New American strategy: hostile friendship
The State Department wrote a plan "B". Americans are preparing to build "constructive relations" with the Russians. Washington does not propose to be friends: the document contains only a tearful proposal to "solve" working questions. Moscow, as you know, does not believe in tears.
The State Department’s plan on the theme of “hostile friendship” turned out to be classified. Which, however, did not prevent journalists "BuzzFeed" get it. With secrecy, including perfect, in the US, things have been bad for a long time - this is what Snowden has already proved.
The Trump administration has a new plan for relations with Russia, says reporter John Hudson. The Secretary of State Rex Tillerson participated in the drafting of the document. However, it is not known whether Mr. Trump will support the plan.
Since the White House is in a difficult position - rejected from accusations "in collusion with the Russians", Secretary of State Rex Tillerson took the liberty to lead with the strategy of the Trump administration. This former Texas oil worker, who has worked a lot with Kremlin officials, being the general director of Exxon Mobil, has now developed a framework for US-Russian relations. Three points from Mr. Tillerson is a “narrow look” on what former opponents of the Cold War can come to. The document is dedicated to the formation of “constructive working relations” with Putin on a limited number of issues.
Relations between the United States and Russia are floating somewhere in the toilet, the State Department spokesman, familiar with the situation, told the publication. "We want to make sure that they will not be drained into the sewer system," the official added in an interview with BuzzFeed News.
According to the US official, the first point of the “framework” described in the document is to make it clear to Moscow that aggressive actions against the United States are a topic that will be counterproductive for both parties. When Russia takes “bold action” against US interests (for example, it supplies weapon to the Taliban in Afghanistan or is pursuing American diplomats in Moscow), Washington will give an answer.
According to the official, the second stage could be participation in issues of strategic interest to the United States, including the protracted civil war in Syria, North Korea’s developing nuclear program, as well as cyber security issues. Tillerson doesn’t like the growth of Russia's trade with North Korea after the US’s small success in trying to influence China and prohibit the importation of coal into an isolated country. Also, Mr. Tillerson believes that it is necessary to achieve better coordination with Russia in Syria against IG (forbidden in the Russian Federation). True, it is not at all clear how to achieve this. Two opponents of the Cold War are also expanding the cyberspace arsenals, but they do not have an understanding of “what is fair play and what is not”.
The third point from Mr. Tillerson emphasizes the importance of “strategic stability” in relations with Russia. This is an “ambiguous” term that covers a range of long-term mutual geopolitical goals.
This is probably a step backwards, a departure from the current tensions and participation in problems where cooperation can be achieved. admits Stephen Peifer, a former US ambassador to Ukraine and an employee of the Brookings Institute. Peifer believes that the “frame” proposed by the document is somewhat similar to the “four-point” strategy of fighting Russia created by the Obama administration in 2015 after the Ukrainian crisis. The difficulty, he said, lies in the fact that Trump can adhere to the new document, or perhaps go on a “more ambitious grand deal with Russia, through which respect for Moscow’s influence in Eastern Europe will be shown.” Trump can also throw out a Tillerson document — whenever he wants.
James Carafano, a defense expert who worked for Trump’s team, finds Tillerson’s document a “smart tool” that sets the limits for engaging with Putin. With the help of the document, Tillerson "will show his boss" how to deal with the Russians.
The key difference from Obama’s strategy is that Tillerson’s “points” do not directly provide support for the “stability” of countries that are Russia's neighbors. Obama's strategy was based on supporting the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, which should become more “resistant to Russian tactics” as part of various programs for developing democracy and developing a joint NATO task force (first launched in June 2015 of the year in Poland).
A State Department spokesman told the publication that US support for Eastern European countries would remain the same, even if it is not explicitly stated in the framework document. Tillerson himself during a hearing in the Senate last week stated that the United States will have in mind “special emphasis” on those European countries that are “most at risk of Russian intervention.”
Opinion Tillerson, however, came across skepticism of congressmen. Lawmakers, including Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham, "questioned him with passion" about the budget proposal, which reduces US assistance to several countries that are in the sphere of Russian influence. “What will we say to our friends in Georgia about reducing their help by about 66%, given the threats they face?” Mr. Graham asked.
Tillerson calmly replied that the goal of US aid programs was never to help allies forever.
A White House spokesman familiar with the events noted that Fiona Hill, Senior Director of the White House for Europe and Russia, began developing the document. Then Tillerson made his own proposals, which were the product of his personal views, numerous one-on-one dinners with the president and with the director of the State Department for political planning, Brian Hook. Tillerson's unlimited influence on this document, which was approved at a meeting of White House Cabinet officials, including Secretary of Defense James Mattis, shows a new movement in power within the Trump administration.
It also became known that Tillerson appealed to Tom Shannon, the State Department employee "number three" and set him the task of helping to return Russian-American relations "in the right direction." June 23 Mr. Shannon will travel to St. Petersburg to discuss “irritants” in relations between Moscow and Washington. One of the issues for discussion will be the return of two diplomatic dachas in New York and Maryland, which were “seized” from Russia by the administration of B.H. Obama as a “punishment” for Moscow’s alleged interference in the presidential election of the 2016 of the year. President Obama, the newspaper reminds, in addition drove Russian diplomats out of the country, saying that they use their position for intelligence purposes.
Tillerson himself noted that the possible return of these dachas to Russians will be discussed in a broader conversation about the return of US-Russian relations to the path that was determined after the April meetings with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. After these meetings, Tillerson reported that the relations of the two states are at the lowest level that was ever in the aftermath of the Cold War. And relationships can get worse. “The two greatest nuclear powers in the world cannot have this kind of relationship,” said the Secretary of State. “We need to stabilize them, and we need to start the way back.”
A broader goal is to ensure closer cooperation with Russia in crisis situations - in Syria and in Ukraine. But this is not the whole agenda. Mr Tillerson said both sides would begin work on more “modest” items. State Department officials, for example, are looking for ways to “put an end to the persecution of US embassy officials in Moscow,” and Russian officials “increasingly insist on the immediate return of summer cottages” in America. On the last occasion, Tillerson said that US officials could allow Russian officials access to summer cottages, but with only one condition: they guarantee that they will not use these sites to gather intelligence data. “We know what you did there,” said Tillerson. “We will not allow you to continue doing this.”
Some Russian experts do not admit that any "big deal" can now take place.
Director of the Institute for Political Studies, political scientist Sergey Markov said "Free Press"that the “big deal” of the USA with the Russian Federation on the Ukrainian issue is now impossible, since Donald Trump cannot pursue an independent policy towards Moscow, and the American establishment does not have a consolidated position on the “deal”.
“It's another matter,” the expert noted, “that the pro-Western part of the Russian elite is dreaming of a“ big deal ”that would include the Ukrainian question. In addition, this term is used by Trump's opponents, accusing him of business approaches to international politics. ”
Therefore, we add, the third point from Mr. Tillerson, which substantiates the long-term “strategic stability” in relations with Russia and concerns the neighbors of the Russian Federation, remains in question. In addition, any attempt to bring the White House closer to Moscow will be perceived by congressmen with hostility. Graham, like McCain, will immediately accuse the Trump administration of flirting with Putin. The return of "summer cottages" under any pretext will be the reason for Trump's accusations of espionage, treason and work for the Kremlin. About the impeachment of Mr. Trump in the United States have been talking for a long time. It is possible that about Trump's affairs will soon be shot by a documentary filmmaker Michael Mooreone of the proponents of the Trumpilix idea.
The State Department’s plan on the theme of “hostile friendship” turned out to be classified. Which, however, did not prevent journalists "BuzzFeed" get it. With secrecy, including perfect, in the US, things have been bad for a long time - this is what Snowden has already proved.
The Trump administration has a new plan for relations with Russia, says reporter John Hudson. The Secretary of State Rex Tillerson participated in the drafting of the document. However, it is not known whether Mr. Trump will support the plan.
Since the White House is in a difficult position - rejected from accusations "in collusion with the Russians", Secretary of State Rex Tillerson took the liberty to lead with the strategy of the Trump administration. This former Texas oil worker, who has worked a lot with Kremlin officials, being the general director of Exxon Mobil, has now developed a framework for US-Russian relations. Three points from Mr. Tillerson is a “narrow look” on what former opponents of the Cold War can come to. The document is dedicated to the formation of “constructive working relations” with Putin on a limited number of issues.
Relations between the United States and Russia are floating somewhere in the toilet, the State Department spokesman, familiar with the situation, told the publication. "We want to make sure that they will not be drained into the sewer system," the official added in an interview with BuzzFeed News.
According to the US official, the first point of the “framework” described in the document is to make it clear to Moscow that aggressive actions against the United States are a topic that will be counterproductive for both parties. When Russia takes “bold action” against US interests (for example, it supplies weapon to the Taliban in Afghanistan or is pursuing American diplomats in Moscow), Washington will give an answer.
According to the official, the second stage could be participation in issues of strategic interest to the United States, including the protracted civil war in Syria, North Korea’s developing nuclear program, as well as cyber security issues. Tillerson doesn’t like the growth of Russia's trade with North Korea after the US’s small success in trying to influence China and prohibit the importation of coal into an isolated country. Also, Mr. Tillerson believes that it is necessary to achieve better coordination with Russia in Syria against IG (forbidden in the Russian Federation). True, it is not at all clear how to achieve this. Two opponents of the Cold War are also expanding the cyberspace arsenals, but they do not have an understanding of “what is fair play and what is not”.
The third point from Mr. Tillerson emphasizes the importance of “strategic stability” in relations with Russia. This is an “ambiguous” term that covers a range of long-term mutual geopolitical goals.
This is probably a step backwards, a departure from the current tensions and participation in problems where cooperation can be achieved. admits Stephen Peifer, a former US ambassador to Ukraine and an employee of the Brookings Institute. Peifer believes that the “frame” proposed by the document is somewhat similar to the “four-point” strategy of fighting Russia created by the Obama administration in 2015 after the Ukrainian crisis. The difficulty, he said, lies in the fact that Trump can adhere to the new document, or perhaps go on a “more ambitious grand deal with Russia, through which respect for Moscow’s influence in Eastern Europe will be shown.” Trump can also throw out a Tillerson document — whenever he wants.
James Carafano, a defense expert who worked for Trump’s team, finds Tillerson’s document a “smart tool” that sets the limits for engaging with Putin. With the help of the document, Tillerson "will show his boss" how to deal with the Russians.
The key difference from Obama’s strategy is that Tillerson’s “points” do not directly provide support for the “stability” of countries that are Russia's neighbors. Obama's strategy was based on supporting the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, which should become more “resistant to Russian tactics” as part of various programs for developing democracy and developing a joint NATO task force (first launched in June 2015 of the year in Poland).
A State Department spokesman told the publication that US support for Eastern European countries would remain the same, even if it is not explicitly stated in the framework document. Tillerson himself during a hearing in the Senate last week stated that the United States will have in mind “special emphasis” on those European countries that are “most at risk of Russian intervention.”
Opinion Tillerson, however, came across skepticism of congressmen. Lawmakers, including Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham, "questioned him with passion" about the budget proposal, which reduces US assistance to several countries that are in the sphere of Russian influence. “What will we say to our friends in Georgia about reducing their help by about 66%, given the threats they face?” Mr. Graham asked.
Tillerson calmly replied that the goal of US aid programs was never to help allies forever.
A White House spokesman familiar with the events noted that Fiona Hill, Senior Director of the White House for Europe and Russia, began developing the document. Then Tillerson made his own proposals, which were the product of his personal views, numerous one-on-one dinners with the president and with the director of the State Department for political planning, Brian Hook. Tillerson's unlimited influence on this document, which was approved at a meeting of White House Cabinet officials, including Secretary of Defense James Mattis, shows a new movement in power within the Trump administration.
It also became known that Tillerson appealed to Tom Shannon, the State Department employee "number three" and set him the task of helping to return Russian-American relations "in the right direction." June 23 Mr. Shannon will travel to St. Petersburg to discuss “irritants” in relations between Moscow and Washington. One of the issues for discussion will be the return of two diplomatic dachas in New York and Maryland, which were “seized” from Russia by the administration of B.H. Obama as a “punishment” for Moscow’s alleged interference in the presidential election of the 2016 of the year. President Obama, the newspaper reminds, in addition drove Russian diplomats out of the country, saying that they use their position for intelligence purposes.
Tillerson himself noted that the possible return of these dachas to Russians will be discussed in a broader conversation about the return of US-Russian relations to the path that was determined after the April meetings with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. After these meetings, Tillerson reported that the relations of the two states are at the lowest level that was ever in the aftermath of the Cold War. And relationships can get worse. “The two greatest nuclear powers in the world cannot have this kind of relationship,” said the Secretary of State. “We need to stabilize them, and we need to start the way back.”
A broader goal is to ensure closer cooperation with Russia in crisis situations - in Syria and in Ukraine. But this is not the whole agenda. Mr Tillerson said both sides would begin work on more “modest” items. State Department officials, for example, are looking for ways to “put an end to the persecution of US embassy officials in Moscow,” and Russian officials “increasingly insist on the immediate return of summer cottages” in America. On the last occasion, Tillerson said that US officials could allow Russian officials access to summer cottages, but with only one condition: they guarantee that they will not use these sites to gather intelligence data. “We know what you did there,” said Tillerson. “We will not allow you to continue doing this.”
Some Russian experts do not admit that any "big deal" can now take place.
Director of the Institute for Political Studies, political scientist Sergey Markov said "Free Press"that the “big deal” of the USA with the Russian Federation on the Ukrainian issue is now impossible, since Donald Trump cannot pursue an independent policy towards Moscow, and the American establishment does not have a consolidated position on the “deal”.
“It's another matter,” the expert noted, “that the pro-Western part of the Russian elite is dreaming of a“ big deal ”that would include the Ukrainian question. In addition, this term is used by Trump's opponents, accusing him of business approaches to international politics. ”
Therefore, we add, the third point from Mr. Tillerson, which substantiates the long-term “strategic stability” in relations with Russia and concerns the neighbors of the Russian Federation, remains in question. In addition, any attempt to bring the White House closer to Moscow will be perceived by congressmen with hostility. Graham, like McCain, will immediately accuse the Trump administration of flirting with Putin. The return of "summer cottages" under any pretext will be the reason for Trump's accusations of espionage, treason and work for the Kremlin. About the impeachment of Mr. Trump in the United States have been talking for a long time. It is possible that about Trump's affairs will soon be shot by a documentary filmmaker Michael Mooreone of the proponents of the Trumpilix idea.
Observed and commented on Oleg Chuvakin
- especially for topwar.ru
- especially for topwar.ru
- https://www.buzzfeed.com/
Information