WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson was on the other side of the planet on Thursday when the Trump administration announced that it would slash his department’s budget by 31 percent, potentially eliminating thousands of jobs.

Instead of announcing the cuts in person, Mr. Tillerson sent a nine-sentence email from Japan to his staff stating that “U.S. engagement must be more efficient,” and that the budget was “a genuine opportunity to set a new course.”

The passive tone fit the message of the president’s budget: Use less “soft power,” the cajoling and persuading of allies and enemies, and replace it with the projection of “hard power” by the nation’s military."

This is the message being sent. Budget and words. Less negotiations.

Is this the direction we want to go ?

Syria...N Korea..Iran. I wish the President would address the nation on this. Normally there is an address to the nation when such a drastic change is being made.

Here are a few links for reading on some areas...

Syria

Russia, Israel and Iran braced for the endgame in Syria | Russia | Al Jazeera

The U.S. Has Intervened In Syria, But Not In The Way You Think | The Huffington Post

This, to me may be the earliest of crisis and remember we actually do not have those "under sexy" to be there and hold court...eliminated for the most part

This is a neat little synopsis about the Nort Korea situation


"
In a remarkable statement last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson declared that “the political and diplomatic efforts of the past 20 years to bring North Korea to the point of denuclearization have failed.” Shortly afterward, in response to joint military exercises being conducted by the United States and South Korea, the North Korean government held a news conference and declared that “the situation is already on the brink of nuclear war.”

The threat of nuclear war, mostly background noise for the past 25 years, is alarming. But given the uniqueness of North Korea’s position in the world, it’s worth wondering how concerned we should actually be.

To answer that question, we need to first identify the “we” we’re talking about. If that “we” includes South Koreans, the answer is: Quite a bit.

"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/03/19/what-to-worry-about-when-you-worry-about-north-korea/?utm_term=.b2bcb8c6cf7e

Obviously we need to prepare for more news like this.

As you read some of this link, the move makes sense



"President Trump is considering sending at least 1,000 American troops to Kuwait to serve as a reserve force in the war against ISIS, a report says.

US officials told Reuters that the Trump administration is weighing the deployment in the attempt to speed up the ongoing US-led offensive against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

Supporters believe the move would ultimately provide military commanders on the ground with more flexibility and allow them to respond faster on the battlefield, Reuters reports.

Trump may send 1,000 troops to Kuwait in war against ISIS | New York Post

Given the multiple mistakes made by the State Department over these last 8 years this Department like a number of other federal agencies needs a good house cleaning.

As to N Korea its about time a president stood on his hinds legs and said enough. N Korea has decimated place into slavery and murdered much of its population. It has extorted too much money from the US with its threats. its time to man up. You can be sure the Trump Admin will not to this alone.

Personal Best Regards:

Originally Posted by Guest

Given the multiple mistakes made by the State Department over these last 8 years this Department like a number of other federal agencies needs a good house cleaning.

As to N Korea its about time a president stood on his hinds legs and said enough. N Korea has decimated place into slavery and murdered much of its population. It has extorted too much money from the US with its threats. its time to man up. You can be sure the Trump Admin will not to this alone.

Personal Best Regards:

Not sure what mistakes you are speaking of. Seems before that we had. A lot more body bags.

I think we should be strong, but reverting to killing more young people does not set well with me.

We shall see. I wish we had a better idea of where we are headed.

Actually, the one error that sticks out was the failure to enforce the red line in Syria....allowed Russia to get involved.

Originally Posted by RubiTHECon

Given the multiple mistakes made by the State Department over these last 8 years this Department like a number of other federal agencies needs a good house cleaning.

What "mistakes?"

Originally Posted by RubiTHECon

As to N Korea its about time a president stood on his hinds legs and said enough. N Korea has decimated place into slavery and murdered much of its population. It has extorted too much money from the US with its threats. its time to man up. You can be sure the Trump Admin will not to this alone.

Personal Best Regards:

What is your definition of "manning up"...in regards to dealing with North Korea?



Deepest Sincere Wishes: