FOREIGN POLICY/RUSSIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration named Russia on Monday [12-18-17] as a bad actor on the world stage in a policy document that offers a sober analysis of Moscow as a rival despite Trump’s own bid for warmer ties with President Vladimir Putin.
The criticism of Russia, laid out in a new national security strategy formed from Trump’s ‘America First’ foreign policy vision, reflects a view long held by American diplomats that Russia actively undermines U.S. interests at home and abroad.
Excerpts of the strategy document released on Monday made no direct mention of U.S. allegations that Russia meddled in last year’s presidential election…
Trump has frequently spoken of his desire for an improved relationship with Putin, even though Russia has frustrated U.S. ambitions in Syria and Ukraine and done little to help Washington in its standoff with North Korea…
Trump’s strategy reflects his ‘America First’ priorities of protecting the U.S. homeland and borders, rebuilding the U.S. military, projecting strength abroad and pursuing trade policies more favorable to the United States, according to excerpts made available by the White House.”
-Steve Holland and Phil Stewart, “Trump strategy document singles out Russia as bad actor globally,” Reuters, Dec. 18, 2017 02:03am