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I dunno. I’m inclined to think a decent country should be mild-mannered, predictable, and dangerous–like classic Superman.
My answer to that particular challenge: It was Obama who damaged America’s credibility. That’s what you do when you do treaty-level deals without sending through the senatorial treaty process.
To @michaelstopa‘s question, “Why should the Norks trust us if we go back on deals like the Iran deal?” I have a better answer. A good deal is good for both parties and it’s in the interest of both parties to keep to it. Bad deals are imposed by one on the other and the losing side will always look for a way out or a way around. The Iran deal was bad for the US.
Why should we want to renege on the deal if we get what we want? We have zero interest in invading North Korea. As for Kim’s fear of ending up at the Hague, keep in mind that the US does not participate in the International Criminal Tribunal and did not ratify the treaty, along with a host of other countries (including China and Russia). Word ’round the campfire is that a bunch of African states might withdraw.
This is the difference between having someone from the business world versus someone from the political class as president. The question about trust is a political-class kind of question. There is no honor among thieves or diplomats. Reagan liked the Russian proverb, trust but verify.
Drlorentz and Augie, very thoughtful. But even a good deal can be reneged upon. Some Obama-like liberal comes along and becomes president…decides Kim is not nice enough to his people (who can argue?)…then decides to start putting the screws on. Could happen, and probably Kim knows this. But maybe Kim actually sees the world as it is now. Maybe his chance at real immortality beckons. One difference between Kim and Sadam: I think the NK people are actually brainwashed into loving Kim.