A supporter photographs Donald Trump during a campaign event in Ashburn, Virginia, August 2, 2016. REUTERS/Eric Thayer
Peter Apps, Reuters: Trump’s brave new world of Twitter diplomacy
When it comes to managing relations with China, Donald Trump is tearing up the rulebook. First by using Twitter to announce his telephone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, and then in his Sunday afternoon complaints over Beijing’s economic and military policy.
Traditionally, the key events in something as strategically crucial as Sino-U.S. relations are heavily discussed for hours, if not days, at the highest ranks of government. The new president-elect, however, shows every sign of being more spontaneous – and looks set to continue to use his personal social media posts in a way that will terrify foreign policy purists.
Trump has yet to pick his secretary of state - and that decision will be crucial to the foreign policy tone of his presidency. Given his style so far, however, there seems little doubt that he will also see himself as America’s “diplomat-in-chief.” That could make life difficult for whomever he picks to runs the State Department.
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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- December 6, 2016
How China could respond to Trump call -- Michael Auslin, CNN
China Should Heed Pearl Harbor's Lessons -- Kuni Miyake, Bkloomberg
As US and Iran knock heads again, Tehran hard-liners feel vindicated -- Scott Peterson, CSM
Saudi-Egypt crisis leaves Israel concerned -- Ben Caspit, Al-Monitor
Saudi Arabia’s Glass: Half Empty or Half Full? -- Thomas W. Lippman, Lobelog
Indian Prime Minister's Shake Down of Private Wealth -- Shikha Dalmia, Reason
Two movies China desperately wants to hide -- Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe
New Zealand’s popular prime minister bows out -- The Economist
Russia’s Energy Influence Dropping -- Balazs Jarabik, The Cipher Brief
NATO is betraying its principles -- Max Hofmann, DW
Matteo Renzi already plotting his return to Palazzo Chigi -- Stephanie Kirchgaessner, The Guardian
Italian Leader Steps Down: Day of Reckoning for Renzi -- Hans-Jürgen Schlamp, Spiegel Online
Following the ashes of Fidel Castro -- Allen Abel, Macleans
Cuba and Castro -- Jack Goldstone, RCW
Trudeau caught in pipeline blues of his own making -- Andrew Coyne, National Post
Why a top Democrat is open to Trump's pick for Pentagon -- Anna Mulrine Grobe, CSM
Trump's Boeing Provocation Could Backfire -- Paula Dwyer, Bloomberg
