Trump to nominate former Air Force general as top Asia diplomat

[webfact]

Trump to nominate former Air Force general as top Asia diplomat

By David Brunnstrom

 

U.S. President Donald Trump at the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., October 17, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump plans to nominate former Air Force General David Stilwell to be the State Department's top diplomat for East Asia, a post that has remained unfilled for more than a year despite major challenges in the region.

 

A White House statement on Wednesday said Trump had announced his intention to nominate Stilwell, a former career fighter pilot who speaks Korean, Chinese and some Japanese, to be assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

 

The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, but experts said Stilwell would likely receive broad support from the chamber.

 

The post has remained unfilled since the previous incumbent, Daniel Russel, stepped down in April last year, in spite of a major crisis over North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and worsening relations and a trade war with China, the world's No. 2 economy and Washington's main rival in the region.

 

Stilwell retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2015 with the rank of brigadier general after 35 years of service.

 

The White House statement said he was currently director of the China Strategic Focus Group at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii and an adjunct senior fellow at the East West Center in Honolulu.

 

Stilwell joined the Air Force in 1980 as a Korean linguist and served in South Korea before earning degrees in Asian studies and the Chinese language.

 

He also served with the Air Force in Japan, as well in a senior Asia planning role at the Pentagon and as defence attache in Beijing from 2011 to 2013.

 

Russel welcomed Stilwell's nomination.

 

"I have worked with Dave Stilwell and know him well. I’m glad that the President has now nominated an experienced Asia hand to this important position and hope the Senate will confirm him expeditiously,” he said in an email.

 

Trump's former secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, previously nominated Russel's former deputy, Susan Thornton, for the post, but she was seen by administration hawks as too soft on China and her nomination never came to a vote in the Senate.

 

Eric Sayers, an Asia specialist and former Republican congressional staffer, said Stilwell would be welcomed by Republican Asia watchers and should also have good chemistry with the two other senior administration officials responsible for Asia, Matt Pottinger at the National Security Council and Randy Schriver at the Pentagon.

 

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-10-18

[Emdog]

While you are at it, seems an ambassador to Saudi Arabia might be in order. Some problems regarding them and US resident who's gone missing....

[1337markus]

post that has remained unfilled for more than a year despite major challenges in the region.

 

Couldnt be that important a whole year gone. Save money abolish the position.

[observer90210]

Why not after all as a ex top military officer could do a great job ?

 

Rtd. Gen, Powell was after all US Sec. of State, a former actor became President Regan, a former peanuts seller was Carter and they all did their job as well as they could...

 

But agree, that such positions draw huge salaries and pensions at US taxpayers expense with all the logistics, security etc, that may be required for just one "big" man. Maybe the money could be better spent on improving the lives of the bottom to middle class level,  US retirees who barely survive sometimes with their pensions ?

[farcanell]

This guy sounds like a good choice.... which leaves me confused.

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, farcanell said:

This guy sounds like a good choice.... which leaves me confused.

His tenure might be measured in months though.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

BTW, I noted on the U.S. Embassy BKK's Facebook feed the other day that it looks like our Thailand Ambassador has departed back to the States after his tour.

 

I did a quick search, but didn't immediately find anything about a potential successor.

 

[Tug]

Poor guy what did he do to have to work for trump what a rotten thing to do to a guy but when we get a real president it would be a great job

[oldrunner]

I get really sick of the empty Anti-Trump rants <deleted>. If this General was more political he'd have three-four stars. I suspect he'll be an outstanding addition to President Trump's group and will likely be around for at least 6 years until we elect Melania.

[Morch]

2 minutes ago, oldrunner said:

I get really sick of the empty Anti-Trump rants from sore loser no-nothings. If this General was more political he'd have three-four stars. I suspect he'll be an outstanding addition to President Trump's group and will likely be around for at least 6 years until we elect Melania.

 

"...no-nothings.".

 

"we elect Melania.".

 

[Dumbastheycome]

47 minutes ago, oldrunner said:

I get really sick of the empty Anti-Trump rants <deleted>. If this General was more political he'd have three-four stars. I suspect he'll be an outstanding addition to President Trump's group and will likely be around for at least 6 years until we elect Melania.

Hmmm. A Revival of "The Apprentice" ? No gongs.  Perfect ! He will play the  game  !

[Guest]

= I'm representing the United States of America

- OK

= Didn't you hear me, I'm representing the powerful United States of America!

- Check

= I demand to be respected by my peers

- Respect is earned. We respect the people we can trust

= But I demand respect!

- Well, with that attitude, you might want to talk with the less fair and more authoritarian regimes. 

= That's exactly what We The USA is going to do!