https://www.theatlantic.com/internation ... ce/548216/
Among the many odd elements of President Donald Trump’s announcement that the U.S. Embassy in Israel will move to Jerusalem is that it comes precipitously in advance of Vice President Mike Pence’s trip to region. The purpose of the trip was to show solidarity with the plight of Christians in the Middle East, yet Christian leaders—including the Coptic Pope—are refusing to meet with Pence. What those leaders understand, which the Trump administration seems not to, is that Christians in the Middle East have lived and will continue to live in societies where Muslim majorities determine political and social outcomes, and those outcomes become less tolerant when religious minorities are perceived to be the exclusive beneficiaries of U.S. policy.
...The problem is that the Trump administration—and Republicans in Congress like Ted Cruz—seem when it comes to Muslim countries to want to help only Christians and minority groups. Such a blatant religious bias is actually harmful to Christians, Jews, and other minorities living in the Middle East.They live amid Muslims who are also suffering persecution and violence. Muslims are, in fact, the main targets and victims of terrorism in the Middle East. Fostering commonality among sectarian communities on the basis of that sad legacy can help advance America’s goal for the region, which is to foster capable and tolerant multi-sectarian states.
I saw fissures widening already when I was in Iraq at the invitation on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees earlier this year...
An opinion piece from an expert in disaster preparedness. Trump wants to close several laboratories, while continuing to push for money for his wall:
http://thehill.com/opinion/national-sec ... puts-lives
The president and the Department of Homeland Security’s fiscal 2018 budget call for the closure of the National Urban Security Technology laboratory along with the Chemical Security Analysis Center and the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center. This will save a mere $41.7 million out of an agency budget of $44.1 billion...
The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory in New York City supports first responders in many ways. Including servicing first responder radiation detection equipment, used to identify and prevent the use of nuclear devices, as well as radiological dispersal devices, known as “dirty-bombs”. Their expertise is also utilized by first responders for technical issues in radiation planning and response.
The Chemical Security Analysis Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground has also been critical in understanding the impact of chemical agents, including those often used in industrial process and are transported by truck and rail in communities every day.
The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasure (NBACC), at Fort Detrick provides important research and forensic analysis functions in the event of a biological attack. It also contains one of the few BSL-4 high-security research laboratories, which is certified to handle some of the most deadly pathogens in the world.
(The NBACC closing might be put off, pending further study, based on the House's version of the National Defense Authorization Act)
btw, the GOP did narrowly confirm the unqualified judicial candidate. And of course, everyone has heard about Moore's loss - and good riddance to the nutter - I'm glad people in Alabama had the sense to reject him. (Though he's apparently still delusional and hoping for a recount.
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/36 ... appens-now). I was a bit surprised to see that Trump had the grace to congratulate Jones in spite of campaigning heavily for Moore.
Then, of course, Trump undercuts Tillerson's diplomatic efforts with his belligerence:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing- ... econdition
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday that the United States would be willing to meet for diplomatic talks with North Korea "without precondition," in a show of good faith after the nation's recent ballistic missile test. "We've said from the diplomatic side, we're ready to talk anytime North Korea would like to talk, and we're ready to have the first meeting without precondition," Tillerson said at an Atlantic Council event in Washington.
"Let's just meet. We can talk about the weather if you want," he added.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing- ... orth-korea
The White House on Tuesday reaffirmed that President Trump's position on North Korea has not changed, despite Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's comments that the U.S. would be open to bilateral talks with the country without preconditions.
I wonder where the Doomsday clock stands these days, between Trump's Jerusalem grenade into the Middle East and his aggressive posturing toward North Korea.