04-05-2018, 12:59 AM
McMaster Unleashes on Russia in Final Speech
http://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/04/mcmaster-unleashes-on-russia-in-final-speech-putin-baltic-states-hybrid-warfare-white-house-trump-national-security-advisor-failed-to-impose-costs-on-kremlin/
For too long, some nations have looked the other way in the face of these threats. Russia brazenly and implausibly denies its actions, and we have failed to impose sufficient costs,” McMaster said Tuesday night, speaking at an Atlantic Council dinner alongside leaders from the three Baltic nations in town to meet with President Donald Trump.
Mr. Putin may believe that he is winning in this new form of warfare,” McMaster said. “Perhaps he believes that our free nations are weak and will not respond to his provocations. He is wrong.”
His remarks impressed many in the audience of foreign diplomats, think tankers, and former U.S. officials, who have grown concerned about Trump’s reluctance to openly criticize Putin. McMaster received a standing ovation when he stepped off the podium.
“That was the strongest speech on Russia I’ve seen from anyone in this administration ever,” said one former senior U.S. official in attendance.
McMaster’s swan song stood in sharp contrast to his boss’s remarks earlier in the day. Trump, speaking alongside the presidents of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia at the White House on Tuesday, said he wasn’t kowtowing to Russia but wanted to have a good relationship with Putin.
“Nobody has been tougher on Russia, but getting along with Russia would be a good thing, not a bad thing. And just about everybody agrees to that except very stupid people,” Trump said.
When a reporter asked him whether Putin was a friend or an enemy, Trump said, “We’ll find out. I’ll let you know.”
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McMaster's speech seemed a clear challenge to Trump. The absence of leadership regarding the Russian threat is foregrounded by this speech since it is what the President should be saying, but won't/can't.
But oddly, McMaster also praises Trump's response to Putin's latest outrage, because Trump expelled some diplomats. Did he feel he still had to bolster Trump's ego/authority? If he sustains the White House bubble around Trump, in which Trump believes "no one has been tougher on Russia," is that a good thing? Reporters seem to hear the tough talk on Russia; Trump may only be hearing that he has been tough, already done the right thing.
http://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/04/mcmaster-unleashes-on-russia-in-final-speech-putin-baltic-states-hybrid-warfare-white-house-trump-national-security-advisor-failed-to-impose-costs-on-kremlin/
For too long, some nations have looked the other way in the face of these threats. Russia brazenly and implausibly denies its actions, and we have failed to impose sufficient costs,” McMaster said Tuesday night, speaking at an Atlantic Council dinner alongside leaders from the three Baltic nations in town to meet with President Donald Trump.
Mr. Putin may believe that he is winning in this new form of warfare,” McMaster said. “Perhaps he believes that our free nations are weak and will not respond to his provocations. He is wrong.”
His remarks impressed many in the audience of foreign diplomats, think tankers, and former U.S. officials, who have grown concerned about Trump’s reluctance to openly criticize Putin. McMaster received a standing ovation when he stepped off the podium.
“That was the strongest speech on Russia I’ve seen from anyone in this administration ever,” said one former senior U.S. official in attendance.
McMaster’s swan song stood in sharp contrast to his boss’s remarks earlier in the day. Trump, speaking alongside the presidents of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia at the White House on Tuesday, said he wasn’t kowtowing to Russia but wanted to have a good relationship with Putin.
“Nobody has been tougher on Russia, but getting along with Russia would be a good thing, not a bad thing. And just about everybody agrees to that except very stupid people,” Trump said.
When a reporter asked him whether Putin was a friend or an enemy, Trump said, “We’ll find out. I’ll let you know.”
...................................................................................................................................................................
McMaster's speech seemed a clear challenge to Trump. The absence of leadership regarding the Russian threat is foregrounded by this speech since it is what the President should be saying, but won't/can't.
But oddly, McMaster also praises Trump's response to Putin's latest outrage, because Trump expelled some diplomats. Did he feel he still had to bolster Trump's ego/authority? If he sustains the White House bubble around Trump, in which Trump believes "no one has been tougher on Russia," is that a good thing? Reporters seem to hear the tough talk on Russia; Trump may only be hearing that he has been tough, already done the right thing.
![[Image: 4CV0TeR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4CV0TeR.png)
