Guy Taylor
Articles by Guy Taylor
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
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