The hermit kingdom probably won’t denuclearize but talks present an opportunity to deescalate
While Washington is amiss with palace intrigue, rumor, allegations of scandal, and unending investigations — a silver lining has emerged on what is the most difficult national security problem set encountered by any American president for the better part of six decades. And so far, it appears that President Donald Trump is winning.
North Korea is said to have committed to giving up its nuclear weapons if it is given certain security guarantees. The North Koreans are also said to be willing to do so without preconditions, with U. S. sanctions and military exercises staying in place. The news coming out of South Korea follows an inter-Korean summit in which North Korean leader Kin Jung Un hosted a South Korean delegation for peace talks.
During the summit Kim Jong Un reportedly extended an invite to President Trump through the South Korean President for talks in what would be first ever meeting between a sitting U. S. President and a North Korean dictator. While the North Koreans have extended the invitation in the past, this is the first time it has come without preconditions and with the pledge to denuclearize. This is truly unprecedented and we have President Trump to thank for it.
North Korea made this offer without any concessions from the United States only after watching President Donald Trump respond to North Korean threats like no other President has before. For the first time, it appears that North Korea is taking the United States seriously, which is in no small part due to President Trump’s unwavering commitment to U. S. policy and his willingness to use force if necessary. The U. S. military is a big stick to wield but our adversaries will only see it as a deterrent if they believe a president will use it when necessary – something that was lost as the last administration engaged in a feckless foreign policy and failed to backup redline positions.
