President Obama to nominate Michael McFaul for Russia

Source: Politico

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama plans to nominate his top Russia adviser as the next U.S. ambassador to that country, a man who helped the administration’s work to “reset” the two countries’ relationship.

A senior administration official on Sunday confirmed the choice of Michael McFaul — a departure from standard practice because McFaul is not a career diplomat. The choice was first reported by The New York Times.

The administration official spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of a formal announcement. Press secretary Jay Carney, traveling with the president in Missouri, declined to confirm McFaul’s appointment.

McFaul is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts on U.S.-Russia relations and has become a trusted policy adviser as the president has sought to ease long-standing tensions with Russia. Among the recent moves to begin the relationship anew is the signing of New START to reduce strategic warheads.




Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/55891.html

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The article goes on to say a couple of puzzling things. Not sure if I can quote them without violating the rules, though.
:shrug:

Post the first Paragraph then the 3 I find interesting...Not sure if that is breaking the rules or not...I was under the impression you post 4 paragraphs?

If incorrect please tell me as well...It has been a while since I read the rules.

I just read the article so you could say in your own words as a reply to me.

#2 is actually more funny than it is puzzling: Changes in Russia's political structure? Right: Like Putin ISN'T gonna "win" the presidency back in next year's "election!" :rofl:

"Among the challenges to the U.S.-Russia relationship are an American plan for missile defense, which the Russians say threatens their security, and changes that might stem from the upcoming presidential elections in Russia.

McFaul, a fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and a political science professor, would replace John Beyrle.

A Rhodes scholar, McFaul traveled in the former Soviet Union and spent two years at the Carnegie Moscow Center before moving to Stanford. He has written or coauthored numerous articles and books on Russia’s post-communism transition to democracy.

McFaul was a campaign adviser to Obama on Russia and Eurasia before moving to the National Security Council to become the president’s chief Russia adviser."

That's 4 more paragraphs, which happens to be the rest of the article, from a different poster. So sue me.