US Halts Deployment And Recalls Troops From NATO’s Biggest War Exercise In 25 Years

Press Release - In response to the current outbreak of the #COVID19 virus and recent guidance by @EsperDoD, we have modified exercise #DefenderEurope 20 in size and scope: https://t.co/uH32FxAz0D pic.twitter.com/fEgatuvo3v

— U.S European Command (@US_EUCOM) March 16, 2020

Army Times: Soldiers in Europe for Defender 2020 to return home amid pandemic

U.S. officials are significantly reducing the size and scope of the long-awaited Defender 2020 exercise intended to test the Army’s ability to move a division-sized force from U.S. seaports to European training grounds this spring.

The exercise included 20,000 soldiers who were meant to conduct training across 10 European countries. Several linked exercises — Dynamic Front, Joint Warfighting Assessment, Saber Strike and Swift Response — will no longer be conducted, Army Europe officials said Monday.

Approximately 6,000 soldiers had already deployed from the United States to Europe since January, including a division headquarters and an armored brigade combat team.

Read more ....

Update #1: US military curtails another major exercise due to coronavirus pandemic (CNN)
Update #2: US halts deployment & recalls troops from NATO’s biggest drill ‘Defender Europe 2020’ due to coronavirus threat (RT)

WNU Editor: I am willing to bet that right now most soldiers are more focused on the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and its impact on them and their families than participating in the Defender 2020 exercises.

U.S. Secretary Of Defense: Strategic Interest Of U.S. Aligns With India

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper addresses reporters during a media briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 11, 2019.rin Scott / Reuters

NDTV/Press Trust of India: Strategic Interest Of US Aligns With India: American Defence Secretary

"Next week in Washington DC, the United States will host the second ever India two-plus-two ministerial, where we will continue to advance our growing partnership as our strategic interests align," US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said.

Washington: There is an alignment of America's strategic interest with India, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said on Friday as he identified China, followed by Russia, as Pentagon's top two challenges in the coming years.

"Next week in Washington DC, the United States will host the second ever India two-plus-two ministerial, where we will continue to advance our growing partnership as our strategic interests align," Mr Esper said during his appearance at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) think-tank.

On December 18, Mr Esper will host his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, at the Pentagon for a bilateral meeting. Following this, he and Mr Singh will drive down to the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department to join External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for the second India US 2+2 ministerial.

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WNU Editor: I sure Pakistan is not happy to hear this.

What To Expect If The United States Withdraws From NATO

Banners displaying the NATO logo are placed at the entrance of new NATO headquarters during the move to the new building, in Brussels, Belgium, April 19, 2018. Credit: Yves Herman/Reuters

Liana Fix and Bastian Giegerich, War On The Rocks: European Security in Crisis: What to Expect if the United States Withdraws from NATO

It is February 2021. A few months after his re-election as president of the United States, Donald Trump declares that NATO has become obsolete and the United States withdraws from the alliance. All U.S. forces — military personnel and equipment — including nuclear and missile defense assets will be withdrawn from Europe as soon as possible.

This nightmare scenario has been on the mind of many security policy officials, and experts, ever since the New York Times reported in January 2019 that Trump discussed several times over the course of 2018 wanting to withdraw from the alliance. Congress has acted and passed the NATO Support Act, which prohibits the use of funds to withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Yet the possibility of such a move cannot entirely be excluded.

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WNU Editor: The U.S. will not withdraw, Trump or no Trump.

4 US B-52 Bombers Return To The U.S. From A Month Flying All Around Europe

Three B-52 Stratofortresses assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana in formation after completing missions over the Baltic Sea for Bomber Task Force Europe 20-1, October 23, 2019. US Air Force/SSgt. Trevor T. McBride

Business Insider: 4 US B-52 bombers just got back from a month flying all around Europe — here's what they were up to

* US B-52 bombers and airmen deployed to the UK in October for Bomber Task Force 20-1.
* Bomber Task Force deployments are meant train US aircrews while reassuring partners and deterring foes.
* This rotation, which ended this week, was no different, as US bombers flew all over Europe and into the high north.

Four US Air Force B-52 bombers from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana arrived in England with about 300 airmen on October 10 for a bomber task force deployment.

The bombers were deployed to RAF Fairford to "conduct integration and interoperability training" with partners in the region and to "exercise Air Force Global Strike Command's ability to conduct bomber operations from a forward operating location" in support of US Air Forces in Europe and US European Command.

Amid heightened tensions with Russia after its 2014 seizure of Crimea, bomber task force exercises over Europe are also meant to reassure US partners and to be a deterrent to Moscow — this deployment, like others before it, also saw US bombers fly close to Russia in Eastern Europe and the high north.

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WNU Editor:  Besides being an exercise. It also shows U.S. commitment to NATO.

U.S. National Security Adviser: NATO Alliance Breaking Up Because Germany 'Not Paying Their Fair Share

Trump's National Security Adviser said Germany, other NATO members "not paying their fair share" of defense spending is breaking up alliance. Screenshot: CBS "Face the Nation"

Newsweek: NATO Alliance Breaking Up Because Germany 'Not Paying Their Fair Share,' Trump National Security Adviser Says

U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said Germany and other NATO countries "not paying their fair share" in defense has hurt the alliance more than Turkey's recent incursion into Syria.

O'Brien, who replaced John Bolton in September as President Donald Trump's national security adviser, responded to infighting among NATO allies including France and Germany, saying the U.S. is still committed to the 29-member, 70-year-old North Atlantic Treaty Organization. O'Brien's "fair share" criticism of Germany comes amid widening cracks and public sniping about imbalance between NATO countries.

O'Brien and other NATO leaders say they hope to rectify such issues during next week's Heads of State and Government summit in London.

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WNU Editor: When it comes to NATO budget commitments Germany has no credibility .... Germany Has A Credibility Problem With NATO (April 5, 2019).

Report: This Is What The Cost Of A Total U.S. Withdrawal From NATO Will Be

CC0 / US Army Europe Images / Raising of the NATO flag

Sputnik: TOTAL COST of 'Sudden' US Withdrawal From NATO Revealed by Think-Tank

Earlier this year, US media reported that President Donald Trump privately raised the possibility of the US leaving NATO on several occasions. Since becoming president, Trump has publicly questioned the alliance's relevance in the fight against terrorism, and attacked US allies over their failure to meet their defence spending commitments.

A sudden US withdrawal from NATO would cost its remaining members upwards of $357 billion and require between 15 and 20 years to restore the bloc's defence capabilities, a report by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies suggests.

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WNU Editor: The report is here .... Defending Europe: scenario-based capability requirements for NATO’s European members (IISS).

President Trump Wants NATO Members To Spend More On Defense

USA Today: Donald Trump, NATO leader meet amid tensions over military spending by US allies

WASHINGTON – Marking the 70th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the world's most famous NATO critic – President Donald Trump – focused Tuesday on the money paid by members of the historic U.S.-European military alliance.

“Tremendous progress has been made,” Trump said in welcoming NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to the White House.

Stoltenberg thanked Trump for his "strong commitment to NATO," especially his "strong leadership on burden sharing.”

Though Trump and Stoltenberg frequently say nice things about each other, their latest meeting took place amid tensions over Trump's attacks on the alliance, especially his claims that some countries don't contribute enough to mutual defense.

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More News On President Trump Wanting NATO Members To Spend More On Defense

Trump says NATO countries burden-sharing improving, wants more -- Reuters
Trump: NATO members must do more to raise defense spending -- Washington Post
Trump Urges NATO Nations to Boost Their Budgets Even More -- Sputnik
NATO Celebrates 70th Anniversary, But Demands Rise For European Burden-Sharing -- VOA
Europe is spending more on its defence. Can Trump take credit? -- Dana Lewis, Al Jazeera

President Trump Will Visit London In December For A NATO Summit

Donald Trump finally made his first visit to the UK in July last year (pictured). He is also due to make a full-blown state visit at some point but the trip has been frequently delayed amid fears of protests

Daily Mail: Donald Trump will visit London in December for a Nato summit, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg reveals

* Nato has announced it will hold a summit in London in December this year
* The event will mean US President Donald Trump making a new visit to the UK
* He first came to Britain as President in July last year for a four-day working trip
* President Trump has been invited for a full-blown state visit but no date is set

Donald Trump will make his second visit to the UK in December for a Nato summit, it was announced today.

The US President is to join the regular meeting in London amid rising concern about the threat from Russia.

The news raises the prospect of another turbulent trip for Mr Trump - after his first dramatic appearance as President in July last year.

During that stay he managed to launch a savage attack on the PM's Brexit plans, before giving a memorably eccentric joint press conference with Mrs May at her Chequers country residence.

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Update #1: Trump likely to attend NATO summit in London in December (CNN)
Update #2: Donald Trump to visit UK in December for Nato summit (BBC)

WNU Editor: Brexit should be resolved by then. And President Trump will be starting to campaign for the 2020 U.S. Presidency. My gut is telling me that this is going to be an interesting trip.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Credits President Trump's Tough Talk For A $100 Billion Budget Boost

FOX News: NATO head: Trump's tough talk has added $100B to alliance, helped deter Russia

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, speaking on "Fox News Sunday," said President Trump's tough talk has ultimately strengthened the 70-year-old alliance by leading member nations to contribute tens of billions of additional dollars to ensure their own security.

Stoltenberg's comments were a direct repudiation of critics who have accused Trump of undermining NATO by repeatedly pushing allies to meet their defense spending obligations -- and Trump himself referred to Stoltenberg's interview minutes later on Twitter as a rejection of a narrative pushed by "Dems & fake news."

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WNU Editor: He does have a point.... Trump Says His Pressure for NATO Spending Boost Is Paying Off (Bloomberg).

More News On NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Crediting President Trump's Tough Talk For A $100 Billion Budget Boost

'Trump is having an impact': NATO head credits president's tough talk for $100B boost -- USA Today
NATO chief says Trump's funding gripes having 'real results' -- AFP
NATO chief: Trump calls for increased spending 'is having an impact' -- The Hill
Nato members increase defence spending by $100 billion after Donald Trump called them 'delinquents' -- The Telegraph
NATO head: Trump ‘committed’ to the alliance -- Politico

President Trump: NATO Members Are Now Stepping Up

1 week to go until the #NATOSummit

Did you know that this is the 4th consecutive year of increased defence budgets across European Allies & #Canada? The trend is up & we intend to keep it up. ⬆ pic.twitter.com/zNDHURwds6

— Oana Lungescu (@NATOpress) July 4, 2018

Politico: Trump: We will be with NATO '100 percent'

President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States is "100 percent" with NATO, days after a report alleged that the president privately discussed withdrawing from the military alliance multiple times over the past year.

"We're gonna be with NATO 100 percent, but as I told the countries, 'You have to step up and you have to pay,'" Trump said while announcing a missile defense review at the Pentagon.

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WNU Editor: NATO countries are stepping up, but not by much .... The US spent $686 billion on defense last year — here's how the other NATO countries stack up (CNBC).

New York Times: President Trump Raised Withdrawing The U.S. From NATO Several Times In 2018

CNBC: Trump reportedly said he wanted to pull the US from NATO multiple times last year

* U.S. President Donald Trump privately said a number of times in 2018 that he wanted the U.S. to leave NATO, according to the New York Times.
* The U.S. leader made headlines last year when he hinted that he could leave the defense bloc without Congressional approval before eventually saying that U.S. withdrawal was "unnecessary."
* Many fear NATO could fall apart if the world's largest economy is no longer a member.

U.S. President Donald Trump privately said several times last year that he wanted to withdraw his country from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, The New York Times reported on Monday.

The newspaper's findings, which cited unnamed senior administration officials, are likely to resurface worries of a breakdown in the military alliance that was created in 1949 by the United States, Canada and some European nations.

Those concerns were first sparked last year when the U.S. leader hinted that he could leave the 29-member defense bloc without Congressional approval. At the time, Trump was pushing member countries to increase spending. Since then, however, the Republican has backtracked on that threat.

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WNU Editor: This is old news. President Trump's views on NATO have been known for a long time, and his reasons why are also known Why support an alliance when its own members do not meet their commitments on their defense budgets, and in the case of Germany, sign multi-billion dollar energy agreements with Russia.

More News On President Trump's Saying They He Wants To Withdraw From NATO

Trump Discussed Pulling U.S. From NATO, Aides Say Amid New Concerns Over Russia -- The New York Times
New York Times: Trump raised withdrawing the US from NATO several times in 2018 -- CNN
Trump repeatedly mulled leaving NATO military alliance, report claims -- USA Today
Trump suggested withdrawing US from NATO: report -- The Hill
NATO trashing Trump repeatedly pushed to pull out of anti-Russia alliance: report -- Washington Times

NATO Secretary-General Credits President Trump For Allies Boosting Defense Spending. Will Not Name Its New Headquarters After Senator John McCain

President Donald J. Trump and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shake hands during their meeting at the White House, April 12, 2017. NATO photo

Daily Signal: NATO Chief Credits Trump for Allies’ Boosting Defense Spending, Rules Out Naming HQ for McCain

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says allies are stepping up in their commitments to defense spending, and gives some of the credit to President Donald Trump.

Stoltenberg also told an audience at The Heritage Foundation in Washington on Friday that the international defense alliance likely would not name its headquarters after Sen. John McCain, the veteran Arizona Republican and prominent defense hawk who died Aug. 25.

“President Trump has been outspoken on this issue, and I have thanked him for his leadership on defense spending,” Stoltenberg said at the leading conservative think tank’s Capitol Hill headquarters. “Since President Trump took office, NATO allies across Europe and Canada have spent an additional $41 billion extra in U.S. dollars on defense.”

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WNU Editor: Not surprised by the John McCain decision.

More News On NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's Remarks

NATO chief thanks Trump for pushing allies to spend more on defense -- Washington Times
NATO Chief: Alliance to Take 'Strong' Approach on Russia -- VOA
NATO Chief Defends Value of Military Alliance -- WSJ
NATO head shoots down idea of naming new headquarters after McCain -- The Hill

Bob Woodward Book Claims That President Trump Told Defense Secretary Mattis To Become Nato's Rent Collector

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary James Mattis offered strikingly different perspectives on Russian President Vladimir Putin in the course of just a few hours on Friday. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Daily Mail: Trump told defense secretary Mattis to become Nato's rent collector, new Bob Woodward book claims

* Trump allegedly decided the US would stay in Nato during a last-minute meeting
* The President told Mattis at February 2017 meeting he would be 'rent collector'
* Legendary Watergate reporter Bob Woodward's new book contains the claims
* It also says Trump nearly declared war on North Korea in early 2018 with a tweet

Donald Trump decided early in his Presidency that the US would stay in Nato but defense secretary Jim Mattis would act as 'rent collector', according to the new book by legendary Watergate reporter Bob Woodward.

In an emergency meeting in February 2017 to discuss whether the US was 'in or out' of the organisation, Trump reportedly told Mattis: 'You can have your Nato'.

According to the book, entitled 'Fear: Trump in the White House', the last-minute meeting was called to settle the Nato policy ahead of a key speech by Mattis in Munich a week later.

The book claims Trump insisted on talking about the gossip of the day until dessert when former chief of staff Reince Priebus said: 'We've really got to deal with this Nato issue'.

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WNU Editor:  Having an internal debate on issues is nothing new .... NATO ncluded. And as for the "collecting the rent" quote .... everyone knows that President Trump has been demanding a greater financial commitment from NATO members for its collective defense even before his Presidential election win. This is nothing new.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis Calls Reports Of Pentagon 'Damage Control' After The NATO Summit As Fiction

© AFP 2018 / THIERRY CHARLIER

Washington Examiner: Mattis shoots down report that Pentagon was engaged in ‘damage control’ following NATO summit

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis called a report “fiction” that claimed the Pentagon was engaged in a “damage control” operation following Trump’s visit to NATO headquarters.

“That was fascinating. I love reading fiction,” Mattis said of the report, published by NBC. “So it was — it was stimulating to read it. I find out while I've been with you with full transparency on the airplane, you watching what's going on; that I've been in damage control.”

“I must tell you, it must have been the most pleasant damage control in the A-5 I ever could have imagined with the level of unity, of purpose that we experienced there,” he added. “So anyway, people are entitled to their own opinion, even if it's not fact-based.”

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Update: US Pentagon Chief Shoots Down Report of Damage Control After Heated NATO Summit (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: This blog mentioned yesterday that this NBC story of "damage control" did not add up .... Is The Pentagon Going Into 'Damage Control' After President Trump's Remarks At The NATO Summit? (July 13, 2018).

Is The Pentagon Going Into 'Damage Control' After President Trump's Remarks At The NATO Summit?

NBC: Pentagon goes into 'damage control' mode to reassure NATO allies

“One thing you need in this alliance is predictability,” one diplomatic official said.

WASHINGTON — Hours after President Donald Trump departed NATO headquarters Thursday, U.S. military leaders embarked on a full-scale “damage control” operation with calls to their counterparts across Europe to reassure them that America will abide by its defense commitments in the region.

The outreach, directed by the Pentagon leadership, came after Trump threatened to reassess those commitments during a gathering with NATO allies in Brussels, according to multiple current and former diplomatic and military officials familiar with the calls.

The overall message from senior military officials in a series of phone calls to members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been that U.S. military bases in their countries will remain open and American troop levels in the region will not be reduced.

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Update: Pentagon calls on allies for ‘damage control’ after Trump NATO trip: report (The Hill)

WNU Editor: I am skeptical of this NBC report. French President Emmanuel Macron made it very clear after the meeting that President Trump had not threatened to draw down U.S. cooperation levels with NATO .... so why should Pentagon officials need to call NATO member states later? I think what made almost everyone uncomfortable in this summit is that President Trump made it very clear that he wants member states to do more than what they are doing now, and that they cannot state one thing (i.e. Russia is a threat), but do another (make billion dollar energy deals with Russia).

President Trump Comments At The End Of Today's NATO Summit

Defense News: Trump departs NATO summit: ‘We are very happy’

BRUSSELS — U.S. President Donald Trump capped a turbulent morning at the NATO summit’s second day by lavishing thick praise on the alliance, prompted by what he said were member countries' last-minute concessions to quickly increase their defense spending.

Trump’s comments came after news reports emerged that he had indirectly threatened to leave NATO if countries failed to pass larger military budgets. But Washington leaving the alliance over burden-sharing was unnecessary at this time, Trump said later, adding that he still could “probably” do so without the consent of Congress.

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More News On President Trump Comments At The End Of Today's NATO Summit

NATO summit: Trump hails alliance spending promises after crisis meeting -- DW
Donald Trump says he let NATO allies know he was 'extremely unhappy', they're increasing defence spending -- ABC News Online
Trump claims victory at Nato summit after fresh row over defence spending -- The Guardian
Trump claims victory in NATO spending dispute -- AFP
Trump says NATO allies will 'substantially up' defense spending after tense summit -- The Hill
Trump Nato spending claims in dispute -- BBC
Trump wants NATO to aim for 4 percent defense spending -- Defense News
Trump calls for NATO allies to up defense spending to 4% next year -- UPI
Trump to NATO allies: Raise military spending to 4 percent of GDP -- Al Jazeera
NATO summit: Donald Trump meets Angela Merkel after calling Germany a Russian 'captive' -- ABC News Online

President Trump Continues To Question The Value Of NATO If Germany Pays Russia Billions For Energy Products

What good is NATO if Germany is paying Russia billions of dollars for gas and energy? Why are there only 5 out of 29 countries that have met their commitment? The U.S. is paying for Europe’s protection, then loses billions on Trade. Must pay 2% of GDP IMMEDIATELY, not by 2025.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 11, 2018

WNU Editor: It looks like President Trump is going to bring this subject up continuously for the entire duration of this NATO summit .... and I am not surprised, it is having an impact.

President Trump Tells NATO Leaders That They Should Up Their Military Spending To 4 Percent Of GDP

U.S. President Donald Trump walks in with U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis as they arrive to attend the multilateral meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels, Belgium July 11, 2018. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Pool via REUTERS

Reuters: Trump tells NATO leaders to up military spending to 4 percent of GDP

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump told NATO leaders on Wednesday they should increase their defense spending to 4 percent of their country’s economic output, higher than the group’s goal of two percent, a White House official said.

The official said the president’s remarks were not a formal proposal but came as he was urging leaders to increase their outlays on defense.

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WNU editor: I can only imagine the look on the faces of these NATO leaders when they learn about this 4% offer. Many of these leaders see the 2% cap as too high.

More News On President Trump At the NATO Summit

Trump opens NATO summit with blistering criticism of Germany, labels allies 'delinquent' -- CNN
Trump calls for allies to spend more on defense at NATO summit -- UPI
Trump Unloads On NATO Secretary-General, Germany Over Defense Spending -- NPR
Trump suggests NATO members reimburse US for defense costs -- The Hill
Trump jokes NATO chief is ‘only one’ who likes him at bloc’s summit… but he’s OK with it -- RT
Jens Stoltenberg Says Nord Stream 2 Not NATO's Business -- Sputnik

President Trump 'Dressing Down' NATO Officials

Bilateral Breakfast with NATO Secretary General in Brussels, Belgium... pic.twitter.com/l0EP3lzhCM

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 11, 2018

WNU Editor: Not a single thing he says in the above clip iss untrue. Love him or hate him, he is consistent in verbalising what everyone knows.

NATO Members Brace Themselves For President Trump

Marc Champion, Patrick Donahue and Hayley Warren, Bloomberg: Trump Is Itching for a Fight at NATO

When Donald Trump barrels into Brussels this week demanding that NATO allies boost their defense spending, the response will be: We already are. But for the U.S. president, military budgets are only one line of attack. From “easy to win’’ trade wars to the system of setting oil prices, Trump is on a mission to rip up the world order and remake it in what he sees as America’s interests. That includes targeting multilateral institutions such as the World Trade Organization and the Group of Seven. As Trump prepares to meet with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, North Atlantic Treaty Organization leaders studying the president’s tweets would be forgiven for wondering if NATO is next in his sights.

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WNU Editor: When you read reports that Germany's submarine fleet is not working, only a few of its fighter jets are operationsal, and that it tanks and other armored forces are ineffective .... President Trump does have reasons to bring up his concerns to German Chancellor Merkel and to other NATO leaders on their defense commitments.

More News And Analysis On President Trump Flying To Europe For This Week's NATO Summit

Europeans brace for worst from Trump at stormy Nato summit -- The Guardian
Trump ramps up NATO criticism ahead of summit -- The Hill
Trump blasts NATO again as he departs for Europe: 'US is spending many times more than any other country' -- CNBC
Trump prepares to tackle dicey spending issue at NATO summit -- Washington Examiner
NATO desperate to avoid rerun of disastrous G7 summit -- DW
Trump-Nato summit: EU's Tusk warns president to appreciate allies -- BBC
EU official criticizes Trump over attitude toward allies -- ABC News/AP
Analysis | President Trump goes to Europe this week. Its leaders are bracing for the impact. -- Washington Post
Trump will go into NATO summit in a position of strength -- S.A. Miller, Washington Times
Even the Best-Case Scenario for What Trump Does at the NATO Summit Is Pretty Grim -- Heather Hurlburt, NYMag
How NATO can survive Trump and Putin -- Peter Apps, Reuters
Friend or foe at NATO? Who knows when Trump comes to dinner -- FOX News/AP
NATO in the Age of Trump: What It Can and Can’t Accomplish Absent U.S. Leadership -- Julianne Smith and Jim Townsend, Foreign Affairs