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I don't think we need the DNI to brief us on which candidate Russia (still) prefers as a candidate.
Saving American lives should matter to US Presidents. What could possibly be a bigger priority for POTUS?
Progress on any other issue is impossible when POTUS is a Putin pushover https://twitter.com/axios/status/1288414395392040960
Saving American lives should matter to US Presidents. What could possibly be a bigger priority for POTUS?
Progress on any other issue is impossible when POTUS is a Putin pushover https://twitter.com/axios/status/1288414395392040960
Having worked on POTUS calls a few notable points:
1. Calls do often have specific issues /goals outlined at the front end: arms control, Syria, -- and more.
1. Calls do often have specific issues /goals outlined at the front end: arms control, Syria, -- and more.
2. @WHNSC staff work with agencies/ departments/ the IC to propose priorities for POTUS calls and to then develop talking points
3. The IC also plays a role - or it should. The IC should prepared an assessment of the other leader, for example, and how he/ she views bilateral relations
4. The IC and the NSC may also outline what the other leader DOESN'T want to talk about that may be affirmatively necessary for POTUS to raise -- I.e. "uncomfortable conversations" that a POTUS needs to have to advance US natsec
5. For example, if the IC assesses that a foreign leader thinks he is in the driver's seat and that POTUS is a pushover - it's important to work on reestablishing leverage. Leveling the playing field.
6. Undoubtedly, there are a ton of mission critical issues for POTUS to raise with PUtin - including his ongoing attacks on our elections, #covid19 R+D, Russian bounties (I could continue)
7. Failing to raise any of these issues gives Putin more reason to think POTUS is a pushover - that makes it impossible to make progress on any actual US agenda item on ANY other issue (other than issues that benefit Putin).
8. With Russian bounties and election attacks and covid19 hacks in the news, POTUS failing to raise these issues makes Putin feel in control throughout the call.
9. While the call may have been about other issues, there is zero chance that anyone with any intel training (or common sense) didn't brief POTUS on these dynamics/ recommend raising unless they were told not to,
10. Being a Putin pushover on a POTUS call makes it a waste of time for everyone but Putin.
