Trump Turns G-7 into a Reality Show

[Anomalocaris]

I'm not sure how you assess the level of risk of a nuclear war breaking out with North Korea. They still have nukes; we still have nukes. Some of the things one might hope to have achieved by making this concession (i.e., better information about their arsenal and capabilities; a timetable for inspectors to examine their development and testing sites) apparently weren't even on the table. And leaving aside nukes, they still have a metric fuck-ton of conventional arms aimed directly at Seoul, who apparently weren't all aware that we were going to end our joint exercises. North Korea conceded absolutely nothing, which is less than a little something, no?

I hope Trump's meeting with Kim is the first step in a process that brings true and lasting peace. But I don't think this meeting displayed our president's alleged negotiating prowess. We'll just have to see what can be achieved when serious negotiations between the experts takes shape.

Is it fair to say not holding war games off the coast of NK is a deescalation in terms of military tension?  Just like holding these peace talks, and NK and SK holding peace talks is also a deescalation in tension?  Remember, a year ago, people were legitimately worried NK was going to Nuke Hawaii or California.  

I think asking the US to stop practicing how they'd destroy North Korea is a reasonable request, in both countries best interests, and is just general common sense.  And if things don't work out, it's not like the US can't start back up.  

"Before we continue, can you stop acting like you're going to kill us at any second."
"Sure."

OMG!!! TURMP MAKES MASIVE CONCESION!  KIM PLAyng hiM FOR FOOL!

(that last part isn't necessarily you, just how the anti-trump perspective is framing what's happening)

Surrender de-escalate tensions.   That is the only way giving up things in return for nothing deescalate things for two parties that had long history of treating everything as transactional.

Tomorrow we will be back to the exact spot we were 2 month ago. Kim will not give up anything that strengthen his control over the destiny of his regime. Trump will go back on his word because that is who he is.

What this summit would have accomplished is absolutely nothing other than add another nail in the coffin of American credibility and consistency, drive ametican further into shades as a feckless unreliable international partner for anything.