Guy Taylor
Articles by Guy Taylor
Gina Haspel’s ‘black site’ past a hurdle to CIA director confirmation
President Trump's latest personnel shake-up comes with a historic first: Gina Haspel is in line to be the first woman to head the CIA. Published March 13, 2018
Gina Haspel one of us, former spies say
A former high-level spy who served in top CIA roles during the Obama years says Gina Haspel was long ago cleared of wrongdoing in a case that involved the destruction of videotapes alleged to show American interrogators torturing al Qaeda suspects. Published March 13, 2018
Rex Tillerson urges State Department officials to forge ahead with ‘honesty and integrity’
Sacked Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson said Tuesday he will stay on the job through March 31 and urged his sworn assistants to "remain at their posts" through the transition to his successor Mike Pompeo. Published March 13, 2018
Donald Trump ousts Rex Tillerson, taps CIA Director Mike Pompeo for State Dept.
President Trump fired Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson unceremoniously Tuesday and replaced him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Published March 13, 2018
Donald Trump, Kim Jong-un meeting brings skepticism
A meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong-un could be the diplomatic breakthrough of the century, but high-level U.S. sources, including two with experience in direct talks with Pyongyang, say huge doubts remain over the veracity of North Korea's reported offer to discuss abandoning its nuclear arsenal and to halt all weapons tests while such discussions play out. Published March 11, 2018
Modeste Boukadia warns of China’s influence in the Republic of Congo
An opposition leader some call the "rising Nelson Mandela" of central Africa says Washington must "stand firm against" Chinese influence over African nations, lest Beijing cement itself as the most dominant outside power on the resource-rich continent. Published March 11, 2018
China tries to gauge North Korea nuclear offer
President Trump praised China for helping drive North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's toward potential denuclearization talks with Washington, but a cautious Beijing has barely even reacted to reports this week that Mr. Kim is offering to halt all nuclear and missile tests while such negotiations play out. Published March 7, 2018
Donald Trump takes credit for Kim Jong-un’s desire for talks
President Trump on Tuesday credited his campaign of maximum pressure -- coupled with "great help" from China -- for driving North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sudden decision to raise the prospect of talks with Washington about his nation's nuclear arsenal and to halt nuclear and missile tests while such negotiations play out. Published March 6, 2018
Moscow lawmaker: ‘Death penalty’ for anyone interfering in Russian election
The outspoken deputy of Russia's communist party said Monday that any foreign official -- including from the United States -- found guilty of "interfering" in Russia's upcoming presidential election should face the death penalty or up to 25 years in prison. Published March 5, 2018
Trump’s ‘de-nuke’ comment lingers as S. Koreans feted by North
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un hosted an unprecedented dinner Monday for a delegation of South Korean officials, who are on a rare visit to Pyongyang as part of a growing push to arrange direct talks between North Korea and the United States. Published March 5, 2018
Rex Tillerson Africa trip to focus on China influence
China's growing influence in Africa will be a core focus of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, when he embarks this week on his first visit to the continent as America's top diplomat, U.S. officials say. Published March 4, 2018
Iraqi parliament demands timeline for U.S. troop pullout
The U.S. military says the fate of its ongoing presence in Iraq will be decided in "coordination with" and will depend on the "approval of" the government in Baghdad. Published March 1, 2018
Joseph Votel says Russia fanning flames in Syria
Gen. Joseph Votel, who heads U.S. Central Command, told the House Armed Services Committee that Moscow is trying to be both "arsonist and fireman" in Syria as part of an apparent strategy to extend its influence over the nation's future. Published February 27, 2018
U.S. sharpens focus on ISIS in Asia and Africa
U.S. officials expanded their targeting of the Islamic State beyond its Mideast stomping grounds Tuesday by adding three of the groups' far-flung affiliates -- in the Philippines, Bangladesh and West Africa -- to the State Department's "Specially Designated Global Terrorists" list. Published February 27, 2018
Seizing North Korea-bound cargo: Trump admin weighs coalition for interdictions
The White House is weighing a proposal to create a "coalition of the willing" among international navies to interdict ships suspected of violating U.N. sanctions on supplying North Korea, according to sources close to the Trump administration. Published February 26, 2018
Donald Trump cautious on North Korea offer to talk
The Trump administration responded cautiously Sunday to North Korea's offer of direct talks, saying dialogue could lead to a "brighter path" for Pyongyang but vowing to keep "maximum pressure" on the Kim Jong-un regime until it undeniably abandons its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Published February 25, 2018
Trump keeps door open for North Korea talks
The White House responded cautiously to North Korea's expression of interest in diplomatic talks with the U.S. Sunday, suggesting the Trump administration may be interested, but remains committed to "achieving the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." Published February 25, 2018
Israel, Iran head toward military clash over Syria
Iran and Israel are on a collision course over Tehran's expanding footprint in Syria, raising the odds of a direct clash between the region's two military heavyweights that could quickly draw in other combatants. Published February 21, 2018
Donald Trump aims to dramatically boost U.S. arms exports
The Trump administration is putting the final touches on a plan to dramatically increase American military hardware sales around the world, paving the way for faster and bigger deals with a range of countries from Eastern Europe to Southeast Asia that have faced limits and barriers to buying from U.S. defense firms. Published February 20, 2018
Recep Tayyip Erdogan turns Turkey away from U.S.
The Trump administration has gone to lengths to ease tensions with Turkey, but the effort hasn't quelled anti-American sentiment that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is accused of stoking ahead of elections next year. Published February 18, 2018