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Trump’s inauguration expected to be marred by clashes

Posted January. 16, 2017 07:01,   

Updated January. 16, 2017 07:11

한국어

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s first diplomatic and security team is making some noise even before they start to fulfill their duties. Some hawkish nominees showed clashing views during the recent Senate affirmation hearings and their comments drew sharp variations of Trump’s campaign promises. Some predict that conflicts inside the Cabinet may lead to confusion in diplomacy and defense policy, where the stability is most needed, from his early days in office.

The Financial Times reported on Saturday that Michael Flynn, nominee for national security adviser, who will be in charge of foreign and defense policy of the Trump administration, and James Mattis, secretary of defense nominee, have the most obvious discrepancies on Russia.

Mike Flynn is favorable to Russian President Vladimir Putin and considers Russia as a key cooperative partner. It has been said that Mr. Flynn often met Sergey Kislyak, Russian Ambassador to the U.S., and discussed the U.S.-Russia relation in the future since he was appointed as national security advisor. He also contacted with the Russian ambassador right after the Obama administration announced its move to expel Russian diplomats in retaliation and to take other measures for interference in the U.S. presidential election in late December. Many considered that Flynn played a role in persuading Putin to decline to retaliate.

Mr. Mattis has a reputation as a charismatic and tough-fighting military commander and has the nickname of “mad dog.’ He said that Russia is the principal threat to U.S. security. In the affirmation hearing held on Thursday, he said, “Russia had chosen to be a strategic competitor, an adversary in key areas.” He warned of an “increasing areas in which the U.S. will have to confront Russia.” With regard to the Iran nuclear deal, he said that he believes that Washington must stick to the Iran nuclear deal and this approach is against Trump’s opinion. In the past, Mr. Trump said the U.S. should renegotiate the Iran deal.



Se-Hyung Lee turtle@donga.com