The Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson described the findings by the intelligence agencies as “clearly troubling,” and called cyber attacks from foreign actors such as Russia “the greatest and most complex threat” facing the country today.

The Secretary of State-designate labeled Russia’s annexation of Crimea to be “illegal” and proposed tougher measures to combat the Kremlin’s invasion of eastern Ukraine, vowing that he would advocate providing Ukrainian soldiers with weapons.

Author: JONATHAN CLARKE a member of the British diplomatic service for 20 years,

Edited

Senator Marc Rubio during recent confirmation hearings challenged the Secretary of State designate Mr. Rex Tillerson for his views on President Vladimir Putin demanding to know whether he thought the Russian President was a war criminal. Mr. Rex Tillerson answered that he "wouldn’t use that term. Those are very, very serious charges to make and I want to have much more information." He was right.

Tensions between Russia and the European Union, the United States and others have been high since the Russian annexation of Crimea in February-March 2014.

A March 2016 survey by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and its Polish partner, the Institute of Public Affairs (ISP), found that while a large minority of Germans polled (38 percent) perceived Russia to be a military threat, the majority (56 percent) did not.

Source: www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/11 kissinger-order-and-chaos/506876

At the confirmation hearings, General Mattis said Russia aggression, China aggressiveness in the South China Sea and Islamist militants were presenting the biggest challenge to the U.S.-led world order since World War Two, and called for Congress to lift spending caps undermining military readiness. General Mattis believes the main threat to U.S. interests is Russia.

There is a common thread in the ethics plan outlined by President-elect Trump: His pledge to separate his private interests from public policy depends almost entirely on him and his team following their own rules with almost a total absence of public disclosure, outside oversight or independent verification.

Extract

"I come before you at a pivotal time in both the history of our nation and our world.

Nearly everywhere we look, people and nations are deeply unsettled. Old ideas and international norms which were well-understood and governed behaviors in the past may no longer be effective in our time.

1. Has the potential to be an outstanding Secretary of State
2. Well prepared to do what is essential for the security of the United States
3. Knows crucial regions. He knows the leaders and he understands the challenges and the risks
4. Experience and knowledge of Russia an asset not a liability
5. Superbly qualified and the right person at the right time
6. An inspired choice by President-Elect Trump for this critical position. Uniquely qualified to serve in this important office

White House

• Senior Advisor : Jared Kushner (Trump’s son in law)
• Senior Advisor to the President: Stephen Miller (Trump loyalist and Head of the Economic Policy Team. Currently National Policy Director for the Trump transition. Stephen Miller is a Jeff Sessions Aide who was a member of Donald Trump’s campaign and transition team. He has also been picked to write the inaugural address.
• Senior Counselor to the President & White House Strategist: Steve Bannon (Former Executive Chair of Breitbart News Website)