Iran, will make a momentous first visit to the White House next week. Published March 15, 2018
Diplomats put hope in Mike Pompeo as Rex Tillerson departs
He has President Trump's ear, but will he have the State Department's back? It's a question the demoralized troops at Foggy Bottom are asking about Mike Pompeo, the Republican congressman turned CIA director whom President Trump has picked to replace Rex W. Tillerson, who was fired as secretary of state. Published March 14, 2018