Updates | The Week of January 15, 2018
President Trump refuses to certify that the Iranian nuclear disarmament deal is in America’s best interests, but is expected to allow the accord to continue (LA Times, AP).
- President Obama’s repeal of Iran-related nuclear sanctions in 2015 was unconstitutional, and provides President Trump with reason to rescind the agreement, argues Samuel Estreicher at Lawfare.
- President Trump is headed toward another crisis over his promise to walk away from the Iran Deal (Lawfare).
President Trump praises talks between North and South Korea (LA Times).
- South Korea’s leader gives President Trump credit for the talks’ success (NYT).
- The AP analyzes North Korea’s heightened criticism of the US and of President Trump.
- The North Korean state media says that Fire and Fury "foretells Trump’s political demise" (NYT).
President Trump signals openness to talks with North Korea in revealing interview (WSJ).
- President Trump stated he has a ‘very good relationship’ with North Korea (NYT).
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Red the interview transcript here.
The Trump administration will suspend most security assistance to Pakistan, the State Department said, retaliating against militant safe havens that U.S. officials blame for ongoing violence in Afghanistan (WaPo).
The United States placed sanctions on five subsidiaries of an Iranian industrial group that is thought to be aiding in the development and production of the country’s ballistic missiles (WaPo).
The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations accused the United States of abusing its power on the U.N. Security Council during an emergency meeting called by the Trump administration to discuss unrest and protests in Iran (WaPo).
President Trump is calling on the Pentagon and diplomats to drum up overseas business for the U.S. weapons industry; the President also hopes to ease export rules for U.S. military exports (Reuters).
National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster says there is evidence that Russia is interfering in Mexico’s presidential election (Reuters).
President Trump’s new ambassador to the Netherlands refuses to answer questions regarding false claims made about Muslims (NYT).
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Justice & Safety International & Foreign Relations Law