Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDan Rather on NK: "I think odds are against a breakthrough here..."
https://www.facebook.com/theDanRather/posts/10160121369650716
The news of a potential meeting between President Trump and the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un hits like a thunderclap. There is shock and disbelief, and then a cavalcade of questions. Where did this come from? Why was it announced by a South Korean delegation to Washington? Why were many in the U.S. government caught seemingly unaware of the President's decision? What is the end game?
One has to enter these developments with a very healthy dose of skepticism, and even a weary pessimism, considering the tortured history of escalation and broken promises. There must also be worry that the American diplomatic corps, so vital for a high-stakes showdown like this, has been decimated. North Korea remains one of he most brutal and duplicitous regimes on Earth, if not the most. Having covered many high-level summits, I also know that they are meticulously planned and prepared affairs. One cannot but worry in how this President will approach these negotiations.
But there is no way to cut it, this is a big development.
The Presidents partisans are already claiming that this vindicates his bellicose approach to the tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Perhaps. Or perhaps Kim had his arsenal and is negotiating from strength. Or perhaps this is a ruse. Or perhaps it's a chance for Kim to get what he and his predecessors always wanted, legitimacy on the world stage. Or perhaps something else. Or perhaps, and likely, it's a combination of many factors.
One note I wish to add is that there has been a tough bipartisan agreement for decades to keep the Korean threat as contained as possible. And I think that deserves some acknowledgement. To wish that foreign policy was not as political is perhaps foolishness considering our fraught partisan environment. But wish it nonetheless I do.
For in the end I worry a lot less about credit than about calm. I want peace no matter who takes a victory lap. I think odds are against a breakthrough here and there are many reasons to fear things could go horribly wrong but I pray that these fears are proven incorrect. This is about our country and our world. May we find a way to proceed in peace with our allies and our adversaries.
We shall see...
The news of a potential meeting between President Trump and the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un hits like a thunderclap. There is shock and disbelief, and then a cavalcade of questions. Where did this come from? Why was it announced by a South Korean delegation to Washington? Why were many in the U.S. government caught seemingly unaware of the President's decision? What is the end game?
One has to enter these developments with a very healthy dose of skepticism, and even a weary pessimism, considering the tortured history of escalation and broken promises. There must also be worry that the American diplomatic corps, so vital for a high-stakes showdown like this, has been decimated. North Korea remains one of he most brutal and duplicitous regimes on Earth, if not the most. Having covered many high-level summits, I also know that they are meticulously planned and prepared affairs. One cannot but worry in how this President will approach these negotiations.
But there is no way to cut it, this is a big development.
The Presidents partisans are already claiming that this vindicates his bellicose approach to the tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Perhaps. Or perhaps Kim had his arsenal and is negotiating from strength. Or perhaps this is a ruse. Or perhaps it's a chance for Kim to get what he and his predecessors always wanted, legitimacy on the world stage. Or perhaps something else. Or perhaps, and likely, it's a combination of many factors.
One note I wish to add is that there has been a tough bipartisan agreement for decades to keep the Korean threat as contained as possible. And I think that deserves some acknowledgement. To wish that foreign policy was not as political is perhaps foolishness considering our fraught partisan environment. But wish it nonetheless I do.
For in the end I worry a lot less about credit than about calm. I want peace no matter who takes a victory lap. I think odds are against a breakthrough here and there are many reasons to fear things could go horribly wrong but I pray that these fears are proven incorrect. This is about our country and our world. May we find a way to proceed in peace with our allies and our adversaries.
We shall see...
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
3 replies, 688 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (1)
ReplyReply to this post
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Dan Rather on NK: "I think odds are against a breakthrough here..." (Original Post)
Miles Archer
Mar 2018
OP
disndat
(1,887 posts)1. A Lucky Distraction for Trump
It wiped out the big Porn Star scandal from media's attention.
PLANNED either by Putin
Or maggot as major distraction /Nobel prize
Gambit.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)2. It is a one sociopathic narcissist using another.