Trump’s UN pick threads needle on Russia, NATO

Nikki Haley, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to represent America at the United Nations, faced little resistance Wednesday at a mostly friendly confirmation hearing.

The South Carolina governor wasn’t met with the firing squads that awaited other potential Cabinet members such as Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson or Education secretary pick Betsy DeVos.

Democrats spent less of the four-hour hearing probing Haley, and more time asking questions that might drive a wedge between Trump and his proposed nominee, specifically in regards to the United Nations and the NATO, as well as on Russia.

“President-elect Trump has downplayed Russian attempts to influence our elections, suggested NATO is obsolete, openly rooted for the breakup of the EU, lavished praise onto Vladimir Putin,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

{mosads}”Can you understand right now why the world perceives the Trump administration to be the exact opposite of clear in where we stand and strong in our values?”

Haley brushed aside those concerns as the typical “nervousness” surrounding a new administration, and said Americans should judge Trump by what he says after he takes office, not by his campaign rhetoric.

“It’s natural for a candidate or an incoming president to look at everything and to say things. Once you govern it becomes different,” she said.

“What he says after that will be most important.”

Haley took a stance on Russia that was stronger than that of her future boss.

She agreed that Russia committed war crimes in Syria by bombing civilians, said sanctions shouldn’t be lifted on Russia until there’s a “strong change,” and said the Crimea region belongs to Ukraine, not Russia.

She also called to strengthen NATO, an alliance Trump has routinely criticized.

But she defended Trump for looking for ways to engage with Russia, arguing its help will be vital on issues such as fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The position of United Nations ambassador in a Trump administration may be a precarious one, given Trump’s skepticism about the international organization called a “waste of time and money” and “just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time.”

Trump has voiced skepticism about the U.N. in light of the recent vote to condemn Israeli settlement-building and Haley used that vote as a vehicle for her own skepticism Wednesday, noting that America pays for 22 percent of the body’s budget.

“Nowhere has the U.N.’s failure been more consistent and more outrageous than in its bias against our close ally Israel,” she said during her opening remarks.

Haley pointed to that vote, which passed thanks to an American abstention, as proof the U.N. needs a serious shift.

“Any honest assessment also finds an institution that is often at odds with American national interests and American taxpayers. … Are we getting what we paid for?” she asked.

She said she would not favor a “slash and burn approach” where America would withhold funding in reaction to a disagreeable vote like the recent action on Israel, but floated withholding such dues in areas within the body that aren’t aligned with U.S. interests–for instance, a Human Rights Council where China or Cuba may be acting against American values on human rights.

“I do see a place where you can hold dues, but it does need to be strategic in nature,” she said. “I don’t think you should slash and cut across the board.”

Trump has never explicitly called to pull funds to the U.N., but some believe it could get to that point if he continues to spar with the body.

Republican Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) have penned a bill that would restrict America’s dues payment until the resolution on Israeli settlements is repealed.

After the hearing, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) celebrated Haley’s differences with Trump on such issues as NATO and Russia.

“She will be carrying out the policies of the Trump administration, I’m sure. But she has a very different view about our alliances, has a very different view on a number of views I think senators appreciate,” he said.

“I would rather see a group of people who have very strong views serving in the Cabinet than a group all in lock step.”

Indicative of the positive treatment Haley received Wednesday was the fact senators rarely mentioned the question mark on her resume: her lack of international experience.

While Haley is a rising star within the Republican Party, she’s never served outside of South Carolina. She spent six years in the state legislature after a career in business before winning the governorship in 2010.

Haley sought to address the issue in her opening remarks, leaning on her experience in the governor’s mansion.

“International diplomacy is a new area for me,” she admitted. “There is much I am learning about the intricacies of the UN and its associated agencies … but diplomacy itself is not new to me,” she said.

“I would suggest there is nothing more important to a governor’s success than her ability to unite those with different backgrounds, viewpoints and objectives behind a common purpose.”