Trump's big threat to NK, "Drills!"

[Johnny2X2X]

After all of that tough talk, we did drills with South Korea to teach NK a lesson. Trump is the definition of talk tough and carry a small stick.

Now the fact is, we probably can't do a whole lot right now, and we need China to take the lead on this. But Trump talked so tough and now he's holding drills. If this were Obama they'd be talking about the Red Line Syria debacle again. The World sees weakness when Trump tweets, every time he does so they position themselves to take advantage.

China senses US weakness and increased trade with NK 40% in the 1st quarter of 2017. That is a disaster for US policy towards NK, we are going to be boxed in. These are the subtle things that are taking place internationally right now. The US has decided not to lead the world, we've ceded the control that comes with leading. The world is a much more peaceful place with the US leading IMO, we're entering an era of uncertainty and undoubtedly that will lead to unnecessary conflicts.

[pangaia]

1. The US hasn't decided..

Putin, Dugin, Bannon et al are finally able to destroy the US and cut us off from the rest of the world.

That leaves all of Europe easier prey for Russian imperialism... as apposed to American imperialism.

[Johnny2X2X]

3. We lose by the day

This does not end well. The US has lead the world since WWII, this leads to WWIII. Every day the rest of the world takes advantage of US weakness and positions themselves against us.

The fact that the leader of Germany said the US is no longer a "Friend" is stunning and I can't believe it wasn't covered more in the news. We are viewed as a surrogate of Russia, Europe will start to position themselves against the US going forward. Merkel chooses her words carefully, there is meaning in what she said. It is a signal that the world no longer has belief in US Democracy to right what is currently wrong. Our election was hacked and it will be hacked much more blatantly in 2018 and 2020.

[pangaia]

4. I think you may be right about 2018 and 2020.

I think many, here and elsewhere, have rose-colored glasses to believe it won't happen.

Nevertheless, I will not give up and I will resist in ways that I can.

[Johnny2X2X]

11. We've seen nothing yet

They got away with it so far. They stole an election and they weren't even in charge of the government yet. Now they have the federal government under their thumbs, it's going to be massive in 2018 and 2020. 2016 was just the warm up. People are scarcely questioning the security of the vote. They're going to push the envelope now. They know that with FOX News and their other media outlets they can still feign legitimacy.

We weren't ready for what they did in 2016, and we won't be ready for what they will do in 2018. Our Democracy has been compromised.

[pangaia]

12. Agreed... throwing the turtle in a kettle of cool water on the burner...

it never believes it until it is too late..


WAKE UP AMERIKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NCTraveler]

2. Well said. We are giving up power on the world stage.

It's not a good thing as any power given is then taken over by other nations. That is my biggest problem with Trumps actions with the Paris Accord. It's any area where many on the far right and left come together. There is often more isolationist tendencies among those groups.

[maxrandb]

6. I think that in large part

the world saw America and said; "well, we don't like everything that you do, but you've got a powerful military, a decent economy, and YOU ELECT RELATIVELY SANE PEOPLE, as your leaders"

What the hell happens when they realize we DON'T elect sane leaders?

[NCTraveler]

7. It's a really big deal.

We have already seen many world leaders thumb their nose at us. They count on certain things staying consistent and rational from our leaders. That is clearly in question.

[maxrandb]

5. How will the ReTrumplicans blame

the 40% increase in China's trade with N. Korea on the first 20 Days of January??

Watch Faux News to find out!

[Orsino]

8. Seems typical of US policy.

This may be one thing the Trump Administration has handled more or less correctly, if only by delegating the response to the JCS.

I can imagine Trump really, really wants China to save him the trouble of having to find NK on a map.

[Sunlei]

9. Russia & NK have a trade/passanger sea port they use. I think the hardware comes from Russia.

Russia, along with other 'not free' countries like NK, China again shit-stirs t(R)ump & American government.

May be time to set South Korea free, remove the NK/SK barrier and let NK try to keep their citizens from fleeing.

[Johnny2X2X]

10. Russia

People think because Trump is Putin's errand boy that it means that Russia wants to partner with the US, they don't, they want to destroy the US. A diminished US that is no longer a a force for stability in the world is what Russia wants, they will take advantage at every turn. Chaos is good for Putin and his organized crime empire. A nuclear North Korea is fine with them as are ICBMs that could deliver that to the US. Russia will rob the world blind as it burns.