Demagogue and Russian asset Donald "Rump" Trump is flailing for anything that will get the spotlight over his Federal government shutdown, and of course the Mueller investigation. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un sensed Rump's desperate straits and sent his emissary, Kim Yong Chol, to stall Rump again by offering another meaningless photo-op while he continues his nuclear weapons program.
Rump told reporters this morning that he and Chol had an "incredible" meeting (i.e., not to be believed) and made "a lot of progress," presumably deciding on the menus and flower arrangements. When they met in Singapore last year, Kim got everything he wanted: recognition as an equal to the U.S., flattery from clueless Rump, and a vague commitment to de-nuclearizing the Korean Peninsula (meaning "you first, U.S."). Since then, Kim has quietly continued his nuclear plans, while decommissioning some obsolete facilities for show. Rump is desperate to get a foreign policy "win" (he's given Putin quite a few), even if it's nothing more than keeping North Korea from firing ballistic missiles over the Sea of Japan....for now.
Rump's attraction to strongmen, thugs and dictators reveals his own desire to rule in an autocratic manner, damn checks and balances. Unfortunately, Kim's a smarter negotiator than the narcissistic Rump, who has broadcast his susceptibility to flattery, parades and stroking to every dictator in the world. Kim knows that, and will use that against Rump....again.
(image: Negotiating with yourself)
