Pompeo off to a good start at State Department

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was off to a good start even before he was confirmed for the job. His secret trip to North Korea over Easter weekend was followed by North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un’s unprecedented trip across the border to South Korea, wh

Not bad. In his first official trip, Pompeo traveled to NATO headquarters in Brussels to reassure allies of the United States’ “ironclad” commitment to mutual defense under Article 5. He cited “Russia’s unacceptable actions” as evidence that “NATO is more indispensable than ever,” and at the same time, he delivered the president’s message that our allies must pay more of the cost of our mutual defense.

Pompeo headed to the Middle East and set the tone for negotiations over the Iran nuclear deal by making it clear that “if we can’t fix it,” the president plans to withdraw, and soon.

Pompeo met with King Salman of Saudi Arabia and held a two-hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In Jordan, the secretary of state made a strong statement in support of Israel’s “right to defend themselves.”

Pompeo’s trip had to be disheartening to anyone hoping to drive a wedge between the U.S. and its NATO allies or between the U.S. and Israel, and there was also no encouragement to be had for anyone looking for daylight between the positions of the new secretary of state and the president of the United States. While we may disagree with individual policies, that kind of clarity serves to strengthen the U.S. negotiating position in all disputes, whether military, diplomatic or economic, everywhere in the world.

Pompeo also earned praise for restoring good relations with representatives of the press, as well as the courtesy of meeting with the staff at U.S. embassies

Pompeo also earned praise for restoring good relations with representatives of the press, as well as the courtesy of meeting with the staff at U.S. embassies when he travels abroad. Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson never seemed to adjust to the more public aspects of the job.

when he travels abroad. Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson never seemed to adjust to the more public aspects of the job.

If new appointees sometimes enjoy a honeymoon in Washington, D.C., the political bloodsport is rarely delayed for long. Pompeo’s skills, and perhaps his patience, are sure to be tested at home and abroad. But the start of his tenure looks to be a step in the right direction for the Trump administration, at a time when a steady hand is much needed.