Trump and his supporters are fools if they see this as some sort of win (I know, I know).
Kim already has what he wants: a nuclear deterrent, which he will never willingly relinquish. Now he needs cash and goods (to keep his lieutenants happy and to preserve his rule) and the legitimacy that would come from a one-on-one with the President of the United States.
Unless restricted by more sensible people in the government,Trump will give Kim much of what he wants and walk away convinced that it's all evidence of his superior understanding of how to deal with murderous dictators. Of course, his supporters will clap and yelp like trained seals.
The bottom line is that many of these results -- should anything come of a meeting -- will happen only because China will have green-lighted them in advance. They are firmly in the driver's seat, here, and nothing of any significance will happen unless it serves their interests.
Kim already has what he wants: a nuclear deterrent, which he will never willingly relinquish. Now he needs cash and goods (to keep his lieutenants happy and to preserve his rule) and the legitimacy that would come from a one-on-one with the President of the United States.
Unless restricted by more sensible people in the government,Trump will give Kim much of what he wants and walk away convinced that it's all evidence of his superior understanding of how to deal with murderous dictators. Of course, his supporters will clap and yelp like trained seals.
The bottom line is that many of these results -- should anything come of a meeting -- will happen only because China will have green-lighted them in advance. They are firmly in the driver's seat, here, and nothing of any significance will happen unless it serves their interests.
