Results Are All That Matter

[theBabyDavid]

Take personality out of the equation. Focus on results.

What has transpired with North Korea over the past few months is breathtaking. Let's see where this ends but thus far the progress has been both thrilling and astonishing.

Up next: The Mullahs.

[Goose]

theBabyDavid

How much do you feel the Chinese have played a role in the progress? I believe the USA tightened the screws and the Chinese had stepped up in a big time way.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

What's a chicos?

[theBabyDavid]

Goose

Xi Jinping, like every other GS of the CCP since Mao, is a hard core pragmatic realist. Doctrinal discipline is mouthwash; what is best for the Party and the continuance of rule is what drives decision-making.

But make no mistake: Xi knows that America is playing multi-dimensional hard ball and it is in the Party's interest to reign in Kim Jong-un.

Which gets to the real driver behind all of this change - American foreign policy is an interesting blend of Sun  Tzu and Realpolitik buttressed by von Metternich.

China is involved but the US forced that move.   

[Goose]

theBabyDavid

That reply made my frickin day!!

[theBabyDavid]

theBabyDavid

That reply made my frickin day!!

Goose

theBabyDavid is here to serve.

[#UnleashSean]

This post will age well.

[Jockey]

Why is this thread still going? If MU82 (or Heisy) had started it, it would have been shut down.

[SaveOD238]

I've described the North Korea situation as Trump's "only Nixon could go to China" moment.  LBJ would have been roasted for meeting with Mao (they would have called him a "commie") but the ultimate anti-communist, Nixon, was able to negotiate with China without having his reputation smeared (that would come later).  Similarly, if Obama had started to make progress with North Korea he would have been called "weak" or "secretly hates America", but since Trump's persona is (apparently) strength and patriotism he can take steps his predecessor would have been torn to shreds over.  Thats not to say that Nixon/Trump were "better" than LBJ/Obama, just that they were oddly enough better suited for that particular task.

[Plaque Lives Matter!]

I am interested to see how the treatment of the Iran deal would affect any negotiation with North Korea. Right or wrong to exit, the treatment of a country with nuclear ambition will likely play a part in how NK comes to the table.

[Plaque Lives Matter!]

I've described the North Korea situation as Trump's "only Nixon could go to China" moment.  LBJ would have been roasted for meeting with Mao (they would have called him a "commie") but the ultimate anti-communist, Nixon, was able to negotiate with China without having his reputation smeared (that would come later).  Similarly, if Obama had started to make progress with North Korea he would have been called "weak" or "secretly hates America", but since Trump's persona is (apparently) strength and patriotism he can take steps his predecessor would have been torn to shreds over.  Thats not to say that Nixon/Trump were "better" than LBJ/Obama, just that they were oddly enough better suited for that particular task.

Never thought of it that way but I think that is a very insightful observation.

[chapman]

🤔 .

[rocky_warrior]

I mean, this is a perfect topic for a political forum...