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If at all possible, I try to avoid criticizing Donald Trump; I know the attacks I will be subject to from readers. But something is not quite right in the White House, and I’m concerned about Trump’s response to Putin’s vicious warring on Ukraine, as well as Trump's interactions with Israel.
First, I’ve always been annoyed at how Trump sees his relationships with tyrants. Maybe it’s his way of buttering them up; he likes to imagine that he is best friends with all of them. Putin and Xi are the two current buddies that he has tried to imagine are his friends. Maybe that kind of flattery works with some monsters, but somehow, I think it’s not particularly effective with these fellows. I suspect that they think they are above friendships, which are a sign of weakness, and depicting these kinds of relationships could backfire on Trump.
For Trump to say that Putin is “crazy” is just plain silly. Putin is acting right in character, because it suits him at this time. For Trump to assume that he knows the minds of madmen is arrogant and foolish, and I’m quite tired of his bragging about his great relationships. To insult him by calling Putin crazy isn’t helpful.
I’m also concerned with Trump and his attitudes about Israel. I think he is trying to hold two paradoxical thoughts in his consciousness: one is that he fully supports Israel and wants them to defeat Hamas, and the other side of the paradox is that he wants the Gazan war over.
Good for him.
It’s not helpful for Trump to ignore situations that affect Israel, such as his negotiating with the Houthis to stop firing on ships without involving Israel, and convincing Hamas to release an Israeli-American without consulting Israel.
Does he have too much on his plate? Wouldn’t it make more sense to just severely sanction the Russians and help Israel bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities?
Isn’t it time to let go of the illusion that negotiating the deal always works?
Discussion (153)
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He is intensely frustrating isn’t he? The border and illegal immigration seem to be the only thing he sticks with.
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Maybe he should contemplate why those have gone well, Andrew. It's said his paying attention to his gut works for him, but I think he must have a bad case of indigestion right about now.
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Do not bomb Iran. In case you missed it, Trump has spent the last 4 months aligning all the Sunni powers in the Middle East to pressure Iran into a no-nuclear deal. This is the best position we have been in since the 70's.
Russia is already sanctioned as much as they can be. The problem with Russia and Ukraine is the western European powers are pushing for war. As long as those countries are driving for greater war, it is impossible for Trump to work out a deal where both sides feel like winners. Wars end with both sides choose to stop fighting or one side can't fight anymore.
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I didn't miss it, Don . Plain and simple, Iran lies. They may end up with an agreement, but they will hide their non-compliance.
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Doubt this.
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