Guy Taylor
Articles by Guy Taylor
Partisan political drama puts ‘Asia pivot’ in jeopardy
A senior State Department official told Congress on Tuesday that the partisan political drama unfolding around Washington's current budget fight does not bode well for the Obama administration's "Asia pivot." Published February 26, 2013
State Department: Sequester fight hurting ‘Asia pivot’ effort
A senior State Department official told Congress Tuesday that the partisan political drama unfolding around Washington's current budget fight does not bode well for the Obama administration's so-called "Asia pivot." Published February 26, 2013
Administration close to Syria decision as John Kerry meets with Russian counterpart
As Secretary of State John F. Kerry met in Berlin with his Russian counterpart, American and European officials said Tuesday that the Obama administration is close to deciding whether to provide direct assistance to rebel forces in Syria. Published February 26, 2013
Obama administration tepid on end to Castro reign
The Obama administration reacted skeptically Monday toward the news out of Cuba that nearly a half-century of Castro rule will officially come to an end by 2018. Published February 25, 2013
Syria divide casts shadow over Kerry-Lavrov meeting
One of the more delicate moments of Secretary of State John F. Kerry's diplomatic tour of Europe and the Middle East this week is likely to occur when he sits down Tuesday with longtime Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Published February 22, 2013
Obama urged to take lead on easing Cuba policy
The Obama administration should — and has the legal authority to — use its executive power to begin lifting the decades-old embargo on trade with Cuba, according to two new papers this week issued by an influential Latin America think tank and a leading Cuban exile group. Published February 21, 2013
Kerry warns budget-cutters
Secretary of State John F. Kerry made an aggressive plea on Wednesday for Americans to stand up against spending cuts to the nation's foreign policy budget, calling Washington's continued and deep engagement in world affairs a "necessity" for the "sake of the safety and economic health of our country." Published February 20, 2013
Secretary of State Kerry set for whirlwind overseas trip to Europe, Mideast
Secretary of State John F. Kerry will embark on his first overseas journey as America's top diplomat next week, a whirlwind tour of nine nations in 11 days with a heavy focus on how to end nearly two years of bloodshed and civil war gripping Syria. Published February 19, 2013
State Dept. warns against travel to Algeria
The State Department issued a fresh warning against travel to Algeria on Tuesday, one month after Islamic militants killed dozens of hostages at a natural gas plant, including three Americans, in the North African nation. Published February 19, 2013
Mali faces long-term threat, House panel is told
French forces have quickly dislodged terrorist enclaves from the West African nation of Mali, but U.S. authorities "remain concerned about the continued presence of terrorist and extremists groups, including al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb," a high-ranking State Department official told Congress on Thursday. Published February 14, 2013
Government won’t probe of DEA raid in Honduras
Despite pleas from liberal lawmakers on Capitol Hill, the State and Justice departments have no intention of investigating purported human-rights violations and misconduct by Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Honduras, The Washington Times has learned. Published February 12, 2013
Kerry takes stiff stance on Iran’s nuclear program
Secretary of State John F. Kerry struck a tough note Friday on Iran, saying that there is still a chance for diplomacy but that the administration is "prepared to do whatever is necessary" to deny the regime nuclear weapons. Published February 8, 2013
Kerry skirts question on arming Syrian rebels
Secretary of State John F. Kerry brushed aside questions Friday about why President Obama refused to embrace a plan from top advisers to send weapons to rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad, saying he instead wants to look ahead to future policy challenges. Published February 8, 2013
Syria secret: Panetta reveals rejected Pentagon plan to send weapons to rebels in push to oust Assad
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has revealed that he and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey originally backed a plan to send weapons to rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar Assad in Syria - but the White House blocked it. Published February 8, 2013
Obama punted to Panetta for U.S. response to Benghazi attack
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta on Thursday revealed he personally broke the news to President Obama that the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, was under attack last year — but he and the president didn't speak the rest of the night as the assault on the compound unfolded. Published February 7, 2013
Still seeking Benghazi answers, Senate panel to quiz Panetta
The Obama administration's handling of the deadly September attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, faces another congressional grilling when outgoing Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta testifies Thursday on Capitol Hill. Published February 6, 2013
Kerry calls out EU for keeping Hezbollah off terror list
Secretary of State John Kerry praised Bulgarian authorities Tuesday for conducting a "thorough and professional investigation" and determining that the Shi'ite Islamist group Hezbollah was responsible for deadly terrorist attack in their country last year. Published February 5, 2013
Lawmakers urge Obama, Kerry to name inspector general for State Department
In a rare show of bipartisanship Tuesday, foreign policy leaders in the House pushed the Obama administration to appoint a State Department Inspector General — a position that has officially gone unfilled for more than five years. Published February 5, 2013
Kerry notes he has ‘big heels to fill’ after Clinton
Newly confirmed Secretary of State John F. Kerry struck a humble and jocular tone on arriving at the State Department Monday for his first full day in the post held by Hillary Rodham Clinton over the past four years. Published February 4, 2013
Kerry to face Clinton’s ongoing popularity at State Department
Secretary of State John F. Kerry will be confronted by a daunting task Monday when he arrives at Foggy Bottom: winning over the rank-and-file diplomats at the State Department, where the outspoken love for Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former secretary, remains on full display. Published February 3, 2013