國際時事政治選舉集中理性討論區（三）
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Second author 係Larry Diamond, 葉劉係美國讀書個論文指導老師
US and South Korea to resume joint military exercises
http://www.dw.com/en/us-and-south-korea-to-resume-joint-military-exercises/a-43044926
Joint military exercises involving the US and South Korea will resume on April 1 on a "similar" scale to previous years, the US Department of Defense said on Monday.
This year's drills, known as "Foal Eagle" and "Key Resolve," had been delayed to avoid any clash with the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyongchang, South Korea in February.
South Korean officials said this year's exercises would, unlike previous years, not involve US nuclear-powered aircraft carriers or bombers.
The drills, which Pyongyang has in previous years condemned as rehearsals for an invasion of the North, are set to take place amid thawing tensions on the Korean peninsula.
http://www.dw.com/en/us-and-south-korea-to-resume-joint-military-exercises/a-43044926
Joint military exercises involving the US and South Korea will resume on April 1 on a "similar" scale to previous years, the US Department of Defense said on Monday.
This year's drills, known as "Foal Eagle" and "Key Resolve," had been delayed to avoid any clash with the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyongchang, South Korea in February.
South Korean officials said this year's exercises would, unlike previous years, not involve US nuclear-powered aircraft carriers or bombers.
The drills, which Pyongyang has in previous years condemned as rehearsals for an invasion of the North, are set to take place amid thawing tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Brexit: Michel Barnier says draft transition treaty mostly agreed
http://www.dw.com/en/brexit-michel-barnier-says-draft-transition-treaty-mostly-agreed/a-43036155
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier announced on Monday that agreement had been reached on "a large part of what would constitute the orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom."
He said that, after negotiators met at the weekend, there was broad agreement on a transition deal for the period after the UK leaves the bloc.
The agreement foresees keeping all EU rules in place in Britain until the end of 2020. During the period, Barnier said, Britain would no longer take part in setting rules.
There was not yet a clear vision of future arrangements around the Irish border. Barnier said. But he added that a "backstop solution" had been agreed that would avoid a hard customs border.
http://www.dw.com/en/brexit-michel-barnier-says-draft-transition-treaty-mostly-agreed/a-43036155
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier announced on Monday that agreement had been reached on "a large part of what would constitute the orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom."
He said that, after negotiators met at the weekend, there was broad agreement on a transition deal for the period after the UK leaves the bloc.
The agreement foresees keeping all EU rules in place in Britain until the end of 2020. During the period, Barnier said, Britain would no longer take part in setting rules.
There was not yet a clear vision of future arrangements around the Irish border. Barnier said. But he added that a "backstop solution" had been agreed that would avoid a hard customs border.
Japan prepares to execute up to 13 members of Aum Shinrikyo cult
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/20/japan-prepares-to-execute-up-to-13-members-of-aum-shinrikyo-cult
Japan is believed to be preparing to execute as many as 13 members of a doomsday cult in what could become the country’s biggest round of hangings in the past decade.
Tuesday marked the 23rd anniversary of Aum Shinrikyo’s sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway, which killed 13 people and caused illness among thousands of others.
Some of the members of the cult were transferred to detention facilities outside of Tokyo last week, fuelling local media speculation that their executions could be imminent. Japan normally doesn’t execute people until all accomplices’ cases have been finalised. That milestone was reached in January this year.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/20/japan-prepares-to-execute-up-to-13-members-of-aum-shinrikyo-cult
Japan is believed to be preparing to execute as many as 13 members of a doomsday cult in what could become the country’s biggest round of hangings in the past decade.
Tuesday marked the 23rd anniversary of Aum Shinrikyo’s sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway, which killed 13 people and caused illness among thousands of others.
Some of the members of the cult were transferred to detention facilities outside of Tokyo last week, fuelling local media speculation that their executions could be imminent. Japan normally doesn’t execute people until all accomplices’ cases have been finalised. That milestone was reached in January this year.
French ex-president Sarkozy in custody in campaign funding probe: source
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-sarkozy-libya/french-ex-president-sarkozy-in-custody-in-campaign-funding-probe-source-idUSKBN1GW0RH
PARIS (Reuters) - Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was being held in police custody on Tuesday for questioning by magistrates looking into allegations of Libyan funding for his 2007 election campaign, an official in the French judiciary said.
A former minister and close ally of Sarkozy, Brice Hortefeux, was also being questioned by police on Tuesday morning in relation to the Libya investigation, another source close to the probe said.
In January a French businessman suspected by investigators of funneling money from Gaddafi to finance Sarkozy’s campaign was arrested in Britain and granted bail after he appeared in a London court.
Sarkozy has already been ordered to stand trial in a separate matter concerning financing of his failed re-election campaign in 2012, when he was defeated by Francois Hollande.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-sarkozy-libya/french-ex-president-sarkozy-in-custody-in-campaign-funding-probe-source-idUSKBN1GW0RH
PARIS (Reuters) - Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was being held in police custody on Tuesday for questioning by magistrates looking into allegations of Libyan funding for his 2007 election campaign, an official in the French judiciary said.
A former minister and close ally of Sarkozy, Brice Hortefeux, was also being questioned by police on Tuesday morning in relation to the Libya investigation, another source close to the probe said.
In January a French businessman suspected by investigators of funneling money from Gaddafi to finance Sarkozy’s campaign was arrested in Britain and granted bail after he appeared in a London court.
Sarkozy has already been ordered to stand trial in a separate matter concerning financing of his failed re-election campaign in 2012, when he was defeated by Francois Hollande.
Norway justice minister quits to avert government collapse
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/20/norway-justice-minister-sylvi-listhaug-quits-avert-government-collapse
The Norwegian justice minister, Sylvi Listhaug, has resigned to avert a collapse of the country’s minority government after she caused uproar with comments .
Listhaug had been poised to lose a vote of confidence in parliament on Tuesday over her Facebook posts that could have toppled the government. Her decision to resign on Tuesday morning defused Norway’s worst political crisis in years.
Listhaug, of the Progress party, provoked outrage this month when she accused the opposition Labour party of putting “terrorists’ rights” before national security, a particularly sensitive topic for Labour which was in power in 2011 when the carried out a mass shooting.
Listhaug made her comments after Labour and the Christian Democrats helped defeat a bill allowing the state the right, without judicial review, to strip individuals of Norwegian citizenship if they were suspected of terrorism or of joining foreign militant groups.
She apologised in parliament last week for causing a political storm. Opposition parties, however, said her gesture was not sincere enough and that she should resign.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/20/norway-justice-minister-sylvi-listhaug-quits-avert-government-collapse
The Norwegian justice minister, Sylvi Listhaug, has resigned to avert a collapse of the country’s minority government after she caused uproar with comments .
Listhaug had been poised to lose a vote of confidence in parliament on Tuesday over her Facebook posts that could have toppled the government. Her decision to resign on Tuesday morning defused Norway’s worst political crisis in years.
Listhaug, of the Progress party, provoked outrage this month when she accused the opposition Labour party of putting “terrorists’ rights” before national security, a particularly sensitive topic for Labour which was in power in 2011 when the carried out a mass shooting.
Listhaug made her comments after Labour and the Christian Democrats helped defeat a bill allowing the state the right, without judicial review, to strip individuals of Norwegian citizenship if they were suspected of terrorism or of joining foreign militant groups.
She apologised in parliament last week for causing a political storm. Opposition parties, however, said her gesture was not sincere enough and that she should resign.
EU urges Poland to respect judicial reforms deadline or face Article 7 sanctions
http://www.dw.com/en/eu-urges-poland-to-respect-judicial-reforms-deadline-or-face-article-7-sanctions/a-43055631
The European Commission on Tuesday urged Poland to respond to its demands of restoring law and order before a midnight deadline.
Poland faces punishment under the never-before-used Article 7 of the European Union for placing courts under political control.
Warsaw released a statement saying it rejected criticism and that it refuses to retract the laws, but said it was ready to discuss the results of its new laws, Polish news agency PAP reported.
Polish European Affairs Minister Konrad Szymanski said he hoped member states would assess Warsaw's white paper in an "objective, unbiased, individual way," adding that Poland did not want a "passive duplication of someone else's opinion" among EU members.
http://www.dw.com/en/eu-urges-poland-to-respect-judicial-reforms-deadline-or-face-article-7-sanctions/a-43055631
The European Commission on Tuesday urged Poland to respond to its demands of restoring law and order before a midnight deadline.
Poland faces punishment under the never-before-used Article 7 of the European Union for placing courts under political control.
Warsaw released a statement saying it rejected criticism and that it refuses to retract the laws, but said it was ready to discuss the results of its new laws, Polish news agency PAP reported.
Polish European Affairs Minister Konrad Szymanski said he hoped member states would assess Warsaw's white paper in an "objective, unbiased, individual way," adding that Poland did not want a "passive duplication of someone else's opinion" among EU members.
Slovak Leader Shuns Cabinet Lineup as Political Tension Persists
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-20/slovak-leader-shuns-cabinet-lineup-as-political-tension-persists
Slovakia’s president rejected a cabinet lineup proposed by the ruling coalition, extending a political shakeup sparked by the murder of a journalist and the biggest public protests since the fall of communism.
President Andrej Kiska said some cabinet nominees couldn’t guarantee the restoring of public trust in state institutions after Prime Minister Robert Fico resigned last week. He asked Fico’s proposed replacement, Peter Pellegrini, to prepare a new list by Friday. The decision is a rebuke against the ruling coalition, which said it would revamp its administration to avoid early elections but kept many cabinet names unchanged.
Fico’s departure from the top government job, which he had held for 10 years in three different terms, has failed to quell public discontent over the government’s failure to tackle corruption. Tens of thousands of people marched through Slovak cities for a third week Friday, demanding early elections.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-20/slovak-leader-shuns-cabinet-lineup-as-political-tension-persists
Slovakia’s president rejected a cabinet lineup proposed by the ruling coalition, extending a political shakeup sparked by the murder of a journalist and the biggest public protests since the fall of communism.
President Andrej Kiska said some cabinet nominees couldn’t guarantee the restoring of public trust in state institutions after Prime Minister Robert Fico resigned last week. He asked Fico’s proposed replacement, Peter Pellegrini, to prepare a new list by Friday. The decision is a rebuke against the ruling coalition, which said it would revamp its administration to avoid early elections but kept many cabinet names unchanged.
Fico’s departure from the top government job, which he had held for 10 years in three different terms, has failed to quell public discontent over the government’s failure to tackle corruption. Tens of thousands of people marched through Slovak cities for a third week Friday, demanding early elections.
Israel admits it bombed Syrian 'nuclear site' in 2007
http://www.dw.com/en/israel-admits-it-bombed-syrian-nuclear-site-in-2007/a-43058739
The Israeli military formally confirmed for the first time on Wednesday it carried out a 2007 air raid on a suspected nuclear reactor deep inside Syria.
Israel was widely believed to have been behind the September 6, 2007 attack, but had never admitted it and censored media reports.
Eight fighter jets flew at low altitude on the secret mission against the suspected plutonium nuclear reactor in the Deir el-Zour region of eastern Syria, the military said.
It is unclear why the Israeli military decided to confirm the attack now. It may be because former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who ordered the strike, has a memoir coming out soon.
The admission may also be a message to Iran, which has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country's ongoing war. Israel is concerned Iran is positioning itself to establish permanent bases and missile factories that threaten the Jewish state.
http://www.dw.com/en/israel-admits-it-bombed-syrian-nuclear-site-in-2007/a-43058739
The Israeli military formally confirmed for the first time on Wednesday it carried out a 2007 air raid on a suspected nuclear reactor deep inside Syria.
Israel was widely believed to have been behind the September 6, 2007 attack, but had never admitted it and censored media reports.
Eight fighter jets flew at low altitude on the secret mission against the suspected plutonium nuclear reactor in the Deir el-Zour region of eastern Syria, the military said.
It is unclear why the Israeli military decided to confirm the attack now. It may be because former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who ordered the strike, has a memoir coming out soon.
The admission may also be a message to Iran, which has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country's ongoing war. Israel is concerned Iran is positioning itself to establish permanent bases and missile factories that threaten the Jewish state.
呢條友真係 一邊收卡達菲錢 轉個頭就炸Q佢
次次都係咁
一有政治危機就殺下啲有voice既死囚
一有政治危機就殺下啲有voice既死囚
Kenyans debate Cambridge Analytica's alleged involvement in 2017 elections
http://www.dw.com/en/kenyans-debate-cambridge-analyticas-alleged-involvement-in-2017-elections/a-43054321
In a video secretly recorded by Britain's Channel 4, senior officials of Cambridge Analytica are seen boasting about the company's role in Kenya's hotly contested 2017 elections.
The candidate Turnbull was referring to is Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya's incumbent president who managed to defeat his chief rival, Raila Odinga, after a bitterly fought election campaign in August last year. His initial win was annulled by Kenya's Supreme Court because of procedural irregularities. Kenyatta then won a re-run in October, which was boycotted by Odinga, with 98 percent of the vote. Scores of people are believed to have died in post-election violence, with human rights groups claiming that police used excessive force to crack down on opposition protestors.
However it does raise eyebrows among Kenyans, as Cambridge Analytica is under fire in the United Kingdom and the United States following media reports that the the company had used private data harvested from more than 50 million Facebook users to support Donald Trump's presidential election campaign.
False reports were a common phenomenon on social media channels across the country during the hotly fought campaign, with 90 percent of Kenyans in a nationwide survey conducted by PR company Portland International reporting that they had seen or heard about fake news. Some 87 percent reported incidents of deliberately false or fake news.
http://www.dw.com/en/kenyans-debate-cambridge-analyticas-alleged-involvement-in-2017-elections/a-43054321
In a video secretly recorded by Britain's Channel 4, senior officials of Cambridge Analytica are seen boasting about the company's role in Kenya's hotly contested 2017 elections.
The candidate Turnbull was referring to is Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya's incumbent president who managed to defeat his chief rival, Raila Odinga, after a bitterly fought election campaign in August last year. His initial win was annulled by Kenya's Supreme Court because of procedural irregularities. Kenyatta then won a re-run in October, which was boycotted by Odinga, with 98 percent of the vote. Scores of people are believed to have died in post-election violence, with human rights groups claiming that police used excessive force to crack down on opposition protestors.
However it does raise eyebrows among Kenyans, as Cambridge Analytica is under fire in the United Kingdom and the United States following media reports that the the company had used private data harvested from more than 50 million Facebook users to support Donald Trump's presidential election campaign.
False reports were a common phenomenon on social media channels across the country during the hotly fought campaign, with 90 percent of Kenyans in a nationwide survey conducted by PR company Portland International reporting that they had seen or heard about fake news. Some 87 percent reported incidents of deliberately false or fake news.
Nigeria: Kidnapped schoolgirls 'freed' by Boko Haram
http://www.dw.com/en/nigeria-kidnapped-schoolgirls-freed-by-boko-haram/a-43059542
The Nigerian government on Wednesday said 76 of the 110 girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram Islamist militants on February 19 were returned to their home town of Dapchi.
Information Minister Lai Mohammed said that "the 76 are those who have been documented so far," adding that, "the release of the abducted students is ongoing."
The return of the girls by Boko Haram was done "out of pity," one of the fighters told residents, and came with a warning: "Don't ever put your daughters in school again."
http://www.dw.com/en/nigeria-kidnapped-schoolgirls-freed-by-boko-haram/a-43059542
The Nigerian government on Wednesday said 76 of the 110 girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram Islamist militants on February 19 were returned to their home town of Dapchi.
Information Minister Lai Mohammed said that "the 76 are those who have been documented so far," adding that, "the release of the abducted students is ongoing."
The return of the girls by Boko Haram was done "out of pity," one of the fighters told residents, and came with a warning: "Don't ever put your daughters in school again."
Technology giants face European 'digital tax' blow
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-43486403
Big technology firms face paying more tax under plans announced by the European Commission.
It said companies with significant online revenues should pay a 3% tax on turnover for various online services, bringing in an estimated €5bn (£4.4bn).
The proposal would affect firms such as Facebook and Google with global annual revenues above €750m and taxable EU revenue above €50m.
The move follows criticism that tech giants pay too little tax in Europe.
According to the Commission, top digital firms pay an average tax rate of just 9.5% in the EU - far less than the 23.3% paid by traditional companies.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-43486403
Big technology firms face paying more tax under plans announced by the European Commission.
It said companies with significant online revenues should pay a 3% tax on turnover for various online services, bringing in an estimated €5bn (£4.4bn).
The proposal would affect firms such as Facebook and Google with global annual revenues above €750m and taxable EU revenue above €50m.
The move follows criticism that tech giants pay too little tax in Europe.
According to the Commission, top digital firms pay an average tax rate of just 9.5% in the EU - far less than the 23.3% paid by traditional companies.
Myanmar president Htin Kyaw resigns
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43482191
The president of Myanmar Htin Kyaw has resigned, his office has announced.
No reason was given, but there have been growing concerns in recent months about the 71-year-old's health after he appeared frail at official functions.
Htin Kyaw was sworn in as president in 2016 after landmark elections which ended decades of military leadership.
But he was essentially a ceremonial leader, with long-time opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi acting as de facto president.
Vice-President Myint Swe, a former general, would act as president until a new president is chosen within seven days, it said.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43482191
The president of Myanmar Htin Kyaw has resigned, his office has announced.
No reason was given, but there have been growing concerns in recent months about the 71-year-old's health after he appeared frail at official functions.
Htin Kyaw was sworn in as president in 2016 after landmark elections which ended decades of military leadership.
But he was essentially a ceremonial leader, with long-time opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi acting as de facto president.
Vice-President Myint Swe, a former general, would act as president until a new president is chosen within seven days, it said.
China getting nervous about looming US tariffs
http://www.dw.com/en/china-getting-nervous-about-looming-us-tariffs/a-43077790
Chinese state media pre-empted Thursday's expected trade sanctions by the US by urging other countries to create a united front against "Washington's protectionism."
"Since the US seems unlikely to mend its ways, other countries should stop hoping they will be spared its protectionist shots and become more resolute in standing firm against them," the China Daily said Thursday.
The newspaper added that while US tariffs would initially boost the country's GDP expansion and slow China's economic growth, they would also reduce global economic activity, harming both nations in the end.
The US is set to impose further trade restrictions on China to force Beijing to change its intellectual property practices.
http://www.dw.com/en/china-getting-nervous-about-looming-us-tariffs/a-43077790
Chinese state media pre-empted Thursday's expected trade sanctions by the US by urging other countries to create a united front against "Washington's protectionism."
"Since the US seems unlikely to mend its ways, other countries should stop hoping they will be spared its protectionist shots and become more resolute in standing firm against them," the China Daily said Thursday.
The newspaper added that while US tariffs would initially boost the country's GDP expansion and slow China's economic growth, they would also reduce global economic activity, harming both nations in the end.
The US is set to impose further trade restrictions on China to force Beijing to change its intellectual property practices.
African countries agree to continental free trade area
http://www.dw.com/en/african-countries-agree-to-continental-free-trade-area/a-43073316
Forty-four African countries on Wednesday signed up to create a free trade agreement within 18 months in an effort to boost meager intra-continental trade.
The agreement, known as the African Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), was signed at an African Union (AU) summit in the Rwandan capital Kigali and will, if implemented, be the world's largest free trade zone in terms of member countries.
"Our peoples, our business community and our youth in particular cannot wait any longer to see the lifting of the barriers that divide our continent, hinder its economic takeoff and perpetuate misery," AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat said.
Trade between AU members stands at a relatively low 15 percent of the bloc's total commerce and has been cited as a factor for the continent's enduring poverty. Average tariffs across the continent stand at 6.1 percent, according to the AU. The bloc has said African businesses pay a higher premium when they export to other African countries compared to when the export to outside of the continent.
Eleven countries, including Nigeria — the continent's most populous country and its largest economy — did not sign the deal. Nigeria's president skipped the summit, citing opposition from national trade unions.
http://www.dw.com/en/african-countries-agree-to-continental-free-trade-area/a-43073316
Forty-four African countries on Wednesday signed up to create a free trade agreement within 18 months in an effort to boost meager intra-continental trade.
The agreement, known as the African Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), was signed at an African Union (AU) summit in the Rwandan capital Kigali and will, if implemented, be the world's largest free trade zone in terms of member countries.
"Our peoples, our business community and our youth in particular cannot wait any longer to see the lifting of the barriers that divide our continent, hinder its economic takeoff and perpetuate misery," AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat said.
Trade between AU members stands at a relatively low 15 percent of the bloc's total commerce and has been cited as a factor for the continent's enduring poverty. Average tariffs across the continent stand at 6.1 percent, according to the AU. The bloc has said African businesses pay a higher premium when they export to other African countries compared to when the export to outside of the continent.
Eleven countries, including Nigeria — the continent's most populous country and its largest economy — did not sign the deal. Nigeria's president skipped the summit, citing opposition from national trade unions.
Peruvian President Kuczynski resigns before impeachment vote
http://www.dw.com/en/peruvian-president-kuczynski-resigns-before-impeachment-vote/a-43076222
Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski offered his resignation on Wednesday, a day before congress was to hold an impeachment vote.
The surprise resignation came as the opposition on Tuesday released secretly recorded videos allegedly showing Kuczynski's allies offering public works contracts to lawmakers to secure support against a previous impeachment vote.
Lawmakers accepted his offer of resignation and will debate the topic on Thursday. Vice President Martin Vizcarra, currently the ambassador to Canada, could be sworn in on Friday.
Kuczynski, a 79-year-old economist, denied that the recordings were proof of vote buying and corruption, saying the videos were selectively edited as part of a malicious opposition campaign to tarnish him. Over the weekend he had described the opposition's attempt to impeach him as a "coup."
http://www.dw.com/en/peruvian-president-kuczynski-resigns-before-impeachment-vote/a-43076222
Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski offered his resignation on Wednesday, a day before congress was to hold an impeachment vote.
The surprise resignation came as the opposition on Tuesday released secretly recorded videos allegedly showing Kuczynski's allies offering public works contracts to lawmakers to secure support against a previous impeachment vote.
Lawmakers accepted his offer of resignation and will debate the topic on Thursday. Vice President Martin Vizcarra, currently the ambassador to Canada, could be sworn in on Friday.
Kuczynski, a 79-year-old economist, denied that the recordings were proof of vote buying and corruption, saying the videos were selectively edited as part of a malicious opposition campaign to tarnish him. Over the weekend he had described the opposition's attempt to impeach him as a "coup."
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
I am pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18,@AmbJohnBolton will be my new National Security Advisor. I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend. There will be an official contact handover on 4/9.
@realDonaldTrump
I am pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18,@AmbJohnBolton will be my new National Security Advisor. I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend. There will be an official contact handover on 4/9.
John Bolton, Trump’s ultra-hawkish new national security adviser, explained
https://www.vox.com/world/2018/3/22/17153338/john-bolton-national-security-adviser-trump-hr-mcmaster
President Donald Trump finally jettisoned National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster on Thursday afternoon. His replacement is John Bolton, the former ambassador to the United Nations in the Bush administration — and one of the most radically hawkish voices in American foreign policy.
Bolton has said the United States should declare war on both North Korea and Iran. He was credibly accused of manipulating US intelligence on weapons of mass destruction prior to the Iraq war and of abusive treatment of his subordinates. He once “joked” about knocking 10 stories off the UN building in New York. That means his new appointment to be the most important national security official in the White House has significant — and frightening — implications for Trump’s approach to the world.
As a result, American foreign policy may be soon be shaped by someone who seems to truly believe that war is the answer to the world’s most pressing problems.
Put another way, his job is to manage the information that comes to the president and then present a clear-eyed and accurate assessment of what’s happening and how to respond to it. Yet Bolton’s history suggests a long and storied history of cherry-picking intelligence to support his preferred hawkish policies.
https://www.vox.com/world/2018/3/22/17153338/john-bolton-national-security-adviser-trump-hr-mcmaster
President Donald Trump finally jettisoned National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster on Thursday afternoon. His replacement is John Bolton, the former ambassador to the United Nations in the Bush administration — and one of the most radically hawkish voices in American foreign policy.
Bolton has said the United States should declare war on both North Korea and Iran. He was credibly accused of manipulating US intelligence on weapons of mass destruction prior to the Iraq war and of abusive treatment of his subordinates. He once “joked” about knocking 10 stories off the UN building in New York. That means his new appointment to be the most important national security official in the White House has significant — and frightening — implications for Trump’s approach to the world.
As a result, American foreign policy may be soon be shaped by someone who seems to truly believe that war is the answer to the world’s most pressing problems.
Put another way, his job is to manage the information that comes to the president and then present a clear-eyed and accurate assessment of what’s happening and how to respond to it. Yet Bolton’s history suggests a long and storied history of cherry-picking intelligence to support his preferred hawkish policies.
黎蝸藤:【國際】鷹派班底就位 進攻中國信號響起
https://www.new7.com.tw/NewsView.aspx?i=TXT20180321150731O3P
在短短不到十天內，美國出現了歷史上罕見的急劇人事大變動。經濟戰線上，原首席智囊白宮國家經濟委員會主任柯恩（Gary Cohn）辭職，換上財經評論人柯德洛（Larry Kudlow）；久被投閒置散的白宮國家貿易委員會納瓦羅（Peter Navarro）重出江湖。國安戰線上，國務卿提勒森（Rex Tillerson）被撤，換上中情局局長龐佩歐（Mike Pompeo）。白宮還傳出可能有其他人事變動。
一系列令人眼花繚亂的動作，固然帶有很強的白宮派系內鬥因素，但東亞局勢特別是美中關係也是重要原因。一言以蔽之，川普（Donald Trump）對中國已經不耐煩，置換班子就是加緊發起對中國戰略進攻的信號。
納瓦羅在川普選舉中起過重要作用，川普當選後又很快委任他在專門設立的崗位上，為何他會「突然」被投閒置散呢？除了人事鬥爭中「全球派」得勢之外，其過於激進的主張可能是另一重要因素。他強烈主張徵收「邊境調節稅」（Border-adjusted tax），而此激進主張在稅改中肯定無法通過。川普上任後一度還把它掛在嘴上，但正式推動稅改後就不提了。在稅改戰中，重用柯恩才是更好的選擇；惟稅改已通過，下一階段要打對中貿易戰，納瓦羅正好重出江湖。 納瓦羅另一激進主張是「無差別貿易戰」。比如在鋼鋁關稅上，他堅持「一個豁免都不能有」。
反觀新上任的龐佩歐是個鷹派人物。在朝鮮問題上態度強硬，曾說要推翻金正恩，又說在與北韓的談判中絕無退讓空間等；對中國倒是沒有太多的強硬言論。在川普突然轉向要與金正恩會談，又準備對中強硬之際，突然換馬，似乎在邏輯上說不過去。
其實最重要的原因是提勒森「不聽使喚」。川普在短短四十五分鐘內做出與金正恩會面的決定，沒有與提勒森、馬蒂斯或國家安全顧問麥克馬斯特（HR McMaster）等國安負責人溝通。如果事先溝通的話，這些人中恐怕無一人會同意。
https://www.new7.com.tw/NewsView.aspx?i=TXT20180321150731O3P
在短短不到十天內，美國出現了歷史上罕見的急劇人事大變動。經濟戰線上，原首席智囊白宮國家經濟委員會主任柯恩（Gary Cohn）辭職，換上財經評論人柯德洛（Larry Kudlow）；久被投閒置散的白宮國家貿易委員會納瓦羅（Peter Navarro）重出江湖。國安戰線上，國務卿提勒森（Rex Tillerson）被撤，換上中情局局長龐佩歐（Mike Pompeo）。白宮還傳出可能有其他人事變動。
一系列令人眼花繚亂的動作，固然帶有很強的白宮派系內鬥因素，但東亞局勢特別是美中關係也是重要原因。一言以蔽之，川普（Donald Trump）對中國已經不耐煩，置換班子就是加緊發起對中國戰略進攻的信號。
納瓦羅在川普選舉中起過重要作用，川普當選後又很快委任他在專門設立的崗位上，為何他會「突然」被投閒置散呢？除了人事鬥爭中「全球派」得勢之外，其過於激進的主張可能是另一重要因素。他強烈主張徵收「邊境調節稅」（Border-adjusted tax），而此激進主張在稅改中肯定無法通過。川普上任後一度還把它掛在嘴上，但正式推動稅改後就不提了。在稅改戰中，重用柯恩才是更好的選擇；惟稅改已通過，下一階段要打對中貿易戰，納瓦羅正好重出江湖。 納瓦羅另一激進主張是「無差別貿易戰」。比如在鋼鋁關稅上，他堅持「一個豁免都不能有」。
反觀新上任的龐佩歐是個鷹派人物。在朝鮮問題上態度強硬，曾說要推翻金正恩，又說在與北韓的談判中絕無退讓空間等；對中國倒是沒有太多的強硬言論。在川普突然轉向要與金正恩會談，又準備對中強硬之際，突然換馬，似乎在邏輯上說不過去。
其實最重要的原因是提勒森「不聽使喚」。川普在短短四十五分鐘內做出與金正恩會面的決定，沒有與提勒森、馬蒂斯或國家安全顧問麥克馬斯特（HR McMaster）等國安負責人溝通。如果事先溝通的話，這些人中恐怕無一人會同意。
Trump’s trade policies slammed by GOP lawmakers
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/21/republicans-trump-trade-policies-435559?
President Donald Trump’s “America First” trade policies took a bashing Wednesday from free-trade House Republicans, angry and fearful about the prospect of global retaliation and how the policies are playing back home.
From the uncertainty caused by NAFTA renegotiations, to his imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum, to his expected announcement this week of duties on tens of billions of dollars of Chinese goods, many lawmakers said that farmers and manufacturers in their districts are worried about lost sales and being hit with retaliation.
Some of those actions could also hurt consumers, they said, especially if Trump goes after Chinese-made electronics and other household goods in a bid to level the trade playing field.
Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) told Lighthizer she was concerned not only about the impact of the steel and aluminum tariffs, but also how China might retaliate against farmers and businesses in her district if Trump imposes tariffs to punish Beijing over its poor protection of U.S intellectual property rights.
Several Republicans drove home that point, including Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), both of whom rejected Lighthizer’s argument that the provision undermines U.S. sovereignty.
Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) told the story of a farmer in her district who asked if she knew what the Trump administration was thinking on trade “'because it seems like every time they take a position, soybeans drop 40 cents a bushel and we can’t hardly pay our bills today.'”
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/21/republicans-trump-trade-policies-435559?
President Donald Trump’s “America First” trade policies took a bashing Wednesday from free-trade House Republicans, angry and fearful about the prospect of global retaliation and how the policies are playing back home.
From the uncertainty caused by NAFTA renegotiations, to his imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum, to his expected announcement this week of duties on tens of billions of dollars of Chinese goods, many lawmakers said that farmers and manufacturers in their districts are worried about lost sales and being hit with retaliation.
Some of those actions could also hurt consumers, they said, especially if Trump goes after Chinese-made electronics and other household goods in a bid to level the trade playing field.
Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) told Lighthizer she was concerned not only about the impact of the steel and aluminum tariffs, but also how China might retaliate against farmers and businesses in her district if Trump imposes tariffs to punish Beijing over its poor protection of U.S intellectual property rights.
Several Republicans drove home that point, including Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), both of whom rejected Lighthizer’s argument that the provision undermines U.S. sovereignty.
Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) told the story of a farmer in her district who asked if she knew what the Trump administration was thinking on trade “'because it seems like every time they take a position, soybeans drop 40 cents a bushel and we can’t hardly pay our bills today.'”
Trump lawyer John Dowd resigns
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/379731-trump-lawyer-john-dowd-resigns-report
President Trump’s lead personal attorney handling the investigation into Russian meddling abruptly resigned on Thursday.
John Dowd, a prominent white-collar attorney who joined Trump’s legal team last summer, will step down after breaking with the president on key elements surrounding the probe, including whether Trump should sit for an interview with Robert Mueller.
Dowd’s exit comes as the president seeks to shake up his legal team amid frustrations within the White House over Mueller’s probe, which has cast a cloud over the administration for more than a year now.
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/379731-trump-lawyer-john-dowd-resigns-report
President Trump’s lead personal attorney handling the investigation into Russian meddling abruptly resigned on Thursday.
John Dowd, a prominent white-collar attorney who joined Trump’s legal team last summer, will step down after breaking with the president on key elements surrounding the probe, including whether Trump should sit for an interview with Robert Mueller.
Dowd’s exit comes as the president seeks to shake up his legal team amid frustrations within the White House over Mueller’s probe, which has cast a cloud over the administration for more than a year now.
China threatens retaliatory tariffs on US products
http://www.dw.com/en/china-threatens-retaliatory-tariffs-on-us-products/a-43096167
China may impose $3 billion ($2.4 billion) in tariffs on a range of US products in response to US tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said Friday.
The Commerce Ministry urged Washington to negotiate "to avoid damage to overall Chinese-US cooperation." "The Chinese side urges the US side to resolve the concerns of the Chinese side as soon as possible," it said.
The proposed tariffs include a 15 percent levy on fresh fruit, nuts and wine valued at $1 billion. The threat mirrors the US duty hike of 15 percent on aluminum.
The 25 percent US steel duty may be met with a similar tariff on pork and aluminum scrap, the Commerce Ministry said. A total of 128 US products have been identified for tariffs if the two sides cannot come to an understanding.
http://www.dw.com/en/china-threatens-retaliatory-tariffs-on-us-products/a-43096167
China may impose $3 billion ($2.4 billion) in tariffs on a range of US products in response to US tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said Friday.
The Commerce Ministry urged Washington to negotiate "to avoid damage to overall Chinese-US cooperation." "The Chinese side urges the US side to resolve the concerns of the Chinese side as soon as possible," it said.
The proposed tariffs include a 15 percent levy on fresh fruit, nuts and wine valued at $1 billion. The threat mirrors the US duty hike of 15 percent on aluminum.
The 25 percent US steel duty may be met with a similar tariff on pork and aluminum scrap, the Commerce Ministry said. A total of 128 US products have been identified for tariffs if the two sides cannot come to an understanding.