Trump's Unsecured Calls With Foreign Leaders Raise Security and Policy Concerns

The president-elect's private conversations bypassing the State Department alarm experts over potential risks to U.S. foreign policy and national security.

• Donald Trump has reportedly held private phone calls with over 70 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, without State Department involvement or secure communication lines.
• The lack of official interpreters and documentation has raised concerns about potential misunderstandings or conflicting accounts of these conversations.
• Former diplomats warn that such unsanctioned calls could lead to international crises or compromise U.S. foreign policy coherence during the transition period.
• Trump's mistrust of the State Department and dismissal of traditional diplomatic protocols have compounded fears about the security and transparency of these discussions.
• Experts highlight risks of foreign adversaries intercepting sensitive information from unsecured calls, potentially exposing U.S. vulnerabilities or negotiating positions.

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