OPINION — As we digest the Trump administration’s unorthodox style of governing in the foreign affairs arena, it is worth focusing on a key aspect of our bilateral relationships that does not get much press, the effect of President Trump on our foreign intelligence service liaison partners. How they approach the Trump dynamic is quite remarkable and may be somewhat surprising to the American people.
Our liaison partners are challenged daily by the president’s tweets, via personal insults aimed at world leaders or by the overturning of the fundamental world order, reflecting what many see as a zero sum and often disjointed approach to foreign policy. As such, I liken our liaison partners’ reaction to Trump – both forced and reactive – to dancing through the raindrops.
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