Trump campaign vs. Trump administration: on Foreign Policy

Ben Carson: Pinnacle nations before us contributed to their own demise

Historians will write about this critical turning point for our nation, and how we responded to the dynamic forces changing our world. We can no longer afford the continuing dysfunction of opposing partisan rancor or the empty rhetoric of the political class. If America is to survive the challenges of the modern world, we need to heal, we need to inspire, and we need to revive an exceptional spirit that built America. Respect for one another has become the exception, not the norm.

Donald Trump: Unite civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism

At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other. When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice. The Bible tells us, "how good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity." We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity. When America is united, America is totally unstoppable.

We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action--constantly complaining but never doing anything about it. The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action.

Donald Trump: Supports construction of Israeli settlements in West Bank

Trump amplified his position by posting the statement on Facebook and Twitter as well: "The resolution being considered at the United Nations Security Council regarding Israel should be vetoed." His words closely echoed the positions expressed by Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has treated the impending UN vote as a crisis, posting on his own Twitter account a message urging Obama to veto what he called the "anti-Israel" resolution. Egypt, who drafted the resolution, withdrew it afterwards.

Donald Trump: Denounce Iran's human rights record via focus on LGBT issues

Narrowly focused on criminalization, rather than broader LGBT issues like same-sex marriage, the campaign was conceived partly in response to the recent reported execution by hanging of a young gay man in Iran.

While the Trump administration has had some success in pressuring Iran through stepped-up U.S. penalties, efforts to bring the Europeans along have thus far largely fallen flat.

Reframing the conversation on Iran around a human rights issue that enjoys broad support in Europe could help the US and Europe reach a point of agreement on Iran.

Yet by using gay rights as a cudgel against Iran, the Trump administration risks exposing close US allies who are also vulnerable on the issue and creating a new tension point in the Arab world.

James Mattis: Supports NATO alliance principle of collective defense

Mattis also put daylight between himself and Trump on NATO and indicated strong support for the alliance's principle of collective defense. "My view is that nations with allies thrive, and nations without allies don't," Mattis said.

James Mattis: Putin is trying to break the North Atlantic alliance

John Bolton: The two-state solution is dead; split up "Palestine"

"Just as a matter of empirical reality, the two-state solution is dead," Bolton told Breitbart during the Obama administration's attempt to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Bolton even called for a "three-state solution" in which Gaza would be handed over to Egypt and the West Bank returned to Jordan.

"As long as Washington's diplomatic objective is the 'two-state solution'--Israel and 'Palestine'--the fundamental contradiction between this aspiration and the reality on the ground will ensure it never comes into being," he wrote, claiming that "the only logic underlying the demand for a Palestinian state is the political imperative of Israel's opponents to weaken and encircle the Jewish state."

Mike Pompeo: Investigate Russian interference with U.S. election

Pompeo signaled that he agreed with the assessment of United States intelligence agencies that Russian President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia tried to promote Trump's candidacy and to undermine the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton, describing the report that was delivered last week to Trump and President Obama as "sound."

Pope Francis: Saddened by US restrictions on travel and trade with Cuba

Rex Tillerson: Join with NATO allies alarmed at Russian resurgence

In his opening statement, Tillerson said that Russia poses a danger and NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Moscow. He argues, however, that Russia's resurgence happened in the "absence of American leadership" and will call for open and frank dialogue with Moscow. "We must be clear-eyed about our relationship with Russia," Tillerson says. "Russia today poses a danger but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests. We need an open and frank dialogue with Russia regarding its ambitions, so that we know how to chart our own course."