Hillary’s Diplomacy in Angola Helped Our Success in the Region
By Greg Chaney
In 2011, I returned to active duty in order to open the Office of Security Cooperation at U.S. Embassy Luanda in the Republic of Angola. On my flight over, I worried that, given Angola’s 27 years of civil war and a contentious relationship with the U.S., their military would have no interest in working with the United States—much less a Marine officer like me. When I arrived, I discovered that my worry was unwarranted, because our then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, had spent the two previous years defusing old tensions and creating a peaceful dialogue with our Angolan allies. I worked with senior Angolan military leaders and Ministry of Defense officials without a problem. Secretary Clinton’s efforts made my job possible.
Secretary Clinton understood the strategic importance of Angola, an oil-rich nation that has built one of the most capable militaries on the continent. In 2015, Angola sent 124,000 barrels of oil to the U.S.–the most of any African nation.
The Chinese had spent an enormous amount of time and resources courting the Angolan government when Secretary Clinton came into office. She faced down the Chinese and protected American interests by establishing strong diplomatic ties with Angola.
Secretary Clinton accomplished America’s main diplomatic objective in Angola. She created optimal conditions for our military to foster a crucial relationship there. I have seen no evidence that Donald Trump has the knowledge or good judgment about any aspect of foreign policy or international security to create valuable international relationships. I don’t believe Mr. Trump's temperament would have resulted in the outcome that Secretary Clinton was able to achieve.
That is why I encourage everyone to join me in supporting Secretary Clinton in the upcoming election.
American diplomatic relations are built on trust, respect, detailed knowledge and, most importantly, the ability to form relationships with the leaders and people of a foreign country. Donald Trump has not demonstrated detailed knowledge of anything (other than what is required to avoid paying federal taxes), and certainly is neither trusted nor respected overseas.
Today, I am still an officer of the Marines deeply concerned about our national security and foreign policy agenda. I’ve worked on behalf of this country all over the world in a variety of capacities, and I know firsthand that it matters what other nations think of us. It is vital that they respect us and take us seriously. The globe may need us, but we also need them. We have to collaborate with foreign intelligence agencies and militaries to overcome global terrorism and economic vulnerability. I am deeply concerned that our Republican nominee will undo the diplomatic ties and cooperation Secretary Clinton has knit together across the world. We cannot afford to lose that progress.
Hillary Clinton will be offered the proper deference and respect the office of the President of the United States of America deserves. That is why she is the only choice on November 8.
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Greg Chaney, a reserve Marine officer, has gained national security and international affairs experience from the tactical level to the strategic level both, in the military and as a civilian, over almost thirty years.
