The Trump administration and Mongolia are getting cozy. Here’s why.
By Siobhán O'Grady
August 8
Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper embarked on his first international trip this week since being confirmed as Pentagon chief in July. His itinerary included a stop in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where he met with high-level officials in a bid to deepen U.S. ties with the country.
At first glance, the visit might seem like an unusual destination for a Pentagon chief’s first official trip — especially at a time of escalating tensions elsewhere in the world.
But his stopover is just the latest signal that the Trump administration is eager to maintain a strong partnership with the East Asian country of 3 million people that has served as a longtime U.S. defense partner.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/08/08/trump-administration-mongolia-are-getting-cozy-heres-why/
