China's THREAT over its BALLOON - US - China WAR ? - Biden Era

Sky News: Reports " China threatens 'further actions' over US downing of suspected spy balloon...Several days of intrigue as the mysterious white aircraft flew over US airspace were brought to an abrupt end when President Joe Biden ordered it be shot down - and his decision has not gone down well in Beijing.  "

Lets Get Real:

The question has to be asked, would China go to War with the US over a bloody balloon, NO is the simple answer, will they escalate, this blog's prediction is NO, will they send more planes in to the air space of Taiwan, the answer is YES.  Beijing might be thinking that US has its hands full with the WAR in the Ukraine, thus this might be the perfect time to increase the threats on Taiwan or even take some real action, such as a invasion, the Chinese Government in coordination with North Korea could cause massive problems for the Biden Oval, what is North Korea make a direct missile hit on South Korea and is backed up by China, while China tries something with Taiwan, let's recall the 1951 - 53 Korean War was an Armistice, should North Korea take action, that would dragg in the rest of the West, the UK lost troops in the Korean War, and other Allied Countries.  Thus the Biden Oval could could be woken up one day, with North Korea on the march in South Korea and China in Taiwan, also the Russians might start a major new offensive, does anyone think that US and Bidne could cope with that, this blog has its doubts, sometimes events might force the hands of North Korea and China, a weak President Biden who ran out of Afghanistan and is taking his time to arming the Ukrainian Army, might just be worth that open window. 

North Korea to have a Nuclear Test - South Korea - North Korean Crisis - Biden Era

Sky News: Reports " North Korea 'ready' to test a nuclear weapon, claims South Korean PM Han Duck-soo...The comments come in the closing weeks of a year that has seen the isolated state fire more missiles than at any other time since leader Kim Jong Un came to power in 2011.  "

Lets Get Real:

North Korea already a rogue natio, has gone further this year, North Korea has fired missiles and has tested a ICBM that could have reached the US this year. The North Korean nuclear test will be another crisis for the Biden Oval, North Korea also plays in to the the Ukraine War, the North Korean Government is giving military kit to Russia in the form of ammo, and one does wonder what the Kremlin is giving North Korea. One can assume that North Korea is getting political cover from China and Putin's Russia. The new South Korean Government was elected on being tougher with North Korea, the border between South and NorTH is full of tension most days, so what can South Korea really do, send more planes to the air border, increase it Naval protection of its borders.  One would think that South Korea and the US allies in the area, that would be Japan would agree on how to react to a nuclear test, the worry is that both South Korea and Japan might want to go nuclear, as they fear a nuclear armed North Korea.  Let's recall that the end of the Korean war in 1951 was an Armistice, no peace deal has ever been signed, thus should a WAR break out UN States would be dragged back in, this includes the UK, that would affect how much support the West would give to the Ukraine if the US and the UK faced a War in Korea again!!

The Other CRISIS, South and North Korea - Biden Era

BBC News: Reports " North and South Korea have fired a number of missiles into waters near each other's coasts in a marked escalation of hostilities.....The North launched its most missiles in a single day - at least 23  "

Lets Gets Real:

North Korea us upping its escalation, as noted North Korea has launched 23 missiles today.  The South Korea reaction was justified, but within limits, the next time it might be not that simple, what if Pyongyang accidental in purpose a missile that hits a South Korea City or other mainland areas in the South, just to TEST the new Government and to see how the Biden Oval reacts.  The North Korean Regime wants something, the question is what, the Biden Oval tried to start talks with North Korea, thus far no reaction from the North.  One can postulate that North Korea will test one of its nuclear missiles, how will President Biden react to that, he also face the CRISIS in the Ukraine.  Well President Biden wanted the job, this what happen when you are the leader of the West.  One does hope the Army is on ALERT in South Korea. 

The Developing North Korea Crisis - Trump Era

Sky News: Reports " North Korea: US faces 'undesired consequences' over nuclear stance...Pyongyang reacts to a US-set deadline as both sides engage in sabre-rattling following the collapse of the Trump-Kim summit.  "

Lets Get Real:

It would not be a great surprise if North Korea tested another nuclear bomb or tried another ICBM test, sending a missile over US Guam.   The North Koreans have been playing Trump since he came in to the Oval Office.  They have gotten good PR for the Summit's between Trump and the North Korean Leader.   Of late Kim Jong Un has been to Russia, it can be postulated that he is playing the US vs. Russia and hoping to get better concessions out of the Trump Oval.  President Trump can not allow himself to be played again, he faces a tough election fight in 2020, he does not want Biden to state that he is WEAK on national security when Biden himself is a 100% WEAK on national security.  While VP to President Obama, he opposed the troops surge to Afghanistan, and according to Robert Gates he undercut the policy at every change he got.  Also he was opposed to going after OBL in Pakistan.  BIDEN IS WEAK ON NATIONAL SECURITY, the Trump Oval should play on that, it is an easy win if Trump can keep to the economy and national security as his talking points. 

North Korea tries to BLACKMAIL the US over its Nuclear Structure - Trump Era

Sky News: Reports on the following remarks by the Foreign Minister of North Korea, " Mr Ri said Mr Kim had also been ready to offer in writing a permanent halt to the country's nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests and that Washington wasted an opportunity that "may not come again".  "

Lets Get Real:

It was expected that after the Summit between the US and North Korea that the two sides would sign some kind of agreement, it can be postulated that North Korea thought as stated with President Trump in trouble at home, that they could push him in to a bad agreement.   It would be interesting to see the notes of the meeting between TRUMP and KIM, will the White House publish them as to counter statements by the North Koreans.   The President was elected on the idea that he could make the BEST DEALS, so far with the exception of an update to NAFTA, the President has either failed to make agreements or negated past ones.  In the future if North Korea wants another Summit the US State Department should do the groundwork in detail, just to avoid POTUS having to travel half away around the World for a pointless meeting.   South Korea and Japan will be concerned that North Korea will go off the reservation and start to act up again, either with nuclear test or the use of missile tests.   The hawks on the Republican side and the Conservative Democrats ( there must be some around ) should make sure that the Trump Oval knows that it was right to walk away and that Republicans and Democrats on the Hill will be keeping eye on the OVAL OFFICE.  It should be noted that Reagan and Gorbachev had a failed Summit in late 1986, that was about removing ALL NUCLEAR WEAPONS, but it was the start of the end of the Cold War and it produced the INF Treaty that lasted from 1987-2019, it only ended when the Russians were found to have cheated on the Treaty. 

North Korea will not Budge when it comes to its Nuclear Policy - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " North Korea's foreign minister says Pyongyang's position will not change even if the US seeks further talks.  "

Lets Get Real:

At last President Trump has done something Presidential, he walked away from talks with North Korea, it seems that a light bulb has gone off in the brain of POTUS, he got the fact that he was being played by North Korea.   The President stated that North Korea wanted all sanctions off, in return for a limited denuclearisation, while NK stated it just wanted partial sanctions removed.   It can be postulated that Kim Jong-un seeing the weakness of Trump at home with the Russia investigation thought that POTUS would grant the concessions he wanted just for a picture op of the two leaders singing a limited agreement.   It will be interesting to see what North Korea does NEXT, will it carry on with back channel talks or will it start to test it nuclear weapons again and launch missiles over Japan.  The last option would be a MISTAKE, it would allow POTUS to get tough, even take military action, he could argue that he tried peaceful talks, and the NK tried to play him like a second hand car.    A tougher position on North Korea would go down well with the voters in 2020, it didn't do Reagan any harm in 1984, he was tough with the USSR and the economy was roaring along.  Of course Trump is NO REAGAN, he can not keep on message, and no one ever accused President Reagan of being an asset of the Russians.  Asia could get very hot or NK could fold when it comes to its nuclear weapons. 

Trump MEETS Kim for 2nd Time - Trump Era

Daily Mail: Reports " Trump and Kim Take 2: President meets North Korean dictator with a handshake and a laugh in Vietnam for their second nuclear summit and heralds the communist nation's 'unlimited' potential as Kim says he has high hopes for their talks  "

Lets Get Real:

It is so SAD to see a US President being conned by North Korea, POTUS thinks he is the smartest guy in the room when it comes to FOREIGN POLICY, he is not, he wants to be another Reagan, the Gipper used to say Trust but Verify when it comes to DEALS.  US intelligence has stated that North Korea is still a NUCLEAR THREAT, it can be postulated that North Korea wants to reform its economy, it's in the toilet, but it does not want to give up its nuclear arms.   Thus Kim will play Trump, get him to take sanctions off and even remove US military from South Korea, while developing his economy and keeping the BOMB.  This blog can not see any other US President being this foolish, even President Obama, and he did not go to Tehran for his failed nuclear deal.  One can also state that Hillary Clinton if she had won in 2016 would not have allowed herself to be conned.   What has happened to the HAWKS for the Republican Party, Nixon and Reagan would have been highly critical of the Trump move if they were still around. 

The Problem of North Korea - Trump Era

Washington Post: Reports " National security adviser John Bolton said Tuesday that North Korea has not made progress toward denuclearization "

Lets Get Real:

If you think about it, the US has got nothing for giving a Presidential Summit to North Korea, all that North Korea has done is return the remains of a few dead American Soldiers from the Korean War.   The Trump Oval has to accept the fact that it was played by North Korea.   The military training between the US and North Korea should NOW take place after they were placed on hold by President Trump.   The US needs to make sure that its Allies, South Korea and Japan have the defence against any new North Korean rockets. 

Trump and the US Government - Trump Era

Mail on Sunday: Reports " Trump threatens to shut down the government if he doesn't get money for his border wall as REPUBLICANS mull putting off the money until after November election "

Lets Get Real:

Let's see if POTUS follows through with the threat, the Trump Oval is all rhetoric and no action.  The North Korean Summit has shown few real achievements, the North Koreans have just handed over the remains of US Soldiers killed during the Korean War, the real prize is to remove North Korea as a nuclear power.   On the Russia relationship the Trump Oval is fawning over President Putin, while the Trump Oval is being investigated over the relationship between Russia and the Trump Campaign in 2016 Election.   One can not wait for the Democrats to take over the Congress, then they can place pressure on the Trump Oval, the US is a melting pot, Trump and his WALL is against the values of the US. 

US and North Korea Summit BACK ON - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " Donald Trump's summit with Kim Jong-un in Singapore on 12 June is back on, the US president says, a week after it was scrapped.  "

Lets Get Real:

This development will be good PR for POTUS, even the hard left/liberal media have to be nice to him on this subject.  The President was on form today, he quoted the low unemployment figures, the first in 50 years.  This blog did not think this Summit would happen, well it is going to happen, one would not mind being a fly on the wall of the Summit room for this meeting between two egoistical and mercurial leaders.  Of course there are few days to go before the Summit, something could go wrong.  We are talking about Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un here, interesting days ahead. 

The US and North Korean Summit - On Again? - Trump Era

Mail on Sunday: Reports " Trump says he's still hopeful June 12 summit with North Korea will take place as South Korean leader reveals Kim Jong-un wants to keep Singapore date and is committed to 'complete denuclearization'   "

Lets Get Real:

The above is the reason why there are Diplomats, this Summit might be historic, but is turning in to a farce.  Good diplomacy takes time, hours of work behind the PR junket for the press.  On whole the Summit could fall apart as both sides want different things, the US wants North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal, while North Korea wants to do it in steps.  This blogger would not buy a ticket to Singapore on the present circumstances, there is chance that the Summit will take place, as long as both leaders are talking about the same thing. 

On/off/On Summit between the US and North Korea - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " It is North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's "fixed will" that a summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore should go ahead, state media say.  "

Lets Get Real:

To say that Trump Presidency is different would be a understatement of the year, the ON/OFF/ON Summit between the US and North Korea seems ON again.  This is down to the groundwork of South Korea, it wants a peaceful neighbour, and one that allows families to be united.  It is to early to say if the Summit will happen, it will be a great photo op for both the US and North Korea. 

Trump Cancels North Korean Summit - Trump Era

The White House: Reports that President Trump has cancelled the Summit with North Korea due to North Korea's " anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement.  "

Lets Get Real:

This cancellation of the North Korean Summit is not that surprising, the harsh rhetoric out of North Korea has increased over the last few days, the North Korea has been critical of White House Staff and of the Vice - President.   It was a odd news day, the North Koreans blew up their nuclear facility while doing harsh rhetoric with the US.  One could almost say that the talks themselves become a problem, the North Korean Regime does not want to be another Libya, that is Gaddafi thrown from power by his people and killed by the people, so any such reference to Libya does not go down well.  In the view from the US, the Libya model works for them, Gaddafi agreed to remove his nuclear project, his fall from power, came years later.  It will be interesting to see what happens over the next few days. 

US and North Korea Summit - Update 3 - Trump Era

Guardian: Reports " Trump admits North Korea nuclear summit 'may not work out'..President says he believes Kim is ‘serious’ about denuclearization but acknowledges: ‘It may not work out for June 12’  "

Lets Get Real:

It will be interesting to see what North Korea says about the above statement, they could use it as a way to get out of the Summit.  The US and North Korea could have had different ideas about the Summit since the start.   The North Koreans want a gradual reduction of their nuclear forces as the US withdraws its troops from South Korea, something the US will not do.   This is the problem when you have a new President who has no history of diplomacy, building in New York is not the same as building a diplomatic relationship.   Interesting few days ahead. 

US and the North Korean Summit - Update 2 - Trump Era

Sky News: Reports on the prospect that the US and North Korean Summit will be delayed, " The event had been planned for 12 June but there have been concerns that Mr Kim is not committed to denuclearisation. "

Lets Get Real:

The North Koreans want the US to withdraw it troops from South Korea, cancel its security cover for Japan, while the US wants the North Koreans to give up its nuclear weapons and accept the US on South Korean soil.   The Summit PR would be good for the leaders, North Korea would see itself as accepted on the international stage as a nuclear power, while Trump's diplomacy would seem to have worked.   The problem comes in the final result, North Korea wants to keep most of its nuclear weapons, while the Trump Oval needs North Korea to give up its weapons.   A bad Summit can cause more problems that no Summit, the US needs to be firm with North Korea, it can not play its games, the US and its Allies will not be divided. 

The US and North Korean Summit - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " Trump says summit with North Korea's Kim Jong-un may be delayed "

Lets Get Real:

The Trump Oval might be thinking that the North Koreans are playing their typical game, promising talks then stalling to see if there are any concessions out of the US.  The Trump Oval has to be firm with North Koreans, no concessions in till they turn up to the Summit and offer to do away with their nuclear weapons.   North Korea has a history of over promising and then doing the reverse from 1994 onwards.   President Trump is clever enough to see how past Presidents have been played, he does not want to look like a useful for North Korea, has Reagan said on the USSR, Trust but Verify.

US and North Korea Summit - Update 3 - Trump Era

Guardian: Reports " North Korea has abruptly cancelled high-level talks with Seoul and threatened to pull out of a planned summit with Donald Trump if the US continues to insist on the regime giving up all of its nuclear weapons.  "

Lets Get Real:

The US should call the bluff of North Korea, state that it will not give any new concessions to North Korea before the talks, and that North Korea had agreed that the US could carry on with its military exercises with North Korea.   The North Koreans are playing games as stated in previous posts, they want to see how badly Trump wants the Summit, the Trump Oval has to be FIRM, no concessions and no reduction in military exercises with North Korea.   This is the time for President Trump to show leadership. 

US - North Korea Summit - Update 2 - Trump Era

Sky News: Reports " N Korea: No interest in summit based on 'one-sided' demands...If the summit is scrapped, it will be embarrassing for Donald Trump, who had promised a "very special moment for world peace". "

Lets Get Real:

Did the mention of Libya and Gaddafi really thrown the North Korean over the edge, or are they seeing what concessions they can get out of the US before the Summit.   It would be pointless for Trump to have a meeting with Kim Jong Un if the North Koreans are not going to give up their nukes, it would be seen a failure of the Trump Presidency if North Korea kept their nukes.  This is a developing story, it will be interesting to see how it ends! 

Will there be a US - North Korean Summit - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " North Korea summit: US hopeful Trump-Kim meet will go ahead "

Lets Get Real:

The above is North Korea playing games, it want to see concessions from the Trump Administration before having a Summit, they have seen how Trump has placed a lot on there being a successful Summit and thus is looking to gain some points before the Summit.  Of course if North Korea does not denuclearising after the Summit it will be seen as a failure for President Trump, and a success for North Korea.   The Trump Oval has to stay firm, give no concessions before the Summit, if North Korea plays the US as it has done in the past then the President Trump should walk away, it is doubtful that North Korea will give up its nukes, why should they, the only reason that Trump is talking to North Korea is because it has nukes.   Thus that old joke about the chicken and the egg!!

Trump and North Korea - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " North Korea has freed three US citizens from prison, according to a tweet from US President Donald Trump.  "

Lets Get Real:

This is further good news from the Trump Oval, yesterday was the news that Trump had decided to pull out of the Obama/Iran deal, the elite left wing press has been highly critical, but the Oval has been supported by Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf States.   The news from North Korea shows how much in charge the Trump Oval is,  one would think that there would be no summit without the release of the hostages.  President Trump has showed who is in charge in D.C, the more moderate members of the Trump Administration have been shown the door, Trump know understands Foreign Policy, he is his own man, he is the President and the final decider.