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The Weekly GAB - Friday, October 6, 2017
U.S. Global Leadership Coalition | www.usglc.org
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Top Headlines

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tillerson Denies He Weighed Resigning or Called Boss
'Moron' |

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=gSrTaFEPOcZkao7xMUaG0w

Matthew Lee and Bradley Klapper

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson declared Wednesday he never
considered resigning as President Donald Trump's top diplomat,
disputing what he called "erroneous" reports that he
wanted to step down earlier this year. After pointedly refusing to
answer if he called the president a "moron," Tillerson had
a spokeswoman deny he used such language. Thrust into the spotlight
under uncomfortable circumstances, the normally camera-shy Tillerson
sought to rebut a widely disseminated NBC News story that claimed Vice
President Mike Pence had to talk the former oil man out of resigning
over the summer, and that Tillerson had questioned Trump's
intelligence.

THE WASHINGTON POST
Why Tillerson Kissed Trump's Ring Today |

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=XayJgBtOUPM-jvROq6fQwA

David Ignatius

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson symbolically kissed the ring of
President Trump on Wednesday in affirming his desire to remain in his
post, despite reports of sharp friction between him and the White
House. But how long will this gesture of loyalty secure his position?
Tillerson's desire to remain on the job is a stabilizing move,
at a moment when the United States is locked in a potential nuclear
confrontation with North Korea and Trump is headed for a key November
meeting in Beijing. Although Tillerson has been a poor public
communicator at the State Department, he knows the world and can speak
the language of America's global partners and potential
adversaries. His departure now would be widely seen as damaging to
America's already fragile position in a world disrupted by
Trump's erratic policies.

Who's in the News

THE WASHINGTON POST
What I've Learned From North Korea's Leaders

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=Mgfnz5twn2q0RQfquj1iRQ

President Jimmy Carter

As the world knows, we face the strong possibility of another Korean
war, with potentially devastating consequences to the Korean
Peninsula, Japan, our outlying territories in the Pacific and perhaps
the mainland of the United States. This is the most serious existing
threat to world peace, and it is imperative that Pyongyang and
Washington find some way to ease the escalating tension and reach a
lasting, peaceful agreement. Over more than 20 years, I have spent
many hours in discussions with top North Korean officials and private
citizens during visits to Pyongyang and to the countryside.

THE HILL
Brookings Institution Names Retired 4-Star General as President |

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=P43WJt5g9YtUPtmbTr7o4A

Ellen Mitchell

The Brookings Institution, a top Washington think tank, has named
retired Marine Corps Gen. John Allen as its new president, effective
next month, according to a Wednesday statement. He will replace Strobe
Talbott, who has been the think tank's president for 15 years
and will step down on Nov. 6. Allen was also part of the 120 retired
generals and admirals who in February urged Congress not to slash
funding for diplomacy and foreign aid after the Trump administration
said its budget proposal would do so.

POLITICO MAGAZINE
Should Rex Tillerson Resign?

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=4ehRvwzHOSsVWJtUjV6mdg

Aaron David Miller, The Wilson Center, and Richard Sokolsky, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace

In our combined 50-plus years at the State Department, neither of us
ever witnessed as profound a humiliation as a sitting president handed
his secretary of state Sunday morning. Is this the final straw for
Tillerson? The secretary of state clearly has not helped himself.
Through his budget cuts, his focus on departmental reorganization at
the expense of appointing assistant secretaries, his reliance on a
tiny inner circle of outsiders and his maladroit use of the press,
Tillerson has isolated himself within his own department.

THE HILL
Lift the Jones Act and Similar Restrictions for Humanitarian Crises

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=OELi7t29ufN_5ah0hb-l6Q

David Ray, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, CARE

Under current law, at least 50 percent of all food aid provided by the
U.S. government must be shipped on U.S. flag ships. Today, this rigid,
inflexible requirement takes a toll on the cost and effectiveness of
food aid, which is why bipartisan leaders in Congress, like Sens. Bob
Corker (R-Tenn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), have been working to reform
or repeal it. With reforms, we know food assistance could reach more
hungry people and save more lives without costing a penny more to
American taxpayers. With more than 20 million people currently on the
brink of famine in Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria and Yemen, we need to
effectively use our resources to help feed as many people as possible.

MSNBC MORNING JOE
Why Senator Is Worried About Morale in State Dept. |

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=tkZtgKOcQU5SKdZnQJgm-w

Video

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., discusses NBC News reporting Rex Tillerson,
apparent infighting with the Trump administration and why he's
concerned about State Department morale.

Development & Diplomacy

DEVEX

The White House Is Ignoring Congress's Call for US Humanitarian
Leadership

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=91V9-4K2qHFn923QwQAXnA

Gregory Gottlieb, Feinstein International Center, Friedman School of
Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University

The Trump administration has made clear through its budget proposals
for fiscal years 2017 and 2018 that humanitarian assistance is of
diminished importance. In the face of unprecedented needs, the
president has called for a 40 percent cut in the FY18 budget for
humanitarian assistance. Today, more than 70 million people urgently
need food, water, health, and shelter assistance - the largest
number since the end of WWII...It is not unsurprising that the Trump
administration is retreating from the United States's longtime
leadership in humanitarian assistance given its "America
First" outlook, but it is deadly for the millions who need our
help.

POLITICO MAGAZINE
Rex Tillerson Is Running the State Department Into the Ground

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=e5fcgykqdp6ceyCnxMY5NQ

Nik Steinberg, former Counselor and Speechwriter to Ambassador
Samantha Power

What makes our nation's institutions strong is not just the core
principles that have evolved over the course of our history, but the
individuals who put those principles into practice, no matter who the
president is. Our institutions will be effective in advancing our
interests only if they can continue to attract and retain the public
servants who represent what is best in us and in our country. That
more and more of those individuals do not see a place for themselves
in the Trump administration should concern us all.

THE WASHINGTON POST
Let the Rohingya Return to Burma - Immediately |

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=zhQVpL--BTsA1WtoVmMRBg

The Editorial Board

As a start, the Rohingya must be allowed to return, immediately. The
worst thing that could happen would be if temporary flight turned into
permanent expulsion. The government should allow more humanitarian
organizations to bring aid to the Rohingya, and open up the region to
international inspection and investigation, especially following the
finding in late September from Human Rights Watch that the onslaught
amounted to crimes against humanity under international law, including
forced population transfer and deportation, murder, and sexual
violence. The U.N. Security Council must move beyond mere discussion
and forcefully express the world's disgust and support new
sanctions.

Politics & Foreign Policy

POLITICO
Senate GOP Budget Plan Boosts Pentagon, Cuts Domestic Spending |

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=Irk8ia4auzzlbgVLck05DQ

Sarah Ferris

The Senate GOP's fiscal 2018 budget resolution would reduce or rein in
spending for many domestic programs across the government, while
setting up a record $695 billion budget for the Pentagon after 10
years. The Senate Budget Committee's 10-year fiscal plan would
slash spending for domestic departments including agriculture,
transportation and energy, according to an internal report obtained by
POLITICO. Other agencies would see their budget levels essentially
flatline over 10 years, including international affairs, community
development and science and technology. The military, meanwhile, would
see its budget rise from $557.2 billion to $695 billion over 10 years,
assuming that Congress can reach a deal to lift its current spending
caps.

THE WASHINGTON POST

Trump's Decision on Iran Nuclear Deal Could Cause Major Breach
With Allies in Europe |

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=hkpG4aYAkeLT0tb_11Rfxw

Karen DeYoung and Carol Morello

More than any other issue that has threatened transatlantic cohesion
this year, President Trump's decision to decertify Iranian
compliance with the nuclear deal could start a chain of events that
would sharply divide the United States from its closest traditional
allies in the world. "After the Paris climate decision,"
in which Trump withdrew the United States from a widely supported,
painfully negotiated accord, "this could push multilateralism to
the breaking point," said a senior official from one of the
three European signatories to the Iran deal. None of the three -
Britain, France and Germany - believes Iran is in violation, and
each has said publicly it will not renegotiate the nuclear agreement.
U.S. imposition of sanctions affecting banks that even indirectly do
business in Iran would doubtless influence those countries'
companies, they say, and would be considered an unfriendly act.

THE NEW YORK TIMES
Donald Trump's Foreign Policy Circus |

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=PU2a_aO7YDZz6VR1TsIlpA

The Editorial Board

To say the least, all of this has made matters difficult for Mr.
Tillerson, while confusing American foreign policy. Secretaries of
state must be seen as having the president's personal trust and
the clout to represent him authoritatively all over the world. Mr.
Trump's behavior has only served to undermine Mr. Tillerson and
raise doubts among world leaders about whether he represents the
president's true intentions. Mr. Tillerson certainly has his
weaknesses. He has often seemed detached and remote and has advocated
severe budget cuts that are decimating the State Department and
threatening its operations abroad. But those weaknesses are nothing
compared to those of an inexperienced, self-absorbed, bombastic and
impulsive president.

BLOOMBERG
Trump Push to Cut U.S. Aid Prompts EU Geopolitical-Risk Warning |

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=py-3qYWSc9abDOBTTqLTZg

Nikos Chrysoloras and Jonathan Stearns

Europe's disaster-relief chief leans back in a chair in his
Brussels office and fires off a warning: President Donald
Trump's plan to slash U.S. international aid could undermine
global geopolitical stability -- and threaten America's
interests. The admonition by Christos Stylianides, the European Union
commissioner for crisis management, highlights the extent to which
Europe is grappling with Trump's "America First"
policy. Trump has already shaken the trans-Atlantic security order,
international trade relations and the worldwide fight against climate
change.


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