Trump-Kim's meeting: All you need to know
Regarding a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, US president Donald Trump once famously joked, "As far as the risk of dealing with a madman is concerned, that's his problem, not mine." So, when earlier this week, the Trump-Kim meeting was announced, US officials and analysts were wary. Is this really a madman summit or the long-awaited breakthrough? Let's put it in perspective.
Was Trump's decision to meet Kim impulsive?
After the announcement, it is being speculated that Trump accepted Kim's offer of talks possibly on a whim. Apparently, he has also kept many significant players out of the loop. Conversely, Kim has acted with stage-managed design: reaching out to the South Koreans and engaging Trump through them. This makes it easy for him to renege.
Will Kim get more emboldened now?
Analysts haven't hinted that Trump might have fallen into Kim's well-laid trap. North Korea's foremost demand has always been a face-to-face meeting between its leader and an American president. This would give them the much-needed legitimacy. Trump has handed this to Kim on a platter. Now, Kim may or may not stop his nuclear program. He isn't bound by convention or morality.
Is Kim really likely to give up his nuclear weapons?
Now, in exchange for a meeting with Trump, Kim will "consider" denuclearization. Everything here hinges on what he means by "consider." Does he mean mutual disarmament, wherein US also gives up weapons or the US-version of "North Korea's full disarmament." Moreover, has Kim already strengthened his arsenal to talk with US on an equal footing? These questions might need answering before the much-touted clash-of-titans.
Does Trump have the resources to see this through?
Besides, with no US ambassador to South Korea and shocking resignation of State Department's chief North Korea diplomat, Trump administration is short-staffed. Also, Trump's government got rid of veteran diplomats; instead, it relies on novice advisers like President's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
What could be different this time?
Notably, this isn't the first time that a US president has been invited by "a Kim" to negotiate "denuclearization." During Bill Clinton's administration, talks were de-railed after former leader Kim Jong Il backed-out. By not using low-level diplomats to do the ground-work, Trump's approach to North Korea is rather unconventional.
Why this meeting could be a right step?
Admittedly, Trump is the wild card. His unpredictability and erratic functioning-style may have established the nuclear-war threat as credible to force Kim on the negotiating table. Going forward, a lot might depend on his mood and personal biases during the negotiations. If his hard-nosed approach to North Korea works, it would be a jack-pot. But, if it fails, the threat of a nuclear-war remains.
