MESSAGE
| DATE | 2021-01-19 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
|
| SUBJECT | Subject: [Hangout - NYLXS] Trump Foriegn Policy Doctrim might actually
|
Blinken Backs Tough Approach to China, Says Will Work With GOP
William Mauldin and Michael R. Gordon
7-8 minutes
WASHINGTON—President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for secretary of state
backed a tough approach to China and found common ground with
Republicans on issues ranging from Israel to Venezuela, hinting at a
more unified approach to foreign policy in the next four years.
Antony Blinken, who served as deputy secretary of state during the Obama
administration, agreed with GOP senators in his confirmation hearing
that previous optimistic approaches to China were flawed and backed the
tougher approach—if not the tactics—that President Trump adopted.
Newsletter Sign-up
Capital Journal
Scoops, analysis and insights driving Washington from the WSJ's D.C. bureau.
“There was a broad consensus that economic liberalization in China would
lead to political liberalization—that did not happen,” Mr. Blinken said.
“There is no doubt that [China] poses the most significant challenge of
any nation-state in the world to the United States.”
Mr. Blinken said that there are cooperative aspects to the relationship
with China, and aides to Mr. Biden have suggested they could work with
Beijing on curbing climate change and some other issues.
Yet Mr. Blinken said he supports Tuesday’s finding by Mike Pompeo, the
current secretary of state, that China has committed genocide in
Xinjiang with its policies toward the Uighur ethnic group; he backed
military and global diplomatic support for Taiwan as it faces pressure
from Beijing; he questioned the future of Hong Kong as a center for
global businesses; and he echoed President Trump and others in
criticizing China for misleading the world about the origin of the
coronavirus pandemic, contributing to its spread.
“ ‘There was a broad consensus that economic liberalization in China
would lead to political liberalization—that did not happen.’ ”
— Antony Blinken, nominee for secretary of state.
Beyond China, Mr. Blinken agreed with GOP senators about a series of
issues ranging from Russia’s aggressive moves in Eastern Europe to the
deals that the Trump administration brokered for Arab states to
recognize Israel.
As a former staff director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
under Mr. Biden, Mr. Blinken benefits from broad respect from members of
the panel, which is still known for bipartisan positions. During a
break, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) exchanged a friendly elbow bump
with Mr. Blinken after Mr. Blinken agreed with him on a litany of policy
views.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) probed Mr. Blinken on Cuba and Venezuela,
and Mr. Blinken said he supports the Trump administration’s recognition
of Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s democratically elected leader. More
targeted sanctions might be a way to put more pressure on the regime of
Nicolás Maduro, Mr. Blinken said.
Much of the disagreement was about past positions taken by the Obama
administration, and several GOP senators sharply criticized that
administration’s intervention in Libya and the nuclear deal with Iran.
Both the top Democrat and Republican on the committee won a commitment
from Mr. Blinken to consult the committee closely on efforts related to
Iran’s nuclear program.
Mr. Blinken said Iran would represent a greater threat if it wields
nuclear weapons or reaches the threshold of using nuclear weapons, and
he said the Biden administration would seek to move toward a “longer and
stronger” agreement with Iran. The next steps would depend on what
happens with Iran, Mr. Blinken said, without elaborating on plans for
engaging with Tehran.
“President Biden is committed to the proposition that Iran will not
acquire a nuclear weapon,” Mr. Blinken said.
Mr. Blinken also declined to offer detailed prescriptions for addressing
other thorny problems. Asked about the duration of any renewal of the
New START nuclear arms agreement with Russia, Mr. Blinken said he would
observe the tradition of “one president at a time” and declined to
discuss what actions Mr. Biden might take when he becomes president.
“It’s certainly in our national interest to extend it,” he said.
‘Personnel Is Policy’: Four Themes Emerge as Biden Selects Team
0:00 / 5:13
3:36
‘Personnel Is Policy’: Four Themes Emerge as Biden Selects Team
‘Personnel Is Policy’: Four Themes Emerge as Biden Selects Team
As President-elect Joe Biden works to fill key roles in his
administration, WSJ’s Gerald F. Seib outlines four characteristics of
the prospective team. Photo: Laura Kammermann
Similarly, Mr. Blinken addressed North Korea’s nuclear program but
didn’t specify plans for addressing it other than helping with a review
in the incoming administration.
Mr. Blinken said he would work closely with U.S. allies and
international organizations on global programs. Mr. Trump frequently
criticized United Nations agencies and U.S. alliances such as the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Democrats have criticized Mr. Pompeo, a former congressman considered a
GOP prospect for future political office, for events and speeches tied
to religion and politics. Sen. Tim Kaine (D., Va.) warned Mr. Blinken
against attending Democratic political events, and Mr. Blinken said he
would work hard to keep the State Department outside politics.
Mr. Blinken, who has several diplomats in his family, said he would work
to reinvigorate the State Department by supporting and investing in
staff members at home and abroad.
He said he would review some last-minute policies enacted by Mr. Pompeo,
including the designation of the Houthi group in Yemen as a terrorist
organization.
The Senate usually seeks to confirm top national-security officials who
aren’t widely opposed within a day or so of a new president’s
inauguration, but the Georgia Senate runoffs, Capitol Hill riot and the
planned change in party leadership in the Senate have delayed progress
for Mr. Blinken and other Biden picks.
--
So many immigrant groups have swept through our town
that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological
proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
http://www.mrbrklyn.com
DRM is THEFT - We are the STAKEHOLDERS - RI Safir 2002
http://www.nylxs.com - Leadership Development in Free Software
http://www.brooklyn-living.com
Being so tracked is for FARM ANIMALS and extermination camps,
but incompatible with living as a free human being. -RI Safir 2013
_______________________________________________
Hangout mailing list
Hangout-at-nylxs.com
http://lists.mrbrklyn.com/mailman/listinfo/hangout
|
|
