Posted on 12/24/2019 12:50:45 PM PST by Mariner
Former national security adviser John Bolton has suggested Donald Trump is bluffing about stopping North Korea from producing nuclear weapons in his most direct criticism of the president’s foreign policy yet.
Mr Bolton, who resigned from the Trump administration in September, accused Mr Trump of having more of a “rhetorical policy” on North Korea rather than a serious plan in an interview with the news website Axios.
“The idea that we are somehow exerting maximum pressure on North Korea is unfortunately just not true,” the former adviser said.
“We're now nearly three years into the administration with no visible progress towards getting North Korea to make the strategic decision to stop pursuing deliverable nuclear weapons.”
His comments come amid heightened tensions after a top North Korean official said the country would send a “Christmas gift” to the US in December.
It is thought that Kim Jong-un is planning to adopt a hardline anti-US policy, which would take denuclearisation off the table and abandon negotiations, according to a CNN report.
Mr Bolton told Axios that if North Korea defies the US, the Trump administration should admit its policy has failed and take a tougher approach on Mr Kim’s leadership.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
John Bolton is an enemy of the American people.
Looks like Bolton is pulling a Max Boot.
Well, we know that’s a lie right there, because no American President in my 72 years, other than President Trump has ever even met in person, or made an attempt to meet with any leader of North Korea. Did he only meet with Kim to see if he could get two scoops of ice cream on his pie?
Bolton couldn’t win dog catcher.
Nowhere in the article do they refer to President Trump as “president.” Seemingly they cannot bear saying it.
Bolty just wants to make bucks off weapons sales! Eisenhower would have had him shot.
Read and heard the entire messaage. It was NOT anti-Trump. It was anti-Kim and that’s as it should be.
Does he still have his security clearance?
“Spose that is fake news?
Does he still have his security clearance?
Bolton was difficult even with the wussy Bush. I think a lot of people liked him then because he was hawkish - but he was also off the wall and an egomaniac. He hasn’t changed.
Absolute worst you can say about Pres. Trump re: North Korea is that he’s not been any more effective than all the other presidents from Eisenhower on. I’d add the modifier “yet” to that, as the fat lady hasn’t sung yet.
More than likely.
“Read and heard the entire messaage. It was NOT anti-Trump. It was anti-Kim and that’s as it should be.”
And, if Kim and his cabinet believes the US President does not have the will to stop him, how does the chance of war change?
It makes it much more likely.
It undermines the US face toward Norklandia to a great extent.
“...and he has a woody for Trump.”
Trump’s the reason he CAN’T get a woody.
Mr. Bolton has to examine the situation as part of a larger gestalt. (I used that word to sound intellectual)
Why should the US be the one to send their soldiers to die and spend their treasure to shut down NKs nuclear program?
NK directly borders on SK, Russia and China. Any of which could roll over NK if sufficiently motivated.
Until they act, sorry not our problem.
Having had a lot of respect for Bolton over the years, due to watching a number of his interviews and how he conducted himself on the issues addressed, it is literally shocking to me to see him come off looking this bad.
We talking about gamesmanship at the highest possible level, trying to defang a nuclear threat from perhaps the world’s biggest threat since Kim does not seem to fear reciprocity.
In marches Bolton to make it clear he disagrees with Trump, and so he should walk on Trump’s negotiation carpet, with severely muddy feet.
I consider this borderline actionable.
True as that may be what has it actually accomplished?
Three years and no significant progress made? Hmmmm. How many years has North Korea existed? How much progress did every prior administration make? Yet, orange man bad because he hasn’t fixed North Korea.
BTW, I’ll go so far as to say North Korea would be foolish to give up its nukes after what happened under the last administration. Look at Libya. There is nothing short of a fully ratified and signed treaty that would stop a future administration from reneging on any agreement.
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