Mercredi 2 août, réalisation : Josselin Brémaud

SocGen Lags French Rivals in Equities Trading, Shares Fall (online) ...... 6 FRANCE – EUROPE ...... 2 SocGen Litigation Cloud Lingers Over International Macron Vowed to Be Business Friendly. Now He Growth ...... 6 Faces a Protectionist Uproar. (online) ...... 2 Laurent : The Banker President Only Gets France's Editorial : On the Macron Waterfront ...... 3 Banks So Far ...... 7 France, Facing Criticism, Promises the Bare Essentials Magazine : After French drug trial tragedy, for Migrants ...... 4 European Union issues new rules to protect study CBS : North Korea intercontinental ballistic missile volunteers ...... 7 (ICBM) flew near Air France jet flight path ...... 5 Editorial : Take Your Time, Bank of England ...... 8 Italy and France Still Split Over Shipyard ...... 5

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 1

Eurozone Economy Speeds Up, Raising Chance of Friedman : Climate Shifts Aren’t Limited to the Stimulus Taper ...... 8 Weather ...... 26

INTERNATIONAL ...... 9 ETATS-UNIS...... 27 Tillerson Tamps Down Talk of North Korean Regime Some Insurers Seek ACA Premium Increases of 30% Change ...... 9 and Higher (UNE) ...... 27 Rex Tillerson: U.S. Wants North Korea Talks at 'Some Republicans in Congress Bypass Trump to Shore Up Point' ...... 10 Health Law (UNE) ...... 28 Tillerson to North Korea: ‘We are not your enemy’ ..... 10 Senate Republicans Rebuff ’s Health- North Korean Missiles May Be Too Advanced for Care Push ...... 29 More Sanctions ...... 11 GOP Proposal Aims to Keep Health Overhaul Going ..29 : How to degrade the growing power of Can this marriage be saved? Relationship between North Korea ...... 11 Trump, Senate GOP hits new skids...... 30 Jenkins Jr. : Nukes Won’t Save North Korea ...... 12 Donald Trump: Senate Republicans Turning Backs on Ignatius : Trump is right about China and North Korea13 President ...... 31 U.S. Plans Trade Measures Against China (UNE) ...... 13 Editorial : ObamaCare for Congress ...... 32 Editorial : How America can honor a Chinese dissident Editorial : Stop Sabotaging Obamacare, Mr. President 32 — and help protect his widow ...... 14 Galston : Can the ‘Problem Solvers’ Fix ObamaCare? .32 Islamic State and Climate Change Seen as World’s Rep. Jim Jordan : People don’t want more Obamacare 33 Greatest Threats, Poll Says ...... 15 Senator Lankford : How to Make the Senate Work Donald Trump Is Pushing America’s Special Forces Again ...... 33 Past the Breaking Point ...... 16 Trump Loyalist Mixes Businesses and Access at Tillerson spurns $80 million to counter ISIS, Russian ‘Advisory’ Firm (UNE)...... 34 propaganda ...... 17 Trump Was Involved in Drafting Son’s Statement, Editorial : Whose Message to Believe on Russia? ...... 18 Aide Confirms ...... 35 Pentagon and State Department Said to Propose Senate Confirms Christopher Wray as New F.B.I. Arming Ukraine ...... 19 Director ...... 35 Editorial : A Trump Card in Ukraine ...... 19 In Trump’s White House, the women are the survivors36 Bershidsky : Sending 'Defensive' Arms to Ukraine Williamson : Time for Stephen Bannon to Start Would Be Deadly ...... 20 Worrying? ...... 37 Iran Says New U.S. Sanctions Violate Nuclear Deal ... 20 Milbank : Can anyone get a handle on the president Andreasen and Simon : Is Trump Scheming to Kill the who handles everything? ...... 38 Iran Deal? ...... 21 Action on Trump’s tax cut plan could be delayed until Ross : Tillerson Can End the Qatar Standoff ...... 22 next year (UNE) ...... 38 Editorial : An Arab model for curbing domestic and Brad Anderson : Pass GOP tax cuts violence ...... 22 by Thanksgiving or lose the House ...... 39 Jailings Raise Fears of Dictatorship in Venezuela Editorial : Time for the Trump administration to speak (UNE)...... 22 with one voice on the debt ceiling ...... 40 Top Venezuelan opposition leaders taken into custody Justice Dept. to Take On Affirmative Action in amid fears of wider crackdowns (UNE) ...... 23 College Admissions (UNE) ...... 40 Editorial : Venezuela Abandons Any Claim to Editorial : The Body Count at the Border ...... 41 ...... 24 Editorial : The Olympics could be a boon for Los A reporter’s journey through Tripoli: Long lines, Angeles, but it's foolish to think we can't lose ...... 41 kidnappings and murder (UNE) ...... 25

FRANCE – EUROPE

Macron Vowed to Be Business Friendly. Now He Faces a Protectionist Uproar. (online) Liz Alderman the shipyard STX France by an in St.-Nazaire, during a visit in May. Italian competitor. Here, he speaks Stephane Mahe/Reuters 8-11 minutes President Emmanuel Macron vowed to a worker at the shipyard, which is to review an imminent takeover of

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 2

PARIS — Two weeks after taking with existing institutions and the A French buyer finally sealed a deal In the case of STX, Mr. Macron’s office, President Emmanuel Macron, culture, and that won’t just go away this week. Fewer than half the jobs said its concerns went donning a white hard hat, stood in a few months.” will be kept. beyond jobs. Under the contract before hundreds of employees at signed by former President François the nation’s largest shipyard, Successive presidents have While Mr. Macron’s early actions set Hollande, the Italian state-backed promising to protect a French jewel declared France “open for a distinct pattern, it is not clear how shipbuilder Fincantieri was to take a from falling into foreign hands. business,” only to get intimately much further he will go. He is still two-thirds stake in the French involved in corporate takeovers, hoping to lay the groundwork for shipyard held by a now-bankrupt As one of his first major acts, Mr. especially when a foreign company growth, in part by lightening the South Korean owner. Macron vowed to review an is making a play. French state’s hand in companies, imminent takeover of the shipyard, which could make such economic Fincantieri had pledged to keep STX France, by an Italian As economy minister, Mr. Macron, intervention less possible. thousands of jobs and orders for the competitor. “We’re an industrial center, increased the government’s next five years at Saint Nazaire. The power,” he told cheering workers, stake in the French automaker “It looks bad for France’s image right hulking operation makes many of who had just completed building the Renault over the objection of Carlos now,” said Patrick Artus, the chief the world’s mega-cruiseships and world’s biggest luxury cruise liner, Ghosn, the chief executive, right. economist at the French bank has the capacity to build aircraft the Meraviglia. “We must guarantee Charly Triballeau/Agence France- Natixis. “But I don’t think his mission carriers and other naval vessels. the preservation of jobs.” Presse — Getty Images is to increase the activism of the state.” The French government said the The government is now trying to President François Hollande’s deal could jeopardize the Saint- defuse an uproar in Rome, days government tried to thwart a bid by Mr. Macron has pledged to revamp Nazaire operations in part because after blocking the deal and General Electric to buy the power France’s costly pension system, to Fincantieri holds stakes in Chinese nationalizing STX. business of Alstom, a top maker of invest in and to build up shipyards, raising concerns about a high-speed trains. Under Jacques France’s and renewable transfer of technology to China. The Mr. Macron campaigned to make Chirac, the government sought to energy sectors. To pay for it, he has deal would also effectively give the France more business friendly by prevent the Indian steel giant Mittal hinted at privatizing billions of euros Italian state, which owns Fincantieri luring foreign investment and easing from buying Arcelor, a competitor worth of the French government’s through a finance company, sway at regulatory complexities. But blocking with French operations. Both deals holdings in a swath of French firms. a strategic French site. the deal for STX, along with a series went through in the end. of other maneuvers in recent weeks, “In five years, the French state’s Last week, as the contract was is prompting concerns that Mr. Despite declaring he would make presence will be much lower than about to take effect, the Macron Macron may follow the tried and true France’s economy more liberal, Mr. today,” Mr. Artus said. Meanwhile, administration tried to renegotiate a French of dirigisme — an Macron has shown a willingness to he added, Mr. Macron’s 50-50 split. When Fincantieri balked, interventionist approach that his involve the state in industrial policy. interventions are “all political the French government seized marketing.” predecessors have employed time As economy minister, he increased control by exercising its right to buy and again to promote French the government’s stake in the Employees of GM & S, a struggling out existing shareholders. interests. French automaker Renault over the French auto parts supplier, On Tuesday, Mr. Le Maire sought to France is finding itself in the middle objection of Carlos Ghosn, the chief protesting near the trade court in smooth tensions with Rome, where of debate over , as a executive. Mr. Macron also oversaw Poitiers, in western France. officials questioned why it was backlash against globalization measures granting double voting Guillaume Souvant/Agence France- acceptable for a South Korean deepens around the world. rights to long-term shareholders, Presse — Getty Images shipbuilder to hold a majority stake, President Trump is championing a increasing state sway in French but not an Italian one. Italians are companies where it holds shares. Mr. Macron’s poll ratings have more nationalistic stance in the slumped recently from near record also incensed that French United States, while Europe is More recently as president, Mr. highs as he prepares to push companies have spent billions on generally calling for freer trade to Macron has exerted that power in through steep budget cuts and takeovers of its own major stoke growth. the name of saving jobs. When GM painful changes to French worker businesses in sectors like dairy and & S, a struggling French auto parts protections and labor laws. French luxury, without the Italian state Bruno Le Maire, France’s economy putting up a fuss. minister, on Tuesday traveled to supplier, veered toward bankruptcy unions have called for street Rome to meet with Italy’s economy this summer, his government protests in September. Mr. Le Maire, in his talks with Italian demanded that the partly state- and industry ministers, who But the decision to temporarily officials, offered to work with Italy to criticized what they called an backed carmakers, Renault and create a “European naval Peugeot, order tens of thousands of nationalize the STX shipyard, in “incomprehensible” decision over Saint-Nazaire, has proved popular shipbuilder champion,” in which the STX, and accused France of lapsing euros worth of new parts from the two countries would collaborate on plant. with the French public, which into economic . Mr. Le generally wants the French state to building civilian and naval vessels. Maire said the seizure of STX was The 277 workers had booby-trapped preserve national interests. temporary and designed only to buy Should the Italians reject a deal, he the factory and threatened to blow it told a French newspaper, “we will time to renegotiate an accord more up unless a buyer was found. Mr. “Macron is picking his fights right favorable to the French government, now in French public opinion, and stick with the current situation and Macron sought to entice a savior by look for other potential buyers.” which owns a third of the company. pressuring Renault and Peugeot to dropping the tool of nationalization is not one of them, given what he has “Even if it is temporary, it’s part of also invest millions more in Correction: August 1, 2017 modernizing the plant, on a remote to do in terms of cutting budgets and the French way of doing things,” implementing labor market reforms,” An earlier version of this article said Famke Krumbmüller, the head and polluted parcel of land in central France. Ms. Krumbmüller said. “Not misstated the title held by Bruno Le of research at OpenCitiz, a political nationalizing STX would have been Maire. Mr. Le Maire is the economy risk consultant firm in Paris. “Macron too expensive for him in terms of minister in France, not the prime says he’s going to do things popularity.” minister. differently, but he also has to work

Editorial : On the Macron Waterfront The Editorial Investors hope Emmanuel Macron The STX France shipbuilding facility roughly 55% of the French Board will be a French , at Saint-Nazaire on the Atlantic company. but his first major economic move is coast is up for sale after its Korean 3-4 minutes all . Paris last parent company filed for bankruptcy. That already marked a major week nationalized a shipyard to Italian state-owned shipbuilder compromise for Fincantieri, which

keep an Italian company from Fincantieri and another Italian originally intended to buy the 67% of Aug. 1, 2017 7:01 p.m. ET buying it. investor agreed in April to buy STX France not already owned by the French government when the

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 3

Italian company was the only bidder This is only partly an economic This makes the episode a defense by to make bad decisions, as in the Korean bankruptcy sale last move motivated by concern for and economic fiasco. The single President George W. Bush did when year. Mr. Macron’s hapless French jobs. The Saint-Nazaire market for procurement, if it ever he imposed steel tariffs in 2002. But predecessor, François Hollande, yard, which mostly manufactures materializes, would allow European so far Mr. Macron has stressed fretted about a single Italian cruise ships, is profitable with an NATO members that refuse to industrial protectionism with no company owning the majority, so he order book stretching for years, so spend the target 2% of GDP on concrete pro-growth policy beyond strong-armed Fincantieri into cutting it’s not in grave danger of closure. defense (France spent 1.78% in proposals on labor-law reform that its own stake to about 48%, roping Paris’s bigger concern appears to 2016) to at least get more bang for he hasn’t moved to implement. in another Italian investor for some be that the yard is the only facility their euros by buying efficiently 7%, and selling the rest to a French left in France capable of building the produced equipment operable Mr. Macron promised voters better, company. keel for an aircraft carrier. France’s across the EU. France’s refusal to and now he has more work to do to longstanding principle of strategic trust close ally Italy to make military overcome this early negative signal That’s still not good enough for Mr. autonomy thus dictates that the hardware on French soil undermines to investors and blow to French Macron. He has exercised a clause shipyard shouldn’t fall into foreign that EU goal. credibility in the EU. in French law that allows for a hands, despite the European “temporary” nationalization when Union’s efforts to create a single Even politicians with good economic national security is at stake. market in defense procurement. instincts sometimes feel compelled

France, Facing Criticism, Promises the Bare Essentials for Migrants Adam Nossiter Eight months after the government for the migrants at Calais, as well as than a third of the 91,000 illegal destroyed a sprawling migrant two new regional reception centers migrants arrested in France last 7-9 minutes encampment of about 9,000 where demands for asylum could be year actually left the country. migrants at Calais, up to 700 processed more quickly. He also

migrants — Eritreans, Ethiopians, promised an investigation into the Mr. Macron turned his attention to Migrants watched as their camp in Afghans and Pakistanis mostly — police’s conduct. migrants last week in a speech in Calais, France, was destroyed by are still wandering the area around Orléans, vowing then to end the the French last fall. After the Channel Tunnel, sleeping But the mayor of Calais, Natacha phenomenon of migrant an administrative ruling, France outdoors with no toilets or other Bouchart, pointed out the dangers of encampments in France. “The first says it will provide water, showers facilities. the government’s response, saying fight is to house everybody decently. and toilets as well as two new it would seed a potential rebirth of Between now and the end of the regional centers for migrants. The migrants have made thousands the sprawling encampment, known year, I want no more men and Mauricio Lima for The New York of attempts to enter the tunnel and as the jungle, that was destroyed women in the streets, in the woods, Times board trucks bound for England last fall. She vowed to resist the or lost,” he said. since the beginning of the year, the order by the council, an agency that PARIS — After banking on neglect, police say. conducts studies regarding public “It’s a question of dignity, it’s a hostility and mistreatment to policy issues for the government question of humanity, and of discourage a steady trickle of The French migrant numbers are and on its own, according to its efficiency also,” he said at the end of migrants, the new French small compared with the thousands website. a ceremony to swear in new French government was ordered by pouring into Italy. There, about citizens. 95,000 migrants have arrived from Volunteers distributed meals to France’s highest administrative body “Most of those who are, dreadfully, to do better this week and at least across the Mediterranean this year. migrants in Calais, France. The French government has treated called migrants today, are not all provide water and toilets to the But in France, a persistent, and men and women demanding people. NGOs helping the migrants harshly. active, humanitarian smuggling Philippe Huguen/Agence France- asylum, coming from countries That order has defused, for now, a network at the Italian border helps Presse — Getty Images where their lives are in danger,” Mr. new migrant crisis brewing at the fuel the migration, despite a Macron said. “There are many, more northern port of Calais, the favored crackdown. “I can’t accept the putting in place of and more, who come from peaceful facilities which will once again countries, and are following the would-be jumping off point for Active mistreatment has not Britain. Yet a permanent solution to facilitate the creation of economic migration routes, who are discouraged the migrants reaching encampments and slums,” she said financing the smugglers, the France’s slow-boiling migrant France — for example, Human problem still appears to be distant. in a statement late on Monday. bandits, even terrorists, and in those Rights Watch said last week that the cases we need to be strict, tough That has not stopped the French police routinely used pepper spray The majority of residents of Calais even, rigorous, with those coming by authorities from trying. In recent on the migrants. Neither does might agree. The leader of the far- those routes. We can’t welcome days, President Emmanuel Macron passive neglect, since the right National Front, , everybody.” proposed opening European-run government refused to heed a local won a majority of the vote against reception centers in Africa — court’s order to provide water to the Mr. Macron in the second round of He promoted his own “much more perhaps in Niger, Chad or even migrants. the presidential election in May. ambitious” European development policy, called the Sahel Alliance, Libya — to discourage migrants But that lower court order was Mr. Macron wants a fresh start on from risking the journey across the intended to keep the migrants in upheld Monday by the Council of policy regarding migrants, but until Africa. Mediterranean Sea. State, which criticized Mr. Macron’s last week he had mainly allowed his Critics quickly pointed out the fierce government for “inhuman and tough-talking interior minister to set While Africans have welcomed determination of Africans to make degrading” treatment of the newest the tone: no coddling of migrants at these outlines of initiatives, many the journey, regardless of counsel to migrants at Calais, in northern Calais and harsh words for the reacted angrily to remarks Mr. the contrary, and the huge numbers France. humanitarian organizations working Macron made at the Group of 20 intent on doing so. there. summit meeting about Africa’s On Monday, the council blasted the “civilizational challenge.” Up to one million migrants are in government’s “manifestly The government wanted to avoid refugee camps in Libya alone, as insufficient” accounting for “the setting up new reception centers at “When you have countries where Mr. Macron pointed out in a speech elementary hygiene and water Calais or do anything that would there are still seven to eight children in which he highlighted his own needs” of the migrants at Calais by encourage migrants to head to that per woman, you can decide to recent peacemaking initiative for compromising “in a serious and English Channel port, further spend million of euros, nothing will Libya. He also called for broader obviously illegal way, a fundamental exasperating local officials. be stabilized,” he said. right.” European involvement in African It has also pledged to step up the Despite the angry African reaction, development as a long-term solution Mr. Macron’s interior minister, expulsion of economic migrants Mr. Macron’s remarks are consistent to the migrant crisis. Gérard Collomb, immediately looking for work, as opposed to with the demographic reality in promised water, showers and toilets those seeking political asylum. Less

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 4 several West African countries that leaders, a suddenly plunging the streets of Paris, at Calais or near nearly 3,000 from the Porte de la are sources of European migration. popularity rating and a raft of the Italian border around Nice — Chapelle, then busing them to inexperienced parliamentary keep turning up in the French news gymnasiums in the region for The new president turned aside deputies in his own political media. processing. from the migrant issue in his first movement. months. Instead, he has been Last month the police in Paris preoccupied with reforming France’s But politically hazardous images of carried out their 34th evacuation of economy and meeting foreign African migrants camping out — in migrants since 2015, removing CBS : North Korea intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) flew near Air France jet flight path CBS News August 2, 2017, 6:45 AM Pentagon officials have said the the same area where the missile an ICBM, saying that while it was latest missile test by the North landed some 10 minutes later. "not a response to recent North 4-5 minutes presented the biggest potential Korean actions, the test threat yet -- demonstrating Air France issued a statement demonstrates that the United States'

technology that could put the U.S. saying "North Korea's missile test nuclear enterprise is safe, secure, Last Updated Aug 2, 2017 6:49 AM mainland in range of the rogue zones do not interfere in any way effective and ready to be able to EDT state's rockets. Officials believe the with Air France flight paths… we deter, detect and defend against Hwasong-14 missile tested could constantly analyse potentially attacks on the United States and its There are new concerns about the possibly even reach New York. dangerous fly over zones and adapt allies." safety of commercial passenger our flight plans accordingly." planes after North Korea's latest Even though it was an unarmed The unarmed Minuteman III missile missile test came dangerously close missile, it still put civilians in harm's But Rosenker, now a national was launched early Tuesday to an Air France jet's flight path. way. transportation safety expert for CBS morning from Vandenberg Air Force News, says the global aviation Base, California. Unlike North The intercontinental ballistic missile "They absolutely are creating system isn't prepared for an Korea, U.S. protocols include (ICBM) that Kim Jong Un's regime danger to commercial air space," unexpected missile launch. clearing commercial airspace before launched on Friday flew for about 45 former National Transportation any test missiles are launched. minutes before landing in the Sea of Safety Board chairman Mark "I don't believe that air traffic control Japan -- where the plane carrying Rosenker tells CBS News. would have the capacity to be able On Monday, President Trump hundreds of people had flown by to warn a commercial aircraft that a promised to hold North Korea just minutes earlier. At 9:55 a.m. Eastern on Friday, Air missile was in its flight path," he said accountable. France Flight 293 took off from on "CBS This Morning." As CBS News correspondent Kris Tokyo, headed for Paris. About 45 "We're gonna be able to handle Van Cleave reports, Air France has minutes later, North Korea launched The U.S. responded to North them. It will be handled," he said. confirmed that the falling missile its missile. It climbed to more than Korea's latest missile test by presented no danger to the flight, 2,000 miles above the Earth. While conducting a test launch of its own Japan's ambassador to the United but the relatively close encounter is the missile was in flight, so was the over the weekend, as well as a joint Nations has said he expects the raising new questions -- not just French jet, with 332 people aboard. military exercise with South Korea Security Council to draft a new about North Korea's future threat to The plane's flight path took it about and Japan. sanctions resolution against North Korea within days. foreign nations, but its current 100 miles off the coast of japan -- On Tuesday, the U.S. military potential danger to air travelers. confirmed a second test launch of

Italy and France Still Split Over Shipyard @chiaraalbanese France’s Le Maire speaks in Rome. military naval cooperation,” Le Maire the Italian firms can amass a More stories by said. majority stake between them. Chiara Albanese Source: Bloomberg Barbed Comments ‘Preferred Option’ 5-6 minutes In the talks, which lasted less than an hour, Italy didn’t budge from its The Rome meeting followed intense Get the latest on global politics in demand that Fincantieri SpA and negotiations and barbed comments your inbox, every day. Italian banking foundation CR from both sides after French 1 août 2017 à 13:47 UTC−4 1 août Trieste have a majority stake in President Emmanuel Macron froze a Get our newsletter daily. 2017 à 19:01 UTC−4 STX, according to a person familiar bid for the STX facility from Trieste- According to the joint statement on with the discussions. Italy said it based Fincantieri. About a month  Rome talks fail to bridge Tuesday, “the stake of Fincantieri in “deeply regrets” France’s position on before Macron was elected, the STX France shall be defined in line differences over majority STX. Italian company had agreed to buy ownership with its leading industrial role” under 48 percent of the shipbuilder from a “mutually acceptable solution” by In a joint statement, the two sides South Korea’s STX Offshore &  Two look to Sept. 27. Until then, “the French said they will seek to make Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. with about Sept. 27 meeting to show State commits not to open the on STX, as well as on planned another 6 percent going to CR progress capital of STX France to any third Franco-Italian naval cooperation, by Trieste. Macron said that meant Italy Sept. 27, the date of scheduled talks party and to consider Fincantieri as France and Italy failed to find would effectively control the firm and between the two governments. its preferred option for the future of common ground over the STX refused to accept it. the company,” according to the shipyard on France’s Atlantic coast, “There will be time from now to Le Maire said last week that France, statement. with the intense negotiations that Sept. 27 to close differences,” Italian which already owns 33 percent of have strained relations between the “We feel that the decision taken by Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan the 155-year-old shipyard, would two governments set to continue the French government not to follow told reporters in Rome. His French nationalize the company to block into next month. through on accords that had already counterpart, Bruno Le Maire, said Fincantieri’s bid. He said it is “a both governments have a “political been concluded is serious and “Our positions remain very different," temporary decision” that aims to responsibility to overcome” their incomprehensible,” Padoan and Italian “defend France’s strategic interests differences. Calenda said in a statement on July Minister Carlo Calenda said in in shipbuilding.” 27. “Nationalism and protectionism Rome on Tuesday at the end of a “We’re going to open talks in coming The Italian government has insisted are not an acceptable basis for a meeting that included the French days, both on the composition of that Fincantieri won’t invest unless relationship between two major and Italian finance ministers. STX’s capital and on civilian and European countries.”

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 5

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SocGen Lags French Rivals in Equities Trading, Shares Fall (online) Reuters quarter and there was a widespread meaning fees from clients, such as revenue from trading and financing "wait-and-see" attitude among asset managers. and advisory to bring net profit up 11 4-5 minutes investors. Its equity derivatives percent to 499 million euros. perform strongly when markets are "Flow products continued to

volatile. experience limited activity, in As well as cutting costs, French PARIS — Societe Generale conjunction with very low volatility, banks in general are aiming to win reported lower second-quarter Valet said volatility would not remain leading to a drop in volumes, market share from European rivals, profits on Wednesday, missing out low forever and that it would pick up primarily on flow derivatives and such as Credit Suisse and Deutsche on an equities trading surge that later on, given that some market- cash," the bank said. Bank which are cutting jobs and moving events, such as elections, or exiting businesses. benefited rivals including BNP In Germany, Commerzbank on Paribas and Natixis. monetary policy decisions, were on the horizon. Wednesday also pointed to weak SocGen's second-quarter group net SocGen's equity trading revenue fell markets as a reason for its bigger- income fell to 1.06 billion euros from more than 3 percent while BNP SocGen, more focussed on equities than-expected net loss in the 1.46 billion euros a year earlier, in Paribas last week reported a 25.7 than its rivals, has shaken up second quarter. line with the average of estimates percent rise in its equities and prime management and invested more in from five analysts in a Reuters poll. fixed income and prime services, COST CUTTING services business which serves Group revenues fell 26 percent to hedge funds and Natixis's revenue aimed at hedge fund clients, in the SocGen fared better in fixed income past few years. 5.20 billion euros, below 5.39 billion from equity trading was up 33 trading, where it reported a 6.8 euros expected by the analysts. A percent. "We have a model which has as an percent fall in second-quarter sales recovery in retail banking in eastern objective a resilient revenue versus a 16 percent drop at BNP Europe and Africa helped partly to "Figures speak for themselves, they Paribas. have done better than us, that's it," contribution," Chief Executive offset pressure on margins in Didier Valet, head of SocGen's Frederic Oudea said in a video "SocGen's results were a bit worse French retail banking from low investment bank, told reporters, presentation. than those of their French peers due interest rates, and a decrease in trading sales. referring to the performance of Rival Natixis said on Tuesday that it to a weaker performance in SocGen's French rivals. "It's clear had outperformed rivals in equities corporate and investment banking, ($1 = 0.8472 euros) that we want to do better," he said. trading and derivatives, as its even if there was a positive surprise on their risk provisions," Keren (Reporting by Maya Nikolaeva, SocGen's shares fell more than four business does not depend on trading volumes or flows, but on Finance fund manager Benoit de Julien Ponthus and Sudip Kar- percent, underperforming the Broissia. His firm does not own Gupta. Editing by Jane Merriman) broader European banking index specific products for clients on their transactions. SocGen shares but holds BNP which was down 0.9 percent. Paribas shares. France's second biggest bank said SocGen's investment bank, which accounts for about a third of group SocGen continued to cut costs in volatility in global markets had the investment bank in the second moved "ever lower" in the second revenue, is bigger than that of Natixis and depends more on flows, quarter, which helped to offset lower SocGen Litigation Cloud Lingers Over International Growth @FabioWire SocGen’s 963 million-euro percent to 47.71 euros and was but the dividend outlook is not More stories by Fabio Benedetti settlement with Libya in May was trading down 4.1 percent to 48.12 straightforward.” Valentini already covered and didn’t hit the euros as of 12:38 p.m. local time, bottom line or its capital position. among the worst performers on the Chief Financial Officer Philippe 7-8 minutes Bloomberg Europe 500 Banks Heim described the bank’s capital French lenders have become some Index. level as “very comfortable” during a of Europe’s best performers in call. The lender reiterated that it By recent years, drawing on their “It’s not a particularly bad set of aims to pay half of its profit as prowess with derivatives used to results but expectations had gone dividends. Fabio Benedetti Valentini structure products, where Chief pretty high,” said Jonathan Fearon, Executive Officer Frederic Oudea who helps manage 280 billion Equities, Bonds 2 août 2017 à 00:47 UTC−4 2 août had a stint in his early years at pounds ($331 billion) at Standard 2017 à 07:19 UTC−4 Societe Generale slightly trailed SocGen. While that business helped Life Plc and doesn’t own SocGen expectations in equities and beat shore up trading revenue during a shares. “There’s not enough to Profit drops 28% amid them in fixed income, contrary to the  quiet market, the bank was forced to move the stock on today.” $354 million in further pattern at BNP Paribas SA and set aside more funds for alleged provisions Capital Strength HSBC Holdings Plc. Those banks past misconduct, including a U.S. reported some of the smallest drops probe into violations of trade  Structured products help The bank’s common equity Tier 1 in trading revenue during a weak sanctions. trading arm outperform ratio, a measure of financial quarter across the securities some rivals “We have these litigations, we’ll try strength, rose to 11.7 percent at the industry. to put that behind us as quickly as end of June from 11.6 percent three Societe Generale SA’s backlog of The most important market news of possible,” Oudea said in an months earlier, supported in part by litigation for past misconduct the day. interview with Bloomberg Television. the initial eclipsed demand for structured For now, “there is no significant public offering of its car-leasing unit Get our markets daily newsletter. products and better results from development” on any outstanding ALD SA. consumer banking in eastern legal cases, he said. “The economic perspectives are Europe. Societe Generale’s capital level better, so I think we can still see Higher legal charges contributed to “would have been flat ex-disposals,” activity on the corporate side” and France’s third-largest bank a 28 percent drop in second-quarter said Omar Fall, an analyst at “on the markets we have had very increased provisions in the second net income to 1.06 billion euros, in Mediobanca Securities in London low volatility also because probably quarter by 300 million euros ($354 line with the average of six analyst who has a hold rating on the stock. people were waiting for some million), the bank said Wednesday, estimates compiled by Bloomberg. “There’s no capital raising risk here elections,” Oudea said. Flow and citing unspecified legal disputes. The stock declined as much as 4.9 volume may improve now that

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 6

European countries including “The results were tainted by several exceptional items, including gains well as private banking and lending France have new governments in exceptional elements,” said Alex from acquisitions and disposals. to large corporations. French retail place, he said, without being more Koagne, an analyst at Natixis SA banking generates more than 30 specific about revenue prospects. who recommends buying SocGen Profit from international retail percent, as does revenue from Oudea is working on targets for shares. “The mix is difficult to read banking and financial services financial services and international 2020 that he plans to present in and the market doesn’t like that.” jumped 30 percent to 568 million networks. November. euros as the Russian business Robust revenues from structured returned to profit and net income At home in France, revenue SocGen’s equity-trading sales fell products failed to offset by “soft from Romania more than doubled. contracted under pressure from 3.3 percent to 549 million euros, cash and flow derivatives” in the In Russia, its biggest emerging record-low interest rates. Income compared with the 559 million-euro equities business, Societe Generale market, net income reached 31 from domestic consumer banking average of analyst estimates said. Demand for products million euros in the second quarter, fell about 2 percent to 2.05 billion compiled by Bloomberg. Revenue structured on fixed income was with provisions “substantially lower,” euros in the second quarter, as the from buying and selling bonds, sustained but activity around rates the bank said. unit’s profit slumped 11 percent. currencies, commodities and other declined, it said. debt products fell 6.8 percent to 586 Societe Generale gets less than 40 — With assistance by Caroline million euros, less than estimated. Russia, Romania percent of its revenue from global Connan, and Chris Malpass banking and investor solutions, a Societe Generale’s profit rose 11 business that includes trading as Before it's here, it's on the percent after stripping out Bloomberg Terminal. LEARN MORE

Laurent : The Banker President Only Gets France's Banks So Far Lionel Laurent domestic consumer arm had fallen Commerzbank AG's quarterly loss revenue needs to improve -- though to the lowest since at least 2014, demonstrates, but it's a sign that the the absence of volatility in financial 4-5 minutes while lending to small businesses boost in economic confidence is no markets may make the latter jumped by 10 percent. There is, growth panacea. difficult. If Macron pulls off planned

according to CEO Frederic Oudea, a reforms to labor markets and the tax French banks are a less risky "better level of confidence" in There's also the sense that windfall code, that might make French firms proposition today than at the start of France. of falling loan impairments won't last more confident and willing to spend, the year, thanks to the election of forever. The quality of French banks' but we aren’t there yet. Emmanuel Macron and an Societe Generale's problem? loan books is set to stabilize, according to Moody's. With profit BNP Paribas, Societe Generale and improving economy. But it will take a Firstly, those trends didn't stop while before growing confidence under pressure, banks are pulling Credit Agricole trade at a discount of Societe Generale's profit falling by other levers to raise cash and boost about 15 to 25 percent to their book translates into significantly better almost a third due to swelling business. balance-sheet strength: in June, value, according to Bloomberg litigation provisions. Societe Generale listed a stake in Intelligence. That's a skinnier The perceived creditworthiness of Secondly, it's getting harder to make ALD, its auto-leasing business. markdown than Deutsche Bank AG France's top banks -- among them money from French retail banking, or Barclays Plc -- but it's still more Societe Generale SA, BNP Paribas Whether these banks can grow than Spain's Banco Santander SA which has long been a cash cow revenue -- a headache that extends SA, and Natixis -- has improved thanks to juicy fees and high and Italy's Intesa Sanpaolo SpA. dramatically. An expanding beyond consumer banking and into savings rates. Revenue at Societe corporate advisory and trading -- will Market-friendly election results and economy has propped up their Generale's domestic arm fell to the domestic operations, with loan decide whether investors stick with economic performance have helped second-lowest level since at least shares that have by-and-large improve valuations this year. But impairments falling and businesses 2014. borrowing more money. outperformed European peers over there seem to be few quick-fix Income is being dragged down by the past six months. solutions on offer: the firms are too Unimpaired large to attempt easy mergers; cost persistently low interest rates, which French banks have rebounded since are encouraging customers to cuts will take time; and they need to Loan-loss provisions at Societe the election, though the effect is walk a balance between boosting Generale's French retail bank renegotiate existing debts. The cost petering out of running a branch network isn't capital and paying dividends. Even Societe Generale, France's third- being cut fast enough to Bloomberg Intelligence's Jonathan Macron's helping hand can't do biggest bank by market value, said compensate. Squeezed margins Tyce thinks Societe Generale's everything. on Wednesday loan losses at its aren't just a French issue, as domestic and investment-banking Science Magazine : After French drug trial tragedy, European Union issues new rules to protect study volunteers By Hinnerk Feldwisch-DrentrupAug. volunteers who receive a financial French study. EMA also provides analyze all the results of an earlier 1, 2017 , 4:36 PM reward. more detailed guidance on dosing part before moving on to the next. and how to monitor subjects' safety. 4-5 minutes The guideline, which was issued on Trial sponsors need to have Neuropharmacologist Daniele 25 July, will take effect in February strategies to minimize risks at every Piomelli from the University of

2018. It comes in the wake of a step and have to deal with adverse California, Irvine, welcomes several One subject died and four others tragedy in a French drug study last events timely and adequately. of the new rules. Bial and Biotrial suffered from brain damage in a year that led to the death of one made the “incomprehensible 2016 study run by Biotrial in man and serious neurological Also new in the guideline are decision” to test daily doses of up to Rennes, France. damage in four others. But some provisions for trials consisting of 100 milligrams, he says, when much say the revision isn't going for multiple substudies, which have smaller doses had been shown to David Vincent/ASSOCIATED enough. become far more common the past completely inhibit the target enzyme; PRESS decade. (The French trial, run by the new rules would have prevented The new guideline emphasizes that Biotrial in Rennes for a Portuguese that. The European Medicines Agency drug developers must perform drug company named Bial, used (EMA) has issued new, stricter rules comprehensive preclinical tests of a multiple groups of volunteers to test But the guideline doesn't sufficiently for studies that test drugs in people new compound, including how it many different dosing regimens and address another mistake, Piomelli for the first time. They aim to better binds to its target and whether it has interactions with food.) In some says. After the first volunteer was protect participants in such first-in- so-called off-target effects; experts cases, drug developers need to hospitalized with strokelike human studies—often healthy argue such studies fell short for the symptoms, the remaining subjects

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 7 received another dose the next Germany, the chair of the The guideline also lacks sufficient agency can't produce an “omni- morning. Under EMA's new rules, a Association of German Research ethical guidance on weighing the comprehensive document.” Trial serious adverse reaction in even Ethics Committees. But the wording benefits against the risks before a sponsors have to interpret and apply one subject should be considered a is “supersoft,” Hasford says. Drug trial starts, he adds. Some the provisions in a manner “that is reason to stop if it is “at least developers want studies to go fast, researchers criticized the Bial trial proportionate to the level of possibly related” to the drug and EMA appears to accommodate because the company had not uncertainty linked to the novel drug candidate. But Piomelli says that them, he says. Studies with multiple shown that the test drug, called BIA and the characteristics of the with healthy volunteers, any serious parts, for instance, are attractive to 10-2474, was a promising drug subjects,” he says. And the revision adverse event should be presumed trial sponsors because they have to candidate. “It was not clear that this focuses on technical aspects, he to be drug-related. “In doubt, you apply for approval and produce compound was useful for anything,” emphasizes; ethics committees are stop,” he says. participant information only once. Piomelli says. responsible for weighing studies' But Hasford says such setups ethical questions. EMA “certainly tried to improve” the should not normally be allowed for In an email to ScienceInsider, an guideline, says Joerg Hasford of first-in-human trials. EMA spokesperson says that the Ludwig Maximilians University of guidelines need to cover many Munich in different scenarios and that the Editorial : Take Your Time, Bank of England by The Editors purchases. The economy initially stabilized, which will keep the cost As Brexit approaches, uncertainty More stories by The Editors proved more resilient than the Bank of imports in check. The Bank over Britain's economic prospects is forecast. Inflation moved up too: It shouldn't let short-lived fluctuations intense, and things could get worse 4 minutes now stands at 2.6 percent, higher drive policy. before they get better. A change of than the Bank's target of 2 percent. policy now might have to be

Hence the calls to reverse the In addition, the economy no longer reversed in short order, adding to Is Mark Carney getting hawkish? stimulus. looks so healthy. Consumers are the problem. Financial markets, feeling the pinch from lower real according to a survey by Bloomberg, Photographer: Chris J. Two of the current eight members of wages, and business investment would see a rise in interest rates this Ratcliffe/Pool/Getty Images the monetary-policy committee and exports aren't taking over as week as a surprise -- another voted in June to raise rates, and strong drivers of growth. The The Bank of England meets reason for caution. For now the others are turning more hawkish. economy expanded by just 0.3 Bank's best bet is to be patient. tomorrow to decide whether to raise Andy Haldane, the Bank's chief percent in the three months to June, interest rates. The choice isn't clear- economist, says he is leaning suggesting that a slowdown is --Editors: Ferdinando Giugliano, cut, and the central bank's policy towards voting for a hike. Governor setting in. Clive Crook makers appear to be divided -- but Mark Carney has been more with the economy showing signs of cautious, but he too has hinted he's True, consumer borrowing is rising To contact the senior editor slowing and inflation under control, moving in that direction. sharply, a sign that low rates could responsible for Bloomberg View’s they'd be wise to wait a while longer be fuelling a credit binge. But the editorials: David Shipley at before tightening. On balance, though, the case for Bank can deal with this in other [email protected] . raising interest rates is still weak. ways: In June, it told lenders to set The Bank of England responded to Higher inflation reflects temporary aside 11.4 billion pounds ($14.5 Before it's here, it's on the the Brexit referendum by cutting its factors, especially the steep billion) in case some of these loans Bloomberg Terminal. LEARN MORE benchmark rate to 0.25 percent and depreciation of sterling after the turn sour. resuming its program of asset referendum. The pound has since Eurozone Economy Speeds Up, Raising Chance of Stimulus Taper Paul Hannon, should be stronger challenges from nationalist or especially bond purchases—will Tom Fairless and this year. antiestablishment parties and diminish. Giovanni Legorano boosting optimism that the continent But more balanced growth wasn’t is mostly returning to normality after Financial markets are watching 7-9 minutes the expectation of most economists a lost decade. closely for signals about when and entering 2017. They expected the how quickly the ECB will reduce the contribution of Europe’s economic Antonio Vallejo, finance director at bond-buying program, known as Updated Aug. 1, 2017 2:28 p.m. ET heartland to decline in response to Spanish restaurants and bars quantitative easing. The timing of political uncertainty and rising oil company Grupo Mercado de la the decision to phase it out is the The eurozone’s economy quickened prices. U.S. growth was expected to Reina, said business has been ECB’s most important decision in in the second quarter, raising pick up in anticipation of the tax cuts improving steadily since the end of years. expectations the European Central and increases in infrastructure 2015. “People started to go out for Bank will begin to phase out its spending promised by the new dinner again,” he said. “You can see The next hint could come when ECB stimulus measures next year as the president. clearly that people spend more.” President Mario Draghi addresses region emerges from the shadow of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s the past decade’s financial crises. “All in all, the eurozone economy The return of growth rates above 2% conference August 24-26 has rounded out the first half of the annualized is likely to further in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Gross domestic product in the 19- year in a very healthy state and encourage ECB officials who want country euro currency zone grew by seems to be set up nicely for to decide this fall, probably in The ECB could signal as soon as its 0.6% in the three months to June, continued firm growth for the rest of September, to reduce monetary next policy meeting on Sept. 7 that an annualized pace of 2.3% and a 2017,” said Bert Colijn, an stimulus starting in early 2018. QE will be gradually wound down slight improvement from the 0.5% economist at ING Bank. next year, according to officials with expansion in the first quarter. The ECB has launched a series of the bank. Some crisis-era effects linger in the stimulus measures since mid-2014 The acceleration in the eurozone’s region, however, including high that are intended to raise inflation to But the decision could be delayed recovery means it is playing a more unemployment in Southern Europe, its target of just below 2%. At 1.3% until October, depending on the equal role with the U.S. in driving lack of growth in laggards such as in July, inflation remained well short latest economic data, these officials global growth. Over the last 18 Italy and Greece, and widespread of that goal. But central bank say. months, the region has grown a little popular discontent with political officials expect that if growth In July, Mr. Draghi described the faster than the U.S., having been elites. But improving growth is continues to be robust, inflation recovery as “robust” and said policy well behind in 2015 and prior years. dispelling fears of the euro’s demise, eventually will pick up, and the need makers would decide in the fall on If that pattern continues, global reviving the confidence of the EU’s for their stimulus measures— the future of their bond-buying political class that it can fend off

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 8

program, which is tentatively not seen since before the global he said, adding the school will also of the year. A survey of 3,000 scheduled to end in December. ECB financial crisis. It has also helped replace around 25 old computers. manufacturing companies released watchers expect the program to be reduce the eurozone’s Tuesday found that activity in July extended into 2018, but at a unemployment rate to 9.1%—still Germany, Europe’s biggest increased at the slowest pace in four reduced scale. Most doubt the high by international standards, but economy, is the other main pillar of months. But at 56.6, the Purchasing purchases will continue into 2019. down from peak levels of around the improvement. At machine-tool Managers Index for the sector still 12% during the crisis. Much of the maker Trumpf Group from near pointed to solid growth. The ECB has already raised its fall in unemployment has occurred Stuttgart, sales rose 11% to €3.1 growth forecast twice this year and in Spain and Germany; job creation billion ($3.6 billion) in the year to Write to Paul Hannon at may do so again in September. It remains more sluggish in France June 30. The company’s order book [email protected], Tom now expects the eurozone economy and especially in Italy. is brimming, said chief executive Fairless at [email protected] to grow by 1.9% across 2017. Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller. and Giovanni Legorano at Growth is also easing the strains on [email protected] The European Union’s statistics government coffers in Spain. The same holds across much of service, Eurostat, gave no “Finally, some money has become Germany’s engineering sector, Corrections & Amplifications breakdown of Monday’s GDP available for public services, which which has long profited from global The eurozone’s gross domestic growth data, though economists is remarkable after so many people trade but now is also enjoying rising product has grown faster than the suspect both consumer spending were laid off to cut costs,” said orders from eurozone countries, U.S.’s over the last 18 months. A and business investment contributed Tomás Domingo, a high-school according to industry association headline in an earlier version of this to the improvement. teacher from Tenerife in the Canary VDMA. article incorrectly said that the Islands. eurozone’s GDP grew faster than Spain has already released data The mood among German the U.S. in the three months to June showing acceleration in the second Mr. Domingo said his school finally businesses is “euphoric,” Clemens on an annualized basis. quarter, while France said its growth obtained money to fix the leaky roof Fuest, head of German economics rate was unchanged. Germany and of its sports pavilion, something it think tank Ifo said last month after Appeared in the August 2, 2017, Italy, the bloc’s other major has been asking for since 2009. the institute’s business-confidence print edition as 'Eurozone Posts economies, have yet to report. index hit a high. Another Period of Growth.' “When it rained, it used to get The recovery has lifted business flooded and the kids couldn’t use it,” Some early signs suggest growth and consumer confidence to highs might slow slightly in the second half

INTERNATIONAL

Tillerson Tamps Down Talk of North Korean Regime Change Paul Sonne But Mr. Tillerson set a precondition the possibility of a U.S.-backed between the U.S. and North Korea for any such dialogue—namely, that regime-change effort to tackle the in the past, known as “track-two 5-7 minutes Pyongyang enter the talks threat. diplomacy,” said all members of the understanding there is no future for Trump administration must send the

a North Korea with nuclear “It would be a great thing to same policy message and should Aug. 1, 2017 8:25 p.m. ET weapons. denuclearize the peninsula, to get quietly explore “talks about talks.” those weapons off of that, but the WASHINGTON—The U.S. doesn’t “We don’t think that having a thing that is most dangerous about “I do think the administration now is seek regime change in North Korea, dialogue where the North Koreans it is the character that holds the sending a flurry of mixed signals, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson come to the table assuming they control over them today,” Mr. and it would be in everyone’s said Tuesday, a statement at odds are going to maintain their nuclear Pompeo said. He said the most interest to really get the policy with suggestions last month from weapons is productive,” Mr. important thing the administration straightened out and communicate Central Intelligence Agency Director Tillerson said. can do is “separate those two.” with one voice,” Ms. DiMaggio said. that the U.S. would “The room for misinterpretation and like North Korean leader Kim Jong White House press secretary Sarah “I am hopeful we will find a way to miscues is quite large.” Un to go. Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday separate that regime from this that President Donald Trump isn’t system,” Mr. Pompeo added. “The China also has advocated for Mr. Tillerson, speaking at a news ruling anything out. “The president North Korean people I’m sure are negotiations and proposed a so- conference in Washington ahead of obviously has been very outspoken lovely people and would love to see called “freeze for freeze,” whereby a multicountry trip to Asia, said the about how he feels about North him go as well. As you might know, Pyongyang would pause its nuclear U.S. had reaffirmed its stance Korea,” she said. “We are weighing they don’t live a very good life weapons and ballistic missile tests toward North Korea, which has all options, keeping all options on there.” in exchange for the U.S. and South conducted two intercontinental the table.” Korea stopping some military ballistic missile tests this year and Experts say the North Korean exercises. But so far the Trump five nuclear weapons tests since The Trump administration has been government would have little administration has rebuffed the 2006. sending mixed messages about incentive to enter talks if the proposal. regime change in North Korea. Mr. precondition was giving up nuclear “We do not seek a regime change,” Kim’s government is fast weapons, which Mr. Kim sees as a After North Korea’s most recent Mr. Tillerson said. “We do not seek approaching a moment where it will guarantor of his regime’s survival. missile test last week, Mr. Trump the collapse of the regime…We’re be able to strike the continental U.S. tweeted that he was “very trying to convey to the North with a nuclear-tipped missile—a “Asking the North Koreans to come disappointed in China.” He said that Koreans: We are not your enemy. threat Mr. Trump has vowed to to the table after they denuclearize “they do NOTHING for us with North We are not your threat. But you are neutralize. The president has is a nonstarter,” said Suzanne Korea, just talk. We will no longer presenting an unacceptable threat accused China of not doing enough DiMaggio, a senior fellow at the allow this to continue. China could to us, and we have to respond.” to tackle the North Korean nuclear Washington-based New America easily solve this problem!” threat. Foundation. “It’s unrealistic and it Instead, Mr. Tillerson wants to have conveys that the U.S. is not yet Mr. Tillerson appeared to dial back a dialogue with North Korea and Mr. Pompeo, speaking at the Aspen really serious about engagement.” the president’s comments in his said the U.S. was working with the Security Forum on July 21, said the news conference Tuesday. He said Chinese to put peaceful pressure on U.S. should “separate” Mr. Kim from Ms. DiMaggio, who has directed the U.S. didn’t blame Beijing for the the regime to set the stage for talks. his nuclear weapons, leaving open nongovernmental diplomatic efforts situation in North Korea but

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 9 emphasized that China—which he “Only the North Koreans are to significant economic activity to Appeared in the August 2, 2017, said accounts for 90% of trade with blame for this situation,” Mr. influence the North Korean regime print edition as 'Tillerson: U.S. Isn’t North Korea—was in a unique Tillerson said. “But we do believe in ways that no one else can.” Seeking to Oust Kim.' position to help solve the problem. China has a special and unique relationship because of this Write to Paul Sonne at [email protected]

Rex Tillerson: U.S. Wants North Korea Talks at 'Some Point' David collapse of the regime, we do not Tillerson repeated calls for North "He's told me that. I believe him. If I Brunnstrom / Reuters seek an accelerated reunification of Korea's neighbor and ally China, were China, I would believe him, the peninsula, we do not seek an which has urged a resumption of too, and do something about it. You 3-4 minutes excuse to send our military north of talks with Pyongyang, to use its can stop North Korea, militarily or the 38th Parallel," Tillerson said. influence to create the conditions for diplomatically," he said on NBC's

"productive dialogue." "Today Show." (WASHINGTON) - The U.S. does "We are not your enemy ... but you not seek to topple the North Korean are presenting an unacceptable He said other options were "not "There is a military option: To government and would like dialogue threat to us, and we have to particularly attractive." destroy North Korea's program and respond. And we hope that at some North Korea itself," Graham said. "I with Pyongyang at some point, but President Donald Trump's only on the understanding that it point they will begin to understand prefer the diplomatic approach. But that and we would like to sit and administration has said all options they will not be allowed to have a can never be a nuclear power, are on the table in dealing with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have a dialogue with them." missile to hit America with a nuclear North Korea, including military ones. weapon on top." said on Tuesday. However, "a condition of those talks However, given the potential for Speaking to reporters at the State is there is no future where North massive casualties from North Asked about Graham's remarks, Department days after Pyongyang Korea holds nuclear weapons or the Korean retaliation in allied South White House spokeswoman Sarah tested its second intercontinental ability to deliver those nuclear Korea and Japan and among U.S. Sanders reiterated that the ballistic missile (ICBM), Tillerson weapons to anyone in the region, troops there, it has stressed the administration was "keeping all reiterated that Washington sought much less the (U.S.) homeland," he need for a diplomatic solution. options on the table." said. to persuade North Korea to give up Earlier on Tuesday, a leading its missile and nuclear weapons North Korea has vowed to develop Republican senator, Lindsey programs through peaceful a nuclear-tipped missile capable of Graham, said Trump had told him pressure. hitting the United States and U.S. he was willing to go to war with "We do not seek a regime change, officials said the latest test had North Korea "if they continued to try we do not seek a shown it may now be able to reach to hit America with an ICBM." most of the country. Tillerson to North Korea: ‘We are not your enemy’ https://www.face excuse to send our military north of regional ambitions, unrest in in the closing weeks of his book.com/anne.gearan the 38th Parallel,” he said. Venezuela and war in Ukraine. He presidency. also said he has a “good” 6-8 minutes “We are trying to convey to the relationship with President Trump, “He felt he had to do something,” North Koreans: ‘We are not your who calls him daily, including late at Tillerson said of Putin. “Does it

enemy, we are not your threat. But night and on weekends, “when make our life more difficult? Of The U.S. does not seek to topple you are presenting an unacceptable something comes to his head.” course it makes our life more the government of North Korea and threat to us, and we have to difficult.” respond.’ ” Tillerson said that despite the would like to have a dialogue with Tillerson voiced skepticism about Pyongyang at some point, United States’ deteriorating Tillerson added that the United relationship with Russia, the whether the nuclear deal with Iran, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson States hopes that “at some point,” officially known as the Joint said Aug. 1. The U.S. does not seek countries still can cooperate on North Korea will understand and sit Syria and counterterrorism, items Comprehensive Plan of Action, has to topple the government of North down for a dialogue. value for the United States. Korea and would like to have a that will be on the agenda when dialogue with Pyongyang at some Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Tillerson meets Russian Foreign “It’s an agreement that should serve point, Secretary of State Rex said that relations with Russia are Minister Sergey Lavrov this America’s interests first and Tillerson (Reuters) "under considerable stress," but that weekend at a summit in the foremost, and if it doesn’t serve that the two countries hope to work Philippines. interest, then why would we (Reuters) together on the war in Syria. “I don’t think the American people maintain it?” Tillerson said. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Secretary of State Rex Tillerson want us to have a bad relationship Iran was supposed to “become a called Tuesday for a dialogue with said that relations with Russia with a huge nuclear power, but I "under considerable stress." good neighbor,” but instead has North Korea and acknowledged that think they are frustrated,” he said. continued its ballistic missile U.S. relations with Russia have (Reuters) Tillerson quoted Trump telling program, he said. worsened during the Trump (Reuters) administration. Lavrov, “We need some good news “The spirit of the agreement has The secretary of state said the with Russia,” when they met in the been violated,” Tillerson said, During wide-ranging comments at administration has been attempting Oval Office. Tillerson said he has adding that that view is shared the State Department marking six to exert “peaceful pressure” on warned Russian President Vladimir among the European countries that months since his confirmation, North Korea, “because the options Putin and Lavrov that “the were also parties to the agreement. Tillerson told reporters that the available to us are limited, situation’s bad, but believe me, it United States does not aim to particularly if we think we are can get worse. And it just did.” “Do we want to tear it up and walk depose the government in away?” he said. “Do we want to operating under a short period of Putin’s decision to slash the staff at Pyongyang or use military force. time.” make the point to Iran that we the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, expect you to get back in line with “We do not seek a regime change, Tillerson talked to reporters during a Tillerson suggested, was a play to the spirit of the agreement, and we do not seek a collapse of the surprise appearance in the briefing domestic politics after Barack we’re going to stay here and hold regime, we do not seek an room, his first since becoming Obama expelled Russian diplomats you accountable to it?” accelerated reunification of the secretary six months ago. He and seized two Russian properties peninsula, we do not seek an expressed concern about Iran’s

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 10

Tillerson has argued that the deal is said. “And that’s what the He brushed off the criticism of his sounded resolute Tuesday, flawed but should be maintained, at conversation is around, generally, management of the State describing his relationship with least for now, because the with the president, is what are all Department. Hundreds of senior Trump as “very open.” alternative is worse. those options.” positions are unfilled, and some of his positions have been rebutted by “It’s one in which I feel quite Checkpoint newsletter Tillerson also expressed alarm the White House or a presidential comfortable telling him my views,” about Venezuela, and suggested tweet. The criticisms have fed he said. “He and I have differences Military, defense and security at that the United States would be of views on things like [the Iran home and abroad. rumors that he is frustrated about pleased if President Nicolás Maduro sparring with the White House over nuclear deal] and how we should “I think there are a lot of alternative decided to leave office. policy and complaints within the use it. I think if we’re not having means with which we use the department he is trying to “redesign” those differences, I’m not sure I’m “The situation from a humanitarian serving him.” agreement to advance our policies standpoint is already becoming for the 21st century, and that has in the relationship with Iran,” he dire,” Tillerson said. considered resigning. But Tillerson

North Korean Missiles May Be Too Advanced for More Sanctions Bloomberg News to stay in power for a long time -- according to South Korea’s central Questions remain over whether denuclearization is not possible. bank. Data from China’s customs North Korea has mastered the 7-9 minutes Period.” bureau show trade remained active ability to put a nuclear warhead on a this year, with North Korea logging missile that can survive re-entry into

The U.S. has said it won’t call a trade deficit of $800 million in the the Earth’s atmosphere. It also 1 août 2017 à 16:00 UTC−4 1 août another meeting of the United first six months -- suggesting it has needs to be able to put multiple 2017 à 19:13 UTC−4 Nations Security Council after the cash to buy goods. warheads on a missile to evade latest missile test, with Ambassador defense systems, and ensure it  Analysts say Kim Jong Nikki Haley saying another While no reliable estimates exist on accurately hits a specific target. Un looks unstoppable on resolution would be pointless. The how much it costs Kim to test his ICBM progress U.S. and Japan both blame China weapons, analysts say the biggest The test missiles have used liquid and Russia -- veto-wielding investments -- building facilities -- fuel, which can take hours to fill,  Economy grew at the members of the Security Council have already been made. making them susceptible to attack. fastest pace in 17 years that oppose more sanctions -- for North Korea’s goal is to have a ‘Irreversible Path’ with China’s help propping up Kim’s regime. solid-fuel rocket that would allow a “It’s ridiculous if you believe the mobile ICBM to be launched without It may already be too late for Who is Kim Jong Un? North needs billions of dollars to much preparation. sanctions to halt North Korea’s Trump, who blasted China on develop its nuclear weapons and missile program. North Korea’s capabilities are Twitter for doing “NOTHING” on missiles,” said Lim Eul-chul, director currently on par with the U.S. and That’s the view of analysts who North Korea, is considering trade for strategic planning at the Center Soviet Union in the 1960s and have watched Kim Jong Un restrictions and sanctions against for International Cooperation for 1970s, according to Jeffrey Lewis, accelerate progress on North the world’s second-biggest North Korean Development at director of the East Asia Korea’s decades-long quest for a economy, Politico reported on Kyungnam University in South Nonproliferation Program at functioning intercontinental ballistic Monday. In June, his administration Korea. “He doesn’t pay his Middlebury Institute of International missile. Friday’s launch, the second sanctioned a regional Chinese scientists that much and North Studies at Monterey. in a matter of weeks, showed it’s bank, a shipping company and two Korea can make most of the just a matter of time before he has a Chinese citizens over dealings with weapons components internally on “There is a technology diffusion that full-fledged ICBM that could hit any North Korea. its own.” has gone on so far that export part of the U.S. with a nuclear controls and sanctions have a very, The U.S. president is keeping “all U.S. Marine General Joseph weapon. very small impact,” he said in Tokyo options on the table” when it comes Dunford, chairman of the Joint this week. As North Korea’s economy holds to North Korea, White House Chiefs of Staff, said last month that up, and the regime moves beyond spokeswoman said North Korea is on an “irreversible At this stage it may be possible to the startup costs of its nuclear Tuesday at a briefing. Still, path” to obtaining a fully-functional limit North Korea’s weapons program, efforts to choke off its Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ICBM. Weapons analysts debate advancement through a finances become less effective, the urged continued “peaceful pressure” how much more work is needed. combination of pressure, incentives analysts say. on Pyongyang, telling reporters the and security guarantees, according U.S. goal isn’t to topple Kim’s North Korea started developing its to Michael Kovrig, a senior adviser That leaves U.S. President Donald regime or find “an excuse to send nuclear technology in the 1960s, on Northeast Asia for the Trump with limited options. A our military north.” mostly with help from the Soviet International Crisis Group. military strike could have Union and then Russia. The Kim devastating consequences for the Trump’s options for dealing with dynasty managed to avoid large “Tighter sanctions could slow but Korean peninsula. At the same time North Korea: QuickTake Q&A outlays by making incremental not stop Pyongyang’s progress,” the U.S. is loath to make the advances over decades. Kovrig said. “North Korea’s regime China fears a collapse of Kim’s concessions that Kim demands to likely sees a nuclear deterrent as regime could lead to a refugee crisis The missile launched Friday flew as get him to the negotiating table. essential for its survival, and and U.S. troops on its border. Even high as 3,700 kilometers (2,300 probably would be willing and able “No amount of sanctions will stop though relations between the miles) before it fell into the sea near to suffer through extreme hardship Kim Jong Un from having his neighbors have been frosty of late, Japan 1,000 kilometers away. If it without budging.” ICBM,” said Andrei Lankov, a China still accounts for about 90 was launched at a normal trajectory, professor of Korean studies at percent of North Korea’s total trade. analysts say it could have traveled — With assistance by Peter Pae, Kookmin University in Seoul, who about 10 times further -- enough to Peter Martin, Kanga Kong, and North Korea’s economy seems to has written several books on North hit Denver or Chicago, depending Isabel Reynolds be doing well despite the sanctions. Korea. “As long as the Kim family on the flight path. Growth stood at 3.9 percent in stays in power -- and they’re likely 2016, the fastest rate in 17 years, ‘Very Small Impact’ Ted Cruz : How to degrade the growing power of North Korea By Ted Cruz meeting on the Korean Army By Ted Cruz August 1 at 10:01 AM North Korean leader Kim Jong-un Strategic Rocket Force in 2013. 5-7 minutes presides over an operations (KCNA/REUTERS)

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Ted Cruz, a Republican, represents Read These Comments magnitude, not merely to keep up web of beneficial ownership that Texas in the U.S. Senate. with it. Space-based missile Pyongyang obscures with Chinese The best conversations on The defense can get us there. assistance. Four years ago, North Korea’s Washington Post Rodong newspaper released a However, simply defending against Yet even a sanctioned North Korea photograph of Kim Jong Un sitting Today, only the Ground-Based North Korean projectiles is remains a threat. Endemic to the in front of an intercontinental- Midcourse Defense system — insufficient. We must also deprive regime is the enduring Juche ballistic-missile targeting map designed to intercept ICBMs as they Pyongyang of the resources it that deifies the Kim family depicting Washington, Los Angeles travel through space — protects the directs to its nuclear and ballistic and promises reunification of Korea and Austin. What once may have United States from nuclear attack. missile programs. Unfortunately, in a communist utopia. Like all sparked laughter is no longer a The Terminal High-ltitude Area during the Obama administration, authoritarian regimes before it, the joke. Kim’s latest successful ICBM Defense system, calibrated to the White House was more Korean Workers Party propagates test, last week, could make the destroy medium-range missiles as interested in securing a climate deal these lies in a vacuum of truth. entire continental United States they reenter Earth’s atmosphere, with China than enforcing sanctions vulnerable to a nuclear strike from defends South Korea. Both against Pyongyang. Reauthorization of the North Korea Pyongyang. platforms, and accompanying Human Rights Act (which I am co- missile-interceptor programs such President Trump is right when he sponsoring) can enable the United We can no longer defer our as the Multi-Object Kill Vehicle, says that China holds unique sway States to reach the people of North response to this crisis. North Korea must remain top priorities, but North over North Korea. Beijing is Korea with targeted messages of has demonstrated time and again Korea’s ICBM tests necessitate new effectively its only real trading hope and support, as well as that it may upend the tenuous measures. partner, and the illicit network that examples of the freedoms we enjoy armistice along the 38th parallel at finances North Korea’s atomic every day. We should take this a any moment and drag the United We must now take missile defense pursuits runs through Chinese step further and begin to initiate States and our allies into a into space. banks and companies. targeted information operations devastating conflict. What the Although the Institute for Defense focusing on North Korean political United States needs now is swift I applaud the Treasury Department elites who, like everyday North Analysis reported in 2011 that the for recently designating the Bank of action backed by a realistic strategy United States possesses the Koreans, have also felt the brunt of to secure the denuclearization and Dandong as a primary money Kim’s paranoid persecution. We requisite technology to field a laundering concern; now is the time reunification of the Korean space-based interceptor (SBI) must begin to quietly signal to these Peninsula. to take further action against other elites that there is a future for them program within 10 years, little key violators that bankroll the North progress has been made in the six if they are prepared to do the right We can achieve this if we effectively Korean mafia state, including Bank thing when it matters most. nullify Pyongyang’s ability to target years since. Legislating to advance of China. U.N. reports, Justice the United States and our allies, SBI and expand the scope of the Department documents and The only way to degrade the freeze the resources that North Missile Defense Agency has been a nongovernmental organization growing power of Pyongyang is Korea funnels to its ballistic missile critical priority for me on the Senate research have proved that Kim through a coordinated approach and nuclear capabilities, and send a Armed Services Committee. Only depends on the U.S. financial that nullifies North Korea’s missile signal to disenchanted Korean with a serious space-based system to pay his elites, generals, advances, stymies its illicit cash Workers Party elites that they could capability can we target missiles in security forces and soldiers. We flow and challenges the lies that have a future in a reunified Korea. their boost phase and maximize must, through our financial underpin Kim’s hold on power. This discrimination of decoys during regulations, compel U.S. banks with would turn the tables on Pyongyang midcourse flight. correspondent accounts linked to and give us back the advantage. North Korean entities to begin Our aim must be to outpace the North Korean threat by orders of mapping out the complex financial

Jenkins Jr. : Nukes Won’t Save North Korea Holman W. testing in exchange for an end to sent the USS Carl Vinson, the North noted North Korean “shortfalls in Jenkins, Jr. U.S.-South Korean annual military raged about “maniacal military training and equipment.” exercises. provocations.” 5-7 minutes In 2013, when Gen. Mike Flynn When North Korea is already When the U.S. and Japanese headed the Defense Intelligence spending 22% of gross domestic navies are operating in nearby Agency, he testified that “the Aug. 1, 2017 5:53 p.m. ET product to maintain its military, the waters, the North must keep its jets North’s military suffers from logistics cost of mobilizing in response to in the air and defenses mobilized. shortages, largely outdated In 2012, the commander of U.S. near-constant U.S. and South When U.S. and South Korean and equipment, and inadequate allied forces in South Korea Korean maneuvers is a killing (recently) Chinese troops are on the training.” explained the nature of the burden. Washington’s and Seoul’s move near its border, it must thousands of North Korean artillery war games are their most effective activate troops in response. The U.S. and its allies can maintain and conventional rocket systems sanction and always have been. their mobilization virtually aimed at Seoul, a city of 24 million. Blood-curdling threats are the norm, indefinitely. North Korea can’t. North Korea upped the tempo of its possibly because they are cheaper Motor fuel is a sore point, but so are “These systems are capable of training flights sixfold, to 700 a day, than jet fuel. The North’s deputy food, equipment, and sanitation and ranging Seoul without moving, and on the first day of the 2013 U.S. and United Nations ambassador warned health care for troops in the field. can deliver both high-explosive and South Korean “Key Resolve” annual earlier this year amid various Trump chemical munitions with little or no maneuvers. That naturally sent deployments that “thermonuclear Ultimately, the Kim family regime warning.” Seoul’s analysts to their calculators, war may break out at any moment.” remains in power by distributing concluding triumphantly that the resources to its loyalists, which This would seem a pretty good North was either draining its war Or not. Both sides have been actually shows every sign of being deterrent given the improbable reserve or starving its civilian playing this game for a long time. the growing priority today. In April, scenario, as North Korea surely economy of fuel. Miscalculation is always possible, foreign reporters were invited to understands, of a U.S. and South but much less so than in 1950. witness a ribbon cutting on a Korean attack on the North. Then The North especially goes ape over sumptuous new apartment block in why nukes? Penetrating North carrier deployments. When Adm. Harry Harris, chief of the U.S. Pyongyang for Kim favorites. The Korean rationalizations is never a President Obama dispatched the Pacific Command, said before Chosun Ilbo, a South Korean paper, sure thing, but a likely answer is to USS George Washington, the North Congress in April that the goal is to recounted the scene: be found in the recent joint Chinese- denounced “imperialist aggression” “bring Kim Jong Un to his senses, Russian proposal of a freeze in and promised “unpredictable not his knees.” Tellingly, the admiral “Premier Pak Pong-ju then North Korea’s missile and bomb disasters.” When President Trump delivered a speech in which he

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 12 claimed the opening of the street is In theory, what North Korea wants forever. The answer to North variously known over the years as more powerful than ‘hundreds of is a peace treaty ending the Korean Korea’s nukes is a deep breath and “Team Spirit,” “Key Resolve,” “Foal nuclear bombs.’ A Los Angeles War of 1950-53 and removal of U.S. to invest in missile defense, which Eagle” and “Ulchi-Freedom Times correspondent tweeted that forces from the region. the world needs anyway. The Guardian.” No regime is forever. the street is ‘impressive’ and the Unfortunately, the North can’t afford upside is likely to be a marked And North Korea’s is more skyscrapers lining it as ‘very the treaty it claims to want, because deterioration in its conventional mercenary than most—suggesting modern’ but pointed out that the it can’t do without a U.S. threat to forces. an endgame in which the Kim family thousands of soldiers massing in justify its sociopathic dictatorship. essentially sells out one day. the capital ‘looked severely stunted. In the meantime, the U.S. and A reminder of widespread In the end, the irresolvable dilemma South Korea maintain their long- Appeared in the August 2, 2017, malnutrition outside of is North Korea’s, not the West’s. term watching brief on the Northern print edition. Pyongyang.’ ” The Kim regime doesn’t have a regime’s effort to hold itself realistic solution for itself except to together. Keep up the pressure make sure the standoff goes on through the annual war games Ignatius : Trump is right about China and North Korea https://www.face Tuesday that conflict is “inevitable” when he said: “If it would be risk to the American homeland. That book.com/davidig unless Pyongyang stops testing appropriate for me to meet with him, may appeal to some members of natiusbooks weapons. I would absolutely, I would be Congress, but it would outrage the honored to do it.” Ingratiating rest of the world. It would also spin 5-7 minutes language aside, that was the right the problem of nuclear proliferation instinct. But now, Trump feels into a lawless zone of unilateral

North Korean Supreme Leader Kim burned that the Chinese couldn’t action, harming U.S. interests. Read These Comments stop Pyongyang’s missile tests, and Jong Un supervising the test-fire of China knows that the road ahead is a strategic ballistic missile. (North the White House wants Xi to take The best conversations on The the lead. potentially ruinous. China’s U.N. Korean Central News Agency via Washington Post ambassador, Liu Jieyi, said last European Pressphoto Agency) There was a tone of personal month: “Currently tensions are high What is wise policy? Even as Trump Here’s a contrarian thought: betrayal in Trump’s tweets last and we certainly would like to see a ratchets up the pressure, he should weekend: “I am very disappointed in de-escalation. . . . If tension only President Trump had the right quietly urge China to take the lead China . . . they do NOTHING for us goes up . . . then sooner or later it instinct to insist that China help in a diplomatic solution. He should resolve the nightmare problem of with North Korea, just talk.” will get out of control and the continue to make clear to Beijing consequences would be North Korea. A peaceful solution is that its economic and security Because of Trump’s pique toward impossible without help from the disastrous.” China’s state-run press interests would be severely harmed Beijing, trade is back on the table. also keeps hammering Pyongyang. other great power in East Asia. if the United States is forced to The United States is readying harsh As Trump nears the threshold of a address the North Korea problem trade sanctions against Chinese Russia, too, seems willing to be military crisis with North Korea, he on its own, militarily. steel producers and perhaps helpful on North Korea, as it was on needs to sustain this early intuition against several big Internet Iran — because its interests are Here’s a suggestion for Beijing: companies, too. Sources tell me harmed by an erratic nuclear- — and not be driven into actions China should invite the other key that a milder trade deal worked out weapons state. that may look tough but would leave players — the United States, Japan, every player worse off. The by Commerce Secretary Wilbur South Korea, perhaps Russia — to Ross last month was scuttled by the Trump has the opportunity for a template hasn’t really changed from gather in New York during the U.N. White House, humiliating the foreign policy reset in the shadow of the Korean War in 1950: North General Assembly meeting for talks the North Korea crisis. Russian Korea’s aggressive actions bring an Chinese, and Ross too, but sending about how to handle the North the message that Trump is serious President has American response and then a Korea problem. The model would overreached and been rebuffed by general war that devastates the in demanding China’s help on North be the “P5+1” group that sponsored Korea as the price of trade congressional sanctions. Kim has Korean Peninsula. The conflict ends the Iran nuclear talks. China was an flexibility. overreached with his relentless in stalemate and at huge cost. observer back then; this time it missile testing. Xi has overreached Trump in his first months saw the would be the convener. Xi Jinping’s The U.S. Pacific Command is by offering more than he has need for a negotiated halt in North global status would be enhanced as readying military options. But delivered on curbing Pyongyang. Korea’s program. But he has been he heads toward this fall’s big party Defense Secretary Jim Mattis congress that will shape his future knows better than anyone that a The world is beginning to worry that pushed toward military options by Trump could go to war. Maybe Kim Jong Un’s reckless continuation as president. military conflict would be a catastrophe. A preemptive strike by that’s the moment when China of his missile testing — despite Three months ago, Trump was helps to organize one of those “win- China’s efforts to restrain the the United States would risk the ready for face-to-face diplomacy deaths of hundreds of thousands of win” solutions that Xi is always impulsive young leader. War fever with Kim, under Chinese Koreans and Japanese (and U.S. talking about. is growing, as in Sen. Lindsey O. sponsorship. He seemed to be residents of Seoul), albeit with little Graham’s (R-S.C.) comment packing his bags back on May 1, U.S. Plans Trade Measures Against China (UNE) Jacob M. American companies share restrict the transfer of advanced manufacturing and China’s $347 Schlesinger and advanced to gain entry technology to Chinese firms or to billion trade surplus with the U.S. Bob Davis to the Chinese market. U.S.-China joint ventures. last year. 6-8 minutes The administration is considering American business frustration with That discontent has intensified as invoking a little-used provision of Chinese trade and market-access China’s economy continued to U.S. trade law to investigate practices has mounted in recent expand and its computer and Updated Aug. 1, 2017 10:15 p.m. whether China’s intellectual- years, with U.S. business groups software sectors became bigger ET property policies constitute “unfair urging the government to take a competitors internationally. Western trade practices,” according to tougher trade line with China. Many firms fear China will use the WASHINGTON—The Trump people familiar with the matter. organizations have complained that regulations to bar foreign administration is planning trade the Trump administration hasn’t investments in areas that Beijing measures to force Beijing to crack That would pave the way for the pushed hard enough in areas like targets for investment, including down on intellectual-property theft U.S. to impose sanctions on intellectual property, as it has semiconductors, advanced-machine and ease requirements that Chinese exporters or to further focused more on Chinese tools and artificial intelligence.

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One big question hanging over the Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal they might involve dusting off long- “If any other administration self- White House review is whether the blasting China, as well as the ignored or little-used powers. In this initiated a Section 301 investigation, administration pursues any European Union, for “formidable case, one option under discussion I would have found it highly complaint through the World Trade nontariff trade barriers” and vowing is to use Section 301 of the Trade unusual,” said Chad Bown, a trade- Organization, or whether it chooses to “use every available tool” to fight Act of 1974, which gives the U.S. remedy expert at the Peterson to impose penalties on its own those limits. government the to Institute for International without first seeking permission investigate alleged wrongdoing by Economics. “But with Trump’s from the international body, which The White House expects that a trading partners and decide by itself administration of U.S. trade policy, it some Trump advisers have argued crackdown on alleged Chinese the relevant penalty—to act, in the appears that even the most obscure is incapable of dealing with China’s intellectual-property expropriation eyes of critics, as judge, jury and and unused U.S. law on the books trade practices. Trump aides have would have widespread support executioner. is fair game.” regularly vowed to pursue a more among U.S. businesses, which unilateral approach to trade but have complained about Chinese Another option under discussion In May, more than four dozen U.S., have so far done little along those business practices. would be to invoke the International European and Asian trade lines. Emergency Economic Powers Act, associations wrote a letter to the The response may be more divided, a 1977 law that gives the president Communist Party group overseeing It is unclear how long the say industry officials. Those U.S. broad powers to regulate commerce cybersecurity, for instance, administration’s internal review will companies that want to keep their after declaring a “national complaining about a new law that take before an announcement is most advanced technology from emergency.” the associations felt would require made. Officials at one point had Chinese hands would probably back their companies to place data signaled that an announcement the move, while others that want to Widely used in the 1970s and centers in China, find Chinese could come as soon as this week. license technology to Chinese firms 1980s, Section 301 cases have partners and transfer technology to could find the measures a largely disappeared since the 1995 the joint ventures. Beijing generally A White House spokeswoman hindrance. creation of the WTO, which has its argues that it is trying to protect declined to comment on the own dispute-settlement process. A itself from efforts by Western prospect of trade sanctions. China could also retaliate by main goal of the Geneva-based blocking U.S. investments or intelligence services to tap into institution was to curb such Chinese computer systems. The White House has been making life tougher for U.S. unilateral trade actions and to have wrestling in recent weeks with how companies in China. them handled by a more neutral “All countries have legitimate to navigate trade relations with Still, any action on Chinese international arbiter. U.S. concerns over privacy and national China following a stalemate during administrations over the past two security, but China is the principal mid-July bilateral economic talks intellectual property is bound to be more popular with the business decades have decided to steer country addressing these concerns that yielded no concrete progress. nearly all trade complaints through by requiring foreign companies to President Donald Trump in recent sector than other trade moves the president has made, including his the WTO and have rarely touched transfer their technology and to days has also expressed open Section 301. surrender their brand and operating disappointment with Chinese efforts decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership as well as control in order to do business,” the to curb North Korea’s nuclear But Trump aides have often said group wrote. program and administration officials his threats to pull out of the North they didn’t consider WTO rules have been increasingly outspoken American Agreement sufficient to deal with Chinese —Ian Talley in their criticism of Chinese trade and to impose tariffs on steel practices and have indicated they contributed to this article. practices. imports. may resort to pre-WTO unilateral practices. Write to Jacob M. Schlesinger at Mr. Trump’s commerce secretary, The Trump administration’s [email protected] and , wrote an op-ed in exploration of new trade remedies Bob Davis at [email protected] against Beijing is significant in that Editorial : How America can honor a Chinese dissident — and help protect his widow https://www.facebook.com/washingt beyond that Sakharov and activists his death in Chinese captivity on been charged with a crime. Friends onpostopinions like him were not forgotten. Two July 13. and family have not been able to years later, Sakharov was released contact her since her husband’s 10-13 minutes from internal exile — a decision that Naming a street in his honor would funeral, raising concerns about her his stepdaughter attributes, at least not only be a tribute to his life and safety. As The Post’s Josh Rogin

in part, to the naming of the plaza. achievements but also tell Beijing reported this week, Chinese Opinion that its crackdown on human rights authorities are vehemently opposed Now a similar measure is on the has not gone unnoticed. Each time to naming a street for Liu Xiaobo. Opinion A column or article in the table to memorialize the late a Chinese diplomat entered or left Moving ahead with Mr. Cruz’s Opinions section (in print, this is Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo. Sen. the embassy, he or she would legislation could be an effective way known as the Editorial Pages). Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) has introduced a confront Mr. Liu’s legacy — and to remind China that Ms. Liu’s fate bill to rename the street in front of maybe spare a thought for the August 1 at 8:00 PM is an important issue for the United the Chinese Embassy “Liu Xiaobo hundreds of human rights lawyers States. IN 1984, the U.S. Senate passed an Plaza.” He could not have chosen a and activists currently detained by amendment to rename the street more worthy person to the Communist Party. This should Critics have argued that renaming outside the Soviet Embassy after commemorate. Mr. Liu embodied be impetus enough for the change. the street is a largely symbolic the spirit of democracy in a country gesture. They are right. That Andrei Sakharov, the Russian Act Four newsletter nuclear physicist, dissident and that has done its utmost to crush it. doesn’t mean it is not worth doing. Nobel Peace Prize laureate. For more than two decades, Mr. Liu The intersection of culture and Someday, we hope, Chinese Sakharov Plaza was named both to risked his security and freedom to politics. officials representing a different sort honor a human rights defender and press the Chinese Communist of government will step out of their to rebuke the government that spent authorities for open elections and But there is another reason to keep embassy onto Liu Xiaobo Plaza and years persecuting him. Though the the . He was a beacon of the pressure on China. Mr. Liu’s take pride in a compatriot who move raised tensions with the hope for human rights advocates in widow, Liu Xia, has been kept under sacrificed everything for the country Soviet Union, it also sent a strong China and all over the world — until house arrest by the Chinese they hold so dear. message to Soviet diplomats and government though she has never

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Islamic State and Climate Change Seen as World’s Greatest Threats, Poll Says Lisa Friedman The survey of 41,953 people in 38 but the Russian president, Vladimir witnessed in his own studies of how countries was conducted from V. Putin, did not denounce Americans perceive climate change. 9-11 minutes February through May. Beyond the President Trump for abandoning the top line figures, the survey offers accord, as so many other world “Climate change is in many ways a

other insights about how people leaders did. small skirmish in the midst of a Climate change is essentially tied around the world view global much larger political struggle that’s with the Islamic State as the most- warming. Mr. Putin’s views on the subject are been going on in this country since feared security threat across much opaque, though. Before the Paris its founding,” he said. “What’s the of the world — except in the United Latin America is deeply worried accords he told world leaders that relationship between government States, where cyberattacks are about climate change global warming “was one of the and a society of free individuals? gravest challenges humanity is That’s playing out across the board considered a greater danger than While Latin America is certainly global warming, according to a Pew facing.” on a lot of other issues, from tax vulnerable to the consequences of policy to health care.” Research Center report released on climate change, its countries rarely Russia ranked climate change fifth Tuesday. rank among the most at risk. That among its global concerns in the Coal importers and exporters Residents of 13 countries ranked unfortunate distinction tends to go Pew survey, below the Islamic have divergent views climate change as the greatest to Chad, Sudan, low-lying island State, the economy, the refugee states and other places where crisis and the influence of the Pew did not survey many of the top threat to national security, while in oil exporters other than Russia, so 17 countries the Islamic State was poverty and civil strife meet rising United States. seas, floods and drought. So it’s not it’s hard to know how people feel in considered a more immediate What do the Russians worry about Saudi Arabia, the United Arab problem. surprising, perhaps, to see so many countries in Africa put climate even less than climate change? Emirates or Kuwait. But among the In the United States, however, a change at the top of their worry lists. Cyberattacks. world’s biggest coal exporters the gaping partisan divide pushed story is a fairly nuanced one. But 74 percent of people surveyed American opinion on climate climate change to third-most severe change is highly partisan Citizens of Indonesia, a top coal perceived threat, after ISIS and in seven South American and Latin American countries cite climate as exporter in 2014, according to the cyberwarfare. Just 56 percent of We have long known Americans World Coal Association, listed ISIS Americans surveyed identified their top global concern, the highest break heavily along party lines over of any region surveyed. as their highest concern. Attacks in global warming as the most serious the causes, solutions and very Jakarta this spring have set people threat to the country, compared to The Intergovernmental Panel on existence of man-made climate on edge, and the country’s military 71 percent for cyberwarfare and 74 Climate Change offers some clues, change. The Pew study lays that chief has warned that the Islamic percent for Islamic State attacks. citing “significant trends in chasm bare. State group has so-called sleeper The American intelligence precipitation and temperature” Among Americans who consider cells all over the country. But community concluded that Russia across the region. Paula Caballero, themselves left-leaning, 86 percent climate is still seen as the third used cyberweapons to interfere with global director of the climate change cite rising emissions as a biggest threat, after the economy. the presidential election last year, program at the World Resources dangerous threat, compared with Australia, also a coal-exporting perhaps accounting for the Institute, a Washington-based think only 31 percent on the right. That 55 giant, cited climate change as the heightened sense of threat. The tank, noted the multiple devastating percent divide is larger than the second greatest threat after ISIS. Trump administration has floods this spring in her native partisan split on ISIS and on the Colombia. And among the big coal importers? consistently played down the migrant crisis. Only 47 percent of people in India dangers of a warming climate and “In Latin America the impacts of surveyed named climate change as has withdrawn the United States Terrorism is the biggest worry for climate change both in terms of Americans, with 74 percent putting a top concern, but that was enough from the Paris accord on climate extreme events as well as the to put the issue second after ISIS. change signed by nearly 200 ISIS as the top threat to the country. intensity and frequency of events Close behind are cyberattacks. In South Korea, 79 percent of nations. has really gained momentum,” said people are worried about the Jacob Poushter, Pew’s senior Ms. Caballero, who formerly served Mr. Poushter noted the surveys climate. researcher and a co-author of the as Colombia’s lead United Nations were conducted in the spring amid negotiator on climate change. national attention on the finding that Mr. Poushter said Pew did not study, said that in most countries survey China this year because of a terrorism and climate change were Russia meddled in the 2016 Even in Venezuela, the only Latin presidential election by hacking law restricting research by foreign seen as the most pressing dangers. American country surveyed that did organizations. But a similar survey The United States was an Democrats’ emails and distributing not name climate change as its top online propaganda. Pew conducted in 2015 found 19 exception, he said. concern, global warming came in percent of Chinese people polled Demonstrators gathered in front of just below worries about the Climate change is ranked third considered themselves “very the White House in March to economy. In the midst of its own among Americans, with 56 percent concerned” about climate change. oppose President Trump’s political and economic crisis last of people surveyed believing it is a That is low, particularly compared executive order rolling back many of month, Venezuelan leaders ratified major threat. with the 79 percent of Indians who President Barack Obama’s climate- the Paris Agreement. were very concerned about Lower levels of concern about warming at the time. But it also was change policies. Stephen Russians are among the least climate change were found in Crowley/The New York Times the highest level of worry Chinese concerned about warming Poland, Russia, India, Israel Jordan, residents assigned to any global Tunisia, Turkey, Ghana, Nigeria and “The stark partisan divide between The Russian heat wave of 2010 threat. those on the left and the right Venezuela. was made three times more likely Correction: August 1, 2017 means there is a large portion in the by climate change, a study later Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the United States that doesn’t see found. But Russians are generally Yale Program on Climate Change An earlier version of this article climate change as a threat,” Mr. apathetic about rising greenhouse Communication at Yale University, misstated when Venezuela ratified Poushter said. “But there’s a large gas emissions, the Pew survey said the ideological split in America the Paris climate accord. It was percentage that does, so that confirmed. The country backed the underscores the divisions he has July, not this month. lowers the number.” Paris agreement on climate change

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Donald Trump Is Pushing America’s Special Forces Past the Breaking Point Elias Groll | 58 mins ago Headquartered at Fort Bragg, North there’s always somebody who is already briefing members of Carolina, JSOC was stood up in going to step up into those Congress and their staff regularly 11-14 minutes 1980, as a response to the positions.” The degradation of between the required quarterly organizational and planning command and control to the Islamic briefings).

shortcomings of the ad hoc, failed State — or any of the other many With little policy guidance or public rescue mission of 52 Americans targeted militant armies — may In both the Senate and House attention, the Donald Trump held hostage in Iran. The appear meaningful at the time, but armed services committees (known administration has further expanded operational core comprises special over the long term special operators as SASC on the Senate side and former President Barack Obama’s mission units, such as the Army’s recognize that they are ephemeral. HASC in the House), the briefings use of lethal counterterrorism Delta Force, the Navy’s SEAL Team are given before each committee’s operations in nonbattlefield 6, the Army’s 75th Ranger Another facet of JSOC operations Subcommittee on Emerging Threats countries — namely Yemen, Regiment, Army and Air Force emerges from the time when Gen. and Capabilities, currently chaired Pakistan, and Somalia. During the aviation units, and other generally Votel led JSOC, from June 2011 to by Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Elise final 193 days of Obama’s classified commando groups. While July 2014. During that time, then-Lt. Stefanik, respectively. Regular presidency, there were 21 such much of what JSOC does remains Gen. Votel oversaw a drone strike attendees include the chairs and operations. Over a comparable secret, former commanders and against a convoy of cars in Yemen ranking members of HASC and number of days under President operators have described, in detail, (I could not confirm exactly where SASC, as well as Ernst, Stefanik, Trump, there have been five times their role in killing and capturing and when this strike occurred). One and their subcommittee’s respective as many operations: at least 92 in terrorists, rescuing hostages, general officer involved in the ranking members. Yemen, four in Pakistan, and six in collecting intelligence, doing operation told me, “We killed some bad guys, but they were the wrong In theory, all 27 members of the Somalia. sensitive site exploitation, and SASC and 61 members of the conducting before-and-after bad guys.” Afterward, Votel ordered The workhorse for these expanded an internal organizational study to HASC — as well as a handful of analysis to support additional cleared staffers — could attend missions is the military’s Joint missions. These JSOC units identify the root cause of this Special Operations Command mistaken strike, as well as previous each monthly briefing. In reality, far operate separate from “general fewer show up: On average, seven (JSOC) — a sub-unified command purpose forces” — such as Army strikes that had more explicitly killed of U.S. Special Operations noncombatants. The verdict was to 15 representatives attend the divisions, Air Force wings, and Navy monthly HASC hearings, depending Command (SOCOM). We know that carrier battle groups — but rely on that JSOC’s organizational culture JSOC, and not the CIA, is the lead was overwhelmingly “predisposed on their travel schedules and their transportation, logistics, and legislative calendar. For briefings on executive authority for these combat search and rescue support. toward action,” according to the operations because they are overt, general officer. prominent JSOC operations, And although you would never know however, the attendance level rather than covert. Military officials it given the disproportionate public have publicly explained the To mitigate against this systemwide increases substantially. After the attention they receive, especially bias, JSOC created an internal Jan. 29 raid in Yemen that missions, and the Defense since the beginning of the global Department has even issued press semi-independent review unit reportedly killed dozens of civilians war on terror, service members in situated outside of the command’s and resulted in the death of one releases about them. (The only the entire special operations operations undeclared were the routine planning, analysis, and Navy SEAL and the destruction of a community make up only 5 percent operational processes. The unit, $70 million aircraft, for example, reported four drone strikes in of the U.S. military. Pakistan — a country that the CIA called the Pre-Strike Pause Cell, more than 35 members showed up has been bombing intermittently The most important thing to keep in consists of a handful of civilian and to the HASC briefing to question since the summer of 2004.) mind about special operations military analysts. They are provided military officials and find out what Operations in Yemen and Somalia forces is that they are reticent to real-time access to all of the happened. supporting intelligence that — which fall under Title 10, the part simply kill suspected terrorists. At these hearings, JSOC is of U.S. law that outlines the role and purportedly validates the enemy The most important thing to keep in status of a targeted individual or generally represented by a group of authority of the armed forces — are civilian military officials from the broadly acknowledged and even mind about special operations group. At any point in the process, forces is that they are reticent to this cell could “throw down a red office of the assistant secretary of reported to Congress every six defense for special operations/low- months. simply kill suspected terrorists. card” by, for example, requesting Instead, they express a distinct clarifying information about the intensity conflict, specifically Despite that, the public knows preference for capturing terrorist target(s), challenging untested sections J-37 (special operations) relatively little about the suspects — a dead terrorist cannot assumptions, or raising questions and J-39 (global operations). They organization carrying them out. We provide the intelligence that allows about the probability of civilian usually begin with a big-picture can catch glimpses inside JSOC special operators to increase their harm. I am told that the Pre-Strike overview of the JSOC-led campaign from anecdotal reporting or from situational awareness of a given Pause Cell exists to this day and efforts in a particular country or rare histories, like Sean Naylor’s country. Gen. Joseph Votel, who is various models of it have been region. They also provide specific masterful Relentless Strike. But the now the head of U.S. Central integrated into other operational information about individual drone extent of America’s understanding Command but served as SOCOM commands, to varying degrees of strikes or special operations raids, of the primary military command commander from 2014 to 2016, effectiveness. especially those that have received responsible for “direct action” acknowledged this in 2015. “We get (or are anticipated to receive) media operations is best summarized by a lot more of that,” he said, referring Congressional oversight of JSOC attention. However, for both the President George W. Bush’s to intelligence about terrorists’ has also changed as the intensity SASC and HASC monthly briefings, declaration in 2008: “Listen, JSOC activities and intentions, “when we and political importance of its lethal members generally do not probe for is awesome.” actually capture somebody or we operations increased in Yemen and details about the operations but capture material than we do when Somalia in the early days of the want to know, according to staffers Through a series of discussions and we kill someone.” Obama administration. In 2012, from both committees, “Where is interviews over the past few years, I Congress passed a defense bill that this all heading?” and “How do have uncovered insights into how In his current role, Votel recently mandated confidential quarterly these operations get us there?” the command has evolved, how the played down the enduring utility of briefings from the Pentagon According to one Obama-era congressional oversight of its lethal killing terrorists when asked about outlining counterterrorism Pentagon official who routinely led operations is really exercised, and the reported death of Islamic State operations and activities involving the then-quarterly JSOC briefings, what the limits are to what JSOC, leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: special operations forces. In 2017, briefers “always wanted to provide however “awesome” it may be, is “We’ve been doing this long enough Congress upped the frequency of more information, more granular able to accomplish. to know that leaders are killed and these briefings to monthly (though details about the way things were we’ve killed plenty of them. And that in reality Pentagon officials were trending. But Congress was not

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 16 interested — unless an operation congressional backing. Tony Thomas, declared on July 21 in pursuit of counterterrorism went south and made the papers.” that the U.S. military has killed, objectives. But this overreliance on When President Obama announced conservatively, “60,000 to 70,000” lethal force is not just exhausting Indeed, the big-picture question for the start of the U.S.-led intervention Islamic State fighters — more than America’s special operators; it is the specialized military units that in August 2014, the CIA estimated two and a half times the size of the wholly insufficient to comprise JSOC is whether and how that the militant army held between force that was in Iraq and Syria comprehensively confront the their lethal operations support any “20,000 and 31,500 fighters.” three years ago. This is a underlying causes of militancy and military end state — ideally one When President Obama announced remarkable ability to regenerate, terrorism — a mantra Pentagon characterized by a diplomatically even in the face of an unrelenting officials repeat when they all but brokered peace among combatants, the start of the U.S.-led intervention in August 2014, the CIA estimated U.S.-led “annihilation” campaign. beg Congress to adequately fund vastly reduced political violence, the State Department. But because and fewer combatants and potential that the militant army held between In Yemen, despite more than 200 “20,000 and 31,500 fighters.” JSOC is both “awesome” and piles combatants from which enemy JSOC (and occasional CIA) up body counts, it will always armies could draw from. According to the State Department’s airstrikes over the past eight years, annual “Country Reports on remain the leading actor in the the State Department’s estimated global war on terror. The natural Of these metrics of success, the Terrorism,” released last month, the strength for al Qaeda in the Arabian third — eliminating combatants — Islamic State’s estimated strength question is whether any such war Peninsula grew from “several could be managed at some socially falls mostly in JSOC’s wheelhouse. was reduced to between “12,000 hundred members” in 2010 to 4,000 However, as JSOC has assumed and 15,000 members” in 2016. In acceptable level or, indeed, will ever fighters now — a force size it has end. more responsibility, the U.S. other words, using the U.S. maintained for the past half-dozen military’s record in achieving this government’s mean averages, the years. Photo credit: NICHOLAS goal has been mixed, at best. Islamic State has shrunk 48 percent KAMM/AFP/Getty Images Consider the three-year anti-Islamic from 25,750 fighters in 2014 to There is no reason to doubt that State campaign, during which JSOC 13,500 in 2016. However, the Trump will turn more and more to has received White House and current SOCOM commander, Gen. JSOC, just as his predecessors did, Tillerson spurns $80 million to counter ISIS, Russian propaganda By NAHAL Sources cited another sensitive and malicious Twitter accounts to their request in an "action memo," TOOSI factor at play: Russia. One Tillerson influence the 2016 election, and the standard document sent to the aide, R.C. Hammond, suggested lawmakers in both parties have secretary of state when a decision 12-15 minutes the money is unwelcome because called for a more robust U.S. is required. Tillerson's aides any extra funding for programs to response. retorted that he "didn't like being

counter Russian media influence told what to do," the former senior Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is would anger Moscow, according to Aside from its governmental State official said, and ordered that resisting the pleas of State a former senior State Department coordinating work, the center also the request be refashioned as an Department officials to spend nearly official. partners with the private sector to "information memo." $80 million allocated by Congress test novel ways to defeat false for fighting terrorist propaganda and "This is an extraordinary example of information spread by U.S. Further stalling the request were Russian disinformation. the dysfunction that is ripping adversaries. One project has staffing shifts among Tillerson's top through the State Department," said employed guerrilla marketing tactics aides. Eventually, the officials' It is highly unusual for a Cabinet Brett Bruen, a former U.S. diplomat to place anti-terrorism videos in the request reached Hammond, a secretary to turn down money for in contact with State employees Facebook feeds of young people former public relations professional his department. But more than five involved in the funding fight. "What showing an interest in jihadi media. who served as a spokesman for months into his tenure, Tillerson has we're seeing is a small group of To help pay for such efforts, the Newt Gingrich’s 2012 presidential not issued a simple request for the people with very thin knowledge legislation in December authorized campaign. At the State Department, money earmarked for the State making all the decisions in a very the Defense Department to send Hammond serves as a spokesman Department’s Global Engagement centralized and isolated process. It the State Department $60 million in for Tillerson—but is also a member Center, $60 million of which is now causes unnecessary delays and fiscal year 2017 and $60 million in of the department’s policy planning parked at the Pentagon. Another confusion." fiscal year 2018, but the secretary staff, making decisions on $19.8 million sits untouched at the of state needs to request the money substantive issues. State Department as Tillerson’s Hammond said the funding issue is from the Pentagon. aides reject calls from career receiving prompt attention and that Hammond threw up objections to diplomats and members of officials seeking the money had not "Over the last five to 10 years, the request on multiple fronts, the Congress to put the money to work presented a clear plan for how to there's been a tsunami of former senior State official said. against America’s adversaries. spend it—an assertion denied by disinformation and anti-American Hammond indicated to officials the former senior State Department propaganda around the world," said involved with the Global Story Continued Below official. Rick Stengel, who, as a former Engagement Center that with the undersecretary of state for public department facing potential budget The $60 million will expire on Sept. The Global Engagement Center is diplomacy, oversaw the center. and staffing cuts, it didn't make 30 if not transferred to State by an interagency unit based at the "The Global Engagement Center is sense to take an infusion of new then, current and former State State Department that was created one of the few, if only, areas in the funds, the former senior State Department officials told POLITICO. in spring 2016. It replaced the U.S. government that could be official said. Hammond also Center for Strategic The struggle over the money is a tasked with countering and rebutting questioned why the U.S. doesn’t Counterterrorism Communications, disinformation against America." ask other governments, particularly case study in Tillerson’s approach and its staff of about 80 is to managing the State Department in Muslim countries, to play a larger responsible for coordinating State Department officials began role in the information battle. and the frustration it is engendering governmentwide efforts to counter urging Tillerson to seek the first $60 among American diplomats. Current the online messages of terrorist million from the Defense Hammond further expressed and former U.S. officials call it the groups such as the Islamic State. Department soon after he took hesitation about needling the latest example of a severe office in February, according to the Russians at a time when Tillerson slowdown in department decision- A Pentagon spending bill signed former senior State Department was trying to find common ground making; of Tillerson’s reliance on a into law by former President Barack official. with the Kremlin on sensitive coterie of political aides who distrust Obama in December broadened the matters such as the war in Syria. State’s career staffers; and a center's mandate to include battling But they quickly found themselves The Kremlin-backed news outlet casualty of President Donald state-sponsored disinformation mired in a new, confusing and Sputnik has compared the Global Trump’s intention to slash State's campaigns by countries such as bottlenecked decision-making Engagement Center to George budget, which has Tillerson looking China, North Korea and Russia. process imposed by Tillerson's top Orwell’s Ministry of Truth. for ways to reshape the department U.S. intelligence officials say aides. For example, officials and spend less money, not more. Moscow used fake news reports involved with the center first put in

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 17

"Hammond said the secretary is in working in the regional bureaus of State Department official briefed on "I feel bad for the guy working on the process of working through the State Department. Hammond the matter, a bureau asked months the Bermuda desk,” he added, “but disagreements with Russia, and this and other Tillerson aides dismissed in advance for approval of talking unless the island is sinking into the is not consistent with what we're that effort, according to the former points for use at an international ocean … I think I’ve made my trying to do," the former senior State senior State official, saying that any conference. The response came too point.” official said. such plan needed to be approved late, leaving U.S. officials unable to by the State Department's policy make meaningful remarks at the Supporters of the Global Most of the people interviewed for planning office. event. Engagement Center say it should this story requested anonymity, be a high priority given the enmity either to protect their own jobs or to Hammond and other sources said Tillerson is said to be a methodical between Washington and Moscow, safeguard others they are in touch Tillerson is aware of the funding thinker whose step-by-step not to mention the ongoing worries with at the State Department and requests. But some officials decision-making reflects his training over terrorist recruiting online. the White House. And few issues involved said it's not clear if the as an engineer. His CEO are as sensitive as Trump’s secretary understands all the details experience seemed a potential Multiple sources said their read of relationship with Russia. The or is aware of his aides' asset when Trump tapped him to the law suggests that if the first $60 president has questioned the machinations. lead the 75,000-employee State million chunk at the Pentagon is not intelligence community's belief that Department. But critics say Tillerson transferred to State by Sept. 30, it Russia interfered in the 2016 Current and former State hasn't fully grasped that the U.S. will no longer be available for use. election to help him, while Tillerson, Department officials are particularly diplomatic apparatus has many What's less clear is whether the a former ExxonMobil CEO who has mystified as to why, aside from the moving parts that need money, if transferred, would have to long known Russian President $60 million at the Pentagon, the simultaneous attention, so decisions be spent before Sept. 30 or if it can Vladimir Putin, has sought to Global Engagement Center has can stack up fast. also be spent in the following fiscal improve relations with Moscow. also been denied access to $19.8 year. At that point, the second $60 million dedicated to fighting the Tillerson's inability to fill the vast million also can be transferred to Despite speculation that Tillerson messaging of the Islamic State and majority of leadership slots at State, the State Department, if Tillerson may wish to overhaul or eliminate other terrorist groups. That $19.8 including undersecretaries and requests it. the Global Engagement Center, million is in the State Department's assistant secretaries also means Hammond told POLITICO that there coffers but has yet to be directed to more decisions land in his office. At Last month, Republican Sen. Rob are “no plans” to do so. the Global Engagement Center. the same time, Tillerson is trying to Portman of Ohio pressed Deputy get a sense of how State uses its Secretary of State John Sullivan on "Regarding Russia," he added, "we Observers say the dispute over the resources, and he's hinted that he's whether Tillerson considers the have not sought to reduce efforts to various funds reflects a confused reluctant to make major decisions Global Engagement Center a spotlight and combat Moscow’s decision-making process fueled by on hiring or new programming until priority and urged that hiring caps 'active measures' or information Tillerson aides who distrust the he's developed a plan for be lifted so the center can expand. activities." State Department’s foreign service reorganizing the department. and civil service employees, Sullivan called the center “a priority” Hammond said Tillerson hadn't believing them hostile to Trump's "They use the reorganization as an for Tillerson, saying it is “an sought the $60 million because agenda. excuse to not act on anything,” one important part of our mission." Global Engagement Center officials former State official complained. hadn't offered a vision for how to "There’s paranoia and inertia — After Tillerson testified at a June 13 "That’s why people doubt the Senate Foreign Relations spend it. "They put in a request in decisions are not being made," said motivations of the reorganization. for additional funding. We asked one State Department official Committee hearing, Portman They think it's all about starving the submitted written questions asking them to map out a plan of how they familiar with funding squabble. beast." would spend the money," about the fate of the $60 million. He Hammond said. Whether to fund the Global Hammond insisted that major has yet to receive an answer. Engagement Center is one of decisions are made quickly and that But the former senior State official numerous decisions on hold at Missing out on the latest scoops? Tillerson needed to prioritize urgent Sign up for POLITICO Playbook denied that was the case. He said State. Current and former officials threats. the center's leaders had crafted a told POLITICO that up to 200 and get the latest news, every spending plan after consulting with “action memos” have piled up in the "Issues are given diligent attention morning — in your inbox. experts at the National Security executive suites at Foggy Bottom. and are processed as fast as Council, the Defense Department The backlog is unusually large; in possible," Hammond said. and those one instance, according to a former Editorial : Whose Message to Believe on Russia? The Editorial embraced and celebrated by the Mr. Pence left no doubt why he by the secretaries of defense and Board man he works for back in the White regarded a united NATO as “more state, is an important signal to allies House. necessary today than at any point and partners living in Russia’s 5-6 minutes since the collapse of ” a shadow. On Tuesday, Mr. Pence quarter century ago. “No threat

commended Georgia for its looms larger in the Baltic States Like Mr. Pence, most administration Vice President democratic development since the than the specter of aggression from security officials view Russia as a addressed service members at an collapse of the Soviet Union, your unpredictable neighbor to the leading adversary. Adding to their air base outside Tbilisi, Georgia, on pointedly noted that Russian tanks east,” he said, blaming Russia for concerns are Russian plans to send Tuesday. Pool photo by Zurab are still deployed in South Ossetia continuing to “redraw international as many as 100,000 troops to the Kurtsikidze nine years after Moscow invaded borders by force, undermine the eastern edge of NATO territory at the region, and promised: “We are of sovereign nations the end of the summer, one of the Far from the chaos and cacophony with you. We stand with you.” and divide the free nations of biggest moves yet in the military of Washington’s unending debate Europe one against another.” buildup launched by President over Russia policy, Vice President A day earlier in Tallinn, he told the Vladimir Putin. Mike Pence has been delivering a leaders of Estonia, Lithuania and The vice president’s blunt analysis remarkably consistent message on Latvia, all NATO members, that the of the problem and robust alliance Mr. Pence repeatedly told his a trip to Eastern Europe this week United States “stands firmly behind” commitments reflect fairly traditional listeners that he was speaking for — praising old alliances and the alliance’s Article 5 mutual American thinking on Russia. In the President Trump as well as for reaffirming America’s commitment defense pledge and “rejects any face of increased Russian himself. But saying that doesn’t to defend democratic nations attempt to use force, threats, aggression, and worsening tensions make it so. Mr. Trump continues to against those countries that would intimidation or malign influence in between Moscow and Washington, undermine such reassurances by undermine them. Too bad these the Baltic States or against any of his trip, as well as earlier visits to word and deed, the result being an sentiments aren’t as eagerly our treaty allies.” Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe incoherent policy that is bound to be

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 18 read as weakness or uncertainty by commitment and whether Mr. announcement that it was seizing election and other destabilizing Mr. Putin, as well as allies, and will Trump would risk further two American diplomatic properties. behavior, including the annexation not serve American interests. In undermining his relations with Mr. of Crimea, have narrowed the room Poland recently, Mr. Trump Putin by following through on the The tweeter in chief’s failure to for cooperation, it is in the interest reaffirmed adherence to the mutual promise. criticize Mr. Putin on this matter has of both sides to try. But to have any defense obligations enshrined in raised obvious questions, as has his real hope of managing this complex Article 5 of the NATO agreement. Suspicions about Mr. Trump’s views delay in signing legislation passed and delicate relationship, Mr. Trump But can he be trusted on that score on Russia began with his admiring by Congress last week imposing will have to put together a firm, given that the words came only comments about Mr. Putin and only tough but necessary economic consistent and credible approach grudgingly, under pressure, after grew when American intelligence sanctions on Russia for meddling in that can persuade Mr. Putin, the months of anti-NATO diatribes? agencies found that Moscow had the election; the impending allies and Americans that he knows hacked the 2016 campaign. sanctions precipitated Mr. Putin’s what he is doing and that his team Mr. Pence told the Georgians that Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has not so expulsions. is on the same page. the United States stands by a 2008 far responded to Mr. Putin’s NATO statement that their country sweeping order on Friday that the Mr. Trump came to office wanting to would one day be a NATO member. United States shrink its embassy improve relations with Russia, a But here, too, there are doubts and consulate staff by 755 people, reasonable goal with such an about the strength of Washington’s to 455, as well as Moscow’s important country. And even though Mr. Putin’s interference in the Pentagon and State Department Said to Propose Arming Ukraine Eric Schmitt and The plan by the Pentagon and State Russia to raise the stakes, the While it has not supplied anti-tank Andrew E. Department has been presented to Obama administration limited missiles thus far, the American Kramer the White House, but no decision American aid to “nonlethal” items, military has been assisting the has been made, said a Defense including body armor, night-vision Ukrainian army by training soldiers 4-5 minutes Department official, who spoke on goggles, first aid kits and in methods to halt armored vehicles condition of anonymity to discuss a engineering equipment. without missiles, such as by laying

proposal still under review. It was traps of wire that coil into the treads A Ukrainian soldier firing a weapon not clear if President Trump had But the issue was rekindled when of tracked vehicles. toward the positions of the armed been briefed on the proposal. Mr. Trump took office. forces of the self-proclaimed The American training at the Whether to provide more substantial Under the new proposal, which was Yavoriv base in western Ukraine is Donetsk People’s Republic in the reported earlier by The Wall Street front-line town of Krasnohorivka, in weaponry to Kiev’s beleaguered focused on forging a disciplined, forces has embroiled American Journal, the administration would professional military from the mix of Donetsk region, Ukraine, in July. provide anti-tank weapons, most Maksim Levin/Reuters policy makers for several years. volunteer groups that first fought the likely Javelin missiles, as well as Russian incursion, rather than WASHINGTON — The Pentagon Two years ago, eight former senior possibly antiaircraft weapons, in placing bets on any high-tech and State Department have American officials urged the Obama addition to other arms. Ukraine has weapons systems. proposed to the White House a plan administration to send $3 billion in long sought Javelins to counter to supply Ukraine with anti-tank defensive arms and equipment to Russian-made armored vehicles in The utility of antiaircraft weaponry, missiles and other arms, according Ukraine, including anti-armor rebel-held areas. for example, is unclear, as the to Defense Department officials. missiles, reconnaissance drones, Russian-backed rebel army has no armored Humvees and radars that “They are making the same air force. The war is fought along a The proposed transfer — which also can determine the location of proposal to the White House as we line of trenches that has not moved would include antiaircraft arms that enemy rocket and artillery fire. did, but taking the opportunity much since February 2015. would be defined as defensive posed by Russia’s retaliation and, weaponry — comes as fighting President Obama ultimately decided unfortunately, I suspect, some Still, the Ukrainian military has been between Ukrainian troops and against providing such lethal movement on the ground in clamoring for better equipment. The Russian-backed separatists has assistance, despite a series of Ukraine,” said Evelyn Farkas, the defense minister, Stepan Poltorak, increased in recent days, and the striking reversals that Ukraine’s Pentagon’s top Russia policy official said last month the military was United States is taking steps to forces suffered on the battlefield. at the end of the Obama ready to receive U.S.-made lethal deter aggressive military actions by administration. “We should have our weaponry if President Trump Fearing that the provision of eyes on that.” approved the transfer. Moscow. defensive weapons might tempt President Vladimir V. Putin of Editorial : A Trump Card in Ukraine The Editorial Ukraine lethal, defensive weapons The Russians have declared Estonia Monday and affirmed the Board such as anti-tank Javelin missiles. separatist strongholds in Donetsk U.S. will “always” stand with its These weapons would help and Luhansk and built up forces in Baltic allies, and on Tuesday he 4-5 minutes Ukrainians defeat Russian armor the occupied areas. Kurt Volker, the said in Tbilisi that the United States and make it harder for Mr. Putin’s U.S. Special Representative for “strongly condemns Russia’s

proxy forces to advance further into Ukraine Negotiations, told Radio occupation on Georgia’s soil.” Aug. 1, 2017 7:00 p.m. ET Ukraine’s eastern provinces, which Free Europe/Radio Liberty last the Russians invaded in 2014. week that “there are more Russian Mr. Trump now has a chance to Vladimir Putin has assumed he can tanks in there than in Western show he’s no Obama echo and seize territory without endangering Ukrainian President Petro Europe combined.” That’s in make Mr. Putin pay attention by his grip on power at home, and he’s Poroshenko has sought this kind of addition to Russia’s plans to deploy helping Ukraine, which has shown it been right. But what if the U.S. help for years. But Barack Obama as many as 100,000 troops for is willing to fight for independence. changed that calculus by raising the refused on grounds that lethal aid military exercises in Belarus on Russia’s invasion has cost 10,000 cost of Moscow’s aggression in would merely escalate the conflict; NATO’s front lines this summer. lives and displaced more than two Ukraine? he shipped only such non-lethal aid million civilians. Mr. Poroshenko as short-range radar and night- As President, Mr. Trump hasn’t has plowed money into upgrading President Trump will soon have a vision goggles. Mr. Putin escalated been the patsy for Mr. Putin that his Ukraine’s armed forces, embraced chance to test that question when anyway, violating the Minsk cease- U.S. critics claim. He endorsed U.S. military training, and quietly he receives an imminent fire accords brokered by John NATO’s deployment of troops to forged good relations with countries recommendation from the State Kerry. Poland and the Baltic states. Vice like Poland and Lithuania. Department and Pentagon to sell President Mike Pence visited

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 19

Opponents of lethal aid say Mr. he withdraws or agrees to peace home before next year’s accept Russian and Iranian Putin can always trump any under the Minsk terms. presidential election. dominance after the fall of Islamic Ukrainian effort, but then why hasn’t State. Mr. Putin took advantage of he done so already? Russia could Mr. Putin launched his attack when Bolstering Ukraine’s defenses Mr. Obama after concluding the occupy all of Ukraine if it wanted to, Kiev had no soldiers protecting the would also send a message to Mr. American was weak and would at least for a time, but it fears the eastern border, but his proxy troops Putin that Mr. Trump wants to never push back. Selling lethal political and military cost. The point were forced to slow down when the negotiate with Russia from a weapons to Ukraine would show the of lethal aid is to raise the price Mr. Ukrainians organized and started to position of strength. This could help Kremlin those days are over. Putin pays for his until inflict casualties. The Russian the U.S. position in Syria, where Mr. doesn’t want dead soldiers arriving Trump has been too willing to Bershidsky : Sending 'Defensive' Arms to Ukraine Would Be Deadly @Bershidsky republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk the speed of the Russian move. The U.S. generals are likely also eager More stories by have been bandied about. These Ukrainian army relies on these old for such a test. If the U.S. doesn't Leonid Bershidsky estimates go up to 1,000, and machines, too. Both countries have have an effective defense against Russian television once been upgrading the T-72s, but the modern Russian tanks, that's a 9-11 minutes briefly showed a military balance modernization has only been partial. problem. table that gave the statelets 700

tanks. Germany and France have a Although Bellingcat, the War combined 949 tanks. T-72s and T-80s have been investigative group that tracks the successfully destroyed with the Russian involvement in the eastern Both Russian and U.S. generals Russia has denied sending any largely Soviet weapons at the Ukraine conflict, has spotted T-90s have an interest in testing tanks to the separatists, claiming disposal of both Ukrainian troops in the area, the conflict has largely their newer weapons against each they are trophies or remnants of and pro-Russian separatists. The been fought with Soviet weaponry. other. Ukraine's enormous cache of Soviet Javelin, adopted by the U.S. military It would, however, be reasonable to weapons. That's likely untrue. The in the mid-1990s, is needed to blow expect that the rebels will be armed by Stockholm International Peace up the best tanks Russia uses these with more modern hardware if U.S. 1 août 2017 à 11:07 UTC−4 Research Institute, which follows days -- the T-90s with modern Relikt supplies start coming in. That can international arms transfers, explosive reactive armor (a type of only make the war, which has Not what Ukraine needs. has recorded Russian tank supplies protection that employs an already taken 10,000 lives, even to the rebels. It will send more as explosive outer layer with armor deadlier. Photographer: DMITRY needed, and there's evidence that it underneath). The Javelin is KOSTYUKOV/AFP/Getty Images did in 2015 to ensure the Ukrainian designed to deal with such systems Two years after both sides have military's biggest defeat in the war, more effectively than most existing largely kept to existing demarcation As part of the latest escalation of lines (minor encroachments aside), the U.S.-Russian crisis, there near the important railroad junction anti-tank missiles. of Debaltsevo. it is militarily unnecessary to provide is reportedly a joint plan by the There's no record of a T-90 being Ukraine with lethal weapons unless Pentagon and the State Department "The Javelin anti-tank missiles hit by a Javelin. Last year, Syrian the U.S. wants to encourage it to try to provide "lethal defensive would have been a big help then," rebels wielding an older U.S. to reclaim the "people's republics." weapons" to Ukraine. That presents Ukrainian parliament speaker missile, the BGM-71 TOW-2A hit a That would be a mistake. Though an enticing prospect for both U.S. Andriy Parubiy told a press T-90 that had the dated Kontakt 5 Russia doesn't have enough and Russian generals, who may be conference in June. "If we'd burned explosive reactive armor; the tank resources to take over and hold able to test some of their most several hundred Russian tanks at escaped almost unscathed. A Ukraine while still staying on the modern weaponry against each Debaltsevo, it would have been an Javelin probably would have lookout for other military threats, it other. But it's likely to make the important step toward restoring destroyed it -- but then, it's unclear has plenty of money, firepower and eastern Ukraine conflict even peace in our country's east." how things would have turned out determination to defend the bloodier in the process. had the tank had a newer armor separatist statelets. Giving them up In fact, using Javelins on most of report system. would mean the end of Putin's aura the separatists' tanks, or indeed on of invincibility, leaving him mentions that the U.S. would supply most of the Russian tanks used in Russia claims that tanks built on its Ukraine with Javelin anti-tank vulnerable at home and overseas. eastern Ukraine, would be like most modern T-14 Armata platform missiles and possibly anti-aircraft swatting flies with a sledgehammer. will be able to withstand any anti- Clear thinking from leading voices in systems. Since no air war is being Russia has so many more tanks tank weapons North Atlantic Treaty business, economics, politics, fought in eastern Ukraine, the latter than any country in the world -- Organization armies possess today: foreign affairs, culture, and more. are superfluous at this point and not more than 20,000 -- because an They have even more advanced likely to be engaged unless Russia overwhelming majority of them are protective systems than the Relikt. Share the View launches a full offensive -- dispensable, easy-to-burn, old But the Armata is still undergoing something it has missed numerous It's highly likely, however, that the models, such as the T-72, first testing. U.S. will step up the confrontation chances to do and probably will introduced in 1973, and the T-80 never attempt. The Javelins are for domestic political reasons -- the that came the next decade. Lots of Russia treats the battlefields of another matter. Ukrainians want recent conflicts as testing grounds same ones that sent U.S. Vice these are necessary to ensure President Mike Pence to Estonia, them for very practical reasons. overwhelming force so that no for its weaponry. President Vladimir Putin has said participation in the Georgia and Montenegro this week QuickTake Standoff in Ukraine matter how many the enemy burns, Syrian war was a better use of to assure them of America's some will break through. support, and the same ones that The new U.S. special envoy for Russia's military exercise budget Russia has used them with mixed than exercises: "Only under battle now push President Donald Trump Ukraine, Kurt Volker, has said that to sign the Russia sanctions bill. "there are more Russian tanks in results in local conflicts from the conditions can we really test what Unlike those actions, however, there than in Western Europe civil war in Chechnya in the 1990s, we're using, find out what the where the rebels quickly learned to problems are and fix them." There arming Ukraine will likely lead to combined." He may have heard this more bloodshed. in Kiev, where various numbers of turn them into funeral pyres, to the will be a temptation to test the tanks fighting under the banners of brief invasion of Georgia in 2008, previous and perhaps even the new the two unrecognized, pro-Russian when the small Transcaucasian generation of Russian tanks against "people's country was simply overwhelmed by the Javelin. Iran Says New U.S. Sanctions Violate Nuclear Deal Rick Gladstone 4-5 minutes The speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Ali Larijani, said that “a complaint

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 20 had to be filed” against the United Mr. Trump, who has often railed commission and this has been At the same time, the Trump States. Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu against Iran, has ordered done,” Mr. Larijani was quoted by administration has sought to Agency, via Getty Images subordinates to find ways to show the Iranian news media as saying in penalize Iran with sanctions not that Iran is not complying, which Tehran. directly covered by the nuclear Furious over new American would presumably provide a agreement. The administration sanctions, Iran said on Tuesday that rationale for him to scrap the The commission includes announced sanctions on July 18 it had lodged a complaint with the accord. representatives from all seven related to Iran’s development and commission that polices possible countries in the accord — Iran plus testing of missiles, along with its violations of the Iranian nuclear He also suggested in an interview Britain, China, France, Germany, support for Syria’s government and agreement. last week with The Wall Street Russia and the United States — software theft. It further penalized Journal that his administration and is coordinated by Federica Iran with more sanctions on Friday The complaint, disclosed by the would conclude that Iran is violating Mogherini, the European Union’s speaker of Parliament, Ali Larijani, after Iran launched a satellite into the agreement when the next 90- top foreign policy official. orbit. accused the United States of day review period comes up, in mid- breaching the 2015 agreement, October, under an American law Catherine Day, a spokeswoman for New sanctions against Iran also are known as the Joint Comprehensive aimed at ensuring Iranian Ms. Mogherini’s office, did not part of legislation passed by Plan of Action, between Iran and six compliance. comment on the Iranian complaint, Congress last week that penalizes world powers, including the United which concerned some American Russia and North Korea, which Mr. States. Many of Mr. Trump’s advisers, and sanctions announced after the Trump is expected to sign. even some top Republican critics of commission’s last meeting on July Some analysts interpreted the move Iran in Congress, have urged him 21. But in an emailed statement, Iran has strong motivations to as posturing aimed at ensuring that not to abandon the agreement. Ms. Day said Iran’s views about preserve the nuclear agreement, if President Trump withdrew the sanctions had been “extensively which has led to increased revenue United States from the agreement, Iran and the United States have discussed” in the most recent from oil, its most important export, as he has threatened, then his often accused each other of meetings. and slowly expanding foreign administration would be blamed and violating the “spirit” of the investment. But analysts said Iran not Iran. agreement. But Mr. Larijani’s Even with the increasingly sharp also was preparing for other remarks indicated that Iran had exchanges between the United outcomes. The agreement, which eased or gone a step further. States and Iran, the commission ended many sanctions on Iran in has said the accord is working. The Cliff Kupchan, the chairman of the return for its verifiable pledges of “With regard to the imposition of Trump administration has also said, Eurasia Group, a consultancy, said, peaceful nuclear work, is regarded new sanctions by the U.S., in albeit grudgingly, that Iran is “If this nuclear agreement goes as one of the Obama addition to diplomatic measures, complying. south, the Iranians want blame to lie administration’s signature foreign which should be taken, a complaint squarely on Washington’s front policy achievements. had to be filed with the relevant porch.”

Andreasen and Simon : Is Trump Scheming to Kill the Iran Deal? Steve Andreasen president’s Iran assignment, and evidence of serious violations could concoct facts and arguments for ill- and Steven while anything could happen, it’s a represent a point of no return. considered policies, that is usually a Simon good bet that they will cherry-pick Presumably, the rest of the sign of bad things, including illegal facts to give the president what he signatories will insist on maintaining acts, to come. 5-6 minutes wants: an excuse to scuttle the Iran the deal, setting off a cascade of deal. diplomatic and economic Both ’s “plumbers”

recriminations against Europe and and ’s Iran-contra Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, Will Secretary of Defense James souring relations for years to come. fiasco began with a president right, in June. Al Drago/The New Mattis, Secretary of State Rex frustrated by laws, facts or York Times Tillerson, Gen. H. R. McMaster, the And then, of course, there’s what conditions he could not control. national security adviser, or Gen. decertification would mean for the More recently, George W. Bush’s As if the steeply rising tensions on John Kelly, the White House chief of Middle East, and the likelihood of a White House, bent on removing the Korean Peninsula weren’t staff, let this happen? Some might renewed showdown with Tehran. Saddam Hussein from power, enough, President Trump seems resign; these are not men known for Mr. Trump has already taken steps cherry-picked intelligence in making determined to kill the Iran nuclear their willingness to tolerate such to isolate Iran, aligning closely with a case for the presence of weapons deal, against the near unanimous shenanigans. But whether they Saudi Arabia and right-wing forces of mass destruction in Iraq and opinion of his closest foreign policy resign or try to stick it out, a political in Israel, who have long made trying to establish a link between advisers. decision to decertify Iran would torpedoing any agreement a key Hussein, Al Qaeda and the Sept. 11 signal a clear defeat for the goal in their relationships with attacks. Under circumstances like According to a recent article in administration’s foreign policy Washington. these, somewhere, someone, is Foreign Policy, after he grudgingly professionals, and a victory for the likely to step — or be pushed — agreed to recertify the deal a few ideologues. Mr. Trump seems eager to please over the legal line. weeks ago, Mr. Trump assigned a them, even at the risk of regional team of White House staff members Decertifying Iran in this way could destabilization. Granted, Tehran When that happened in the Nixon to develop a case within the next also mean an even more serious has capitalized on regional unrest to and Reagan White Houses, one three months for declaring that Iran rupture with our European allies. extend its influence. But decertifying president was forced to resign when had violated the agreement. Walking away from the Paris Iran would almost certainly increase the White House tapes confirmed climate agreement and clashing the already considerable suspicion he had personally directed illegal With this new initiative on Iran, Mr. with Europe over trade have already and hostility between Tehran and actions; the other saved himself by Trump puts the world, and his created a fissure with Germany and Washington — and this time, convincing the American people presidency, at great risk. France. But Europe no doubt hopes America will not be able to count on that he was unaware of the illegal For one thing, it brings to a boil the that these early defections won’t be Europe, Russia, China and the rest shenanigans happening within his simmering conflict between the followed by still more egregious of the world as a diplomatic partner. White House walls, aided by senior president’s official foreign policy efforts to undermine the trans- This would be a high price to pay for advisers unwilling to turn on their advisers on the National Security Atlantic consensus. aligning the United States with our boss. President Bush left office with Gulf allies in a Saudi-inspired his, and America’s, credibility in Council staff and in the State and An abrupt sprint away from the Iran Defense Departments, and a circle attempt to settle scores with tatters and Iran’s influence over the deal — a deal negotiated by all five Tehran. region growing rapidly. of advisers led by the radical permanent members of the United unilateralist Stephen Bannon. The Nations Security Council, Germany Finally, when the president starts With recertification being gamed to latter group will handle the and the European Union — without directing his White House staff to wreck the nuclear deal, the clock

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 21 will start ticking on President Trump, too.

Ross : Tillerson Can End the Qatar Standoff Dennis Ross Instead they are asking for Qatar to designated as supporters or needs to demonstrate that he can act on a set of principles, including facilitators of terror, and ceasing to solve diplomatic problems by 5-6 minutes combating terrorism and , provide material support to any exercising leverage and producing denying financing and safe haven to group that the U.S. deems a threat results. He needs to put a win on

terrorist groups, ending incitement to regional stability. the board, lest America’s partners Aug. 1, 2017 5:54 p.m. ET of hatred, and refraining from and adversaries begin to question interfering in the internal affairs of Mr. Tillerson must make clear that if whether it makes sense to work with Defeating Islamic State is the other countries. the Qataris balk, the U.S. will him. Trump administration’s most withdraw its forces from Al Udied. important national-security priority. These principles are broad enough This is the type of threat that should The most effective secretaries of But removing ISIS from Mosul and to create space for both sides to concentrate Mr. Al-Thani’s thinking. state were characterized not by Raqqa may end up meaning little reach understandings, and Qatar’s The Qataris view the American their strategic brilliance but their absent the ability to secure, emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, military presence as a security unmistakable authority. No one reconstruct and govern these and has said he is open to dialogue. guarantee. Preventing a U.S. questioned whether other cities. Preventing a dangerous withdrawal gives them the political or James Baker spoke for the power vacuum from forming in The Al-Thani regime allows the U.S. cover they need to end the current president. The power and authority areas liberated from ISIS control to use Al Udeid Air Base and has standoff. The last thing the Qataris they exuded made their threats and requires the urgent involvement of invited American universities such want is to be seen giving in to the inducements believable. Without unified Sunni Arab states. as Northwestern, Texas A&M and Saudis. leverage, diplomacy rarely works. Georgetown to open campuses in Unfortunately, the Saudis, Emiratis, Qatar. Yet the tiny oil-rich emirate Effective American intervention now Unlike Messrs. Kissinger and Baker, Bahrainis and Egyptians are also hosts senior Taliban leaders, is necessary for several reasons. A Mr. Tillerson can’t count on the currently distracted by a diplomatic supports radical Islamists in Libya wounded ISIS could exploit the White House’s messaging to imbroglio with Qatar over its support and Syria, and finances media current confusion to regain its reinforce his diplomacy. Unless he for Hamas and the Muslim platforms for the Muslim strength. Iran and its Shiite militias wants to see his authority slowly Brotherhood. Secretary of State Brotherhood to broadcast its are already positioning themselves erode over time, Mr. Tillerson needs Rex Tillerson has tried to mediate, message. Any resolution to the to fill any power vacuum in both Iraq a high-profile diplomatic success— but he erred by traveling to the conflict must ensure that Qatar and Syria, further destabilizing the and soon. The standoff with Qatar region before negotiating a plan for gives up this double game. region. And, for Mr. Tillerson, his provides a perfect opportunity. ending the conflict. Good statecraft future effectiveness as secretary of requires making it unacceptable to Assuming that Mr. Tillerson has the state could depend on it. Mr. Ross has held senior national say “no” to the U.S. support of President Trump, the security positions in several former Exxon CEO should quietly Mr. Tillerson’s reluctance or inability presidential administrations and is Already there are signs that both but bluntly inform all sides how the to fill out senior State Department counselor at the Washington sides may be more amenable to a standoff will end—with Qatar positions and the Trump Institute. face-saving settlement. The Saudi- implementing its recently signed administration’s often contradictory led coalition has softened its original memorandum of understanding with messaging have cast doubt on his 13 demands, which included the U.S. on terror financing, ability to speak for the president. shutting down Al Jazeera and committing to arresting or expelling This is an untenable position for a closing a Turkish military base. all those that the U.S. has secretary of state. Mr. Tillerson Editorial : An Arab model for curbing domestic violence The Christian in public spaces and abolishes the Nations, a third of women have Even without changes in laws like Science Monitor right of rapists to escape suffered sexual or physical abuse. Tunisia’s, Arab women are finding punishment if they marry their ways to express their rights within 3 minutes victims. And it calls for practical The new law is seen by rights the system, according to the 2016 assistance for victims of domestic activists as representing a “mental Arab Human Development Report.

violence, such as emergency revolution” against the notion that “[S]ome are challenging the laws August 1, 2017 —Experts on the shelters and restraining orders violence in the home is a private and codes by proposing alternative Middle East often draw a against abusers. matter. It still needs to be funded religious readings and their own connection between the region’s and implemented, an essential step visions of equality,” the report conflicts and the high rate of Compared with other Arab states, that will be a test of changing states. violence against women. In the past Tunisia is already a model of cultural attitudes, not only in Tunisia decade, legal rights for Arab women gender equality. Its legislature has but in many Arab countries. The region has also “moved have slowly improved, offering hope the highest rate of female towards more socially open values representation. More women than A poll released in May by the UN in recent years; especially, the of decreasing violence overall. On Development Fund for Women is July 26, Tunisia set a new standard men graduate from its universities. support for gender equality has And its women can initiate a divorce telling about gender inequality in the increased, and civic involvement for the region. The North African region. It surveyed 10,000 men in country approved a law that and establish a business without has expanded,” according to the spousal consent. Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and the UN-backed report. In Tunisia, that recognizes abuse against women in Palestinian territories and found a the home as a crime against social trend is fast becoming a legal But it still has one of the highest majority expect to control their reality. society. rates of domestic violence. About wives’ personal freedoms. Yet a The new law shifts the blame for half of Tunisian women experience quarter or more support at least violence against women to the violent attacks in their lifetime. some aspects of women’s equality perpetrator. It outlaws harassment Worldwide, according to the United and empowerment.

Jailings Raise Fears of Dictatorship in Venezuela (UNE) Nicholas Casey agents early Tuesday. Agence homes of two prominent former and Ana France-Presse — Getty Images mayors, hauling them off to jail in Vanessa Herrero Leopoldo López, left, and Antonio the dark. They dragged one of them Ledezma were taken from their BOGOTÁ, Colombia — The into the street in his blue pajamas 8-10 minutes homes by masked Venezuelan government agents barged into the

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 22 as witnesses screamed that he was dismiss any official deemed At least 20 countries have rejected causing incitement, among other being kidnapped. disloyal. Venezuela — a bitterly the creation of the constituent charges, during protests in 2014. divided country rattled by months of assembly, and on Monday the The two men, both vocal members antigovernment protests that have United States issued sanctions Before being taken away this time, of the opposition, had been arrested left more than 120 dead this year — against Mr. Maduro, calling him “a Mr. López issued a last message to before. But as the doors shut and faces a future in which political dictator who disregards the will of his supporters, telling of the the cars sped away early on opposition within the structures of the Venezuelan people.” Mr. conditions of his imprisonment, Tuesday, many Venezuelans government may be impossible. Maduro is now one of only four urging his followers to continue their worried that it marked the start of a heads of state to be sanctioned this resistance and clutching his wife’s new dictatorship in South America. The constituent assembly could way, along with Bashar al-Assad of stomach, saying she would soon effectively liquidate any official give birth to a child. President Nicolás Maduro and his Syria, Kim Jong-un of North Korea channels of dissent, leaving and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. leftist movement have seized opponents with few options beyond “If you are watching this video, it’s control of the country, not through a protesting in the street. But the sanctions, dismissed by because this is exactly what coup, but through a contentious Venezuelan officials as evidence of happened: They came and they power grab that has gutted “Now the opposition must ask: Do American imperialism, may have made me prisoner again,” he said in Venezuela’s democratic institutions we go home, or do we go for a more little effect on the country’s the message, which was released and effectively eliminated any radicalized approach?” said opposition. Its power was based not on Tuesday after his arrest. official political challenges. Shannon O’Neil, an analyst at the on foreign support, but on having a Council on Foreign Relations who On Monday, Mr. Ledezma, the other On Sunday, Mr. Maduro carried out place in a political system that is mayor sent to jail, issued a studies Latin America. “It could be a increasingly dominated by Mr. an ambitious plan to consolidate more violent response.” message of his own, with a power. He held a national vote, Maduro’s security forces. strikingly different tone. Standing instructing Venezuelans to select Even the Socialist-inspired “The opposition has limited ability to behind a Venezuelan flag, he from a list of trusted allies of the movement founded by Mr. Maduro’s challenge the government offered a damning assessment of governing party — including his wife predecessor, Hugo Chávez, has physically,” Mr. Schneider said. “But the opposition. — who will rewrite the Constitution been shaken. I suspect you’ll soon see the range and rule Venezuela with virtually He blamed the political parties for Gabriela Ramírez, a former top of weapons that exist around the being outwitted by Mr. Maduro at unlimited authority until they finish country, and outbreaks of violence their work. human rights official under both Mr. every turn. First, the opposition Chávez and Mr. Maduro, said the at local levels.” allowed the Supreme Court and It was a fait accompli. There was no constituent assembly had betrayed Indeed, in the capital, Caracas, electoral council to be stacked by option for voters to turn down the the movement’s legacy by some neighborhoods that have the president’s loyalists, he said. plan. “imposing just one vision” on all of aligned with the opposition are Then it stood by as Mr. Maduro Venezuela and using “the coercive ruled by decree. And when a Venezuela’s new governing body, being governed by a sense of mob power of the state to create a police rule. growing effort to recall the known as the constituent assembly, state.” unpopular president was swept will soon take charge as a ruling Impromptu checkpoints were aside by friendly courts, the junta. Mr. Maduro has made it clear that scattered across a five-mile stretch opposition did little to challenge it, he will accept no dissent from his of the capital on the Friday before Mr. Ledezma said. “It’s a country that has destroyed all own party, with veiled threats on of its institutions,” said Germán the vote, as residents set up Monday to throw his attorney makeshift barriers made of trees, “They made a joke of the Ferrer, a former member of Mr. general, Luisa Ortega, into a mental Parliament,” he said, looking into Maduro’s ruling party. “Any citizen garbage, old tires and other debris institution after she said the vote on found on the street. the camera. “And we have run afoul who finds himself at odds with Sunday was illegal. of the people. And the people official politics now runs the risk of At one such barrier in the Baruta deserve answers.” being attacked.” Mr. Chávez’s movement often neighborhood, at least 60 masked repeated the notion that its critics Yet even the criticism of Mr. With resistance to his government men and women gathered around were most readily defeated at the the checkpoint. One woman, armed Ledezma’s own party appeared too growing, Mr. Maduro and his allies ballot box. But with the new much for Venezuela’s government have steadily chipped away at with a scythe, sharpened her blade constituent assembly likely to in the center divider of the road. The to tolerate. Venezuela’s democracy in recent replace the legislature, even the years. They have packed the courts people there said they had come to After the video was released, the populist underpinnings of the block the entry of colectivos, or with loyalists, blocked opposition movement seem in question. Supreme Court issued a ruling lawmakers from taking their seats, government-aligned militias. saying that Mr. Ledezma had overturned laws that the president “More than supporting the people, “Why haven’t we burned the violated the terms of his house opposed, suspended elections and there’s a determination to stay in electoral centers?” one masked arrest by making “statements in any even tried, unsuccessfully, to power by any means necessary,” woman asked. medium.” dissolve the legislature altogether. said Mark L. Schneider, an adviser at the Center for Strategic and By late Tuesday, no one had heard It also said that he and Mr. López And for years, politicians like the International Studies, a research from the two mayors who were were making plans to escape. two former mayors hauled away on group. taken into custody. Both had been Tuesday — Leopoldo López and In a grainy video posted to Mr. on house arrest before being Ledezma’s Twitter account, Antonio Ledezma — have On Tuesday, Venezuelan legislators whisked away in the early hours. channeled opposition to the met at the National Assembly uniformed men in black helmets can government into a political building to continue working despite But one of the former mayors, Mr. be seen pushing a man in his movement that won a majority of fears that the new constituent López, seemed to know that the pajamas out of a building and into a the country’s legislature less than assembly might soon unseat them. clock was ticking even before the vehicle. two years ago. In a show of international support, security forces came. “They are taking away Ledezma! the politicians were joined by But now the new constituent He had been released into house Look we are recording it all here!” a ambassadors from Spain, Mexico, woman screams in the background. assembly has the power to France and Britain. arrest on July 8 after being dismantle the legislature and sentenced to more than 13 years for Top Venezuelan opposition leaders taken into custody amid fears of wider crackdowns (UNE) https://www.face 8-11 minutes CARACAS, Venezuela — Masked top Venezuelan opposition leaders, book.com/anthony.faiola security forces carried out predawn suggesting an expanded crackdown raids Tuesday and hauled away two on dissent after a widely denounced

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 23 election aimed at boosting the After the election results were commission, Luis Rondón, broke the T-shirts and flags of protesters authoritarian government. announced Sunday, Maduro gave a with the body’s stance validating who chanted “Free Leopoldo!” bellicose victory speech on national Sunday’s vote. The moves against Leopoldo López television that included threats to jail At the time of his release, López, and Antonio Ledezma, who were political leaders who were “I can’t guarantee the veracity of the who was forbidden to speak to the already under house arrest, could encouraging protests. Maduro, the results,” said Rondón, one of the media, issued a statement saying intensify the international fallout anointed successor of commission’s five directors. he was ready to return to prison to after Sunday’s election, which “fight for freedom.” leftist president Hugo Chávez, who At a news conference, he said the created a new super- died in 2013, also said that a “truth congress stocked with backers of commission had not published López’s family on Tuesday tweeted commission” would be created to voting tallies from each polling a video of the opposition leader that the government of President “take parliamentary immunity from Nicolás Maduro. station. was made for release in the event the legislators who shouldn’t have he was seized. The vote for the Constituent it.” “The controls in our electoral Assembly was decried as fraud- system were, for the most part, Sitting with his wife in their home, [Options shrink for Venezuela’s relaxed, and in some parts, even he called on the nation to continue ridden by the opposition and opposition] prompted the Trump administration eliminated,” he said. He added, “I the fight. And he announced that his on Monday to slap sanctions on The newly minted legislators from can’t have confidence in the figures” wife is pregnant with their third child. Maduro. A blitz of videos related to Sunday’s vote, including Maduro’s In a sign of the socialist the arrests emerged, adding a wife and son, are set to take over government’s growing isolation, “Despite knowing the risks we’re cinematic quality to a turn of events the National Assembly building from ambassadors from Britain, France, putting our family in, we’re willing to that opponents decried as the lawmakers of the opposition- Spain and Mexico went to the advance and continue,” he said. actions of a fast-cementing dominated body Thursday.Placards National Assembly on Tuesday to dictatorship. depicting Venezuelan opposition support the opposition lawmakers. In an interview, Ledezma’s wife, leader Leopoldo López during a Mitzy Capriles de Ledezma, said a In one video posted online by “We diplomats are here to show rally against President Nicolás support,” said France’s Twitter video that her husband Ledezma’s wife, security forces Maduro's government in Caracas posted Monday may have been one apparently drag the opposition ambassador, Romain Nadal. “The on July 9. (Andres Martinez Venezuelan people want peace, reason he was hauled away. leader between the glass doors of a Casares/Reuters) building. A man cries “Help!” before democracy and its institutions, and In the video, Ledezma, with a another voice shouts, “They’re The outgoing lawmakers held a we are here to help.” Venezuelan flag in the background, taking Ledezma!” defiant session Tuesday, In a statement, the pro-government called the just-elected Constituent condemning the election as a Assembly a fraud and assailed the A woman screams “Dictatorship! supreme court said it had revoked “farce” and claiming that the López’s and Ledezma’s house armed forces and supreme court. Dictatorship!” as Ledezma, 62, is government invented millions of Ledezma also criticized the carried into the darkness by troops arrest after “verifying” violations of votes. Opposition politicians also the terms of detention. It said opposition for its lack of strategy. from the intelligence services in denounced the Tuesday raids. camouflage. intelligence officials had uncovered “One more time Nicolás Maduro “Imprisonments and persecution of escape plots by both men. The shows off his dictator-like qualities,” The White House said that the leadership will not stop the court also said the conditions of the Capriles de Ledezma said Tuesday. Venezuelan President Nicolas rebellion,” tweeted Freddy Guevara, house arrest prohibited political Maduro is now effectively a dictator, vice president of the National activity or declarations. Ledezma’s daughter, Oriette - "seizing absolute power" after the Ledezma, issued a video statement Assembly and a member of López’s Authorities last month released country's election on July 30. The party. saying her father was “kidnapped” White House said on July 31 that López, 46, after nearly 3½ years by Maduro’s forces. Venezuelan President Nicolas Already near-worthless, the local behind bars and placed him under Maduro is now effectively a dictator currency — the bolívar — continued house arrest. At the time, the Today's WorldView after "seizing absolute power." to collapse, with its black-market government called the decision a humanitarian gesture, citing his What's most important from where (Reuters) rate against the dollar falling nearly the world meets Washington 10 percent overnight. Government poor health, though supporters saw (Reuters) channels, meanwhile, showed the move as an attempt to reduce “He was in his pajamas,” she said. international pressure. Both men were taken to Ramo images of people celebrating the “A group of masked men in Verde military prison southwest of results of Sunday’s vote. In a video posted on Twitter by camouflage took him. . . . We make Caracas, aides and family members Lilian Tintori, López’s wife, masked the regime responsible for his life The pro-government election and physical integrity.” said. The heavily guarded hilltop commission said the names of at security forces in riot gear can be complex is a notorious detention least 364 of the 545 new seen in front of what appears to be Antonio Ledezma was previously center for political and military Constituent Assembly members the family’s house, leading a man arrested in December 2015. Maduro prisoners. have been sent to Maduro. But the through the door and putting him in at the time said he was part of a an official car shortly after midnight. President Trump denounced the government also suffered conspiracy to overthrow the arrests Tuesday, calling the two defections. Three leftist legislators “Maduro is responsible if something government. In May of that year, he men “political prisoners being held in the opposition-led National happens,” Tintori tweeted. was remanded to house arrest after illegally by the regime.” Assembly publicly disagreed with undergoing surgery for a hernia. the government’s legislative bloc. Venezuela’s most prominent “The United States holds Maduro — political prisoner and the former In 2013, Ledezma, from the Alianza who publicly announced just hours “We’re socialists and believe in mayor of a district in Caracas, Bravo Pueblo party, was reelected earlier that he would move against Bolivarian ideals,” said Eustoquio López was arrested in early 2014 mayor of Caracas. In January 2017, his political opposition — personally Contreras, one of the dissenting and handed a 13-year jail term after Maduro created a higher executive responsible for the health and legislators, using the term reserved being convicted of inciting violence post in the city, “chief of the greater safety of Mr. Lopez, Mr. Ledezma, for Chávez’s ideology. “Our during a street protest. He became state of Caracas,” and named a pro- and any others seized,” Trump said difference is in the way of a symbol of resistance for government official to the job. confronting the crisis.” in a statement issued by the White opponents of the government, his Rachelle Krygier and Mariana House. On Tuesday, the sole government portrait printed in bright colors on Zuñiga contributed to this report. critic on the country’s election Editorial : Venezuela Abandons Any Claim to Democracy by The Editors The Editors Photographer: Juan More stories by Barreto/AFP/Getty Images 4-5 minutes Where votes don't count.

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 24

President Nicolas Maduro's bogus Venezuelan officials facing people. For that to happen, Latin of a better future. Pledges of vote to rewrite Venezuela's sanctions, which Mexico, Panama America's democracies will have to humanitarian aid and assistance constitution is an affront to the and Colombia have said they would persuade China, a permanent from the International Monetary country's democratic government. help enforce. Argentina, Brazil, member of the security council and Fund and other financial institutions, To persuade him to change course, Chile and Peru are among those Venezuela's biggest creditor, that for example, could help a Venezuela's neighbors will have to who have said they won't recognize "non-interference" is a non-option. democratic Venezuela recover from forge an unprecedented common the results of the vote, which its spiraling economic crisis, front. Canada, the United Kingdom and Clear thinking from leading voices in including an inflation rate nearing the European Union have also business, economics, politics, 1,000 percent. Offering such help to Notwithstanding the regime's condemned. foreign affairs, culture, and more. a country with the world's biggest claims, the number of Venezuelans Share the View proven oil reserves may seem who voted for a new constitutional Venezuela's neighbors should now absurd. But such are the depths to convention on Sunday was likely expel it from the Mercosur trading Inevitably, more sanctions will have which Venezuela has sunk under well under half the number who bloc and renew their push for to be put on the table. But to be Maduro's inept and brutal voted against it two weeks ago. In condemnation by the Organization effective, they must be as collective leadership. the day preceding the vote, of American States. They should as possible, target individuals rather some 15 people were killed. But also do more to publicize what they than Venezuelans as a whole, and --Editors: James Gibney, Michael more unrest won't deter the regime know about the regime's nefarious offer a clear off-ramp. A ban on Newman. from dissolving the opposition- activities -- the hundreds of Venezuela's oil exports doesn't controlled legislature, cracking millions (if not billions) of dollars in To contact the senior editor pass that test: It would likely not responsible for Bloomberg View’s down further on protesters and assets its members have only cause a disastrous debt default booting internal dissenters such as appropriated, its role in drug editorials: David Shipley at and economic hardship for ordinary [email protected] . its attorney general. trafficking and human smuggling, or citizens, but also give Maduro the its support for terrorists and abusers QuickTake Venezuela's Revolution perfect alibi for running his country Before it's here, it's on the of human rights. into a ditch. Bloomberg Terminal. LEARN What's needed is concerted and MORE More broadly, the United Nations That's why the U.S., the EU and sustained action. The U.S. has just Security Council needs to take up added Maduro to its list of Latin American nations must also Venezuela's abuses against its offer ordinary Venezuelans a vision A reporter’s journey through Tripoli: Long lines, kidnappings and murder (UNE) https://www.face far from clear. Most Libyans sense rocket-propelled grenades and tank “I leave my iPhone and carry a book.com/profile.php?id=10000951 that the worst is yet to come. shells. Clashes often erupt cheap Nokia,” said Ibrahim el- 1926129 suddenly, trapping residents in their Worfali, 31, a shop owner. “All these Increasingly, decisions that were homes and creating new no-go guys have guns and they can do 9-11 minutes once mundane are potentially life- zones. anything they want to you.” altering. A journey through the city revealed At the western entrance to the city, Children play soccer in the old city Is it safe to visit parents in a how Libyans are adapting to the fighters with the Knights of Janzour, of Tripoli. (Lorenzo Tugnoli/For The neighborhood across the city? vicissitudes of the civil war. a militia aligned with the unity Washington Post) Which car will kidnappers be less A building is left unfinished in government, stop and search cars likely to notice? Will a $60 bank Tripoli. Since the start of the for weapons being funneled to their TRIPOLI, Libya — The line at the withdrawal stretch until the next one bank was two blocks long and revolution in 2011, many rivals. is available? construction projects have been Abdul bin Naji was once again “It’s obvious they want to control the praying for the doors to open. He “Every day, our future is getting abandoned. Investors involved in the oil-rich country during the capital,” said Mohammed Bazzaa, desperately needed his $60. darker and darker,” said bin Naji, 29, the militia’s thickset 57, leaning against an ATM that regime of Moammar Gaddafi left With Libya in the throes of a shortly after his fall because of the commander, who wore tan hasn’t worked in years. camouflage fatigues and stood next currency crisis, that was the weekly People line up in front of a bank. poor economic situation and lack of limit for withdrawals. For the past security. (Lorenzo Tugnoli/For The to a pickup truck mounted with a Because of a currency crisis, banks heavy machine gun. month, though, the bank hadn’t had limit the amount of cash customers Washington Post) any cash. That didn’t stop bin Naji Soldiers check cars at the western can withdraw, and some days they A contest for control entrance to Tripoli. The coastal road and hundreds of others from don't open at all. (Lorenzo arriving every night to get a good west of the capital has been closed Tugnoli/For ) In the southern Tripoli district of at times and lacks security because spot in line. Salaheddin, a main thoroughfare Under Gaddafi, the oil-producing of the militias that control sections On this morning, the unshaven bustles during the day but is of it. (Lorenzo Tugnoli/For The country was once one of the world’s deserted at night. airline employee was third from the wealthiest nations. Even as the Washington Post) door. At 10 a.m., the bank still economy struggled in his last years, Surrounded by what was once a One of the militia’s biggest rivals is hadn’t opened. “Thirty-two days and Libyans enjoyed free health care, typical middle-class enclave, the no money,” he sighed. a group led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter, education and other benefits under street has become a focal point of whose army controls much of Excruciatingly long bank lines are the eccentric strongman’s brand of the contest to control the capital. On eastern Libya. Hifter, who lived in the latest misfortune for Libyans . one side, militiamen aligned with a exile in Northern Virginia for two self-declared, Islamist-leaning trapped in a cycle of war and The insecurity that followed decades, is aligned with a third economic upheaval. government operate checkpoints. government based in the east. Gaddafi’s death has ripped apart The other side is overseen by Six years after the revolution that the North African country. Rival fighters loyal to a U.N.-installed “He’s another Gaddafi,” said toppled dictator Moammar Gaddafi, governments and an array of armed unity government. Bazzaa, who fought in the the mood in this volatile capital is a groups compete for influence and revolution. meld of hopelessness and gloom. territory. The economy is on the By 9 p.m., many residents have Diplomatic and military efforts by verge of collapse. Criminal gangs locked themselves inside their But the militia’s primary threat, the United States and its allies have prey on the vulnerable. homes. Gunfire usually starts Bazzaa said, are the fighters from a around that time, residents said. rival tribe controlling an enclave less failed to stabilize the nation; the In Tripoli, parliament and other denouement of the crisis remains Those who dare to venture out are than two miles down the main buildings are concrete carcasses, careful not to bring any valuables. highway between Tripoli and the shattered by heavy artillery fire, city of Zawiyah. Last year, they

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 25 fought fiercely. Now, they are both capital that residents constantly “If I drive it, it will draw too much his declining health, and the money aligned with the unity government. trade detailed information about the attention,” he said. “If I enter he must spend on doctors. But what enclaves and roads where they Salaheddin in this car, I am never makes him more despondent, he The tensions and mistrust, however, have occurred. Once predominantly coming out.” said, are the deepening social and still run deep. motivated by political or tribal cultural divisions he has noticed. rivalries, abductions have become a Many Libyans are keeping their “They are motivated only by expensive cars out of sight, said Ali “Before, we never asked where a money,” Bazzaa said of his rivals. criminal enterprise fueled by the worsening economy. Kabous, a luxury auto dealer. person is from. We always saw Posters in Tripoli’s Martyrs' Square Others, he added, have sent their ourselves as part of one country,” express opposition to Gen. Khalifa “All they want is money,” said cars to neighboring Tunisia to “keep said the 67-year-old airline Hifter. (Lorenzo Tugnoli/For The Mohamed Grabli, another them safe.”Osama Labib’s red employee, a colleague and friend of Washington Post) businessman. “There are shortages Lamborghini hasn’t been driven for bin Naji’s. “Now, when someone Not far from the checkpoint, of cash in the country. There are no months because the needed spare stops you, he asks, ‘Where are you Sulaiman Abu Hallala was jobs.” parts had to be shipped from from?’ ” kidnapped. abroad. But Labib says he’s afraid Grabli was kidnapped last year and to drive it anyway, because it could “Sometimes he will kill you if you He was pulled from his car by three held for 63 days in a room smaller make him a kidnapping target. are, for example, from the east,” he masked gunmen and taken to a than a walk-in closet, with a steel (Lorenzo Tugnoli/For The said. “Or maybe he will kill you if farm outside the capital. Held there door and iron bars on the windows. Washington Post) you are from the west.” for 19 days, he was deprived of his His hands were cuffed with cable wire, and his legs were chained, he His worst-selling vehicle these days At that moment, bin Naji interrupted, diabetes medication until his family expressing a sentiment shared by agreed to pay an $11,000 ransom. said. His captors fed him pieces of is a Toyota Land Cruiser. “It’s the bread “like a dog.” His family paid most dangerous car to drive,” many in the capital. “I was so scared,” recalled Hallala, about $31,000 for his release. Kabous said. “The militia Today's WorldView a businessman who is in his 80s. commanders really like them.” “My nephew was kidnapped three Revolution ‘not the right thing’ What's most important from where months earlier. He was killed after Some customers, he said, are the world meets Washington Osama Labib has not driven his buying luxury cars and sending we paid the ransom.” maroon Lamborghini in months. Sulaiman Abu Hallala sits in the them outside Libya because they “The revolution was not the right garden of the house he built with The architect has been waiting for don’t trust leaving their money in the thing,” he said. “Before, people revenue from his businesses. He spare parts, which take weeks to banks. were happy. Before, I was a king. I was kidnapped last year and held arrive because fewer ships are had a job. I felt like a man. Now, I “It’s a way of safeguarding your can’t even take out my own money.” for 19 days at a farm outside Tripoli. willing to dock in Tripoli. But even if money,” he said. After his family paid a hefty ransom, he repairs the car, he plans to keep At 11 a.m., the bank was still he was released. (Lorenzo it under a tarpaulin behind the high But few residents of Tripoli have closed. Tugnoli/For The Washington Post) walls of his compound near such options. Salaheddin. They planned to return again at Kidnappings have become so As he stood in the snaking bank night. common in the line, Allama el-Motamed lamented Friedman : Climate Shifts Aren’t Limited to the Weather Thomas L. than its putting tanks on islands in immigration, research and in supercomputing, new materials, Friedman the South China Sea. infrastructure, and a dynamic computer-controlled machine tools, private sector that grew all kinds of industrial robotics, space and 6-7 minutes And lastly we’re in the middle of a flowers in that soil. aviation equipment — including change in the “climate” of drones — clean cars, clean energy,

technology. We’re moving into a Which brings me to China. China biomedicine and next-gen medical I have a simple view of governing world where machines and software takes governing seriously — in a devices. today: We are in the middle of not can analyze (see patterns that were cruel way and in an impressive way. one but three climate changes at always hidden before); optimize (tell Its leaders wake up every morning Only time will tell how much what once to which government must a plane which altitude to fly each and ask themselves two questions. China has wrong about governing help citizens respond — and Donald mile to get the best fuel efficiency); First, how do we stay in power? will undermine what it has right. prophesize (tell you when your Their answer, which I find Trump doesn’t have a clue and By contrast, Trump hasn’t even China does. elevator will break and fix it before it reprehensible, is: We’ll use does); customize (tailor any product technology to repress our people. I named a science adviser. He pulled Here is what I mean: We are in the or service for you alone) and digitize think in the long run depriving out of the Paris climate accord middle of a change in the climate of and automate just about any job. China’s people of freedom, a basic without any input from scientists, the climate. We are going from This is transforming every industry. human right, will undermine their and he proposed a budget for fiscal “later” to “now.” In the past you ability to realize their full potential. 2018 that eliminated the could fix any climate/environmental President Xi Jinping of China at the Department of Energy’s innovation problem later or now. But today Great Hall of the People in Beijing But it has worked better than lab (the “Advanced Research later is officially over. Later will be on Tuesday. Andy Wong/Agence expected, up to now, because Projects Agency — Energy”) and too late. At some point, the France-Presse — Getty Images China’s leaders are just as focused slashed funding for all of our key on asking a second question: What national science and medical labs, deforestation of the is not Governing today is all about how reversible. world are we living in? Which leads which provide the basic research for you prepare your society to get the to: What are the biggest forces the very next-gen technologies in We are the middle of a change in most out of these three climate shaping this world? And what kind which China is now massively the “climate” of globalization. We changes and cushion the worst. of national strategy do we need so investing. are going from an interconnected Sadly, that’s not our society’s our people can get the most out of world to an interdependent one, and priority right now. In the age of these forces and cushion the worst? He’s spending the money instead in such a world your friends can hurt Trump we are treating governing as on a wall against Mexico. Is there you faster than your enemies: Think entertainment. They know we’re in the midst of anything more stupid? what happens if Mexico’s economy these three climate changes and Some conservatives argue that’s have formulated a strategy — And then you watch the health care fails. And your rivals’ falling fine. The less D.C. does, the better. debate. And then you realize that in becomes more dangerous than your “Made in China 2025” — to thrive Let the market rule. I disagree. within it. It’s a plan for building the addition to the executive branch, rivals’ rising: We will be hurt a lot What actually made America great one of our two parties has gone more by China’s economy tanking infrastructure, investments, was a government that prepared the education and regulations that will nuts. For seven years the G.O.P. right soil in education, regulation, enable Chinese companies to lead made replacing Obamacare, which

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 26 needs improving, its top goal, and fights were over how to thrive in a He’s been too busy promising to navigational coordinates. You can when it finally controlled all the world challenged by these three restore the past. find yourself so far off course that levers of power, it was clear that it climate changes. They were all the pain of getting back will be had done no homework on a better about who could get closest to and This is so dangerous. When the staggering. plan or built any intraparty flatter our Dear Leader most. But pace of change accelerates in consensus for it. It was all a fraud. our Dear Leader — as we saw in climate, technology and We have such a pilot. It is time for the health care debate — has done globalization all at once, small the adult Republicans and And then you look at all the knife no homework on the future, either. errors in leadership navigation can Democrats in Congress to come fights between rival Trump aides have huge consequences. It’s like a together and take the helm. and you realize that none of these 747 pilot who enters the wrong

ETATS-UNIS

Some Insurers Seek ACA Premium Increases of 30% and Higher (UNE) Anna Wilde regulators may not reflect their up- Stanley, who owns his own states. “We’re coming up at a point Mathews and to-date thinking. research business, pays about $400 that’s fairly soon, where the pricing Louise Radnofsky a month for a plan from Anthem decisions we make are set for all of The insurers’ decisions will be Inc., which is seeking an average next year.” 7-9 minutes closely dependent on moves by the increase of 34% in the state, though Trump administration and Mr. Stanley’s own premiums might The impact of potentially losing the

Congress. Most important is rise by less or more than that. cost-sharing payments was also Aug. 1, 2017 8:19 p.m. ET whether the federal government clear in the rates requested by Blue continues making payments that “It’s going to hurt,” said Mr. Stanley, Cross of Idaho, which average 28%. Major health insurers in some states reduce health-care costs for low- who said his monthly premium this That would probably be in the lower are seeking increases as high as income exchange enrollees, which year is about $120 more than he teens if the payments were 30% or more for premiums on 2018 insurers say are vital and President paid in 2016. “I worry about, what if guaranteed, said Dave Jeppesen, a Affordable Care Act plans, Donald Trump has threatened to it keeps going? When is this going senior vice president. “It’s a big according to new federal data that halt. to stop?” swing,” he said. “There’s a lot of risk provide the broadest view so far of associated with the uncertainty in the turmoil across exchanges as Insurers are also concerned about Anthem, which is seeking rate Congress right now, and we are companies try to anticipate Trump whether the Trump administration average increases of 30% or more pricing appropriately for that risk.” administration policies. will enforce the requirement for in states including Colorado, most people to have insurance Kentucky, Nevada and Virginia, has A recent Kaiser Family Foundation Big insurers in Idaho, West Virginia, coverage, which industry officials said it would refile for bigger hikes analysis found insurers’ financial South Carolina, Iowa and Wyoming say helps hold down rates by and may pull back its exchange results on exchange plans improved are seeking to raise premiums by prodding young, healthy people to offerings more if uncertainty in the first quarter of this year, a averages close to 30% or more, sign up for plans. continues around issues including sign of potentially emerging stability according to preliminary rate the cost-sharing payments. in the business. That is reflected in requests published Tuesday by the In Montana, Health Care Service a number of states where rate- U.S. Department of Health and linked 17 percentage points of its Centene Corp.’s requests ranged increase requests are limited. The Human Services. Major 23% rate increase request to from less than 1% in New exchange in California said marketplace players in New Mexico, concerns about the cost-sharing Hampshire to 21% in Texas and Tuesday that insurers there were Tennessee, North Dakota and payments and enforcement of the 12.49% in Georgia. Those rate seeking an overall average increase Hawaii indicated they were looking mandate that requires everyone to proposals generally assume the of 12.5%—but there would be an for average increases of 20% or purchase insurance. Kurt Kossen, a current rules surrounding ACA additional 12.4% boost layered onto more. senior vice president at Health Care plans continue, the company said. middle-tier “silver” plans if the cost- Service, said the company’s rate sharing subsidies aren’t paid. In other cases, insurers are looking requests are driven by causes Within the marketplaces, “there is for more limited premium increases including growing health costs and relative stability,” said Chief However, in a number of cases, for the suites of products they offer “uncertainty and the associated Executive Michael F. Neidorff. “The insurers’ rate requests are well in individual states, reflecting the risks that exist within this uncertainty is driven by these above 20% because of market variety of situations in different marketplace, including uncertainty policies on the ACA.” factors not directly tied to the markets. Health Care Service Corp., around issues like the continued CareSource, a nonprofit insurer that federal uncertainty. Anthem has a huge exchange player in five funding of [cost-sharing payments] offers exchange plans in four states, warned that it may need to add 18% states, filed for average increases and mechanisms that encourage has prepared alternate rate filings to 20% to its existing rate requests if including 8.3% in Oklahoma, 23.6% broad and continuous coverage.” for different scenarios, and one of the cost-sharing payments aren’t in Texas, and 16% in Illinois. its state regulators Monday asked it locked in, and it may pull back in Sen. Lamar Alexander (R., Tenn.), more states beyond the five Together the filings show the who chairs the Senate committee to refile with proposed rates that assume no cost-sharing payments. exchanges where it has disclosed uncertainty in the health-insurance that oversees health policy, said plans to leave or sharply reduce its marketplaces as insurers around Tuesday that he had told Mr. Trump “It’s challenging; you learn to be footprint. An Anthem spokeswoman the U.S. try to make decisions about directly that the government should very fluid,” said Steve Ringel, declined to comment on the rates and participation for next year continue making the payments to president of the Ohio market for company’s rate filings. amid open questions about changes insurance companies CareSource. According to actuarial that could come from the Trump firm Milliman Inc., at least seven In Iowa, Medica said its rate administration and Congress. The effect of the rate increases will increase request was 43.5%, driven be blunted for many exchange states have made similar requests in the past week, while others had by the dynamics of the local market, Insurers face a mid-August deadline enrollees, because lower-income including the departure of other for completing their rates. The people receive federal subsidies earlier asked for two versions of rate filings. insurers and the fact that Medica companies have until late that cover much of their premiums. itself has been losing money September to sign federal “Resolution of the [cost-sharing because enrollees’ health costs ran agreements to offer plans in 2018. But increases could be tough to stomach for those who aren’t payments] is an urgent issue,” said higher than expected. “You have In some cases, insurers warn, the Bill Wehrle, a vice president at some element of catching up to figures revealed by federal eligible for the help, like Harland Stanley, 53, of Louisville, Ky. Mr. Kaiser Permanente, which offers what the claims experience is,” says exchange plans in a number of

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 27

Geoff Bartsh, a Medica vice of increased steadiness in those Write to Anna Wilde Mathews at Appeared in the August 2, 2017, president. markets. But, he said, if the cost- [email protected] print edition as 'Insurers Seek Hike sharing payments go away, Medica In ACA Premiums.' Medica’s requests in other states estimates it will need to add around have been far lower, he said, a sign 13% to 19% to its rate requests.

Republicans in Congress Bypass Trump to Shore Up Health Law (UNE) Robert Pear and repeatedly threatened to cut off the requirement to offer health He said the committee expected to Thomas Kaplan subsidies, known as cost-sharing insurance to workers. hear from state insurance reduction payments, which commissioners, patients, governors, 8-11 minutes reimburse insurers for cutting “My hope is that maybe the health care experts and insurance deductibles and other out-of-pocket president will take this into companies.

costs for millions of low-income consideration in regards to the Senators Lamar Alexander of people. Without them, insurers upcoming decision” on cost-sharing Mr. Alexander said his proposal was Tennessee and Patty Murray of would almost certainly raise subsidies, said Mr. Reed, a co- a necessary response to an Washington at the Capitol in July. premiums not only for poor chairman of the caucus, whose imminent crisis. Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call, via consumers but also for many other members are split roughly evenly between the two parties. “In my opinion,” Mr. Alexander said, Associated Press people buying plans on the “any solution that Congress passes individual insurance market. WASHINGTON — Congressional “Many in our parties don’t want us for a 2018 stabilization package Republicans moved on Tuesday to In California, the state agency that to do this,” Mr. Reed said of the would need to be small, bipartisan defuse President Trump’s threat to runs the insurance marketplace bipartisan initiative. “Many of us still and balanced. It should include cut off critical payments to health announced on Tuesday that rates retain our philosophical opposition funding for the cost-sharing insurance companies, maneuvering would increase by 12.5 percent on and substantive opposition to the reductions, but it also should around the president toward average next year. That is slightly Affordable Care Act. But it’s clear to include greater flexibility for states bipartisan legislation to shore up lower than the rate increases us that what we have to do is come in approving health insurance insurance markets under the Californians saw this year. But together, find that common ground policies.” and govern for the American Affordable Care Act. Peter V. Lee, the executive director Payment of the cost-sharing of the agency, Covered California, people.” Senator Lamar Alexander of subsidies is a top priority for said the average increase would be Under the proposal, funds for the insurers and for Democrats in Tennessee, the influential chairman twice as high for popular “silver” of the Senate Health, Education, cost-sharing payments would be Congress, who say that cutting off plans if the Trump administration guaranteed, and Congress could the payments would cause havoc in Labor and Pensions Committee, blocked the cost-sharing payments. announced that his panel would review use of the money each year, insurance markets. begin work in early September on “This policy allowed health plans to just as it reviews other federal spending. The president has the power to stop legislation to “stabilize and stay in the market when they might the payments because a federal strengthen the individual health have left otherwise,” Mr. Lee said of Mr. Alexander said that it was judge ruled last year that the insurance market” for 2018. He the potential additional increase, important for Mr. Trump to approve Obama administration had been publicly urged Mr. Trump to which he called a “surcharge.” the payments for August and illegally making the payments, in the continue making payments to health He added, “By the end of this September, and that Congress absence of a law explicitly providing insurance companies to reimburse should approve “in a bipartisan way” money for the purpose. them for reducing the out-of-pocket month, we have to hear there’s clarity that the cost-sharing a continuation of the payments for medical expenses of low-income at least a year. The Obama administration people. reductions will be made, or we will appealed the ruling, and the case is apply the surcharge.” “Without payment of these cost- pending before the United States In the House, two Republicans, In Kentucky, according to data sharing reductions,” he said, Court of Appeals for the District of Representatives Tom Reed of New “Americans will be hurt. Up to half of Columbia Circuit. York and Charlie Dent of posted by the federal government, Anthem has requested rate the states will likely have bare Pennsylvania, teamed with counties with zero insurance House Republicans, who filed suit Democrats to promote incremental increases averaging 34 percent for to stop the payments in 2014, and plans covering 69,500 people. providers offering insurance on the health legislation that would also exchanges, and insurance the Trump administration have told fund the cost-sharing subsidies. BlueCross BlueShield of South the court that they are discussing Carolina has sought rate increases premiums will increase by roughly 20 percent, according to America’s “measures that would obviate the The moves were a remarkable averaging 33 percent. need for judicial determination of response to the president’s Health Insurance Plans,” a trade And Blue Cross and Blue Shield of group for insurers. this appeal, including potential repeated threats to send health legislative action.” insurance markets into a tailspin. Texas is seeking rate increases that average about 23 percent, and it Senator Patty Murray of They offered tangible indications of Washington, the senior Democrat The appeals court on Tuesday cooperation between the parties said 389,800 people may be allowed California, New York and affected. The company cited on the health committee, welcomed after Republican efforts to scrap the Mr. Alexander’s statement. 15 other states to intervene in the Affordable Care Act collapsed in the uncertainty about cost-sharing case. The states have shown a Senate last week, all but ending the subsidies as a factor, along with Mr. Alexander said the committee substantial risk that termination of seven-year Republican quest to medical inflation. would hold hearings starting the the cost-sharing payments “would overturn President Barack Obama’s In the House, a group of members week of Sept. 4 “on the actions lead directly and imminently to an signature domestic achievement. known as the Problem Solvers Congress should take to stabilize increase in insurance prices, which Lawmakers from both parties Caucus announced agreement this and strengthen the individual health in turn will increase the number of concede that the health law needs week on a bipartisan set of insurance market, so that uninsured individuals for whom the improvement, as consumers face proposals to stabilize insurance Americans will be able to buy states will have to provide health sharp premium increases and a markets and revise the Affordable insurance at affordable prices in the care,” the court said. shrinking number of insurance Care Act to provide relief to year 2018.” options in many states. Mr. Alexander said he hoped consumers and small and midsize Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said Congress would eventually approve These problems have been businesses. The proposals would Tuesday that cost-sharing subsidies long-term measures to create a exacerbated by a president who has provide money for cost-sharing to help reduce the out-of-pocket more robust market for people who publicly predicted that the reduction payments, repeal a tax on medical expenses of low-income buy insurance on their own. But Affordable Care Act will “implode” medical devices and exempt people were “a bailout for insurance first, he said, “we need to put out and appears determined to help businesses with fewer than 500 companies.” Aaron P. the fire in these collapsing markets.” fulfill that prophecy. Mr. Trump has employees from the law’s Bernstein/Reuters

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 28

The cost-sharing payments help year for an individual). But some words of Senator Ted Cruz of “It’s what the Democrats want,” Mr. people with incomes of 100 percent Republicans say that providing the Texas. Cruz said on Tuesday. “The to 250 percent of the federal poverty money would amount to “a bailout Democrats are the party of the big level (about $12,060 to $30,150 a for insurance companies,” in the insurance companies.”

Senate Republicans Rebuff Donald Trump’s Health-Care Push Siobhan Hughes, Sunday that Congress should made at the White House press would be a mistake. It’s what the Natalie Andrews continue to work on health care briefing that Mr. Trump’s agenda Democrats want.” and Janet Hook rather than move on to other issues. was suffering because he was losing credibility on Capitol Hill. Congress also must pass legislation 6-8 minutes “I don’t think he’s got much to fund the government beyond experience in the Senate, as I “What’s hurting the legislative Sept. 30, when the current spending recall,” Mr. Cornyn told reporters on agenda is Congress’s inability to get law expires, and it needs to raise Aug. 1, 2017 7:39 p.m. ET Monday night about Mr. Mulvaney, things passed,” White House the borrowing limit by the end of who served three terms in the spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee September. WASHINGTON—Senate House. “He’s got a big job. He Sanders said. Republicans made clear on ought to do that job and let us do The Treasury has been resorting to Tuesday that they want to chart our job.” Next on the Senate Republicans’ cash-management techniques in their own course to focus on a tax agenda is a tax overhaul. “We order to keep paying its bills, but its overhaul and critical fiscal A spokesman for the Office of began to discuss today at lunch tax cash balance is expected to drop to legislation, bypassing requests from Management and Budget said Mr. reform,” Sen. Bob Corker (R., near $25 billion in September, a President Donald Trump and White Mulvaney was merely conveying Tenn.) said Tuesday. “That’s our precariously low level. Mr. Trump’s view. “Health care is a next agenda item, and it’s House officials to keep health care Some conservative Republicans their top legislative priority. priority for most Americans,” the something that regardless of who’s spokesman said. “It should be for president we would want to be have in the past demanded budget In his first press conference since a Congress as well.” pursuing at this time.” concessions in return for voting to GOP health bill collapsed in the raise the debt ceiling. Treasury Senate, Majority Leader Mitch In an effort to keep the health-care Senate and House Republicans Secretary met McConnell (R., Ky.) on Tuesday left effort front and center, Mr. Trump plan to advance the issue in early Tuesday with Mr. McConnell health legislation off the list of items has threatened to take away September after their recess and and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., to be voted on before the chamber government contributions toward have been working with N.Y.), the top Senate Democrat, to leaves for recess later this month, the cost of lawmakers’ health care administration officials on a urge Congress to raise the debt despite Mr. Trump’s calls for the and to stop government payments coordinated plan. But Senate ceiling with no strings attached, Senate to dive back in. to insurers that reduce copayments Republicans also dismissed White according to aides. Mr. McConnell and deductibles for some of the House suggestions they take input told reporters he was committed to Mr. McConnell, who has said he poorest customers under the 2010 from Democrats. raising the borrowing limit “to make prefers to keep disagreements with health law. Mr. Trump also has sure America continues to never, the president private, also disclosed ousted White House staffers most “I don’t think this is going to be ever default.” that he had told Mr. Trump that closely linked to the Republican 1986, when you had a bipartisan most senators don’t support National Committee and the House effort to scrub the code,” Mr. Democrats are holding back on changing the chamber’s rules to leadership—former Chief of Staff McConnell said. entering negotiations on the debt ceiling until Republicans take a allow bills to pass on a simple and spokesman Mr. Trump retains some support in majority vote, as the president —as part of a staff position on whether they will to Congress, despite the differences attach conditions on an increase. urged on Twitter several times in shake-up. over legislative priorities in the the past week. Potentially rebuffing Mr. Trump’s Senate. “They’ve got to make some decisions themselves about how “There are not the votes in the plans, Senate Health, Education, “He doubted Congress could repeal Senate, as I’ve said repeatedly to Labor and Pensions Committee they’re going to handle it,” Sen. Ron and replace Obamacare with no Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said. the president and all of you, to Chairman Lamar Alexander (R., Democrat help,” said Rep. Chris change the rules of the Senate,” Mr. Tenn.) said Tuesday that his “The leader, of course, is the Collins (R., N.Y.), one of Mr. executive branch.” McConnell said. committee would begin drafting Trump’s earliest supporters. “He legislation this week to stabilize the was right, so Donald Trump’s not Write to Siobhan Hughes at Mr. McConnell was one of several Affordable Care Act’s fragile senators in recent days who have wearing this at all.” [email protected], Natalie insurance markets, where people Andrews at resisted White House entreaties on who don’t get health coverage Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Mr. Trump’s health care, often expressed in [email protected] and through work purchase insurance. rival for the 2016 GOP presidential Janet Hook at [email protected] language that is frank for leaders of He said the committee aims to pass nomination, agrees with his call to the same party. short-term legislation in mid- end the cost-sharing payments to Appeared in the August 2, 2017, Sen. John Cornyn (R., Texas) took September. insurers. “The answer is not simply print edition as 'Senate GOP a shot at White House Budget to pass a bailout for insurance Rebuffs Trump Health Push.' For its part, the White House on companies,” Mr. Cruz said. “That Director , who said Tuesday rejected a suggestion GOP Proposal Aims to Keep Health Overhaul Going Michelle significant flexibility, though Senate It would repeal a requirement that The White House has hosted Hackman leaders are suggesting they won’t most people purchase insurance or multiple meetings on the proposal, revisit the health-care issue in the pay a penalty and a related including a session Monday with Mr. 4-5 minutes near future. mandate that most employers offer Cassidy, Health and Human it. The plan would keep the ACA’s Services Secretary Tom Price and

The proposal, which Sens. Lindsey taxes except one on medical four GOP governors. Aug. 1, 2017 7:04 p.m. ET Graham (R., S.C.) and Bill Cassidy devices. But rather than using the (R., La.) unveiled when the GOP’s money for premium subsidies and a But the plan faces long odds in the WASHINGTON—The White House primary legislation to overhaul the Medicaid expansion, as the ACA Senate, where Republican leaders and some Republicans who want to 2010 health-care law was faltering, does, it would be offered as block have said repeatedly in recent days keep up efforts to repeal the is designed to let states craft their grants to states so they could they have no plans to bring another Affordable Care Act have seized on own health systems to some address their health-care needs. health proposal to the floor anytime a proposal aimed at giving states degree. soon.

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With the absence of Sen. John estimate of its impact on costs and But the idea has gotten a chilly architecture of Obamacare in place McCain (R., Ariz.), who is coverage. reception from Democrats as well is unacceptable.” undergoing brain-cancer treatment, as conservative groups. Because it Republicans don’t have enough The proposal’s supporters say it is intended to pass under special When he first unveiled the idea, Mr. votes to reopen debate on health- avoids the pitfalls of previous bills rules with a simple majority, the Graham said he believed it might care legislation, and Senate by allowing states to craft health plan doesn’t touch the ACA’s appeal to Democrats because blue Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plans that fit their needs and insurance regulations, which require states could use the block-granted (R., Ky.) has indicated he is eager political leanings. insurance companies to cover money to re-create state models of to move on to tax reform and other people with pre-existing conditions the ACA. But Democrats and other “I believe that returning power to the supporters of the health-care law legislative goals. states so that they can come up and offer a mandated set of 10 medical benefits. say the plan is unworkable because Still, Mr. McConnell did suggest with their own tailored approach to it effectively ends the ACA’s Tuesday he would submit the solving their unique health-care “Any bill has to tackle the insurance subsidies and Medicaid expansion. Graham-Cassidy plan, along with problems is a workable solution,” regulations imposed by other proposals, to the said Sen. Dean Heller (R., Nev.), Obamacare,” said Dan Holler, a Appeared in the August 2, 2017, Congressional Budget Office for an who has signed on to the plan. spokesman for Heritage Action. print edition as 'A Bid to Keep “Leaving the core regulatory Health Overhaul Going.'

Can this marriage be saved? Relationship between Trump, Senate GOP hits new skids. By Sean Sullivan From a failed Obamacare repeal ticking through major Republican Trump had spent the preceding few effort to a boy scout rally and a new initiatives so far, he added, “Almost days in an antagonistic posture. 9-11 minutes chief of staff, the Trump every bit of this has been administration had quite the week. 100 percent internal to Congress.” He used his favorite social media

From a failed Obamacare repeal platform to push Senate The relationship between President effort to a boy scout rally and a new Trump administration officials on Republicans to end the 60-vote Trump and Senate Republicans has chief of staff, the Trump July 30 said the Senate should threshold for most legislation, deteriorated so sharply in recent administration had quite the week. continue to try passing legislation to writing: “Republicans in the Senate days that some are openly defying (Jesse Mesner-Hage, Dalton revise the Affordable Care Act will NEVER win if they don’t go to a his directives, bringing long- Bennett, Meg Kelly/The Washington despite previous failures. Trump 51 vote majority NOW. They look simmering tensions to a boil as the Post) administration officials say the like fools and are just wasting time.” GOP labors to reorient its stalled Senate should continue to try He also demanded they vote again legislative agenda. (Jesse Mesner-Hage,Dalton passing legislation to revise the on health care, despite an inability Bennett,Meg Kelly/The Washington Affordable Care Act despite to round up enough votes for a far Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Post) previous failures. (Video: Bastien narrower bill than they had long head of the Senate Health, Inzaurralde/Photo: Melina Mara/The promised. Education, Labor and Pensions The friction underscores the Washington Post) Committee, announced Tuesday challenge Republicans face headed By Tuesday, it was wearing thin on that he would work with his into the fall. As they seek to move (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Capitol Hill. Democratic colleagues to “stabilize beyond a failed health-care effort in Washington Post) pursuit of an elusive, first big Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) said and strengthen” the individual Senate GOP leaders have openly that if the rules were changed as insurance market under the legislative win, the same infighting that has plagued them all year flouted Trump’s attempts to steer Trump wants, “it would be the end Affordable Care Act, which the them back to repealing and of the Republican Party. And it president has badgered the Senate threatens to stall their push to rewrite the nation’s tax laws, which replacing the ACA, an endeavor would be the end of the Senate.” to keep trying to repeal. Alexander that collapsed in failure last week. Trump’s repeated insistence also urged the White House to keep Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday he On Tuesday, McConnell laid out the “doesn’t help,” Hatch said. “But he up payments to insurers that help rest of the Senate’s plans before just doesn’t understand that.” low-income consumers afford plans, wants to do beginning in September and finish by year’s end. adjourning for the summer recess. which Trump has threatened to cut Health care was not among them. McConnell was able to muster only off. While some Republicans try to tune 49 votes for his health-care bill. Instead, Alexander signaled he Under special rules he was using, it Several Republican senators have out what they see as distracting and sometimes destructive rhetoric and would go around the president. He would have passed with 50 — and a sought to distance themselves from and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) tiebreaking vote by Vice President the president, who has belittled action from Trump, they recognize that they cannot fully disavow him announced they would hold fall Pence. Ending the 60-vote them as looking like “fools” and tried hearings to shore up the individual threshold as Trump has demanded to strong-arm their agenda and without also dashing their hopes of implementing the conservative health insurance markets. It was the would not have changed the browbeat them into changing a most concrete sign yet of bipartisan outcome — a point McConnell was venerated rule to make it easier to policies they championed in the campaign. work in the Senate on strengthening quick to bring up Tuesday. ram through legislation along party the existing health-care law, and it lines. For many Republican senators, the followed a proposal offered Monday “It’s pretty obvious that our problem on health care was not the Some are describing the dynamic in challenge is trying to walk an by a bipartisan group of 43 House increasingly fine line. members. Democrats. We didn’t have 50 cold, transactional terms, speaking Republicans,” he told reporters. He of Trump as more of a supporting As public opinion polls show a Trump, who installed John F. Kelly added, more forcefully, “There are actor than the marquee leader of decline in Trump’s approval rating, as his new chief of staff a day not the votes in the Senate, as I’ve the Republican Party. If he can help some Republican senators have earlier, on Tuesday was noticeably said repeatedly to the president and advance their plans, then great, sought to address difficult questions tame toward fellow Republicans on to all of you, to change the rules of they say. If not, so be it. about what the president’s Twitter. But White House press the Senate.” diminishing popularity means for his secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders “We work for the American people. The concerns about the 45th We don’t work for the president,” mandate by insisting that blamed the GOP-controlled congressional Republicans, not Congress for the lack of major president extend beyond arguments Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said. He over how the Senate conducts its added, “We should do what’s good Trump, are the ones driving the accomplishments this year. GOP agenda. business, to his discipline, strategy for the administration as long as “I think what’s hurting the legislative and core values. Such concerns that does not in any way, shape or “Ever since we’ve been here, we’ve agenda is Congress’s inability to get often are expressed in private, but form make it harder on the really been following our lead,” said things passed,” she said Tuesday. one Republican senator, Jeff Flake American people.” Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). After of Arizona, has laid them out in

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 30 lacerating fashion in his recently Asked about a Washington Post Some said Tuesday they were the president. Increasingly, his published book, “Conscience of a report that Trump dictated his eldest hopeful that Trump’s staff shake-up colleagues are sounding more like Conservative.” son’s misleading statement about would produce better results. him in their willingness to offer curt meeting with a Russian lawyer, assessments. “In the tweeting life of our president, Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) “I’m very pleased that [former strategy is difficult to detect,” Flake replied: “I don’t know if it’s true or communications director Anthony] “I ran out of adjectives, and I voted writes. “Influencing the news cycles not. But the statement was Scaramucci is gone and that for a guy I never met,” Graham said. seems to be the principal goal; misleading. And when you have a General Kelly, I believe, will bring a “What was that guy’s name? Evan?” achieving short-term tactical misleading statement, it just sense of order and discipline that is advantage, you bet. But ultimately, needed,” said Sen. Susan Collins Evan McMullin, reporters reminded continues to breed distrust, so that him, mentioning the independent it’s all noise and no signal. . . . We means the investigation continues.” (R-Maine). have quite enough volatile actors to 2016 candidate’s full name. Sanders said Tuesday that Kelly deal with internationally as it is Trump’s criticism of Attorney “President Trump won. I respect his without becoming one of them.” General , a former has “spoken to a number of members of Congress,” a sign that victory. I want to help him with senator, has also irked Republicans health care and do other things that Flake argues that the “Faustian in the chamber. The president’s relations could improve. bargain” that conservatives made in I think we can do together like cut threats against GOP senators The Finance 202 newsletter taxes,” Graham said. “I’ll push back embracing Trump has “put at risk during the health-care debate, our institutions and our values” and against ideas I think are bad for the including Sens. Dean Heller (R- Your daily guide to where Wall country, like changing the rules of that “the strange specter of an Nev.) and Lisa Murkowski (R- Street meets Washington. American president’s seeming the Senate. And that’s the way I’m Alaska), also rubbed many the going to engage the president.” affection for strongmen and wrong way. Graham, who has been one of the authoritarians . . . is almost most outspoken Republican critics James Hohmann contributed to this impossible to believe.” of Trump, laid out his thinking on report.

Donald Trump: Senate Republicans Turning Backs on President Erica Werner / facing an electorate anytime soon. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South So Republicans, in turn, ignored AP The situation is different in the Carolina deemed Trump's treatment Trump. House, where most Republicans of Sessions "unseemly" and "a sign 6-7 minutes represent conservative districts still of great weakness on the part of "It's pretty obvious that our problem loyal to Trump. For those President Trump." The comments on health care was not the

lawmakers, the fear of facing a were echoed by other Republican Democrats," McConnell said drily (WASHINGTON) — There wasn't a conservative primary challenger, senators. on Tuesday. "We didn't have 50 dramatic public break or an exact possibly fueled by angry Trump Republicans." Then, White House budget director moment it happened. But step by followers, is real. Some Republicans say Trump and step, Senate Republicans are Mick Mulvaney, a former House Related member, suggested on a Sunday his administration only made it turning their backs on President harder to pass health care by Donald Trump. show that the Senate must pass In the most remarkable example of health care before doing anything ineptly pressuring Sen. Lisa They defeated an Obamacare public Trump-bashing, Sen. Jeff else. No. 2 Republican John Cornyn Murkowski with threats from Interior repeal bill despite Trump's pleas. Flake of Arizona is taking aim at the didn't hesitate to go after him. Secretary Ryan Zinke about They're ignoring his Twitter president and his own party in a consequences for her state, which demands that they get back to work new book, writing that "unnerving "I don't think he's got much rankled the Alaska senator. She on the repeal measure. They dissed silence in the face of an erratic experience in the Senate as I recall, proceeded to postpone votes in the the White House budget director, executive branch is an abdication" and he's got a big job," Cornyn said. Energy committee she chairs on a defended the attorney general and marveling at "the strange "He ought to do that job and let us group of administration nominees, against the president's attacks and specter of an American president's do our jobs." while saying it was for unrelated passed veto-proof sanctions on seeming affection for strongmen reasons, and voted "no" on the and authoritarians." The ill will flows both ways. At health bill. Russia over his administration's Tuesday's White House briefing, objections. The criticism from Flake is press secretary Sarah Huckabee "I think most Republican senators They're reasserting their especially striking since he is one of Sanders pointedly blamed have their own identity that's independence, which looked sorely just two GOP senators facing lawmakers for the president's separate from the president," said diminished in the aftermath of competitive re-election races in next failures to deliver. "I think what's Alex Conant, a GOP strategist and Trump's surprise election win. year's midterm elections, the other hurting the legislative agenda is former adviser to Sen. being Dean Heller of Nevada. The Congress' inability to get things of Florida. "If you look at the "We work for the American people," other 50 Senate Republicans are passed," she said. elections last fall, almost every Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina largely insulated from blowback Republican senator who was up for said Tuesday. "We don't work for from Trump's still-loyal base, at Trump has been ignoring past re-election ran ahead of Trump and the president." least in the short term. warnings from Majority Leader that's not a fact that's lost on Mitch McConnell to stay out of the Congress." Those are surprisingly tough words That is likely contributing to their Senate's business, tweeting from a Republican whose state defiance, which is emerging now relentless commands in the wake of The House has been a friendlier Trump won easily less than a year after an accumulation of Friday's failure on health care that place for Trump. Republicans there ago. But after six months of frustrations, culminating in the the Senate should eliminate the pushed through a health care bill in controversies and historically low failure of the health care bill Friday. filibuster rule that requires 60 votes May. approval ratings, it's clear Trump In particular, senators were aghast to move forward on much major isn't commanding the fear or over Trump's recent attacks on their legislation. "For the most part our caucus is still respect he once did. longtime colleague Jeff Sessions, in support of the president," said the former Alabama senator who is "Mitch M, go to 51 Votes NOW and Rep. James Comer of Kentucky. Some Republicans no doubt are now attorney general and facing WIN. IT'S TIME!" the president said "That doesn't mean we agree with giving voice to long-held Trump's wrath over having recused over Twitter. everything he says and does, but reservations about a man whose we still support his agenda, his himself from the investigation into That ignored the fact that election was essentially a hostile possible collaboration between presidency, and we're not going to takeover of their party. But it is Republicans tried to pass the health fumble the ball." Russia and Trump's presidential care bill under rules that required notable that the loudest criticism is campaign. coming from the Senate, where few only a simple majority. In the Senate, though, lawmakers Republicans are burdened with and the president appear to be

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 31 going their separate ways, with right?" said Sen. Bob Corker of moving on to tax reform, but most of Associated Press writers Kevin some senators talking as though Tennessee. "Whether it was the this has, almost every bit of this has Freking, Matthew Daly and Jill Trump is almost irrelevant. Supreme Court justice or the Russia been 100 percent internal to Colvin contributed. sanctions bill, attempting to do Congress." "Ever since we've been here we've health care and obviously we did so really been following our lead, unsuccessfully, and now we're ___

Editorial : ObamaCare for Congress The Editorial Mr. Trump is alluding to a replete with predictions that junior Johnson amendment would restore Board dispensation from ObamaCare for aides would clean out their desks staff to the federal benefits program. Members of Congress and their en masse. Alas, the amendment commands 4 minutes staff, and the back story is a tutorial almost no support. Not even in Washington self-dealing. A 2009 Mr. Obama intervened in 2013 and Democrats want to sign up for their

amendment from Chuck Grassley the Office of Personnel own policy. Aug. 1, 2017 7:19 p.m. ET (R., Iowa) forced congressional Management issued a rule that employees to obtain coverage from would allow employer contributions But Mr. Trump could direct OPM to President Trump likes to govern by the Affordable Care Act exchanges. to exchange plans, not that OPM scrap the rule for Members, which is Twitter threat, which often backfires, The Senate Finance Committee had such legal authority. One reversible because Mr. Obama to put it mildly. But he’s onto adopted it unanimously. hilarious detail is that OPM certified reworked his own law through something with his recent the House and Senate as “small regulation that can be undone by a suggestion that Members of That meant Members and their staff businesses” with fewer than 50 full- successor. Mr. Obama also refused Congress should have to live under would no longer enjoy coverage time employees, and no doubt the to pursue a legislative fix for the the health-care law they imposed on from the Federal Employees Health world would be better if that were problem lest Republicans demand Americans. Benefits Program, which subsidizes true. This invention allowed something in return. up to 75% of the cost of a plan. The Members to purchase plans on the Over the weekend Mr. Trump text of the Affordable Care Act says District of Columbia exchange for Revoking the rule would have the tweeted that “If a new HealthCare that staffers may “only” be offered small businesses, where employers political benefit of forcing Members Bill is not approved quickly, plans created by the law or on the can make contributions to to live under the regime that BAILOUTS for Insurance exchanges. premiums. This is a farce and Democrats rammed into law and Companies and BAILOUTS for maybe a fraud. Republicans have failed to fix. If Members of Congress will end very The law did not specify what would Members are pained by higher soon!” He later added: “If happen to the employer In last week’s Senate health-care premiums and fewer insurance ObamaCare is hurting people, & it contributions, though Democrats debate, Wisconsin Republican Ron choices, perhaps they will be is, why shouldn’t it hurt the claim this was merely a copy-editing Johnson circulated an idea to block inspired to fix the law for the millions insurance companies & why should mistake. A meltdown ensued as subsidies for Members, who earn at who have had to endure it. Congress not be paying what public Members feared that staffers would least $174,000 a year and would pays?” be exposed to thousands of dollars not receive generous taxpayer Appeared in the August 2, 2017, more in annual health-care costs, underwriting on the exchanges. The print edition.

Editorial : Stop Sabotaging Obamacare, Mr. President by The Editors president to "take care that the laws Clear thinking from leading voices in succeeded in providing access to More stories by be faithfully executed," he needs to business, economics, politics, health care for millions more The Editors stop. foreign affairs, culture, and more. Americans, and even Republicans are wary of rolling back such 4-5 minutes Just after last week's congressional Share the View tangible progress. vote failed, Trump tweeted his desire to "let Obamacare implode." There is little dispute about what is Trump should be, too. It's time to needed to make sure the law is Now pick up the pieces. He subsequently said that "bailouts" move on from this battle. Trump has for insurance companies -- by which structurally sound. To begin, a long spoken of delivering superior, Photographer: Win McNamee/Getty he presumably meant the subsidies lasting commitment to pay those cheaper health care. Better to focus Images that enable insurers to offset costs cost-sharing subsidies is required. on that goal rather than on an for low-income consumers -- would The individual mandate has to be empty, partisan promise to "repeal" Say what you will about Congress's be terminated. For his part, Price strengthened and enforced -- at Obamacare. The ACA is not without failure to repeal Obamacare -- and said Sunday that “no decision’s least until such time as an flaws. It is those very flaws that offer there was a lot to be said about its been made” on whether to continue alternative mechanism is found to the president an opportunity to reckless efforts -- at least the the subsidies that enable low- persuade Americans to buy health recast the health-care debate in a process acknowledged one basic income Americans to afford insurance. And efforts to encourage more productive way. fact of America's constitutional insurance. the uninsured to enroll in system: If Congress doesn't like a Obamacare plans must be --Editors: Francis Wilkinson, law, it can change it. If the president This continued sowing of confusion resumed. Michael Newman. does not like a law, he cannot be and doubt may be more tactical allowed to sabotage it. than strategic, or it may be neither; Those steps, in turn, depend on the To contact the senior editor either way, it's unconscionable. The president abandoning his attacks on responsible for Bloomberg View’s Yet that is what President Donald ACA -- for better and, in some health insurance markets and editorials: David Shipley at Trump and Secretary of Health and instances, worse -- is the health- committing himself to being a [email protected] . Human Services Tom Price have constructive force in providing care system America has. If Trump Before it's here, it's on the been doing for months with the continues to try to destroy the law, access to health care. Affordable Care Act. For the sake of Bloomberg Terminal. LEARN he will not only erode his stature House and Senate Republicans MORE both his constituents and the and the presidency's, he will also Constitution, which requires the took their best shots at repeal. Their hurt vulnerable Americans. efforts failed because the ACA has

Galston : Can the ‘Problem Solvers’ Fix ObamaCare? William A. Galston 5-7 minutes

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Aug. 1, 2017 5:55 p.m. ET founder—were working to meet his ObamaCare’s definition of full-time upside down. But it can change the challenge. The group’s leaders, employment as 30 hours a week world for the better in small yet Last week, a gravely ill senator flew Reps. Tom Reed (R., N.Y.) and would give employers an incentive meaningful ways. across the country to give the Josh Gottheimer (D., N.J.), to slash hours, they recommend speech of his life. John McCain announced their results earlier this raising the threshold to 40 hours. Sen. McCain vouched for this invoked the spirit of the Senate in week. The proposal is aimed at And their plan would also require approach when he made his case better times to highlight our current stabilizing the deteriorating the Department of Health and for bipartisanship. “Incremental ills. “Our deliberations today,” he individual health-insurance market Human Services to issue the progress, compromises that each said, are “more partisan, more tribal and creating clarity for consumers regulations—already legal under side criticizes but also accepts, just more of the time than at any other as quickly as possible. The deadline ObamaCare—to allow states to plain muddling through to chip away time I remember.” The polarization for submitting coverage plans and enter into compacts in which at problems and keep our enemies of political discourse has practical— premiums for 2018 comes in two insurers would be enabled to sell from doing their worst, isn’t negative—consequences, he weeks. policies across state lines. glamorous or exciting. It doesn’t feel added: It is not producing much for like a political triumph. But it’s the American people. To help shore up the individual Although they left most of the usually the most we can expect market, the Problem Solvers ObamaCare taxes in place, the from our system of government, Mr. McCain pleaded for a return to recommend resolving the current Problem Solvers advocated operating in a country as diverse “the old way of legislating the ambiguity in ObamaCare about the repealing the 2.3% medical device and quarrelsome and free as ours.” Senate, the way our rules and status of payments made to tax, the costs of which, they said, James Madison would have saluted customs encourage us to act”—a insurance companies to reduce the are passed on to consumers. At the these words. They represent the return to the process of carefully burden of copayments and same time, they insisted that their essence of an honorable, crafting policy in committees before deductibles on lower-income package not add to the budget progressive operating bringing bills to the floor for open beneficiaries. Under the Problem deficit. To meet this test, they in the context of the pluralism that debate. And he called for a return to Solvers’ plan, these payments proposed lowering the costs of Madison knew would be the fruit of an older spirit of legislating as well. would be covered by a guaranteed drugs (hence of federal subsidies) liberty. “Merely preventing your political source of federal funds overseen by under Medicare Part D, remedying opponents from doing what they the congressional oversight and deficiencies in Medicare and “What do we have to lose by trying want isn’t the most inspiring work,” appropriations process. The plan ObamaCare reimbursement to work together?” Mr. McCain he said. “There’s a greater also calls for a “stability fund” that protocols, and expanding asked. “We’re not getting much satisfaction in respecting our states could use to reduce competitive bidding for Medicare done apart.” This is the spirit that differences, but not letting them individual premiums while limiting Advantage programs. animates the Problem Solvers. And prevent agreements that don’t insurers’ losses for providing it is the reason that their bipartisan require abandonment of core coverage, especially for individuals The Problem Solvers did not try to agreement, modest as it is, may principles, agreements made in with pre-existing conditions. cure all the ills of the U.S. health- turn out to be an important step on good faith that help improve lives care system, or even to tackle the long journey to renew our and protect the American people.” The Problem Solvers also put forth ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion. politics. ideas for tweaking the requirements They carved out one major issue, As Mr. McCain spoke, the “Problem ObamaCare established for the the instability of the insurance Appeared in the August 2, 2017, Solvers”—a 43-member House individual market. They suggest market, and agreed on as much as print edition. caucus split almost evenly between raising the threshold on the number they could within that frame. This Democrats and Republicans, and of employees at which an employer style of addressing individual originally launched by No Labels, of is required to provide coverage from problems with short, simple which I am a co- 50 to 500. To address fears that legislation will not turn the world Rep. Jim Jordan : People don’t want more Obamacare Jim Jordan Balce Ceneta, AP) Americans who are hurt by use it to hurt Medicare recipients. Published 5:48 p.m. ET Aug. 1, Obamacare. And their idea to get more 2017 | Updated 7:47 p.m. ET Aug. If the American people wanted more Americans on board with their plans 1, 2017 Obamacare, they would have re- Remember what Obamacare is to spend more of your tax dollars elected Democrats to their promised and failed to deliver. We on “robust marketing.” 3-4 minutes majorities in the House in 2010 and were told that: If you liked your plan, Senate in 2014, and given them you could keep your plan; if you OUR VIEW: back the White House in 2016. liked your doctor, you could keep your doctor; premiums would go More money for bailouts and Senate Rejects Partial Obamacare The American people want a advertising is not going to save their Repeal down by $2,500; the Obamacare different approach. They want exchanges would work; the website failed health care law. Obamacare The Senate has rejected a measure affordable health insurance. They would be secure; and emergency is fundamentally flawed, and a to repeal parts of former President want quality care. They want to be room visits would go down. Those Band-Aid won’t fix it. Doubling down Barack Obama's health law, dealing able to keep their doctors, and they are all false statements and signs of on failure will continue to drive up a serious blow to President Donald want to make health care decisions failure. Look no further than the fact health care costs, drive insurers out Trump and the GOP agenda. The with their doctors, not the that 19 of the 23 Obamacare co-ops of the market, and hurt ordinary final vote was 51-49. (July 28) AP government. have already gone bankrupt. Americans. The American people recognize that we need to change GOP plans protect Americans Republicans have put forward two The plan put forward by my direction, and my Democratic with pre-existing conditions while reform plans that, though not full Democratic colleagues misses the colleagues should recognize it, too. offering lower-cost insurance: repeal, are first steps at fixing the point. Their so-called solution is Opposing view failures of Obamacare. Both of offering insurance companies a $15 Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is the these Republican plans protect billion annual bailout. They want to founding chairman of the House Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is the Americans with pre-existing take the same Obamacare . founding chairman of the House conditions while offering lower-cost expansion model that shortchanges Freedom Caucus.(Photo: Manuel insurance options for millions of traditional Medicaid recipients and Senator Lankford : How to Make the Senate Work Again James Lankford Aug. 1, 2017 5:52 p.m. ET the Senate to be the great “anchor” Senate is what the Founders had in of the government. The upper mind. 4 minutes James Madison explained that the chamber has become an anchor, Constitution’s authors considered but I don’t think today’s dilatory

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Many Americans see the main issue provided within the rules, which they How do we get the Senate working majority party to open debate, while in the Senate as the filibuster rule, have repeatedly demanded. At the again? First, we should reduce floor protecting the minority party by the 60 vote requirement to move on current rate, it will take 11 years to debate time for executive nominees keeping the threshold to end debate legislation. The Senate should not fill the executive branch. from 30 hours to eight or less. The at 60. go to a 51 vote majority for every Senate could debate and vote on vote. Because the Senate is the one By the first July 19 of the previous five or more nominees a week, If we really want to get the Senate entity in the federal government four administrations, on average instead of just one or two. working, allow for “dual tracking” so where the minority view is heard 190 officials had been confirmed. Interestingly, this rule change was senators could debate and vote on and deliberation is protected. President Trump had just 50 adopted for a short time by the nominations in the morning and confirmed by that date. Numerous Senate in 2013, under Harry Reid, legislation in the afternoon. But the Senate isn’t working. First, national security-related officials still as part of a temporary agreement to the minority party has for months await consideration because the It’s time we put an end to the fill nominations. It worked then, and hyperpartisanship and delay to abused Senate rules to stall the Democrats have “resisted” Mr. it would work now. nomination process and therefore Trump by stalling. serve the needs of the American the entire Senate calendar. Second, Second, we should lower the vote people. We can be deliberative and the arcane rules of the Senate David Nye was nominated by threshold on the “motion to productive at the same time, but always force a painfully slow President Obama and again by proceed,” which begins legislative that will require fundamental legislative pace. President Trump to be a federal debate and amendment changes in the rules, not eliminating district judge in Idaho. He was consideration, from 60 votes to 51. the filibuster entirely. Since presidential nominations now confirmed 100-0 on July 12—but Almost every bill in the Senate require only a simple majority to only after the minority party Mr. Lankford, a Republican, is a currently requires two votes of 60 U.S. senator from Oklahoma. pass, the majority party can confirm demanded the full 30 hours of senators, one vote to start debate nominees without any minority party debate time, preventing other and another to end it. We should support. But the minority can force nominees or legislation from being change this rule to allow the the full 30 hours of debate time considered during that period.

Trump Loyalist Mixes Businesses and Access at ‘Advisory’ Firm (UNE) Nicholas not engage in any lobbying or by adding, among others, two more Richard Cordray,” Mr. Lewandowski Confessore and advocacy services.” Trump insiders — the former Trump said. Kenneth P. Vogel deputy campaign manager David But his new firm once again puts Bossie and , who He added a criticism of a new rule 9-11 minutes Mr. Lewandowski at the center of stepped down Monday as Mr. issued by the bureau last month the ethical quandaries surrounding Trump’s White House advance that bans financial companies from

the Trump White House, where the director — according to two using mandatory arbitration clauses , center, president has given significant associates. in customer contracts. The Trump President Trump’s former campaign access and power to friends and administration has already said it manager, and George Gigicos, loyalists who are not on the Among the first new clients of would support congressional efforts right, who was the White House government payroll but work as Lewandowski Strategic Advisors is to nullify the arbitration rule. lobbyists or retain significant outside an Ohio-based company called advance director, boarding Air Rejecting a question from the “Meet Force One after a rally in Ohio in business interests. Community Choice Financial. The company is a leader in the payday the Press” host, Chuck Todd, about July. Doug Mills/The New York Mr. Trump’s “kitchen cabinet” whether he had “a client that wants Times lending industry, which has faced includes Washington lobbyists, a heightened federal scrutiny in to see” Mr. Cordray fired, Mr. Three months ago, Corey variety of so-called strategic recent years. Lewandowski said: “No, no. I have Lewandowski, President Trump’s advisers who provide advice on no clients whatsoever.” He first campaign manager, quit a new government policy making but are Payday lenders have energetically explained his opposition to Mr. Washington lobbying firm he had not registered as lobbyists, and a fought efforts by the Consumer Cordray by pointing to a similar helped start after the election, amid panoply of wealthy friends with Financial Protection Bureau to limit position taken by Representative scrutiny over his firm’s clients and extensive business interests before loan practices that consumer Jeb Hensarling, Republican of his extraordinary access to Mr. the government, such as the advocates have called abusive. Texas and the chairman of the Trump. But Mr. Lewandowski’s billionaire corporate raider Carl C. Community Choice Financial’s chief House Financial Services departure from the influence Icahn, an unsalaried “special executive, William E. Saunders Jr., Committee, who has called on Mr. business did not last long. adviser to the president on once referred to the bureau as “the Trump to dismiss Mr. Cordray. regulatory reform.” great Darth Vader” of the federal About a week after leaving his old government. But a draft contract obtained by The firm, Mr. Lewandowski started a Besides Mr. Lewandowski, a Times indicates that in July, after new consulting business, according number of other Trump aides have The White House did not respond to Mr. Lewandowski left Avenue, to corporate filings. And now, as he joined advisory firms or struck deals questions about whether Mr. Community Choice Financial takes on an increasingly broad role with lobbying firms eager to have Lewandowski had discussed the offered him a $20,000-a-month as an unofficial White House influence with the Trump payday lending regulations with retainer in return for “strategic adviser, he is building a roster of administration, among them Jason administration officials. In an email, advice and counsel designed to clients with major interests before Miller, a former campaign aide who Mr. Lewandowski said he was not a further the goals of Community the Trump administration, including now works for Teneo Strategy, and lobbyist. “I don’t lobby and I don’t Choice Financial.” an Ohio-based payday lender Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trump’s self- intend to lobby — ever,” he wrote. described “personal lawyer,” who in Mr. Lewandowski had previously seeking to block or overturn new But Mr. Lewandowski, who is known helped recruit Community Choice federal financial regulations. April announced a “strategic alliance” with Squire Patton Boggs. for his keen understanding of Mr. Financial as a client for Avenue Mr. Lewandowski appears to be Trump’s news media tastes and Strategies, which reported receiving positioning his new firm as an Mr. Lewandowski started his new habits, used an appearance on $160,000 for lobbying from the “advisory” business, part of a business, Lewandowski Strategic NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday lender, according to congressional growing cohort of Washington Advisors, in May, according to to press his new client’s interests, disclosure forms. influencers who advise companies corporate documents filed in calling for Mr. Trump to oust the Delaware, eight days after he bureau’s director, Richard Cordray, Asked on Tuesday whether he on how to navigate the government worked for Community Choice but do not register as lobbyists or announced he would part ways with an Obama holdover who has led the the Washington lobbying firm he effort to pass new payday lending Financial, Mr. Lewandowski offered disclose their clients. A draft no denial. contract obtained by The New York helped -found, Avenue Strategies. requirements. Times stipulates that Mr. Mr. Lewandowski has recently Documents obtained by The Times discussed expanding the new firm “It’s my recommendation to the Lewandowski’s firm “cannot and will president of the United States to fire indicate that Bridgette C. Roman,

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 34 an executive vice president and the prospective clients meetings with thick and thin,” Mr. Ruddy said. “As appeared to be allowing outside general counsel of Community Mr. Trump, Vice President Mike long as that continues to be the advisers an extraordinary amount of Choice Financial, was among the Pence and other senior members of case, the president is going to be sway within the administration. company officials personally their administration. Though Mr. supportive of Corey.” Democrats in Congress have asked involved in negotiating Mr. Bennett and Mr. Lewandowski said the Securities and Exchange Lewandowski’s contract. Reached the proposals had been circulated Since leaving Avenue — and Commission to investigate whether by phone, Ms. Roman said she was by a business partner without their starting Lewandowski Strategic Mr. Icahn has pushed policies that “not familiar” with Mr. Lewandowski permission, several White House Advisors — Mr. Lewandowski has have benefited his own businesses. and would seek more information aides reached out to Mr. become a more regular visitor to the from colleagues. Lewandowski to express White House and a more active Advisers like Mr. Icahn and Mr. displeasure with the attention the player in Mr. Trump’s political circle. Lewandowski exist in a “never- “It’s just not ringing a bell to me,” business was attracting. He left Last month, Mr. Trump gave Mr. never land,” Mr. Wertheimer said, Ms. Roman said. She did not reply Avenue soon after. Lewandowski and Mr. Bossie the allowed a high degree of White to a follow-up email. task of drumming up support for an House access while remaining One Republican consultant familiar ultimately unsuccessful last-ditch unfettered by the ethics rules and Though he was fired by Mr. Trump with the White House’s concerns effort to resuscitate the Trump- financial disclosures that apply to during the 2016 campaign after a said Mr. Lewandowski was acutely backed effort to repeal the government employees. bitter power struggle with the aware of how his business reflected Affordable Care Act. campaign chairman, Paul J. on the administration he helped “This is self-dealing by these Manafort, Mr. Lewandowski remains elect. He never talks with the Last week, Mr. Lewandowski and intermediaries,” Mr. Wertheimer close to Mr. Trump. The two talk president about specific client Mr. Bossie traveled aboard Air said. “They aren’t in there to give regularly, according to associates of concerns, the consultant said. Force One to a rally in Youngstown, good advice about what an both men, and Mr. Lewandowski Ohio, with the president and his administration should do. They’re in enjoys frequent access to the White But Chris Ruddy, a conservative White House staff. Mr. there to get special influence for House and his former boss. news media executive and friend of Lewandowski also recently changed their clients or financial benefits for Mr. Trump’s, said the president his Twitter profile picture: It is now a themselves.” Mr. Lewandowski left Avenue after generally seemed less concerned shot of him aboard Air Force One. revelations that a second firm he with his former aides’ outside created with his Avenue co-founder, business interests. “The president Fred Wertheimer, the president of Barry Bennett, was listed on respects loyalty, and Corey has the watchdog group Democracy 21, business pitches promising been extremely loyal to him through said Mr. Trump’s White House Trump Was Involved in Drafting Son’s Statement, Aide Confirms Peter Baker adoption of Russian children” that Appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning why the president’s lawyer denied had been ended by the Moscow America” the same day, Mr. the involvement that she confirmed. 5-6 minutes government in retaliation for Sekulow said: “The president didn’t sanctions imposed by the United sign off on anything. He was coming Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting

States. But the statement made no back from the G-20. The statement occurred on June 9, 2016, with President Trump and his daughter mention of the fact that the meeting that was released on Saturday was Natalia Veselnitskaya, a lawyer with Ivanka at the White House on was set up by an intermediary released by Donald Trump Jr., I’m ties to the Russian government. Tuesday. Mr. Trump’s lawyer promising incriminating information sure in consultation with his She was accompanied by Rinat repeatedly denied that the president about Hillary Clinton as “part of lawyers. The president wasn’t Akhmetshin, a Russian-American had anything to do with the Russia and its government’s involved in that.” lobbyist. The younger Mr. Trump statement issued by his son. Doug support for Mr. Trump,” as an email invited , his brother- Mills/The New York Times to his son put it. Four days later, on NBC’s “Meet the in-law and now a senior adviser at Press,” Mr. Sekulow repeated the the White House, and Paul J. WASHINGTON — The White Only after The Times reported that denial: “The president was not Manafort, then the campaign House confirmed on Tuesday that the meeting was set up with the involved in the drafting of the chairman. President Trump was involved in stated purpose of passing along statement and did not issue the drafting a misleading statement damaging material about Mrs. statement.” The original statement issued in issued by his son about a meeting Clinton did the younger Mr. Trump Donald Trump Jr.’s name dismissed with a Russian lawyer last year, confirm the reason. And only after The Washington Post reported on it as “a short introductory meeting” contradicting the president’s lawyer The Times told his representatives Monday that the president not only and made no mention of its stated who repeatedly denied that Mr. that it had obtained the emails signed off on the statement but purpose. Trump had anything to do with the setting up the meeting and planned “personally dictated” it. The White House denied on Tuesday that he The White House’s confirmation of statement. to publish them did the younger Mr. the president’s involvement piqued Trump release them himself. dictated it but confirmed that he was The statement was drafted while the involved, contrary to Mr. Sekulow’s the interest of investigators, president was on Air Force One The president’s involvement in the denials. including Senator Mark R. Warner flying back from a summit meeting first statement was disclosed July of Virginia, the senior Democrat on in Europe. It was issued in response 11 by The Times, which reported “The president weighed in, as any the Senate Intelligence Committee, to an impending news report that that “the president signed off on” it. father would, based on the limited which is looking at Russia’s Donald Trump Jr., his eldest son, In the days that followed, Jay information that he had,” said Sarah interference in last year’s election. had met with a Russian lawyer with Sekulow, one of Mr. Trump’s Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary. “He “It seems a bit strange the president ties to the Kremlin during last year’s lawyers, repeatedly denied that on of the United States comes in and presidential campaign. That television. certainly didn’t dictate, but like I said, he weighed in, offered drafts this statement that is just meeting has become the focus of factually wrong about the content investigators looking at contacts “I wasn’t involved in the statement suggestion like any father would drafting at all, nor was the do.” and context of that meeting and this between Russia and associates of seems to be a pattern of constantly Mr. Trump. president,” Mr. Sekulow said on CNN’s “New Day” program on July Mr. Sekulow did not respond to trying to take the public’s attention The statement sent to The New 12. telephone or text messages on away from anything that deals with York Times on July 8 said the Tuesday. Ms. Sanders did not Russia,” Mr. Warner told CNN. respond to a follow-up email asking meeting was primarily “about the

Senate Confirms Christopher Wray as New F.B.I. Director

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 35

Adam Goldman agents at the F.B.I. who want a Since then, the bureau has been Friends and former colleagues of strong director to stave off any run by Andrew G. McCabe, the Mr. Wray say he is a low-key leader 3-4 minutes attempts by the White House to acting F.B.I. director, whom the but mindful of the divisions that meddle in its investigations. The president has attacked repeatedly should exist between the F.B.I. and

deteriorating relationship between because his wife, a Democrat, ran the White House. At his Senate Christopher A. Wray being sworn in Mr. Trump and the previous F.B.I. unsuccessfully for a seat in the confirmation hearing last month, Mr. at his confirmation hearing in July to director, James B. Comey, was Virginia Legislature. Mr. McCabe Wray said he would resist any head the F.B.I. Eric Thayer for The widely viewed as harmful to the was also close to Mr. Comey and political pressure. He told the New York Times bureau. served as his deputy before the Senate that he knew he was director was fired, fueling suspicions walking into a political maelstrom. WASHINGTON — The Senate on “Now more than ever, the bureau among the president’s closest Tuesday overwhelmingly confirmed needs a resolute and independent aides. “I fully understand that this is not a Christopher A. Wray as the next leader,” said Senator Sheldon job for the faint of heart,” Mr. Wray F.B.I. director to steer the United Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode With Mr. Wray confirmed, it is not said. “I can assure this committee, I States’ premier law enforcement Island and a member of the Senate clear what will happen to Mr. am not faint of heart.” agency through a politically fraught Judiciary Committee. “Christopher McCabe, who is eligible to retire in period as it investigates whether Wray has assured us he can be that March. If Mr. Wray decides to keep Mr. Wray graduated in 1989 from any of President Trump’s leader.” Mr. McCabe as his deputy, it could Yale University and earned his law associates colluded with the prompt Mr. Trump’s ire, creating degree in 1992 from Yale Law Russian government during last Mr. Trump summarily fired Mr. discomfort at the F.B.I. Yet School. He was hired as a federal year’s election. Comey in May, infuriating many demoting Mr. McCabe, a career prosecutor in Atlanta in 1997 and F.B.I. agents who saw the move as F.B.I. agent, would probably anger left the Justice Department in 2005 The 92-to-5 vote to confirm Mr. disrespectful. other agents, who would see it as a after rising to the head of the Wray, a former federal prosecutor, move that placates the president. criminal division as an assistant is likely to be a relief to many attorney general.

In Trump’s White House, the women are the survivors By ANNIE Conway, however, is not alone in During Scaramucci’s brief attempt equipped to navigate Trump’s short- KARNI surviving the snakepit. The quiet at cleansing the West Wing of fused personality, as well as his endurers of Trump’s tumultuous former Republican National inability to cope with anyone getting 10-12 minutes White House, by and large, are the Committee staffers, he managed to more attention than him. women who serve in his oust press aide Short, but not

administration. The fact that may another RNC alum, Lindsay “He’s no different to women than he ’s office has a seem ironic in an administration run Walters, who was also brought on is to men,” said Barbara Res, a different vibe than other corners of by a man who has launched sexist board by Priebus. former top construction executive at the West Wing. attacks on everyone from morning the Trump Organization who show host Mika Brzezinski to his Trump adviser Omarosa Manigault, worked directly under Trump and Unlike some of the drab work former campaign opponent Hillary famous for playing a villain on “The said he hasn’t changed his spaces belonging to her male Clinton — and who in the past has Apprentice,” has so far been leading playbook in 30 years. “He’s not any counterparts, whose offices look as been accused by more than a a surprisingly drama-free, if not more solicitous of women. He likes impersonal as the day they moved dozen women of groping or kissing particularly visible, work life in the to have everyone on edge, people in, Conway’s office is decorated them against their will. White House. competing with each other, he likes with colorfully framed, oversize to divide and conquer, he likes family photos mounted on the walls But the women of the West Wing, at And , the president’s everyone to think they work directly and a copy of Ivanka Trump’s book least so far, have had the more daughter and a senior adviser, has for him, men and women alike.” “Women Who Work” prominently on stable ride. Former Goldman Sachs skated past the FBI’s ongoing display. partner has risen in the Russia investigation, which has Res said she doesn’t think Trump ranks to become deputy national entangled both her husband and views his direct reports in terms of Story Continued Below security adviser. She was also on her older brother, Donald Trump Jr. gender. “He never thought of me as a woman,” she said. “He thought I The comfy digs are a sign that the final shortlist of people Trump So far, only two women have been was considering for the chief of staff was a real estate animal, he loved Conway, the White House moved out of Trump’s West Wing. my killer instincts. That’s what he counselor who recently has been job given to retired Gen. John Kelly, Former deputy national security according to two White House wanted. The ones he saw as keeping a lower profile, is planning adviser K.T. McFarland, a former women were the secretaries.” on being here for the long haul — officials. commentator, was seen even though some of her It was Powell, alongside U.N. as collateral damage in Flynn’s That sentiment was echoed by colleagues, including chief strategist Ambassador Nikki Haley, who was firing and was given a cushy landing McFarland in an interview earlier and recently invited to ride in Trump’s car, known as ambassador to Singapore. Katie this year with Business Insider. “I departed chief of staff Reince as “The Beast,” from the White Walsh, Priebus’ former deputy, who don’t think he cares two hoots Priebus, have at times tried to cut House to Andrews Air Force Base had no real personal relationship whether I was male or female,” she her out of the information loop. last Friday, hours before the with the president, never overcame said. “He just thought I could get the president unceremoniously fired her internal reputation as a Priebus job done.” Meanwhile, former colleagues like henchwoman. Priebus, , Sean Priebus in the rain. But Res said women may have an Spicer, , Michael Communications adviser Hope It's unclear exactly why women easier time navigating the Dubke, Michael Short and Boris Hicks maintains an unassailable have had more stable runs, at least competitive work atmosphere that Epshteyn have been fired, or simply position as a surrogate family so far, in Trump's West Wing, a Trump likes to foster because they resigned to save themselves. Even member and loyal aide by the place that has proposed policies are naturally more self-protective. “It Bannon, according to multiple president’s side, where she has deeply threatening to traditional would be rare to find a female people close to President Donald stood since before there was even a women's interests, such as the Scaramucci,” she said, noting it was Trump, has been the target of the campaign. defunding of Planned Parenthood unlikely that a woman would unload president’s recent frustrations and and the rolling back of Obama-era the profane tirade against White anger, and he has been trying to Sarah Huckabee Sanders has risen regulations on equal pay. House officials that ultimately cost lower his genius-behind-the-throne to the position of press secretary, Scaramucci his job. profile in order to avoid sharing after Spicer resigned because he Interviews with former staffers, Priebus’ unhappy fate. was not given the full control of the current White House officials and A White House official said: “The communications department that he political observers give most of the president has employed women at demanded. credit to women being better the highest levels of his company,

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 36 his campaign and now his dating her.” allows her to fly under the radar children. One official said that administration and their successes when necessary and stay out of the between kids and a demanding day are a testament in part to his Other White House observers had a president’s ever-changing line of job, “they just don’t have the same leadership, but as he would be the different theory of why the women fire. White House officials said it amount of time to stir the pot.” first to tell you, more importantly are surviving: None of them have remains to be seen how long their capabilities.” occupied the hot seat jobs. With a Sanders will remain in the Another White House aide added few exceptions, the women in president’s favor now that she is in that the female staffers who have Added Alexandra De Luca, press Trump’s White House have simply the media spotlight on a daily basis. succeeded in the administration are secretary to EMILY’s List: “Women not been given enough authority to the ones who “keep their heads who are successful in their careers be targeted for professional But most White House officials and down” and don’t try to be in the have usually had to deal with assassination. former campaign staffers press or push their own agenda. misogynistic jerks along the way. interviewed credit the tactics of the Trump also notices which people This White House is about as toxic Of the 22 staffers who take home female White House officials for generally command the respect of as it gets — but women have the maximum salary of $179,700, knowing how best to manage everyone else in the room. learned how to manage, and ignore, just five are women — Conway, Trump. Trump’s particular brand of Hicks, Manigault, Powell and “Those women are being work egomania in a way that their male , chief of staff to “In this White House, most of the horses, not show horses,” said counterparts just haven’t.” the first lady. That’s not a drama queens are men,” said Stu Alyssa Mastromonaco, a former top phenomenon unique to Trump’s Loeser, a former press secretary to official in Obama’s White House, Indeed, some of the women who White House: Women in Barack New York City Mayor Michael who has experienced the pressure- have succeeded in Trump’s circle Obama's White House, during his Bloomberg. For example, Bannon cooker environment of being one of are those who gamely play along first term, struggled to have a seat and Trump's son-in-law, Jared the few top women in the West with the role the president casts at the table and a voice in policy Kushner, waged a war against each Wing. “They all seem to be them in. On the evening after his discussions, and two-thirds of the other for weeks, until Trump told genuinely focused on the inauguration, Trump gave a shout- president’s top aides were men. them to work it out. The tension presidency and not building a out to his former campaign manager between Bannon and Priebus, in personal brand. I may not share at a black-tie dinner. “I see my The lack of top female advisers the early days of the administration, Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ politics, Kellyanne,” Trump said from the became an optics problem for became so unmanageable that they but she’s working her ass off and stage, beckoning her to join him and Trump in the opening days of his took their fake buddy comedy on deserves more credit than she then kissing her hand and calling administration, when he would often the road, making a knee-slapping gets.” her “baby.” She smiled and curtsied. be surrounded by a gaggle of white appearance together at the men crowding around the Resolute Conservative Political Action Missing out on the latest scoops? During a joint appearance on “The Desk for a photo-op signing of an Conference, in an attempt to Sign up for POLITICO Playbook View” in 2006, Ivanka Trump smiled executive order. change the narrative. and get the latest news, every along while her dad remarked on morning — in your inbox. her figure and noted while seated While she has been cut out of many One factor that several White next to her on the couch: “If Ivanka meetings, Conway, people close to House officials pointed to: the weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be her said, sees the upside of the number of senior White House floater role she currently occupies. It women who have three to six Williamson : Time for Stephen Bannon to Start Worrying? Elizabeth humiliations. The new chief of staff, firing of James Comey, the F.B.I. But as the Chinese idiom goes, the Williamson John Kelly, got off to a good start by director; warned Mr. Trump against shot hits the bird that pokes its head arranging the sacking of Anthony continuing his abusive campaign out. Last week Mr. Trump 4-5 minutes Scaramucci, the inept and mercifully against Mr. Sessions; and opposed channeled his ire at Mr. Bannon short-lived communications director. Mr. Scaramucci’s appointment, through the Mooch’s potty mouth,

saying Mr. Trump needed a whose barking-mad phone call to Stephen Bannon, President And then there’s — ready for this? professional, not another The New Yorker — I’m Trump’s chief strategist. Jonathan — Mr. Bannon, the alt-right inexperienced loyalist, to guide a paraphrasing mightily here — Ernst/Reuters ideologue who’s emerged as one of press shop whose “messaging” impugned Mr. Bannon as a self- the steadier hands on the ship. consists mostly of post-tweet promoter exploiting the president to These are dangerous days for During the bile-filled, Breitbart- babble. “build his own brand.” Stephen Bannon, President fueled campaign, Mr. Bannon Trump’s brain. A new book about encouraged Mr. Trump, who called On policy matters, Mr. Bannon Mr. Trump’s departed Mini-Me the White House chief strategist him “my Steve,” to toss all opposes further troop commitments probably didn’t come up with that portrays the president as the empty convention overboard. Now, while to Afghanistan, and he has urged characterization on his own. Now vessel into which Mr. Bannon Mr. Trump tweets and rages, and that taxes on the incomes of the that Reince Priebus, the fired chief poured his ideology and agenda, drifts aimlessly from one policy to wealthiest Americans remain high of staff with whom he’d had an propelling the two of them into the the next, Mr. Bannon keeps a as part of any comprehensive tax alliance of sorts, is gone, Mr. White House. The book, “Devil’s whiteboard in his office war room reform. Bannon might be worrying about his Bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald with a handwritten list of Mr. future, too. Trump, and the Storming of the Trump’s campaign promises. Not Mr. Bannon “understands the base Presidency,” by Joshua Green, a many of these promises have been more than anybody else in the Mr. Bannon is a wily operator who’s reporter who has known Mr. checked off. But what’s interesting building, and may be the only dodged many Trump tirades. A Bannon for years, is a best seller is that Mr. Bannon is keeping such person in the building who’s thinking former naval officer, he gets along that gives Mr. Trump second billing. a list, and while it’s easy to disagree three or four moves ahead,” says with Mr. Kelly, the Marine Corps That’s made the empty vessel very with a lot of the items on it, he at Barry Bennett, a former adviser to general who mowed down the angry. least seems to represent fealty to the Trump campaign who makes a Mooch. But given Mr. Trump’s what Trump voters said they nice living offering public relations weakness, vanity and plain Mr. Trump’s White House is drifting wanted. counsel to Mr. Trump’s Twitter incompetence, there are limits to so dangerously that we find targets, like the government of how much Mr. Bannon, who helped ourselves searching for ballast in He also seems, at times, a voice for Qatar. “He is very keyed into birth this dysfunctional presidency, unlikely places. There’s Jeff sanity, although in the Trump White middle-class America. In the White can do to fix it. Sessions, who refused to resign his House that’s a relative term. He House he may be their only post as attorney general amid daily objected to Mr. Trump’s untimely advocate.”

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Milbank : Can anyone get a handle on the president who handles everything? https://www.face accounts an ideal fit. He has the were arguing for a full disclosure by announced Monday morning, before book.com/danamilbank stature, the independence and the his son to get in front of the Russia heading to the Cabinet Room for a brass to tell the president to cut the revelations — and even though Cabinet meeting. Was it just a slip 12-15 minutes nonsense. He has shown sensible emails and Donald Trump Jr.’s of the tongue that made him call the skepticism about Trump’s proposed subsequent statements would hallowed chamber — where

border wall, his firing of James B. quickly demolish the one the presidents since Theodore For a man with such small hands, Comey and more. Let’s wish him president dictated about Russian Roosevelt have presided — by the President Trump handles an awful well. adoptions. name of the room where he fired lot of things. people on “The Apprentice”? It was But I fear Kelly — “General,” as This should alarm Kelly, because it not. “We’ll see you in the board As a businessman, he handled golf Trump calls him — does not is a reminder that this president is room,” he repeated moments later. courses, casinos, hotels, appreciate just how out of hand this fundamentally dishonest. This is (In the room for the Cabinet bankruptcies and, by his own president is, or how allergic he is to why allies can’t deal with him, meeting: Trump aide Omarosa account, a number of unsuspecting the sort of discipline Kelly aims to Congress can’t negotiate with him Manigault, late of “The Apprentice.”) women. When you’re a star, they let impose. Trump alone does the — and those who work for him can’t you do it. handling, and I’m not just talking trust him. Now Kelly supposes he can give about the awkward public touches this president discipline. It’s Now he’s president and he handles, he has had with everybody from Kelly’s professional life has been desperately needed to stop the well, everything. “We have some Ivanka Trump to . He working within the chain of chaos. Even as Kelly was starting interesting situations that we’ll has no capacity to be tamed, command. But Trump’s professional his new job, Trump was tweeting handle,” he reported at this week’s shamed or restrained. life has been all command and no about the “fake news media,” Cabinet meeting. “. . . We’ll take chain. As owner and chief executive threatening to “hurt the insurance care of them. We’ll take care of Trump gave Kelly assurances that of a family company, he didn’t have companies” that participate in them very well.” he would have full authority in the public shareholders or an Obamacare and, apparently White House, which is essential. independent board of directors to forgetting his promise to be the But he gave Kelly’s predecessor review his commands. He ruled by voice of the “forgotten men and Reince Priebus the same whim, and his managers — family women,” boasting that assurances, and they were members and other loyalists — “Corporations have NEVER made Read These Comments meaningless. As Preet Bharara — didn’t question his edicts. as much money as they are making fired as U.S. attorney after Trump The best conversations on The now.” personally asked him to stay on — This real-life experience for Trump Washington Post can tell you, Trump is not bound by wasn’t unlike his reality TV show, in But how to restrain Trump? Even which contestants — subordinates Fox News’s John Roberts asked his word. Vice President Pence, who has — stroked his ego. It’s also how he about the latest North Korea missile constitutional job security, has The latest reminder of this comes has run the White House so far. launch. “We’ll handle North Korea,” stopped trying. He actually told Fox from The Post’s stunning report this Recall his first full Cabinet meeting, Trump said. “We’re going to be able News on Tuesday that “I’ll always week that the president himself at which the doomed Priebus to handle North — there will be — it support whatever decisions that the dictated the misleading statement in thanked Trump “for the opportunity will be handled. We handle president makes.” July issued by his son Donald and blessing that you’ve given us,” everything.” Trump Jr. about the younger while others dueled to be the most I can’t dismiss out of hand the Now the man who handles Trump’s 2016 meeting with effusive in praising Trump. possibility that Kelly will be the first everything has a handler. Russians who promised dirt on person ever to get a handle on Hillary Clinton. The president, No wonder Trump still thinks he’s Trump. But it’s the unlikeliest Retired four-star Gen. John F. Kelly, aboard Air Force One, dictated the on set at “The Apprentice.” “We’ll outcome. Hands down. Trump’s new chief of staff, is by all statement even though his aides see you in the board room,” Trump

Action on Trump’s tax cut plan could be delayed until next year (UNE) https://www.face Trump touted the tax proposal their first check in 2018, they have policy analyst for Keefe Bruyette & book.com/kelsey. Tuesday in a meeting with business more disposable income.” (Jabin Woods, an investment banking firm. snell.3 executives, saying his team was Botsford/The Washington Post) “Passing spending bills and raising “pursuing bold tax cuts” to help the debt ceiling must be done.” 8-10 minutes companies grow. Congress’s most immediate concern, however, is the debt Republican leaders face several “We’re unleashing a new era of ceiling, which the Treasury challenges as they seek to avert a The White House’s push to quickly American prosperity perhaps like Department says must be raised by government shutdown or default. we have never seen it before,” he Sept. 29 to ensure that the pass a major package of tax cuts Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin through Congress is facing a fall said at the meeting. government can pay its bills. Failing to raise the ceiling could spark a met with Senate Majority Leader calendar full of legislative land Republican leaders in Congress, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and mines, potentially delaying a key global financial crisis, leading to a however, face a pair of deadlines stock market crash, a spike in Senate Minority Leader Charles E. part of President Trump’s agenda that are delaying any action on Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday, into at least 2018. interest rates and a potential taxes. The current budget is set to economic recession. pressing them to raise the The Trump administration sees tax expire at the end of September, and borrowing limit as soon as possible. cuts as an achievable victory after a unless Congress approves new The Senate and House are But the talks ended without string of failed attempts to pass funding, there will be a partial scheduled to be in session together progress or even a clear sense of other parts of the president’s government shutdown that will close for a total of just 12 days from now what the Senate leaders must do to legislative agenda, as well as a national parks and put hundreds of until the debt ceiling deadline, giving deliver votes to raise the limit, proposal that could unite a party thousands of federal workers on them little time to focus on tax cuts. according to three people briefed on fractured over Senate Republicans’ unpaid leave., chairman the meeting who spoke on the of the National Economic Council, “September will be a month when condition of anonymity to talk failure last week to vote through a the Trump administration faces its repeal of parts of the Affordable has said the tax effort would be a candidly about the private success if, when Americans “get most significant test on Capitol Hill,” discussions. Care Act. said Brian Gardner, Washington

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Some more-conservative that it wants that funding to be part to forge ahead on their own if credit of the government, those are Republicans are demanding that of a spending bill. necessary. bigger than speed bumps,” said any increase in the debt ceiling — a Rick Hohlt, a longtime GOP legislative limit on how much the Lawmakers could approve a short- He noted that 45 Democrats and lobbyist. “Those are like running off government can borrow — come term spending bill to give independents sent him a letter the cliff. It needs to get everybody’s coupled with broad plans to cut themselves more time to negotiate, Tuesday indicating they would not attention when they focus.” spending and shrink the federal but that would further postpone any support a tax overhaul plan that government, provisions that would tax discussions because Congress widened the deficit, something The White House, for its part, probably preclude any Democratic would remain consumed with the Republicans have suggested might seems to be losing patience with support for the increase. budget. need to be part of their package. lawmakers as the legislative agenda This, McConnell said, would force piles up. Trump was furious that the In 2015, the last time the debt Congress hasn’t overhauled the tax them to pass a tax bill along party Senate failed to pass a bill to repeal ceiling was raised, the majority of code in 31 years, in part because it lines using a process known as parts of the Affordable Care Act last votes to pass the measure came is so politically difficult, but White reconciliation, which first requires week, and Republicans are looking from Democrats after conservatives House officials are trying to them to pass a budget resolution — to the tax cut plan as something objected to increasing the limit accelerate talks. something they also have not done they could sell to voters as a major without spending cuts, despite pleas White House legislative director yet. accomplishment ahead of the 2018 for cooperation from GOP leaders. midterm elections. said Monday that he “We have been informed by the That dynamic has not changed, and wanted everything to be wrapped Democrats believe they still have majority of the Democrats in a letter Sanders took a shot at Congress on up by November. National I just received today that most of the Tuesday, remarking of Trump’s significant leverage in any Economic Council Director Gary negotiations on the borrowing limit. principles that would get the country track record so far that “what’s Cohn said they would consider their going again, they’re not interested hurting his legislative agenda is Mnuchin has warned Congress for effort a success if, when Americans in addressing,” McConnell said. Congress’s inability to get things months to deal with the debt ceiling, “get their first check in 2018, they passed.” but there are signs that senior White have more disposable income.” Separately, lawmakers must vote to reauthorize a health insurance Analysts think all these looming House officials are also starting to But there are signs that Senate worry about the lack of a resolution. program for children from low- decisions are pushing back any Republicans have not decided how income families, as well as the action on tax code changes, They are now openly talking about they want to proceed. the need for lawmakers to act federal flood insurance program. potentially into next year. quickly. Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), who Both will be curtailed sharply if Republicans still haven’t resolved leads the Senate’s tax-writing panel, Congress doesn’t act. key differences among themselves “To ensure that we have robust on the tax cut plan, such as its size said on the Senate floor Tuesday But it’s the debt ceiling and the economic growth and promote fiscal that he would pursue a more and whether it should be temporary discipline, the Trump administration spending bill that are expected to or permanent. deliberative process than Congress consume lawmakers throughout believes it’s important to raise the used during the health-care debt ceiling as soon as possible,” September and potentially beyond, “Even when you get to tax reform, discussions, holding public hearings delaying negotiations on the tax it’s going to be really difficult and White House spokeswoman Sarah and working closely with Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday. plan. really slow,” said Andy Laperriere, Democrats. an analyst at Cornerstone Macro, a Act Four newsletter On the budget, Democrats have Less than an hour later, McConnell Wall Street research firm. He said said they will not agree to any poured cold water on that idea, The intersection of culture and the most likely outcome at this point spending bill that includes money saying that it was unlikely many politics. is that Congress will not get “tax for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico Democrats would seek to work with reform signed into law.” border, but the White House has Republicans and that they planned “If you can’t fund the government, said repeatedly and if you can’t make good on the Newt Gingrich and Brad Anderson : Pass GOP tax cuts by Thanksgiving or lose the House Newt Gingrich and Brad Anderson, six months must not be the same as to the Federal Reserve’s latest form of new jobs, higher Opinion contributors the last six months. annual economic well-being report, wages or expansion. nearly half of Americans could not 5-6 minutes To regain their legislative cover an unexpected $400 This new economic activity momentum and keep their majority, expense, like a car repair or medical produced by the tax cuts would —

Republicans must clearly bill. That’s not a huge surprise. Real along with other regulatory and pro- Published 3:15 a.m. ET Aug. 2, demonstrate they are fighting for the median wages — which have finally growth efforts — restore the country 2017 | Updated 8:10 a.m. ET Aug. country’s hardworking taxpayers. begun to improve — have been to its historic 3% growth rate. This 2, 2017 This means passing a major tax cut stagnant for most of this century. would produce trillions of dollars in by Thanksgiving — and making it extra revenue that would offset the Republicans don't have time to retroactive to the start of this year. A middle-class tax cut would directly fiscal costs of the tax cuts. The overhaul the whole health system boost bank accounts by providing opposition will try to call this a or tax code. Notching a big win By 2018, the tax cuts will have Americans with more take-home “trickle down” theory, but it’s that has immediate effects is a spurred economic growth and wage pay, which will offer relief to commonsense. The wage, job and better approach. increases, giving Republicans taxpayers struggling with inflated investment stimulus from a large tax substantial momentum and a health care, housing and child care cut for the middle class and small Tax forms(Photo: Getty Images) popular record of success to tout costs. businesses would be direct and during their campaigns. immediate. The specter of House Speaker Small business tax cuts would help Nancy Pelosi is looming. More: Scaramucci tenure was short further because some small More: Sen. Jeff Flake's new book but he left a lasting media legacy Following Republicans’ failure to fix business owners would reinvest draws the line between the country’s health care system, More: On health reform, forget their savings in the form of higher and conservatism polls show Americans are politicians. What do doctors and wages for their workers. According to a new Job Creators Network POLICING THE USA: A look increasingly flirting with Democratic patients want? at race, justice, media governance in Congress next year. nationwide poll of small business This means Republicans must But they must stay focused. A tax owners, a majority of respondents The first step for Republicans change their game plan. The next cut package directed at small said they would direct their tax writing the tax cut legislation is to businesses and the middle class is savings into their businesses in the reject the notion that it needs to be better policy than politics. According

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 39 revenue neutral. Instead, tax cut ensuring that voters will view Tax cuts by November beat In short, Republican lawmakers Republicans should argue that the Republicans as the party of middle- comprehensive reform next spring must come together over tax cuts tax cuts should be deficit neutral — class prosperity in November because changes will take time to for hardworking taxpayers before meaning they wouldn’t add to the 2018? take effect and for voters to feel the hardworking taxpayers come deficit because of the economic impact. A Republican majority can together against Republican growth they'd produce. We also know that there are some always come back to tax reform in lawmakers. in Congress who want to pursue 2019. We know that deficit neutrality comprehensive tax reform that also Newt Gingrich is a former speaker might ruffle the feathers of some addresses deductions, Serious tax cuts will bring of the House. Brad Anderson is the fiscal hawks. For them, we have loopholes and other less publicized Americans more — and better — former CEO of and a only one question: Which will be taxes. We think these are valid job opportunities, with higher take- member of the Job Creators more expensive, having House goals. However, the tax code is home pay. That’s why we think this Network. Speaker Nancy Pelosi attempt to complex, and Republicans don’t is the key to keeping the Republican implement a Democratic agenda, or have time to pursue such massive majority in 2018. passing a deficit-neutral Republican and controversial reform.

Editorial : Time for the Trump administration to speak with one voice on the debt ceiling https://www.face pay all of its obligations on time. The best conversations on The deal haven’t gone anywhere, and book.com/washingtonpostopinions The stability of the financial system, Washington Post probably won’t as long as neither domestic and international, depends side in the Senate knows exactly 11-13 minutes on preserving the “risk-free” status Mr. Mnuchin is getting no help from where the White House stands. of U.S. debt, earned over centuries. Mick Mulvaney, the director of the “The Trump administration believes

A failure to raise the debt limit would Office of Management and Budget, it’s important to raise the debt Opinion imperil this status, causing a who hails from the wing of the GOP ceiling as soon as possible,” said “serious problem,” as Mr. Mnuchin that believes in playing political Sarah Huckabee Sanders at her Opinion A column or article in the has put it with considerable games with this issue. On Sunday, daily news briefing Tuesday — fine Opinions section (in print, this is understatement. Mr. Mulvaney answered “yes” when as far as it goes, but not quite an known as the Editorial Pages). CNN’s Jake Tapper asked if the endorsement of unconditional debt- Lawmakers have so far declined to White House policy was to insist August 1 at 8:01 PM limit extension, which is Mr. follow his advice, however, thus Congress not vote on any other Mnuchin’s position and the only THERE SEEM to be two kinds of violating Mr. Mnuchin’s legislation, including the debt responsible one. Republicans: those who think that recommendation, made six weeks ceiling, before trying once again to the full faith and credit of the United ago, to take care of business before repeal Obamacare. This appeared Mr. Trump’s chief of staff, retired States can be the subject of political the August recess, which for the to reopen a rift with Mr. Mnuchin Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, got his experimentation, and sensible ones. House began July 29. Mr. Mnuchin that first appeared in the spring, new job with instructions to impose can continue to pay the federal when Mr. Mulvaney spoke of order on the chaos that reigns at Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin government’s obligations by means making a debt-limit extension 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. We fits in the latter category. He has of “extraordinary measures” through contingent on spending cuts — only can’t think of a better place to start repeatedly called upon Congress, about mid-October, but he says the to be publicly contradicted by Mr. than by bringing everyone in the controlled by the GOP, to pass an drop-dead date for legislative action Mnuchin, apparently with President administration into line, starting with increase in the statutory debt limit, is Sept. 29 — giving Congress just Trump’s authorization. the man at the top, behind Mr. with no policy strings attached, so 12 working days after it returns from Mnuchin’s position on the debt that the United States government August recess. Now, who knows? Certainly Mr. ceiling. The hour is getting late, and may continue borrowing past the Mnuchin’s delicate talks with the stakes are immense. current, already expired ceiling of Read These Comments Republican and Democratic $20 trillion — and senators on a possible debt-limit Justice Dept. to Take On Affirmative Action in College Admissions (UNE) Charlie Savage division, seeks current lawyers “intentional race-based Roger Clegg, a former top official in interested in working for a new discrimination,” cuts to the heart of the civil rights division during the 8-10 minutes project on “investigations and programs designed to bring more Reagan administration and the first possible litigation related to minority students to university Bush administration who is now the

intentional race-based campuses. president of the conservative Center President Trump and Attorney discrimination in college and for Equal Opportunity, called the General Jeff Sessions have helped university admissions.” Supporters and critics of the project project a “welcome” and “long tilt the Justice Department to the said it was clearly targeting overdue” development as the right on civil rights issues. Doug The announcement suggests that admissions programs that can give United States becomes increasingly Mills/The New York Times the project will be run out of the members of generally multiracial. division’s front office, where the disadvantaged groups, like black WASHINGTON — The Trump Trump administration’s political and Latino students, an edge over “The civil rights laws were administration is preparing to appointees work, rather than its other applicants with comparable or deliberately written to protect redirect resources of the Justice Educational Opportunities Section, higher test scores. everyone from discrimination, and it Department’s civil rights division which is run by career civil servants is frequently the case that not only toward investigating and suing and normally handles work involving The project is another sign that the are whites discriminated against universities over affirmative action schools and universities. civil rights division is taking on a now, but frequently Asian- admissions policies deemed to conservative tilt under President Americans are as well,” he said. discriminate against white The document does not explicitly Trump and Attorney General Jeff applicants, according to a document identify whom the Justice Sessions. It follows other changes But Kristen Clarke, the president of obtained by The New York Times. Department considers at risk of in Justice Department policy on the liberal Lawyers’ Committee for discrimination because of voting rights, gay rights and police Civil Rights Under Law, criticized The document, an internal affirmative action admissions reforms. the affirmative action project as announcement to the civil rights policies. But the phrasing it uses, “misaligned with the division’s

Revue de presse américaine du 2 août 2017 40 longstanding priorities.” She noted Mr. Clegg said he would expect the their résumés by Aug. 9, the “The fact that the position is in the that the civil rights division was project to focus on investigating announcement said — joins a political front office, and not in the “created and launched to deal with complaints the civil rights division series of changes involving civil career section that enforces the unique problem of discrimination received about any university rights law since Mr. Trump’s antidiscrimination laws for faced by our nation’s most admissions programs. inauguration. education, suggests that this person oppressed minority groups,” will be carrying out an agenda performing work that often no one He also suggested that the project In a lawsuit challenging Texas’ strict aimed at undermining diversity in else has the resources or expertise would look for stark gaps in test voter identification law, the Justice higher education without needing to to do. scores and dropout rates among Department switched its position, say it,” Ms. Gupta said. different racial cohorts within dropping the claim that the law was “This is deeply disturbing,” she said. student bodies, which he said would intentionally discriminatory and later The civil rights division has been a “It would be a dog whistle that could be evidence suggesting that declaring that the law had been recurring culture-war battleground invite a lot of chaos and admissions offices were putting too fixed. Mr. Sessions has also made as it passed between Democratic unnecessarily create hysteria great an emphasis on applicants’ clear he is not interested in using and Republican administrations. among colleges and universities race and crossing the line the consent decrees to impose reforms who may fear that the government Supreme Court has drawn. on troubled police departments and During the administration of George may come down on them for their has initiated a sweeping review of W. Bush, its overseers violated Civil efforts to maintain diversity on their Some of that data, he added, could existing agreements. Service hiring laws, an inspector campuses.” be available through the Education general found, by filling its career Department’s Office for Civil Rights, Last week, the Justice Department, ranks with conservatives who often The Justice Department declined to which did not respond to a request without being asked, filed a brief in had scant experience in civil rights provide more details about its plans for comment. a private employment discrimination law. At the same time, it brought or to make the acting head of the lawsuit. It urged an appeals court fewer cases alleging systematic civil rights division, John Gore, John Gore, the acting head of the not to interpret the ban on sex- discrimination against minorities available for an interview. Justice Department’s civil rights based discrimination in the Civil and more alleging reverse division, in 2014. American Rights Act of 1964 as covering discrimination against whites, like a “The Department of Justice does Constitution Society, via YouTube sexual orientation. The Obama 2006 lawsuit forcing Southern not discuss personnel matters, so The Supreme Court most recently administration had shied from taking Illinois University to stop reserving we’ll decline comment,” said Devin a stand on that question. certain fellowship programs for O’Malley, a department spokesman. addressed affirmative action admissions policies in a 2016 case, women or members of Vanita Gupta, who ran the civil underrepresented racial groups. The Supreme Court has ruled that voting 4 to 3 to uphold a race- rights division in the Obama the educational benefits that flow conscious program at the University administration’s second term and is In 2009, the Obama administration from having a diverse student body of Texas at Austin. But there are now president of the liberal vowed to revitalize the agency and can justify using race as one factor several pending lawsuits Leadership Conference on Civil and hired career officials who brought in among many in a “holistic” challenging such practices at other Human Rights, noted that the briefs many new lawyers with experience evaluation, while rejecting blunt high-profile institutions, including in the Texas voter identification and working for traditional, liberal- racial quotas or race-based point Harvard University and the gay-rights cases were signed only leaning civil-rights organizations. systems. But what that permits in University of North Carolina. The by Trump administration political actual practice by universities — Justice Department has not taken a appointees, not career officials, just public ones as well as private ones position in those cases. as the affirmative action project will that receive federal funding — is apparently be run directly by the often murky. The pending start of the affirmative action project — division lawyers division’s front office. who want to work on it must submit Editorial : The Body Count at the Border The Editorial died so far this year, and last year construction, hotels and make money when politicians slap Board the count topped 300. This year restaurants.” In the 1940s and ’50s on new restrictions on immigration, there have been 7.8 deaths for the Bracero program allowed and the way to bankrupt them is a 3-4 minutes every 10,000 apprehensions of workers to enter legally from system that allows safe, legal entry illegal border crossers. Mexico, and illegal immigration and exit. Ron Johnson (R., Wis.)

apprehensions dropped 95% has a bill in the Senate to let states Aug. 1, 2017 7:19 p.m. ET The number of deaths increased by between 1953 and 1959. experiment with guest-worker about 80% between 1999 and 2012, programs, which would be a place Every so often comes a dark even as apprehensions—a reliable Some who make it across the to start. reminder of the human costs of proxy for illegal immigration— border stay in the U.S. illegally immigration dysfunction, and last plummeted by more than 75%. As a because they can’t risk multiple The recent deaths are gruesome month 10 people suffocated in an result, a person picking their way crossings. A visa holder who could but hardly unprecedented: The 18-wheeler in Texas while trying to across the border is now “5 times travel home freely might be less policy brief recalls how a dozen move to the United States from more likely to die in the attempt than likely to venture a dangerous men died in the Arizona desert in Mexico and Central America. 18 years ago,” the report notes. crossing with his entire family. By the 2000s, one of whom was Congress could prevent similar One reason is that an enforcement the way, more work visas would be Lorenzo Ortiz Hernandez, a father tragedies with more legal visas for crackdown has encouraged people a fillip for the economy; agriculture, of five who took out a loan at 15% guest workers, as a new report to slip across more treacherous or construction and many other interest to underwrite an illegal details. remote areas of the southwest. industries report labor shortages crossing. He was looking to support despite rising wages. his family. Such casualties will The National Foundation for Most immigrants come to the U.S. continue until Congress finds the American Policy in a report out this for work and opportunity, so the Homeland Security Secretary John political will to reform the broken week notes that “more than 7,000 solution is to allow them to find jobs Kelly, who has since decamped for U.S. immigration system. men, women and children have died legally. The paper notes that the the White House, put out a along the Southwest border” over U.S. doesn’t have a visa program statement that the Texas smugglers Appeared in the August 2, 2017, the past two decades. More than that permits immigrants to work “have no regard for human life and print edition. 200 people have legally in “year-round industries like seek only profits.” But smugglers Editorial : The Olympics could be a boon for Los Angeles, but it's foolish to think we can't lose

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The Times Editorial Board The city — and the public — must scrutinize the financial assumptions 6-7 minutes and projections of the nonprofit group acting as the local Olympic

organizers. The point is to detect Los Angeles scored a major victory and respond to problems as they this week by securing both the right emerge, not after they become to host the 2028 Summer Olympic irreparable. Games and concessions from the International Olympic Committee That said, the mayor and L.A. worth hundreds of millions of Olympic committee officials appear dollars. Mayor Eric Garcetti and the to have done as much as possible city’s Olympic committee officials under the circumstances to insulate get credit for extracting a better deal the city from financial disaster. The from the IOC in exchange for budget has a reserve of $487 agreeing to wait an additional four million, and the state had agreed to years and let Paris host the 2024 kick in $250 million to help pay for Games. any shortfall in 2024. The new 2028 deal mitigates the risk even further As Garcetti correctly points out, the by cutting some costs and finding city (not to mention the region, state new revenues. and nation) has much to gain in terms of direct and indirect Los Angeles also starts out with a economic benefits, infrastructure crucial advantage over other hosts: improvements and goodwill from It doesn’t have to spend billions of hosting the Games. But it would be dollars building anything. The plan foolish for city leaders to assume is to use fields, arenas and other that L.A. just can’t lose, as Garcetti facilities that already exist or are and other Olympics boosters have scheduled to be built soon with asserted. Of course it can. There private dollars. The one big-ticket are no guarantees when it comes to item in the city’s original proposal — ticket sales, sponsorship deals or a $1-billion Olympic village to be labor and materials costs for an constructed near downtown — was event more than a decade away. dropped in favor of a more prudent And because the IOC refuses to arrangement to house athletes in share the risk of cost overruns, host UCLA’s new dorms. cities are on the hook for any Some Angelenos might wonder why budget-busting developments. the city should bother putting on Ideally, Garcetti would have insisted something that promises that the IOC protect the city from inconvenience at best and a costly cost overruns in exchange for taxpayer burden at worst. The accepting the later date. But the answer is that if they’re done well, city’s experience with the 1984 the Games can pay economic and Summer Games suggests that the civic dividends long after any window for negotiations hasn’t fully Olympic-sized traffic jams are closed. In the run-up to the ’84 cleared. This means more federal Games, public concern about the funding sooner for infrastructure potential for a taxpayer bailout led improvements, an influx of private voters to approve a ballot measure investment, and spruced-up streets, that threatened to withdraw L.A. as parks and public spaces. This host unless the IOC reduced the particular deal also means an city’s risk. That’s what led the IOC immediate $160 million investment to waive the requirement that L.A. in youth sports. That may sound like shoulder all unanticipated costs. small change, but to the many kids who don’t play sports because their If they’re done well, the Games can parents can’t afford sign-up fees as pay economic and civic dividends high as $150, it could be life- long after any Olympic-sized traffic changing. jams are cleared. There are also the intangible Regardless, city leaders need to benefits of being part of a global, start working now to make sure the historic tradition — one of the few $5.3-billion project doesn’t turn into extant — that brings the entire world a boondoggle over the coming 11 to your city. It can be a thrilling years. Before committing the city’s experience for Angelenos and their treasury to such a massive children, while selling the city to the undertaking, city leaders must also millions who attend or watch the commit themselves and their events from afar. successors to vigilant oversight. That responsibility begins as soon The 1984 Games turned out to be a as next week, when the L.A. City financial success, doing more good Council is expected to take up the for its host city than any Summer new host city contract. Council Games since then. L.A. may not be members must make sure that all able to top that in 2028, but with the promises made by the IOC are luck and diligence it could host a in the document before the deal is world-class Olympic Games that finalized in Lima, Peru, on Sept. 13. leaves the city proud, not racked with buyer’s remorse.

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