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.

What are the North Koreans Up to ? - North Korean Update - The Korea problem

Sky News: Reports " Koreas agree on complete denuclearisation...The leaders agreed to rid the peninsula of nuclear weapons but did not provide specific measures on how to achieve the objective. "

Lets Get Real:

This blog will hold its judgement on the latest peace moves between North and South Korea, the World has seen North Korea break previous promises over its nuclear plans.  The North could be playing a shrewd game, it will want a lot to give up its nuclear weapons, even if the talks can get that far.   The North might want the US to remove its troops from South Korea and end its security agreement with South Korea and Japan, such moves are a no go area for the US.  The US has one aim, to remove the nuclear weapons of North Korea and to make sure that North Korea does not become a conventional threat to South Korea and Japan.   The next big event will be the Summit between the US and North Korea, the new US Secretary of State has just meet the North Korea leader, he went over as Director of the CIA, and is seen as a  hawk, as is the new National Security Adviser to President Trump.  

US and North Korea - Talks Update - Trump Era

Sky News: Reports " Trump warns North Korea talks could be called off if not 'fruitful'..The President says he hopes for a successful meeting with Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks, but warns he may call it off. "

Lets Get Real:

The fact the next US Secretary of State when to meet Kim Jong - un is a good start, but one has to recall that the North Koreans have broken their word before when it comes to their nuclear ambitions.   The Trump Oval has to be careful that they are not being played by the North Koreans, if the North starts to go about the US leaving South Korea and not keep its security accord with South Korea and Japan, then President Trump must leave.  Talking is good, but not for talks sake.   The Trump Oval needs to be very wary of the North Koreans. 

US Politics and North Korea - Trump Era

CNN - Politics: Reports " Nearly two-thirds of Americans approve of Trump's decision to meet with Kim (62% approve, 31% disapprove) and the President's overall approval for handling the situation with North Korea has climbed from a November low of 35% to 43% now. That's a new high for the President. "

Lets Get Real:

If President Trump can make a deal with the North Korean leader it would be a political coup, the left would be stuck with egg on their elite faces.   In 1972 Nixon went to China, it was a first visit by a US President, and Nixon could take the heat from the right as he had been a firm anti - communist throughout his political career. Trump has been tougher than most Presidents when it comes to North Korea.   Of course when you think of Nixon, you think of Watergate, it could be the same for Trump, the Russian probe is on going, what will be the results, that is for a future date, thus a historic meeting between a US President and North Korea is on the cards, the question is, will it be PEACE or WAR, one would like to be a fly on the wall should the meet happen, this blog still has doubts that the meeting will happen, a week is a long time in politics.   Is Trump the new Nixon?

The US and North Korea - North Korean Crisis

Daily Mail: Reports " Trump says he's looking forward to meeting Kim Jong-un after North Korean dictator's surprise visit to Beijing to meet China's Xi Jinping in first-ever overseas trip as leader  "

Lets Get Real:

Although President Trump has agreed to meet Kim Jong - un, this blog gives it a 50/50 of happening, the North Koreans want US troops out of South Korea and they want the US to cut the alliance with the South, and for this the North will give up its nuclear weapons.   The Trump Oval can not sell that kind of deal, the South needs the protection of the US against the military threat of the NORTH, also South Korea and Japan need the nuclear protection of the US against China.   The Summit between Trump and Kim Jong - un could fail even before a meeting.  The idea of having two ego maniacs in the same room should worry the World, Trump will only want to get rid of the nuclear weapons held by the North, while the North will want the above, that is a deal that Trump could not sell and should not try to sell.  The doomsday clock might have gone back a few seconds, there could still be a war in Asia. 

The Main Stream Media vs. President Trump- North Korean Update 4 - Trump Era

Guardian: Has a opinion piece on Trump meeting Kim Jong - un, " Trump meeting Kim Jong-un is a half-baked idea – and a dangerous one..The president is more likely to spill his guts about classified intelligence than to get the upper hand with any kind of meaningful deal  "

Lets Get Real:

As stated the main stream media hate the thought that President Trump could have been right about North Korea, they think that he is not up to meeting with Kim Jung - un and that a meeting between the two could cause more problems.  This is a historic moment for Trump, it is like when Reagan and Gorbachev agreed to a further Summits after their first meeting, sometimes you have to just roll the dice and to see what happens, with those Summits we saw the end of the Cold War.   In the end the fall of the USSR.   The meeting between the US and North Korea could be the start of talks, better than WAR on the whole, so let's see what happens, if nothing else it will open another path to talks.  The US should be wary but that should not stop talking. 

Trump has won the SPIN Debate - North Korean Update 3 - Trump Era

Daily Mail: Reports " Kim Jong Un can spin this any way he likes, but Trump has taunted and tortured Little Rocket Man into blinking first and the world can (temporarily) breathe a massive sigh of relief  "

Lets Get Real:

The main stream media ( MSM ) WILL not be happy, they might have to say that Trump was right in his handling of the North Korean Crisis, that will be hard for them to take, even more so if Trump goes North Korea, the press will want to be on Air Force One if there is such a visit.  The President can have his revenge by snubbing the networks that have not been fair to him, this could be his Nixon goes to China moment.   Of course this is just the start, it could all fall apart as fast as it happened.    The US State Department will have a lot of lifting to do, also there is no US Ambassador in South Korea, thus the Trump Administration is lacking personnel on the ground.  This could be a historic meeting, but it could fall apart, as stated Trump and his Administration has to be very wary!!

US and North Korea Update 2 - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " The US has expressed surprise at the "dramatic" shift in stance by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that has seen President Donald Trump agree to talks.  "

Lets Get Real:

There must be a reality to any Trump meeting with the North Korean leader, the Trump Oval has to be concerned that it is played, that the North Korean want the PR but will do actually nothing or will make the US look like a sucker, the North Korea must agree to get rid of their nuclear weapons and ambitions.   The US through the CIA must make sure that North Korea follows through with any pledges, the UN could be part of the process.   President Trump is a PR President, that must not be allowed to negate US policy aims. 

The White House on North Korean invite to talks - Trump Era

The White House: Here is the full invite from North Korea for POTUS to meet Kim Jong-un, " Remarks by Republic of Korea National Security Advisor Chung Eui-Yong...Good evening.  Today, I had the privilege of briefing President Trump on my recent visit to Pyongyang, North Korea.  I’d like to thank President Trump, the Vice President, and his wonderful national security team, including my close friend, General McMaster.

I explained to President Trump that his leadership and his maximum pressure policy, together with international solidarity, brought us to this juncture.  I expressed President Moon Jae-in’s personal gratitude for President Trump’s leadership.

I told President Trump that, in our meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he is committed to denuclearization.  Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests.  He understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue.  And he expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible.

President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization.

The Republic of Korea, along with the United States, Japan, and our many partners around the world remain fully and resolutely committed to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.  Along with President Trump, we are optimistic about continuing a diplomatic process to test the possibility of a peaceful resolution.

The Republic of Korea, the United States, and our partners stand together in insisting that we not repeat the mistakes of the past, and that the pressure will continue until North Korea matches its words with concrete actions.

Thank you.

END  "

This is historic, but there needs to be caution, North Korea has not changed over night, it still has its own Gulag, there are hundred thousands in jail, including whole families.   The US State Department should have talks with North Korea, they have to make sure before a Presidential meeting that there is a good deal to get, the Trump Oval does not want to make North Korea seem normal, they have killed a US Citizen.  There is hope but it must be realistic hope. 

Could the US blockade North Korea ? - North Korean Crisis

Fox News: Reports " Ships carrying illicit cargo to North Korea can expect rough seas ahead due to a planned crackdown on sanctions violators initiated by the U.S. and its regional allies -- a move that potentially enhances tensions with the volatile Hermit Kingdom.  "

Lets Get Real:

The US has placed more sanctions on North Korea while the Winter Olympics was on, and the North did nothing, in fact they stated they were ready for talks with the US, could this move a blockade in many senses further push the North Koreans to talk to the West and STOP their path to the bomb.   Of course it will depend how througher the US are with the blockade, will they take ships that have illegal cargo for the North, such as oil.  How will the North react should the US prevent them getting oil for their missile plans.  Interesting developments in Asia. 

North Korea Update - North Korean Crisis

BBC News:  Reports " US President Donald Trump says he is launching the "largest ever" set of new sanctions against North Korea.  "

Lets Get Real:

This above should remained North Korea that the US has not dropped the ball when it comes to North Korea, thus far North Korea has behaved, no nuclear tests or missile tests while the Winter Olympics is on, that is good, but that does not mean that the North Korean crisis is over.   The US can not allow North Korea to become a full nuclear power, the ability to place a nuclear warhead on a missile.   That would be a direct threat to the US.   It will be interesting to see how the Countries in the area react, will North Korea try a nuclear test or missile test, what will China say, one can expect support from Japan.   The one Country that might have a problem is South Korea, they want a quiet life, but they can not with North Korea as a threat.

Trump on North Korea - Trump Era

CNN - Politics: Reports " President Donald Trump will give "eye-opening" remarks Tuesday on US efforts to curb North Korea's nuclear weapons program, a source familiar with the President's State of the Union speech said. "

Lets Get Real:

One can only hope that President Trump does not declare WAR on North Korea, otherwise the State of the Union will be long on rhetoric but little on actual action.  Thus far the North Koreans it seems to have backed off, the UN sanctions and no cover from China has forced North Korea to be more restrained.   The President could say that he was ordering a blockade of North Korea to prevent it getting fuel for its missiles, that would make news.  Otherwise it is a waiting game, the North Koreans have stated that they will go the Winter Olympics in South Korea as a united team, why does this blog think they are up to something, will try try a nuclear test while the games are on, or test another ICBM against the US or other US interests.  Interesting speech ahead. 

The US and North Korea Deal - North Korean Crisis

BBC News: Reports " South Korea says US President Donald Trump has agreed to suspend their joint military drills during the Olympics.  "

Lets Get Real:

It can be argued that President Trump is right to take credit for the supposed concessions made by the North Koreans, they now want to go to the Winter Olympics and have tested the red hot line between the Koreas.    The question is what North Korea does next, there were reports that the US thought that North Korea would launch another missile test, thus far that has not happened, can this early thaw lead to REAL TALKS or is this just spin by the North Koreans, in the hope of causing friction between the US and South Korea. 

North Korea just BLINKED - North Korean Crisis

BBC News: Reports " US President Donald Trump has boasted that his nuclear button is "much bigger" and "more powerful" than North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's. "

Lets Get Real:

It can be postulated that North Korea has just blinked, as with Cuba in 1962 when the Russians turned their Ships around, the North Koreans have stated that they want o go to the Winter Olympic Games and has made sure the red hot line is open and working in case something goes wrong.   The NK Regime might be worried that President Trump just might launch a first strike, so they trying to calm the crisis down.   THIS Crisis is OVER, but there will be a next time, what happens if North Korea tries another ballistic test or above ground nuclear test.   There will be a next time.

The North Korean Threat - North Korea Crisis

Mail on Sunday: Reports " 'The nuclear button is always on my desk': North Korea rings in the New Year by warning the US that the entire country is within range of its weapons  "

Lets Get Real:

This is more sabre rattling by Little Rocket Man, when he is full of hot air that means that the US could be lucky and that the North Korean missile plans have some problems, thus his latest statements.   The US and the West should not be concerned about North Korea, they only make threats when they want food, the US has played this game for decades under various Presidents, it knows that North Korea has a weak hand, time is on the side of the US.  Also should North Korea be foolish to attack a US ally then the US would wipe North Korea off the face of this Earth. 

Oil for North Korea - North Korean Crisis

BBC News: Reports " South Korea has revealed it seized a Hong Kong-registered ship last month suspected of supplying oil to the North in breach of international sanctions.  "

Lets Get Real:

The US at the UN has to push for the total blockade of North Korea, ALL goods with the exception of food for the poor North Korean people.  The Trump Oval has to place considerable pressure on China and Russia to support such a move, if they refuse the US should place US Naval Forces in the region to impose a total blockade of North Korea, it has to be made clear to NK that they have only one choice, to obey the will of the US, otherwise the US will bring down the North Korean Regime. 

China CAUGHT giving OIL to North Korea - North Korean Crisis

Daily Mail: Reports " 'Caught RED HANDED': Trump attacks China over claims it is secretly supplying oil to North Korea in defiance of strict UN embargo  "

Lets Get Real:

Thus the word of China can not be trusted, they have dishonoured themselves, their WORD is no good, the US Navy will have to move to make sure that China is not giving oil to North Korea.   The only way for a peaceful end to the North Korean Crisis is for CHINA to place ALL the sanctions on North Korea, this would force NK to come to heel.   By breaking their word to the UN and to the US the Chinese government has shown it can not be trusted.  The US must be at some point to take out the North Korean threat, tense New Year ahead.  This blog was wrong about one thing, it thought that NK would take some kind of military action after the new UN sanctions, it has not happened, it must be on some level that the sanctions are working. 

North Korea and WMD - North Korean Crisis

Telegraph: Reports " Anthrax antibodies detected in blood of North Korean defector, raising biological weapons fears "

Lets Get Real:

One has to think that North Koreans Regime would be MAD to launch a WMD attack on US Forces in South Korea, any such attack by the Little Rocket Man would lead to the Trump using ALL FORCE to remove such a threat.   Thus far at the end of the year the North Korean Regime has been ALL HOT AIR over the UN sanctions, stating that it is a declaration of War but doing nothing, one has to think that the North Korean Regime is all sound meaning nothing, they would be MAD to have an above ground nuclear test for their nuclear device, the Trump Oval would have to ACT,   The best policy by the South Koreans and the West is to do nothing, let them roar, they annoy but are not MAD. 

New North Korean Sanctions - Trump Era

CNN - Politics: Reports " The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a new set of draconian US-drafted sanctions on North Korea that will further strangle its energy supplies and tighten restrictions on smuggling and the use of North Korean workers overseas.  "

Lets Get Real:

This could be the straw that breaks the North Korean Camel, on the news lately was a report that North Korean shippermen are going to sea in boats that can not cope with the weather, the theory is that North Korea is starving, they can not even feed their own Soldiers as was found when a North Korean Soldier defected to the West, he had massive worms in him.   The North Korean leadership, rocket man is not that sane, he has killed people close to him and even his own family, if he sees that he losing control he might take action to divert attention, he might test a nuclear device above ground, that would force POTUS to take action.  It might be wrong, but look out for Christmas and the New Year for a nuclear test above ground by North Korea, let's hope I AM VERY WRONG. 

Hillary Clinton on the North Korean Crisis - Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " Hillary Clinton used a conference in Beijing to blast both President Trump and the Chinese over their stance toward North Korea — saying it needs to soften up soon before things get out of hand and nuclear war breaks out. "

Lets Get Real:

This easy for HRC to be critical of President Trump, if she had won in 2016 would she be so easy on North Korea, the first woman POTUS, one has doubts.   It could be that HRC is thinking of running again in 2020, this time as more of a LEFT WING candidate, what else left for her to do, my suggestion that she run for the House seems to have fallen on deaf ears.   The Oval Office should no nothing with North Korea, this is just NK wanting attention, if you give them that they will make money demands, as they have in the past.   The Oval Office should only react if North Korea launches a missile that gets close to Guam or the mainland US.  One last reason that the Oval Office should react should NK test a above ground nuclear missile, that would be a stark escalation, the best thing to do is just ignore North Korea.