Trump Turns G-7 into a Reality Show

[Crossless2.0]

Imagine Obama had done exactly what Trump has just done. How would you have reacted?

Probably about the same!

Same here. 

[Amarok]

Would you consider NK not test launching any missiles and releasing some hostages in the leadup to this summit a concession on their part?

The only reason there not not testing any more missiles is because they don't need to . And letting a few hostages who were of no use and simply taking up space is hardly a concession .

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Probably about the same!

I highly doubt that 

[henryp]

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)

Imagine Obama had done exactly what Trump has just done. How would you have reacted?

I think it'd have been a good start.  Nothing is done, of course.  The follow through is where the meat and potatoes are.  But getting NK back to being just another country, rather than a tiny rogue regime seems like it's good for NK and good for the world.

[Amarok]

I think it'd have been a good start.  Nothing is done, of course.  The follow through is where the meat and potatoes are.  But getting NK back to being just another country, rather than a tiny rogue regime seems like it's good for NK and good for the world.

I highly doubt that 

[Anomalocaris]

For what it's worth, I never seriously worried that Hawaii or California might get nuked. The Kim regimes developed their nuclear capability precisely because they understand the logic of having such a deterrent, in light of their belief that we were itching to invade and overthrow them. Now they have their deterrent, so any talk of their anxiety over military exercises that have been going on for decades is, at best, beside the point.

Would you consider NK not test launching any missiles and releasing some hostages in the leadup to this summit a concession on their part?

No.   They’ve tested their missiles and their warheads, they know the missiles work and constitute a credible deterrent. They have no immediate need to test them again.  So how are they giving up anything by not testing them some more?

As to releasing hostages, would you consider a thief who robbed you and then offer to pay you back in your own coins for something that was never his to start with, as having made an honest offer?

[The Grand Nudger]

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.

Yabut, it pwns the libs and shows that the donald IS TOO! a grownup politician...right? 

[Amarok]

So really this whole meeting was a glorified photo op for two egomaniacs despite all of Trump's tough talk of holding Kim's feet to the fire .

[The Grand Nudger]

They both needed more credibility than either of their personalities would let them muster up.

[Crossless2.0]

Now that we are relaxing our stance on the Korean peninsula, perhaps we can ramp up the military exercises that really matter: it's time for the army to frolic in the North Dakota Peace Gardens, in preparation for the inevitable showdown with our nearest security threat, Canada.


Who knew that sinking a wide-open layup shot like the G-7 could be so complicated?

[Anomalocaris]

They both needed more credibility than either of their personalities would let them muster up.

Kim is an intelligent, rational, calculating, if ruthless player who is unscrupulous with words and deeds to achieve his aims.

Trump on the other hand, is feckless, clueless, spur of the moment player who in addition is also unscrupulous with words and deeds not to achieve aims, but because he can’t help himself.

One of these two is totally credible. They other is totally incredible. To the someone who needs to deal with the parties, which is which?